If you are preparing for government jobs (Sarkari Naukri) in India, the NRA CET is the biggest update you need to know about. Currently, aspirants fill out separate forms for SSC, Railways (RRB), and Banking (IBPS), paying multiple fees and traveling to different centers for Preliminary exams.
The Common Eligibility Test (CET) changes this entirely. It is a single, national-level screening exam conducted by the National Recruitment Agency (NRA) that will replace the Tier-1 (Preliminary) phase for multiple government bodies.
Current Process vs. NRA CET Process
Many students are confused about what exactly changes. The table below compares the current system with the new NRA CET model.
| Feature | Current Recruitment System | New NRA CET System |
| Exam Conducted By | Separate agencies (SSC, IBPS, RRB) | National Recruitment Agency (NRA) |
| Preliminary Exams | Separate Prelims for every post (CGL, CHSL, PO, Clerk, NTPC) | Single Common Exam (CET) for all non-gazetted posts |
| Fees | Separate fee for every single application | One-time fee for the CET exam |
| Score Validity | Valid only for that specific recruitment cycle | Valid for 3 years |
| Language | Mostly English & Hindi | 12 Major Indian Languages |
| Exam Centers | Limited centers, often far from home | Centers in every district (1000+ centers) |
| Frequency | Once a year (usually) | Expected Twice a year |
Which Exams Are Covered?
The CET will replace the preliminary exams for three major sectors. However, it will be conducted at three different educational levels so that a 10th-pass student does not compete with a Graduate.
| CET Level | Educational Qualification | Exams Likely to be Covered |
| Metric Level | Class 10th Pass | SSC MTS, SSC GD Constable, RRB Group D |
| Higher Secondary | Class 12th Pass | SSC CHSL, SSC Stenographer, RRB NTPC (Undergraduate posts) |
| Graduate Level | Bachelor’s Degree | SSC CGL, SSC CPO, IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, RRB NTPC (Graduate posts) |
Note: Technical exams (like SSC JE, GATE) and gazetted exams (like UPSC Civil Services) are NOT covered under CET.
Expected Exam Pattern & Syllabus
While the official notification is awaited, experts anticipate the exam pattern will follow a standard aptitude format similar to current Tier-1 exams.
Expected CET Exam Structure:
| Section | No. of Questions (Approx.) | Marks (Approx.) | Duration |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | Total: 60 Minutes (Cumulative) |
| General Awareness (GK) | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English/Hindi Language | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
- Mode: Online (Computer Based Test – CBT)
- Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Negative Marking: Likely 0.25 marks for every wrong answer.
How the Selection Process Works (Step-by-Step)
- Register for CET: You apply once on the NRA portal.
- Take the Exam: You appear for the test at a center in your own district.
- Get Your Score: If you score high, your marks remain valid for 3 years.
- Apply for Mains: When SSC or IBPS releases vacancies (e.g., for Income Tax Inspector), they will ask for a valid CET score.
- Sit for Tier-2: If you meet the CET cutoff, you go directly to the Tier-2 (Mains) exam conducted by SSC/IBPS.
- Final Selection: Based on your Mains performance and Interview/Skill Test.
Why This is Good News for Students
- Saves Money: You don’t have to pay ₹100-₹850 repeatedly for every form.
- Reduces Stress: You don’t have to travel to different cities every month for different prelims.
- Better Opportunities: One good score opens doors to Railways, Banking, and SSC simultaneously.
Conclusion:
As of now, do not stop your current preparation. The syllabus for CET will largely be the same as the current SSC and Bank Prelims (Maths, Reasoning, English, GK).
- Focus on Core Subjects: Strengthen your Grammar and Arithmetic basics.
- Stay Updated: The NRA is expected to release the official notification and exact dates in 2025.
