NTPC NGEL Civil 2026: Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Cut Off & Free Mock Tests
NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) — Engineer (RE-Civil)
251 online tests available for NTPC NGEL Civil on CIVILGYAN — 2 free.
There are two separate doors into a civil engineering job at NTPC, and they are nothing like each other. NTPC Limited — India's largest power generator — recruits FRESH civil engineers as Executive/Engineer Trainees on GATE (CE) score, with no written exam of its own. Its renewables arm, NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), recruits EXPERIENCED civil engineers directly, on fixed-term contracts, through its own computer-based test and interview.
The live opening is the NGEL one. Advertisement No. 04/26 carries 43 posts of Engineer (RE-Civil) — the largest engineering block in that advertisement — on a three-year fixed term that may be extended by up to two more years. Applications were open on ngel.in from 18 August 2026 (10:00) to 7 September 2026 (18:00).
NGEL's is a genuine written exam, not a GATE shortlist: 100 questions in two hours, split into a Subject Knowledge Test on Civil Engineering and an Aptitude Test, with negative marking of one-fourth. The CBT carries 70 of the 100 final marks, interview 20 and experience 10 — so the paper, not the interview, decides most of your rank.
NTPC NGEL Civil 2026 — Overview
| Two routes | NTPC Ltd Executive Trainee via GATE (freshers) · NGEL Engineer (RE-Civil) via own CBT (experienced) |
| Live notice | NGEL Advertisement No. 04/26 |
| Civil vacancies | 43 — Engineer (RE-Civil): UR 21, SC 4, ST 3, OBC 8, EWS 7 |
| Nature of post | Fixed term of 3 years, extendable by up to 2 more years |
| Application window | 18 August 2026 (10:00) to 7 September 2026 (18:00) on ngel.in |
| Experience needed | Minimum 3 years post-qualification — NGEL route is NOT for freshers |
| Upper age | 35 years (relaxations as per government rules) |
| CBT | 100 questions · 2 hours · bilingual · ¼ negative marking |
| Final weightage | CBT 70 + Interview 20 + Experience 10 = 100 |
| CTC | Approximately ₹11 lakh per annum (indicative) |
| Fee | ₹500 — SC, ST, PwBD, ex-servicemen and all women candidates exempt |
NTPC NGEL Civil Exam Pattern
NGEL CBT — Engineer (RE-Civil), Advt 04/26
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Section 1 — Subject Knowledge Test (SKT): Civil Engineering | Part of 100 | — |
| Section 2 — Aptitude Test (AT): numerical ability, reading comprehension, reasoning, general awareness, data interpretation | Part of 100 | — |
| Total | 100 | 70% of final score |
Duration: 2 hours
Negative marking: One-fourth of the marks for that question, for every wrong answer
ℹ️ The paper is bilingual and multiple-choice. NGEL has NOT published how the 100 questions divide between SKT and AT, so treat both sections as serious. Qualifying marks are separate for each: SKT 40% and AT 30% for UR; 30% and 22.5% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwBD. Centres: Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam, Gandhinagar/Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Bhopal and Raipur. Our mock tests model the split as 70 Civil + 30 Aptitude — that is our estimate, not NGEL's figure, taken from AAI Manager (Civil)'s published 70/30 and from NGEL setting the higher qualifying bar on the subject section.
NGEL — after the CBT
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| CBT (SKT + AT) | — | 70 |
| Interview | — | 20 |
| Experience | — | 10 |
Duration: Interview, date notified separately
Negative marking: Not applicable
ℹ️ Experience is scored 5 marks for meeting the minimum, plus 1 mark for each additional year, capped at 10. Interview qualifying marks are 40% for UR and 30% for reserved categories. NGEL reserves the right to run NO CBT at all — in that case candidates are shortlisted on age, qualification and experience, and the final score becomes Interview 70 + Experience 30.
NTPC Limited — Executive Trainee (Civil) via GATE
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| GATE Civil Engineering paper (see the GATE Civil guide for the full pattern) | 65 | 100 |
Duration: 3 hours (GATE)
Negative marking: As per GATE rules (MCQ only)
ℹ️ The fresher route. Shortlisting is on GATE (CE) score, followed by group discussion and/or interview. Civil vacancies appear only in some cycles — watch careers.ntpc.co.in each January to April.
NTPC NGEL Civil Syllabus — Key Subjects
See the detailed chapter-wise syllabus (built from real previous-year papers) on the NTPC NGEL Civil test series page →
NTPC NGEL Civil Detailed Syllabus 2026
The exam pattern below is the official one; the topic lists are compiled where the conducting body has not published its own — 100 questions (100 marks) in 120 minutes for the whole paper (NGEL does not time the sections separately). Pattern source: ngel.in.
Section 2 — Aptitude Test
- Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation
- Number system & simplification · percentages · ratio & proportion · averages · profit, loss & discount · simple & compound interest · time, speed & distance · time & work · mixtures & alligation · mensuration (2D & 3D) · permutation, combination & probability · data interpretation (tables, bar/line/pie charts) · number series
- Logical Reasoning
- Analogy · classification · coding–decoding · series (number, alphabet, mixed) · blood relations · direction & distance · order, ranking & arrangement · seating arrangement · syllogism · Venn diagrams · statement & conclusions · mathematical operations · clocks, calendars, cubes & dice
- Reading Comprehension & Verbal Ability
- Reading comprehension · cloze test · error detection & sentence correction · fill in the blanks · para jumbles · sentence improvement · synonyms & antonyms · one-word substitution · idioms & phrases · articles, prepositions & tenses · active & passive voice
- General Awareness
- Current affairs of national and international importance · Indian polity & economy · geography & environment · science & technology · the renewable-energy sector — India's RE capacity targets, solar and wind policy, green hydrogen and BESS, and NTPC/NGEL's own position in it
Section 1 (SKT) · Structural Engineering
- Engineering Mechanics
- System of forces, free-body diagrams & equilibrium · friction · centroid & moment of inertia · trusses (method of joints & sections) · virtual work & simple machines · kinematics & kinetics of particles · impulse–momentum & collision
- Solid Mechanics (Strength of Materials)
- Simple stress & strain, elastic constants · thermal & compound stresses · principal stresses & Mohr's circle · shear force & bending moment diagrams · bending & shear stress in beams · deflection of beams · torsion of shafts · theory of columns (Euler & Rankine) · theories of failure · strain energy
- Structural Analysis
- Determinacy & indeterminacy · analysis of trusses, arches & cables · influence lines & rolling loads · slope-deflection method · moment distribution method · force & displacement (matrix stiffness) methods · plastic analysis of beams & frames
- Concrete Structures (RCC & Prestressed)
- Working stress & limit state design (IS 456) · singly, doubly reinforced & flanged beams · shear, bond, torsion & development length · one-way & two-way slabs · columns, footings, staircases & retaining walls · water tanks · prestressed concrete — systems, losses & design (IS 1343)
- Steel Structures
- Bolted & welded connections · tension & compression members · design of beams, beam–columns & column bases · plate & gantry girders · roof trusses & industrial structures · plastic design concepts (IS 800)
Section 1 (SKT) · Geotechnical & Foundation Engineering
- Soil Mechanics
- Origin & three-phase system · index properties & classification (IS) · permeability & seepage, flow nets · effective stress & capillarity · compaction · stress distribution (Boussinesq, Westergaard) · consolidation & settlement · shear strength (direct shear, triaxial, UCC) · slope stability
- Foundation Engineering
- Earth pressure theories (Rankine & Coulomb) · site investigation & SPT · bearing capacity (Terzaghi & IS) · shallow foundations & settlement · deep/pile foundations & group action · well & caisson foundations · ground improvement & soil stabilization · machine foundations
Section 1 (SKT) · Water Resources & Environmental Engineering
- Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulics
- Fluid properties & pressure measurement · hydrostatics & buoyancy · kinematics & dynamics of flow, Bernoulli's equation · flow measurement (orifice, venturi, notches) · laminar & turbulent flow, flow through pipes · boundary layer theory · open channel flow & hydraulic jump · dimensional analysis · pumps & turbines
- Hydrology & Irrigation Engineering
- Hydrological cycle & precipitation · infiltration, evaporation & runoff · hydrographs & flood routing · groundwater & wells · water requirement of crops (duty, delta) · canal design & lining · diversion headworks & cross-drainage works · reservoirs, dams & spillways
- Environmental Engineering
- Water demand & quality standards · water treatment (coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection) · distribution systems & pipe networks · sewage collection & characteristics (BOD, COD, DO) · sewage treatment & disposal · air pollution & control · noise pollution · solid & municipal waste management
Section 1 (SKT) · Transportation, Surveying, Materials & Management
- Transportation Engineering
- Highway alignment & geometric design · pavement materials & tests · flexible & rigid pavement design (IRC) · traffic engineering & control · highway construction & maintenance · railway engineering (permanent way, points & crossings) · airports & harbours
- Surveying & Geomatics
- Chain, compass & plane table surveying · levelling & contouring · theodolite & traversing · tacheometry & triangulation · curves (simple, compound, transition) · areas & volumes · photogrammetry, remote sensing, GPS & GIS · total station
- Building Materials & Construction
- Stones, bricks, tiles & lime · cement — types, properties & tests · aggregates, mortar & concrete (properties, mix design, admixtures) · timber, paints, glass & modern materials · masonry, plastering & building components (doors, windows, floors, roofs) · scaffolding & formwork
- Construction Management & Estimation
- Construction planning & scheduling · network analysis — CPM & PERT · crashing & resource allocation · engineering economics · types of estimates & rate analysis · specifications & tender documents · valuation of buildings · quality control, safety & contracts
- Engineering Mathematics
- Linear algebra & matrices · calculus (limits, differentiation, integration, maxima–minima) · differential equations · probability & statistics · numerical methods (root finding, interpolation, numerical integration)
Note: NGEL Advt 04/26 is an EXPERIENCED-hire route — 3 years' post-qualification experience and a 3-year fixed term — so it is not a fresher's exam; freshers should target NTPC Limited's GATE-based Executive Trainee intake instead. The CBT is 100 bilingual MCQs in 2 hours with one-fourth negative marking. Each section has its OWN qualifying bar (Subject Knowledge 40% and Aptitude 30% for UR; 30% and 22.5% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwBD), so a strong civil score cannot rescue a weak aptitude score. The final merit is CBT 70 + Interview 20 + Experience 10. NGEL has NOT published how the 100 questions split between the two sections — our mocks model it as 70 civil / 30 aptitude, following AAI Manager (Civil)'s published 70/30. Weight revision towards geotechnical and structural topics: the posts are for piling, foundations, structural steel and tower/switchyard structures.
Eligibility
- ✓NGEL Engineer (RE-Civil): full-time BE / B.Tech / B.Sc (Engg.) in Civil Engineering with at least 65% marks (55% for SC, ST and PwBD) from a recognised university.
- ✓NGEL experience: minimum 3 years post-qualification executive experience — including any training period — in geotechnical work, piling, foundations, structural steel, tower structures, switchyards and similar. Renewable-energy experience is preferred but not mandatory.
- ✓NGEL age: upper limit 35 years, computed as on the last date of application. Relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC and 10 years for PwBD.
- ✓NGEL PwBD: 14 posts across the advertisement are reserved for PwBD candidates (7 across Civil/Electrical/Mechanical/Safety, 7 across HR/Finance/CSR/Rajbhasha).
- ✓NTPC Ltd Executive Trainee: B.E./B.Tech in Civil Engineering with the percentage specified in that year's advertisement, plus a valid GATE (CE) score. This is the fresher route — no prior experience is required.
Salary & Career
NGEL Engineer (RE-Civil) carries an approximate CTC of ₹11 lakh per annum, covering fixed and variable pay, HRA, performance-linked variable pay, a satisfactory-service grant and mediclaim for self, spouse, dependent parents and two children. NGEL states this figure is indicative — actual pay depends on experience and place of posting, and the post is a fixed-term contract, not a permanent PSU cadre post. NTPC Limited's Executive Trainee route, by contrast, is a permanent E1-grade appointment on IDA scales with the usual PSU benefits.
NTPC NGEL Civil Cut Off
NGEL publishes qualifying percentages rather than cutoff marks: SKT 40% and AT 30% for UR, SKT 30% and AT 22.5% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwBD, interview 40% for UR and 30% for reserved. Clearing those is only the threshold — the offer list is a merit rank on the cumulative 100 marks. For the GATE-based NTPC Ltd route, civil shortlists have historically sat in the high-score zone; check the previous cycle's published cutoff.
Vacancy Trends
| NGEL Advt 04/26 — Engineer (RE-Civil) | 43 posts — UR 21, SC 4, ST 3, OBC 8, EWS 7 |
| Same advertisement, other disciplines | Engineer (RE-Electrical) 69, Engineer (RE-Mechanical) 9, Engineer (RE-Safety) 7 — Safety is open to Civil degree holders with an industrial-safety diploma |
| NTPC Ltd Executive Trainee (Civil) | Cycle-wise via GATE; civil intake is smaller than electrical and mechanical — check the current advertisement |
How to Prepare for NTPC NGEL Civil
- 1Check which door you are actually eligible for before you prepare. NGEL needs 3 years of experience; a fresher's route to NTPC is GATE, and preparing for the wrong one wastes a whole cycle.
- 2For the NGEL CBT, weight your revision towards geotechnical and structural topics — the job summary and the experience NGEL asks for both point at piling, foundations, structural steel and tower/switchyard structures.
- 3Do not neglect the Aptitude Test. It has its own qualifying cut (30% for UR) that you must clear separately, so a strong Civil score cannot rescue a weak aptitude score.
- 4Negative marking is one-fourth, and the section split is unpublished — practise full 100-question, two-hour mocks so you learn where your own guessing line sits.
- 5The CBT is worth 70 of 100 final marks. Experience adds at most 10, so a candidate with the bare minimum experience can still outrank a much more senior one on the strength of the paper.
- 6For the GATE route, prepare for GATE CE once and use the score across NTPC, AAI, IOCL and M.Tech admissions.
Start Practising NTPC NGEL Civil — Free
Exam-pattern mocks, previous-year papers, detailed solutions and chapter-wise analytics — built only for civil engineers, by a civil engineer who cleared these exams.
NTPC NGEL Civil — Frequently Asked Questions
Does NTPC conduct its own written exam for civil engineers?▾
It depends which arm. NTPC Limited recruits Executive Trainees on GATE (CE) score with no written exam of its own. NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) does run its own CBT — 100 questions in two hours with a Subject Knowledge Test and an Aptitude Test — for its experienced-hire Engineer (RE-Civil) posts.
How many civil vacancies are in the NGEL 2026 notification?▾
Advertisement No. 04/26 has 43 posts of Engineer (RE-Civil) — UR 21, SC 4, ST 3, OBC 8 and EWS 7. It is the largest engineering block in that advertisement after Electrical.
Can a fresher apply for NGEL Engineer (RE-Civil)?▾
No. NGEL requires a minimum of 3 years of post-qualification executive experience, counted including any training period. Freshers should target NTPC Limited's Executive Trainee recruitment through GATE instead.
What was the last date to apply for NGEL Advt 04/26?▾
Applications were open on ngel.in from 18 August 2026 at 10:00 hrs until 7 September 2026 at 18:00 hrs. NGEL publishes any corrigendum or extension only on its own website, so check there before assuming the window has closed.
What is the NGEL CBT exam pattern and marking scheme?▾
100 bilingual multiple-choice questions in two hours, in two sections — Subject Knowledge Test (Civil Engineering) and Aptitude Test. One-fourth of a question's marks is deducted for a wrong answer. NGEL has not published how the 100 questions are divided between the two sections.
Is the NGEL post permanent?▾
No. It is a fixed-term appointment for three years, which the organisation may extend by up to two further years as per requirement. NTPC Limited's Executive Trainee route is the permanent one.
How should I prepare for the NGEL civil CBT?▾
Practise full-length 100-question, two-hour mocks that mix Civil Engineering with aptitude, weighted towards geotechnical and structural topics. CIVILGYAN TEST SERIES has civil mocks with detailed solutions for every question — two free in every series.
Explore Other Exam Guides
Disclaimer: Exam patterns, cutoffs, vacancies and eligibility rules change between recruitment cycles. The figures above are compiled for guidance from past cycles — always verify details from the official notification of the conducting body before applying.