The National Recruitment Agency (NRA) Common Eligibility Test (CET) is an upcoming revolutionary reform in India’s government job recruitment process. It is expected to replace the preliminary stage of multiple government exams like SSC, Banking, and Railways. But how will it actually impact aspirants? Should candidates prepare differently?
This article provides a detailed comparison of NRA CET vs SSC, Bank, and Railway Exams based on eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, difficulty level, selection process, and job prospects.
📌 What is NRA CET?
NRA CET (Common Eligibility Test) is a screening exam that will be conducted by the National Recruitment Agency (NRA) for Group B and Group C non-gazetted posts under:
✔ Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
✔ Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS – Banking Exams)
✔ Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs – Railway Exams)
It will act as a single-tier common preliminary exam that will replace the first-level screening exams of multiple government recruitment bodies. The final selection will still be conducted by SSC, IBPS, and RRBs through their own main exams, skill tests, or interviews.
How Will NRA CET Work?
1️⃣ Candidates will appear for one common preliminary exam (CET) instead of multiple exams.
2️⃣ CET score will be valid for three years.
3️⃣ Based on the CET score, aspirants can apply for higher-tier exams (Mains, Skill Test, Interview, etc.) conducted by SSC, IBPS, and RRB.
4️⃣ NRA CET will be conducted at three levels:
• 10th pass level
• 12th pass level
• Graduate level
5️⃣ The exam will be conducted twice a year in multiple Indian languages.
🆚 NRA CET vs SSC, Bank, Railway Exams – Key Differences
Here’s a detailed comparison of NRA CET with SSC, IBPS, and Railway Exams:
1️⃣ Eligibility Criteria
| Factor | NRA CET | SSC CGL/CHSL | IBPS PO/Clerk | RRB NTPC/Group D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | 10th / 12th / Graduate level | 10+2 / Graduate (depending on the exam) | Graduate (for PO), 10+2 for Clerk | 10th / 12th / Graduate (varies by post) |
| Age Limit | 18-35 years (expected) | 18-32 years | 20-30 years | 18-33 years |
| Number of Attempts | No restriction (Valid for 3 years) | Based on Age limit | Based on Age limit | Based on Age limit |
2️⃣ Exam Pattern & Difficulty Level
| Factor | NRA CET | SSC CGL/CHSL | IBPS PO/Clerk | RRB NTPC/Group D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subjects | Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, English | Tier 1: GK, Math, Reasoning, English Tier 2: Subject-Specific | Prelims: English, Math, Reasoning Mains: GK, Banking Awareness, DI | General Awareness, Reasoning, Math, GK |
| Exam Mode | Online | Online (CGL/CHSL) | Online (PO/Clerk) | Online |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate (Expected) | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate to Difficult | Easy to Moderate |
3️⃣ Selection Process
| Factor | NRA CET | SSC CGL/CHSL | IBPS PO/Clerk | RRB NTPC/Group D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | ✅ CET Score (Common for all exams) | ✅ Tier-1 | ✅ IBPS Prelims | ✅ CBT-1 (Railways) |
| Mains/Next Stage | Conducted by SSC, IBPS & RRB | ✅ Tier-2 & Tier-3 | ✅ IBPS Mains | ✅ CBT-2 |
| Final Selection | Done by respective agencies (SSC, IBPS, RRB) | ✅ Based on combined score | ✅ Based on Mains + Interview | ✅ Based on CBT-2 |
4️⃣ Job Prospects & Salary
| Factor | NRA CET | SSC Jobs | Banking Jobs | Railway Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final Recruiter | SSC / IBPS / RRB | Various Ministries & Departments | Government Banks (SBI, PNB, IBPS Banks) | Indian Railways |
| Job Role | Clerks, Assistants, Officers (Depending on post) | Inspectors, Assistants, Auditors, Clerks | Probationary Officers (PO), Clerks, SO | NTPC, ALP, Technician, Group D |
| Salary Range | ₹25,000 – ₹80,000 | ₹30,000 – ₹1,00,000 | ₹35,000 – ₹1,10,000 | ₹25,000 – ₹90,000 |
🎯 Advantages of NRA CET Over SSC, Banking, and Railway Exams
✅ Single Exam for Multiple Jobs: No need to appear for multiple preliminary exams, saving time, money, and effort.
✅ 3-Year Score Validity: If you score well, you can apply for multiple jobs for three years without reappearing for the exam.
✅ More Transparency: Standardized and centralized screening process.
✅ Multiple Language Support: CET will be conducted in multiple Indian languages, unlike Banking exams, which are mostly in English & Hindi.
✅ Increased Access to Government Jobs: More candidates, especially from rural areas, will have a chance to apply for government jobs.
⚠️ Challenges & Concerns of NRA CET
❌ Final Selection Still Done by SSC, IBPS & RRB: CET will not replace Mains, Skill Tests, or Interviews.
❌ Might Increase Competition: Since CET score is valid for 3 years, more candidates might compete in Mains exams.
❌ New Exam, New Challenges: Aspirants will need updated preparation strategies as this is a new format.
🔍 Conclusion – Should You Prepare for NRA CET?
🔥 If you are preparing for SSC, Banking, or Railway exams, NRA CET will be your first step towards a government job. Instead of preparing for multiple Prelims exams, focus on CET, as it will be the common screening stage for all these exams.
🚀 Since NRA CET is expected to launch soon, aspirants must start preparing early to stay ahead of the competition.