The RRB NTPC exam held on 29th March 2016 (Shift 01) remains one of the most referred shifts by candidates preparing for upcoming railway exams. This paper followed the usual NTPC format, testing candidates in General Awareness, Maths, and Reasoning, and it offers a solid benchmark for practice. Having the PDF of this paper allows aspirants to solve real exam questions, test their accuracy, and improve their preparation strategy.
I am covering this specific shift because previous year RRB papers are gold for practice, especially when the syllabus remains consistent over the years. Many aspirants get confused with mock test overload and forget that solving authentic memory-based papers is the best way to understand exam trends. By solving the 29th March 2016 Shift 1 paper under exam conditions, students can analyse where they stand and which topics to revise more seriously. This article will help you get an overview of the paper, its section-wise breakdown, and how to use it effectively in your prep.
RRB NTPC 29th March 2016 Shift 01: Overview
This CBT (Computer-Based Test) had 100 questions to be answered in 90 minutes. The paper had three sections:
- General Awareness – 40 Questions
- Mathematics – 30 Questions
- General Intelligence & Reasoning – 30 Questions
Each question carried 1 mark and there was a penalty of 1/3 mark for each incorrect answer.
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 40 | Moderate |
| Mathematics | 30 | Moderate |
| General Intelligence | 30 | Easy to Moderate |
General Awareness: Static + Current Affairs Combo
This section included many static GK questions, along with current affairs from 2015 and early 2016. Most questions were fact-based and required memorisation.
Topics Covered:
- Indian Polity
- Famous Personalities
- Sports & Events
- Books and Authors
- Science Facts
- Geography and History
Sample Questions (Memory-Based):
- Who is the author of My Experiments with Truth?
- What is the SI unit of Force?
- Where is the Kaziranga National Park located?
- Budget 2016 was presented by which Finance Minister?
Mathematics: Conceptual and Time-Bound
The math section had questions that needed conceptual clarity and quick calculation. Most topics were from Class 9 and 10 NCERT level.
Important Topics:
- Percentages
- Time, Speed and Distance
- Ratio and Proportion
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Profit and Loss
- Algebra and Linear Equations
- Geometry and Mensuration
Sample Questions:
- A man covers a certain distance in 4 hours. If he travels at 15 km/hr, what is the distance?
- A shopkeeper sells an item at 20% profit. If the cost price is Rs. 250, what is the selling price?
Reasoning: Scoring and Predictable
Reasoning questions were logical and mostly pattern-based. This section is where most candidates scored the highest due to its manageable difficulty.
Main Question Types:
- Series (Number and Alphabet)
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Odd One Out
- Direction Sense
- Venn Diagrams
- Statement & Conclusion (basic level)
Sample Questions:
- If TABLE is written as UDCMG, how is CHAIR written in that code?
- A is B’s brother, C is B’s sister. How is C related to A?
Good Attempt & Expected Cut-Off
Most candidates who attempted this shift reported that the paper was moderate and well-balanced. With proper accuracy and time management, a good number of attempts were:
- General Awareness: 24–28
- Mathematics: 20–23
- Reasoning: 25–28
A total attempt of around 70–75 with decent accuracy was considered safe.
Why Solving This PDF is Useful
Solving this paper helps you:
- Understand the type and level of questions asked in RRB
- Build time management skills by mimicking the real exam environment
- Identify weak topics based on past trends
- Get a confidence boost before your actual exam
N.B: If you want to download the PDF then, CLICK HERE.
How to Use the Paper in Your Preparation
- Download the PDF version of the paper
- Attempt the paper in one sitting within 90 minutes
- Avoid using calculators or shortcuts while attempting
- Evaluate your score honestly
- Go back and revise concepts for questions you got wrong
You can find this paper on Telegram groups, online education forums, or websites offering RRB study materials.
Final Words
The RRB NTPC 29th March 2016 Shift 1 paper is a very useful practice tool for aspirants preparing for upcoming RRB exams. Its difficulty level was fair and the question variety was similar to many other shifts. If you are serious about cracking RRB, start solving real exam papers like this one—not just mocks.
Make this part of your weekly preparation schedule. Solve, analyse, and improve—because real exam success always comes from real exam practice.
