⚙️ RRB JE 2026 - Junior Engineer
RRB JE 2026 Mock Tests, Syllabus and Exam Pattern
Railway Recruitment Board - Junior Engineer - the premier technical officer recruitment in Indian Railways for diploma and degree engineers. Join Indian Railways as a Junior Engineer in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Electronics, IT, and other engineering departments. 2-stage CBT selection with a branch-specific Technical Abilities paper in CBT 2. Free mock tests, chapter-wise practice, PYQs, and expert strategy - all in one place.
2 CBT Stages
7,000+ Vacancies
Diploma / Degree Eligible
Free Mock Tests
⚙️
2026
Notification Expected
7,000+
Expected Vacancies
Rs.35,400
Starting Basic Pay
18-33
Age Limit (Years)
📋 Table of Contents
Jump directly to the section you need
🎯 Practice Mock Tests - Chapter-wise and Subject-wise
Click any subject to see all chapters, or click directly on a chapter to start practicing
⚙️ Technical Abilities Mock Tests: CBT 2 is entirely Technical Abilities - 100 marks of branch-specific engineering content (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, IT, etc.). Practice your branch topics through the relevant chapter pages on our website. The Technical Abilities section is covered in detail in the Branch-wise Syllabus section below.
🔍 RRB JE 2026 - At a Glance
Everything you need to know before you start preparing
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RRB JE - The Highest Entry-Level Pay in Railway Technical Recruitment
RRB JE starts at Pay Level 6 (Rs.35,400 Basic Pay) - the same as Station Master in RRB NTPC and significantly higher than ALP (Level 2) and Group D (Level 1). It is the only entry-level railway exam that directly recruits candidates at the officer-equivalent technical grade. With a gross salary of Rs.55,000 - Rs.65,000+ per month, full railway benefits, and a career that can advance to Senior Section Engineer (Level 7) and Junior Engineer (SSE/JE) level within 8-10 years, RRB JE is the best technical railway career for diploma and engineering graduates.
📊 CBT 1 - Qualifying Round Exam Pattern
CBT 1 is qualifying only - marks are NOT counted in final merit. Clear the cut-off to reach CBT 2.
1
CBT 1 - Computer Based Test (90 Minutes)
⚠️ Important: CBT 1 has no sectional time limit - all 100 questions share 90 minutes. Negative marking is 1/3 mark per wrong answer. CBT 1 marks are NOT counted in final merit - used only for shortlisting to CBT 2. Note that General Science carries 30 marks in CBT 1 - equal to Mathematics - making it the joint highest subject alongside Math.
🏆 CBT 2 - Merit-Based Round Exam Pattern
CBT 2 determines your final rank. Technical Abilities carries 75% of the total marks - your engineering knowledge decides your selection.
2
CBT 2 - Computer Based Test (120 Minutes)
✅ Technical Abilities carries 75 out of 115 marks (65%) in CBT 2. Your branch-specific engineering knowledge is the single most important factor in RRB JE selection. Candidates with strong engineering fundamentals from their diploma or degree consistently rank far above those who focus only on the general subjects. CBT 2 merit determines your final rank and post allotment.
💡 CBT 2 also has Physics and Chemistry (15 marks) and Basics of Computers (10 marks) - these are common across all branches. Physics and Chemistry at diploma entrance level and basic computer concepts (hardware, software, MS Office, networking) can be scored easily with 1-2 weeks of focused revision. Never neglect these 25 marks - they are more reliable than trying to squeeze extra marks from Technical Abilities on topics you are unsure about.
⚙️ Technical Abilities - Branch-wise Syllabus
75 marks in CBT 2 - entirely from your engineering branch. Know your branch syllabus cold.
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JE Civil
Diploma or Degree in Civil Engineering
- Structural Engineering - RCC, Steel structures, Load analysis
- Surveying - Chain, Compass, Theodolite, Levelling
- Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering
- Fluid Mechanics - Flow, Bernoulli, Pipe networks
- Highway Engineering - Road design, Pavement types
- Bridge Engineering - Girder, Arch, Suspension bridges
- Railway Engineering - Track, Ballast, Sleepers, Gauges
- Environmental Engineering - Water supply, Sanitation
- Estimating and Costing, Building Materials
💡 Railway Engineering (track geometry, gauges, ballast specifications) is uniquely tested in RRB JE Civil - not in SSC JE or other civil exams. Build this topic specifically.
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JE Electrical
Diploma or Degree in Electrical Engineering
- Electrical Machines - DC motors, AC motors, Transformers
- Power Systems - Generation, Transmission, Distribution
- Circuit Analysis - KVL, KCL, Thevenin, Norton
- Measuring Instruments - Ammeters, Voltmeters, Energy meters
- Electrical Wiring and Installation
- Traction Systems - Railway electrification, OHE, EMU
- Control Systems - basics
- Power Electronics - Rectifiers, Inverters, Converters
- Switchgear and Protection - Fuses, Circuit Breakers, Relays
💡 Traction Systems and Railway Electrification are high-weightage unique topics for JE Electrical. Understand OHE (Overhead Equipment), traction substations, and EMU traction systems.
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JE Mechanical
Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering
- Theory of Machines - Gears, Cams, Governors, Flywheels
- Thermodynamics - Laws, Cycles, Steam tables
- Fluid Mechanics - Bernoulli, Flow measurement
- Manufacturing Processes - Casting, Welding, Forging, Machining
- Strength of Materials - Stress, Strain, Bending, Torsion
- Rolling Stock - Locomotive components, Bogies, Buffers, Couplers
- Machine Design - Shafts, Keys, Bolts, Springs
- Heat Transfer - Conduction, Convection, Radiation
- Industrial Engineering - Work study, Production planning
💡 Rolling Stock topics (locomotive types, bogies, buffer and coupler design) are specific to railway mechanical engineering and carry significant weight in JE Mechanical CBT 2.
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JE Electronics and Communication (S and T)
Diploma or Degree in Electronics / Communication / Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Devices and Circuits - Diodes, BJT, FET, Amplifiers
- Digital Electronics - Logic gates, Flip-flops, Counters, Microprocessors
- Communication Systems - AM, FM, Modulation, Multiplexing
- Signals and Systems - Fourier, Laplace transforms
- Railway Signalling - Interlocking, Points and crossings, Track circuits
- Telecom Systems - Optical Fibre, GSM-R, SCADA
- Control Systems - Transfer functions, Root locus, Bode plots
- Microwave and Antenna - Waveguides, Antenna types
💡 Railway Signalling (interlocking systems, track circuits, AWS) and GSM-R communication are unique high-weightage topics for JE S and T. Master these as they have no equivalent in other electronics exams.
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JE IT (Information Technology)
Diploma or Degree in Computer Science / IT / Electronics
- DBMS - SQL, Normalisation, Transaction management
- Data Structures and Algorithms - Arrays, Trees, Graphs, Sorting
- Networking - OSI model, TCP/IP, Protocols, LAN/WAN
- Operating Systems - Process management, Memory, File systems
- Software Engineering - SDLC, Agile, Testing
- Cyber Security - Threats, Encryption, Firewalls
- Web Technologies - HTML, CSS, basics of programming
- Cloud Computing and Virtualisation - basics
💡 DBMS and Networking together cover 40-50% of JE IT Technical Abilities questions. Prioritise these two topics - they are also covered in IBPS SO IT Officer preparation, making dual preparation efficient.
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DMS and CMA Posts
Depot Material Superintendent and Chemical and Metallurgical Assistant
DMS (Depot Material Superintendent)
- Engineering degree in any discipline or B.Sc with Physics/Maths/Chemistry
- Material management, inventory control, procurement principles
- Store keeping procedures in railways
- Technical Abilities based on candidate's engineering branch
CMA (Chemical and Metallurgical Assistant)
- B.Sc in Chemistry or Metallurgy, or Diploma in Metallurgy
- Material testing, metallurgical analysis, chemical testing
- Railway material specifications and quality control
💼 Posts, Departments and Career Growth
All JE posts start at Pay Level 6 - the highest entry-level pay in railway technical recruitment. Career grows to SSE (Level 7) and beyond.
📈 Career Progression
- Junior Engineer (Level 6) - entry post
- Senior Section Engineer (Level 7, Rs.44,900)
- Junior Engineer (Group B Gazetted) - through LDCE
- Assistant Divisional Engineer (Level 10)
- Divisional Engineer (Level 11)
- Senior Divisional Engineer (Level 12)
💰 Salary and Benefits
- Basic Pay: Rs.35,400/month (Level 6)
- Gross: Rs.55,000 - Rs.65,000+/month
- Free railway travel passes for family
- Subsidised railway colony housing
- Free medical at railway hospitals
- NPS pension and Group Insurance
📚 Common Subjects Syllabus - CBT 1 and CBT 2
These subjects appear in both CBT 1 and CBT 2. Master them to build a strong foundation before focusing on Technical Abilities.
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Numerical and Mathematical Ability
30 Questions CBT 1 | Not in CBT 2 (covered in Technical Abilities)
- Number System, HCF and LCM, BODMAS
- Percentage, Profit and Loss, Discount
- Ratio and Proportion, Partnership
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Time and Work, Pipes and Cisterns
- Speed, Distance and Time
- Averages, Mixture and Alligation
- Algebra - Basic equations and identities
- Geometry - Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles
- Mensuration - Area, Perimeter, Volume
- Trigonometry - Basic ratios and identities
- Statistics and Data Interpretation
💡 Pro Tip: JE CBT 1 Math is at diploma-entrance level - harder than Group D but similar to SSC CHSL. Geometry, Trigonometry, and Mensuration appear consistently. Candidates with engineering diploma backgrounds have a natural advantage here.
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General Intelligence and Reasoning
25 Questions CBT 1 | Not separately listed in CBT 2
- Analogy - Semantic and Figural
- Classification and Odd One Out
- Series - Number, Letter and Figure
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Direction and Distance
- Venn Diagrams and Syllogism
- Non-verbal - Mirror Images, Paper Folding, Embedded Figures
- Jumbling (unique to RRB exams)
- Data Sufficiency
- Statement and Conclusions
💡 Pro Tip: Reasoning in JE CBT 1 is at the same level as NTPC CBT 1. Analogy, Classification, and Non-verbal topics together contribute 40-50% of Reasoning marks. Practise Jumbling specifically as it is unique to RRB exams.
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General Knowledge and Awareness
15 Questions CBT 1 | 15 Questions CBT 2
- Indian Railways - Zones, Projects, Speed records, Technology initiatives
- History - Freedom Struggle, Key events and personalities
- Geography - India and World Physical Geography
- Polity - Constitution, Parliament, Fundamental Rights
- Current Affairs - Last 6-9 months
- Science and Technology - Recent developments
- Awards, Sports, Important Appointments
- Government Schemes - especially infrastructure and technology
💡 Pro Tip: GK has only 15 questions in both CBTs. Focus on Railway-specific GK (new technology initiatives like KAVACH, Vande Bharat, Dedicated Freight Corridor progress) and Science and Technology current affairs - these are disproportionately tested in JE GK sections.
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General Science and Physics and Chemistry
30 Questions CBT 1 | 15 Questions CBT 2 (Physics and Chemistry only)
CBT 1 - General Science (Class 10 level)
- Physics - Motion, Force, Work, Energy, Sound, Light, Electricity
- Chemistry - Matter, Atoms, Chemical reactions, Acids and Bases, Metals
- Biology - Cell, Life Processes, Human Body systems
CBT 2 - Physics and Chemistry (Diploma level)
- Applied Physics - Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics
- Applied Chemistry - Corrosion, Fuels, Polymers, Water treatment
- Engineering Materials - Properties of metals and alloys
💡 Pro Tip: CBT 2 Physics and Chemistry is at diploma-level difficulty - harder than CBT 1 General Science. Applied Chemistry (corrosion, polymers, fuels) and Engineering Materials appear frequently in CBT 2.
⚖️ RRB JE vs RRB ALP vs SSC JE - Key Differences
Three major technical government exams for engineers - here is how they compare in eligibility, pay, difficulty, and career.
🎯 Our Recommendation: If you are an engineering diploma or degree holder and want a technical government job, always apply for both RRB JE and SSC JE simultaneously - the technical syllabus overlap for your branch is 80%+ and both pay Level 6. RRB JE additionally gives you all railway benefits (free passes, housing, medical) which SSC JE does not. Never skip either notification when released. If you also hold an ITI, RRB ALP is worth attempting as a parallel option - it provides railway entry at a lower level but the running allowance and career path to Senior Loco Pilot make it financially competitive long-term.
📈 RRB JE Previous Year Cut-off Marks
Indicative CBT 1 and CBT 2 cut-offs from recent cycles - use as your target benchmark
ℹ️ Cut-offs vary by branch (Civil tends to have higher cut-offs than IT or CMA due to more applicants) and RRB region. Data is indicative - always refer to official RRB score cards for exact figures. Target 72+ in CBT 1 and 80+ in CBT 2 for General category for a comfortable selection margin.
💡 Expert Tips - Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
From our faculty who have trained thousands of RRB JE successful candidates
1
Technical Abilities is 65% of CBT 2 - your engineering fundamentals are your biggest weapon - With 75 out of 115 marks in CBT 2 coming from Technical Abilities, RRB JE is one of the few government exams where genuine engineering knowledge directly determines your rank. Candidates who have a strong grasp of their core engineering subjects - whether from diploma or degree - consistently outscore candidates who focus primarily on general aptitude. Revise your engineering syllabus from first principles. Do not rely only on RRB JE-specific question banks - go back to your diploma/degree textbooks for concepts and use question banks for practice.
2
Railway-specific technical topics are unique to RRB JE - prepare them separately - Each engineering branch in RRB JE has railway-specific topics not covered in SSC JE or other engineering exams: JE Civil has Railway Track Engineering (ballast, sleepers, track geometry, gauge); JE Electrical has Railway Traction and OHE systems; JE Mechanical has Rolling Stock and Carriage and Wagon maintenance; JE S and T has Railway Signalling and Interlocking. These topics are high-weightage and distinctive. Build a dedicated railway technical module for your branch alongside standard engineering topics. Candidates who skip these regularly lose 10-15 marks in CBT 2 Technical Abilities.
3
CBT 1 General Science carries 30 marks - equal to Mathematics - do not neglect it - In RRB JE CBT 1, Mathematics (30 marks) and General Science (30 marks) are the joint highest subjects. Yet most engineering candidates spend 80% of CBT 1 preparation time on Math and Reasoning (familiar from their academic background) and very little on General Science. General Science at Class 10 NCERT level is entirely predictable and learnable in 2-3 weeks. Biology (Life Processes, Human Body) and Chemistry (Chemical Reactions, Metals) are frequently tested. A strong General Science score can compensate for average performance in Reasoning or GK in CBT 1.
4
Prepare simultaneously for SSC JE - 80%+ technical syllabus overlap for your branch - RRB JE and SSC JE cover nearly identical technical content for each branch (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Electronics). Both pay Level 6 and both require the same engineering qualification. The key differences are that RRB JE has a separate CBT 1 (qualifying) before the technical paper, while SSC JE combines general aptitude and technical in one exam. Candidates who prepare for one exam with focused effort are 80% ready for the other. Always appear for both when notifications align - doubling your chance of selection at the same pay level with minimal additional preparation.
5
Physics and Chemistry in CBT 2 is diploma-level - harder than CBT 1 General Science - CBT 2 has a Physics and Chemistry section (15 marks) at diploma entrance examination level - significantly harder than the Class 10 General Science in CBT 1. Topics like Applied Chemistry (corrosion mechanisms, polymer types, fuel calorific values), Engineering Materials (properties of steel, cast iron, copper alloys), and Applied Physics (mechanical advantage calculations, thermodynamic cycles) are tested here. Many candidates who score well in CBT 1 General Science are surprised by the difficulty step-up in CBT 2 Physics and Chemistry. Use your engineering diploma/degree Applied Physics and Applied Chemistry notes for this section.
6
KAVACH and Vande Bharat are high-frequency GK topics in RRB JE 2026 - know them cold - Railway technology GK has become significantly more important in recent RRB JE exams. KAVACH (the Automatic Train Protection system), Vande Bharat Express technical specifications, Dedicated Freight Corridor progress, station redevelopment projects, Hyperloop feasibility, and RRTS (Rapid Rail Transit System) are topics that appear in GK sections of recent railway exams. Build a current affairs module specifically tracking Indian Railways technology developments. The official Indian Railways website and Railway Ministry press releases are the best sources for these topics - standard current affairs capsules often undercover railway technology news.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions - RRB JE 2026
Most searched questions about RRB JE answered by our experts
RRB JE joins at Pay Level 6 with a Basic Pay of Rs.35,400 per month. The gross salary including DA (currently 46%), HRA (8% to 27% depending on city), and Transport Allowance is approximately Rs.55,000 - Rs.65,000+ per month. Beyond gross salary, RRB JE employees receive the full suite of Indian Railways benefits - free railway travel passes for self and family (valued at Rs.50,000+ per year), subsidised colony housing, free medical at railway hospitals, access to railway schools for children, and canteen at subsidised rates. RRB JE starts at the same pay level as Station Master in NTPC but the career trajectory to Senior Section Engineer (Level 7, Rs.44,900) and beyond through departmental promotion is faster and more defined in the JE cadre.
A 3-year engineering diploma is fully sufficient for RRB JE - a degree is not required. The eligibility criteria state that candidates must hold a Diploma in relevant Engineering from a recognised polytechnic or engineering institute. B.E./B.Tech degree holders are also eligible and apply through the same exam - but there is no advantage in marks, merit, or salary for degree holders over diploma holders in RRB JE. Both are evaluated by the same CBT 2 Technical Abilities paper and compete on the same merit list. This makes RRB JE one of the best value exams for diploma holders - offering Level 6 pay at just the diploma qualification level.
You can apply for multiple posts in RRB JE as long as you hold the required qualification for each post. For example, a candidate with an Electrical Engineering diploma can apply for both JE Electrical and JE S and T (if Electronics is an eligible branch for S and T in the specific notification). However, the Technical Abilities sections for different branches are completely different - you cannot prepare one technical syllabus and attempt multiple branches. In practice, most candidates apply for the post that best matches their engineering branch. The CBT 1 is common for all - the Technical Abilities section in CBT 2 is specific to the post you apply for. Always check the exact branch-wise eligibility in the official notification before selecting your post preference.
Both are Junior Engineer posts at Pay Level 6 (Rs.35,400 Basic Pay) for engineering diploma/degree holders - but for different government employers. RRB JE recruits for Indian Railways - the employer is a specific railway zone and the JE works on railway infrastructure (tracks, traction, rolling stock, signalling, IT systems). SSC JE recruits for Central Government departments including CPWD (Public Works), MES (Military Engineering), CWC (Central Water Commission), and others - the work varies by department but is generally civil, electrical, or mechanical maintenance and construction. The key advantages of RRB JE over SSC JE are railway-specific benefits (free passes, subsidised housing, medical). The key advantage of SSC JE is broader posting diversity and no railway-specific technical topics to learn. Technical syllabus overlap for your branch is 80%+ between both exams - always prepare for both simultaneously.
RRB JE has no official attempt limit. You can appear in every recruitment cycle as long as you are within the age limit of 18-33 years for General category (up to 36 years for OBC, up to 38 years for SC/ST). The age limit for RRB JE is the most generous among all RRB exams - 33 years for General category - giving candidates a longer window of attempts. RRB JE notifications are released roughly once in 3-5 years based on vacancy accumulation. The most recent cycle was 2019 with approximately 13,487 vacancies. When a notification is released, the vacancy count is typically large enough to accommodate well-prepared candidates across multiple engineering branches.
The daily work of an RRB JE depends on the engineering department they join. A JE Civil works on track inspection, maintenance planning, bridge inspection, and station infrastructure projects - including supervising track gangs and coordinating with contractors. A JE Electrical works on station electrification maintenance, OHE inspection, traction substation monitoring, and railway station lighting systems. A JE Mechanical works in workshops or carriage and wagon depots - overseeing maintenance of locomotives, coaches, and wagons. A JE S and T works on signal maintenance, interlocking system checks, telecom equipment servicing, and relay room maintenance. A JE IT works on railway IT systems, CRIS applications (the railway IT arm), network management, and digital initiative implementations. All JE posts involve field inspection, report writing, contractor supervision, and coordination with senior engineers (Section Engineer and Assistant Divisional Engineer).
Yes - RRB JEs have a pathway to Group A Gazetted Officer status through internal promotion and competitive exams. The standard promotion path is JE (Level 6) - Senior Section Engineer/SSE (Level 7) - Junior Engineer (Group B Gazetted, Level 7 upgraded) - Assistant Divisional Engineer (Level 10) - Divisional Engineer (Level 11). Promotions to SSE are through departmental promotion exams (LDCE). Above SSE level, promotions are competitive and based on seniority and performance. Additionally, in-service RRB JEs who have sufficient service can appear for UPSC Engineering Services Examination to enter the Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) - the Group A cadre of railway engineers - which offers the fastest route to senior engineering officer positions including Chief Engineer and above.
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Written and Reviewed by Our Railway and Engineering Exam Expert Faculty
RRB JE and Technical Government Exam Specialist | 12+ Years Railway and Engineering Exam Coaching Experience
This page has been prepared by our senior railway and engineering exam faculty with over a decade of experience coaching RRB JE aspirants across all branches - Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, S and T, and IT. Our faculty has guided thousands of students who have cleared RRB JE to serve as Junior Engineers in Indian Railways across all zones. All exam pattern tables, branch-wise technical syllabuses, and study strategies are verified against official RRB notifications and updated for the 2026 cycle.
✅ RRB JE Specialist ✅ All Engineering Branches Covered ✅ 15,000+ Students Trained
RRB JE 2026 - Complete Guide: Eligibility, CBT 1 and CBT 2 Pattern, Branch-wise Technical Abilities Syllabus and Free Mock Tests
The RRB JE (Junior Engineer) exam 2026 is conducted by Railway Recruitment Boards to recruit Junior Engineers across Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Signal and Telecommunication, and IT departments of Indian Railways, along with Depot Material Superintendent (DMS) and Chemical and Metallurgical Assistant (CMA) posts. With 7,000+ vacancies and a starting Basic Pay of Rs.35,400 per month (Pay Level 6) - the highest entry-level pay in all RRB technical exams - RRB JE is the premier technical railway career for engineering diploma and degree holders. Eligible candidates hold a 3-year Engineering Diploma or B.E./B.Tech in a relevant branch. The age limit is 18-33 years for General category - the widest age window among all RRB exams.
The RRB JE selection process has 2 CBT stages: CBT 1 (100 questions, 100 marks, 90 minutes - qualifying only - covering Mathematics 30 marks, Reasoning 25 marks, General Science 30 marks, General Awareness 15 marks) and CBT 2 (115 questions, 115 marks, 120 minutes - merit-based - covering General Awareness 15 marks, Physics and Chemistry 15 marks, Basics of Computers 10 marks, and Technical Abilities 75 marks which is entirely branch-specific). Technical Abilities carries 65% of CBT 2 merit marks - making engineering knowledge the decisive factor in RRB JE selection.
Our free RRB JE mock tests cover all 4 common subjects - General Intelligence and Reasoning (Analogy, Classification, Non-verbal, Jumbling), General Knowledge and Awareness (Static GK, Indian Railways GK including KAVACH and Vande Bharat, Current Affairs), Numerical and Mathematical Ability (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, DI), and General Studies (History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Science) - with chapter-wise tests and full-length CBT 1 timed mock tests. Branch-specific Technical Abilities practice for Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, S and T, and IT branches is available through dedicated chapter pages on our website - at zero cost, with no login required.