RRB Group D 2026 recruitment

The Indian Railways, often called the lifeline of the nation, has once again opened its doors for thousands of job seekers across the country.¹ On December 23, 2025, the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) officially released a short notice for the RRB Group D 2026 recruitment cycle (CEN 09/2025).² This announcement has sent a wave of excitement through the aspirant community, as it marks one of the most significant entry-level recruitment drives for the year 2026.³

This article provides an in-depth look at everything you need to know about the RRB Group D 2026 notification, from eligibility and application dates to the selection process and preparation strategies.⁴

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Overview of RRB Group D 2026 Recruitment

The Railway Recruitment Board conducts the Group D (Level-1) exam to recruit staff for various technical and non-technical departments.⁵ These roles are essential for the smooth functioning of the railway network, covering everything from track maintenance to electrical operations.⁶

Feature	Details
Notification Name	RRB Group D 2026 (CEN 09/2025)
Conducting Authority	Railway Recruitment Board (RRB)
Total Vacancies	Approximately 22,000
Pay Level	Level-1 of 7th CPC Pay Matrix
Application Mode	Online
Official Website	rrbcdg.gov.in

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Important Dates to Remember

According to the short notice released, the recruitment timeline is structured to allow candidates ample time to prepare. However, missing a deadline can be fatal to your candidacy, so mark these dates in your calendar:

• Release of Short Notice: December 23, 2025⁷
• Release of Detailed Notification (PDF): January 20, 2026⁸
• Online Application Starts: January 21, 2026⁹
• Last Date to Apply Online: February 20, 2026 (11:59 PM)¹⁰
• Exam Date (CBT): To be announced (Expected mid-2026)¹¹

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Vacancy Details and Post Categories

The 2026 recruitment drive aims to fill roughly 22,000 positions.¹² These are “Level-1” posts, which come with a starting basic pay of ₹18,000 plus various allowances like DA, HRA, and Transport Allowance.

The vacancies are distributed across several technical and traffic departments:¹³

1. Track Maintainer Grade IV: Responsible for the safety and maintenance of railway tracks.¹⁴
2. Pointsman: Manages the shunting of trains and operational safety at stations.
3. Assistant (Workshops/C&W): Maintenance of coaches and wagons.
4. Assistant (S&T): Signal and Telecommunication department support.¹⁵
5. Assistant Loco Shed (Electrical/Diesel): Helping in the upkeep of locomotives.
6. Assistant Pointsman: Working under the station master for train movements.¹⁶

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Eligibility Criteria for RRB Group D 2026

Before you rush to the application portal, ensure you meet the stringent eligibility requirements set by the RRB.

1. Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed Class 10 (Matriculation) from a recognized board.17

Note: For certain technical posts, having an ITI (Industrial Training Institute) certificate or a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT may be mandatory or preferred.18

2. Age Limit (As of January 1, 2026)

• Minimum Age: 18 years¹⁹
• Maximum Age: 33 years (Standard)²⁰
• Note: Following recent trends, a one-time age relaxation of 3 years was granted in previous cycles; however, for 2026, the standard range is 18–33, subject to category-wise relaxations.²¹

3. Age Relaxation

Category	Relaxation
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)	3 Years
SC / ST	5 Years
PwBD (General/EWS)	10 Years
Ex-Servicemen	Service period + 3 years

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The Selection Process: A 4-Stage Journey

The RRB Group D selection process is rigorous, designed to test both the mental aptitude and physical endurance of the candidates.²²

Stage 1: Computer-Based Test (CBT)

This is the primary screening round. It consists of 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) to be solved in 90 minutes.²³

• General Science: 25 Questions
• Mathematics: 25 Questions
• General Intelligence & Reasoning: 30 Questions
• General Awareness & Current Affairs: 20 Questions
• Negative Marking: ²⁴$1/3$ mark is deducted for every incorrect answer.²⁵

Stage 2: Physical Efficiency Test (PET)

Candidates who clear the CBT cutoff are called for the PET.²⁶ This stage is qualifying in nature, meaning you don’t get marks for it, but you must pass it to move forward.²⁷

• For Males:
  • Lift and carry 35 kg for 100 meters in 2 minutes (one chance).²⁸
  • Run 1000 meters in 4 minutes 15 seconds (one chance).²⁹
• For Females:
  • Lift and carry 20 kg for 100 meters in 2 minutes (one chance).³⁰
  • Run 1000 meters in 5 minutes 40 seconds (one chance).³¹

Stage 3: Document Verification (DV)

Candidates are called based on their CBT scores and PET qualification. All original academic and category certificates are verified here.

Stage 4: Medical Examination

The final step ensures that the candidate is physically fit for the specific job category.³² Visual standards (A-2, A-3, B-1, etc.) are particularly important for safety-related posts like Pointsman.

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Syllabus Deep-Dive: What to Study?

To crack the RRB Group D 2026 exam, your preparation must be aligned with the 10th-standard level syllabus.³³

Mathematics

Focus on arithmetic and basic algebra. Key topics include:

• Number System, BODMAS, Decimals, and Fractions.³⁴
• LCM & HCF, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages.³⁵
• Mensuration, Time and Work, Time and Distance.³⁶
• Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss.³⁷

General Intelligence and Reasoning

This section tests your logical thinking.

• Analogies, Alphabetical and Number Series.
• Coding and Decoding, Mathematical Operations.³⁸
• Relationships, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagram.
• Data Interpretation and Sufficiency, Conclusions and Decision making.

General Science

This covers Physics, Chemistry, and Life Sciences (Biology) of the 10th standard CBSE/NCERT level.³⁹ Do not go too deep into advanced theories; stick to the fundamentals.

General Awareness

• Current Affairs in Science & Technology, Sports, Culture, Personalities, Economics, and Politics.⁴⁰
• Emphasis on “Railway Budget” and general Indian Railway history is often helpful.

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Application Fee Structure

Category	Fee	Refund Policy
General / OBC / EWS	₹500	₹400 refunded after appearing in CBT
SC / ST / Female / PwBD / EBC	₹250	Full refund (₹250) after appearing in CBT

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How to Apply Online for RRB Group D 2026

1. Visit Official Website: Go to the official RRB regional portal (e.g., RRB Chandigarh, RRB Mumbai).⁴¹
2. New Registration: Click on the “CEN 09/2025 Registration” link.
3. Fill Details: Enter personal info, Aadhaar number, and educational qualifications.
4. Upload Documents: Upload your scanned photograph and signature (and caste certificate if applicable).
5. Pay Fee: Use Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI to pay the fee.⁴²
6. Print Confirmation: Save a PDF of the application form for future reference.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can a 12th-pass candidate apply for RRB Group D 2026?

Yes. Since the minimum qualification is 10th pass, anyone with a higher qualification (12th, Graduate, etc.) can apply as long as they meet the age criteria.

2. Is there any change in the qualification for technical posts?

According to previous updates, the Ministry of Railways had suggested that ITI or NAC might be mandatory for technical departments (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and S&T). However, always check the detailed notification on January 20, 2026, for the final word.

3. What is the salary of an RRB Group D employee?

The basic pay is ₹18,000.⁴³ Including DA, HRA, and other allowances, the gross salary usually ranges between ₹25,000 and ₹30,000 per month, depending on the city of posting.

4. Is the RRB Group D 2026 exam conducted in regional languages?

Yes, the CBT is usually conducted in 15 different languages, including Hindi, English, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

5. Can I apply for more than one RRB zone?

No. You must choose only one RRB to apply. Submitting multiple applications to different RRBs will lead to rejection.

6. Will there be a 2nd stage CBT?

As of the latest short notice, only a single-stage CBT is mentioned. If the number of applicants is exceptionally high, the RRB reserves the right to conduct a second stage, but this will be clearly mentioned in the detailed CEN.

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Final Strategy for Aspirants

With 22,000 vacancies on the line, the competition will be fierce. Start with the NCERT Class 9 and 10 Science books. Solve at least 50 previous year question papers to understand the pattern. Since there is negative marking, practice accuracy along with speed.

The RRB Group D 2026 recruitment is a golden opportunity for those looking for job security, a decent salary, and the prestige of serving the Indian Railways.⁴⁴ Keep your documents ready and prepare diligently for the January 21 opening.

Would you like me to create a 30-day study schedule or a list of specific recommended books for your preparation?

RRB Group D 2026 Preparation Guide

This video provides a detailed breakdown of the 2026 recruitment notification, including specific tips on how to prepare for the science and reasoning sections effectively.