RRB Group D Recruitment 2026: 22,195 Vacancies, Apply Online, Eligibility, Important Dates, Fees, Salary & Complete Guide (Part 1)

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has released the RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 Notification (CEN 09/2025) for various Level-1 posts in Indian Railways. This is one of the biggest government recruitment drives in India, offering 22,195 vacancies across different railway zones. Candidates who have passed Class 10 (Matriculation) or possess ITI/NAC qualifications can apply for these posts.

If you're preparing for a Railway Government Job, this guide covers everything you need to know, including important dates, eligibility, age limit, application fees, salary, selection process, and how to apply online.

RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 Overview

Particular	Details
Organization	Railway Recruitment Board (RRB)
Notification No.	CEN 09/2025
Post Name	Group D (Level-1 Posts)
Total Vacancies	22,195
Job Location	Across India
Application Mode	Online
Pay Level	Level-1 (7th CPC)
Official Website	https://www.rrbapply.gov.in

Total Vacancies

A total of 22,195 vacancies have been announced for various Level-1 posts in Indian Railways.

Major posts include:

Track Maintainer Grade-IV
Pointsman
Assistant (S&T)
Assistant Loco Shed
Assistant Operations
Assistant TL & AC
Assistant Workshop
Assistant Carriage & Wagon
Assistant Bridge
Assistant P-Way
Hospital Assistant
Porter and other Level-1 posts

The exact zone-wise and category-wise vacancy distribution is available in the official notification.

Important Dates

Candidates should remember the following important dates.

Event	Date
Notification Released	30 January 2026
Online Application Starts	31 January 2026
Last Date to Apply	09 March 2026 (Extended)
Last Date for Fee Payment	11 March 2026
Application Correction Window	12 March – 21 March 2026
Application Status	July 2026
Exam City Slip	Before CBT
Admit Card	4 Days Before Exam
CBT Exam Date	03 August – 21 August 2026

Candidates should regularly visit the official RRB portal for updates regarding admit cards and examination schedules.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess one of the following qualifications.

Minimum Qualification

Class 10 (Matriculation) Pass

ITI from NCVT/SCVT

National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC)

The required qualification must be obtained before the closing date of the application.

Age Limit

Age will be calculated according to the official notification.

Minimum Age

18 Years

Maximum Age

36 Years

Age relaxation is available for:

SC
ST
OBC
EWS
PwBD
Ex-Servicemen
Other eligible categories as per Government of India rules.

Application Fee

Candidates need to pay the application fee online.

Category	Fee
General / OBC / EWS	₹500
SC / ST / Female / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen / EBC	₹250

Fee Refund

Indian Railways refunds a major portion of the application fee after candidates appear in the CBT.

General/OBC/EWS candidates receive a partial refund.
SC/ST/Female/PwBD candidates receive almost the full refundable amount after appearing in the CBT (subject to applicable deductions).

Required Documents

Keep these documents ready before filling the application form.

Aadhaar Card
Mobile Number
Email ID
Passport-size Photograph
Signature
Class 10 Marksheet
ITI Certificate (if applicable)
Category Certificate
EWS Certificate
PwBD Certificate (if applicable)

How to Apply Online

Follow these steps carefully.

Step 1

Visit the official RRB application portal.

https://www.rrbapply.gov.in

Step 2

Click on RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 (CEN 09/2025).

Step 3

Complete the registration process.

Step 4

Step 5

Fill in:

Personal Details
Educational Qualification
Category
Address
Preferred Railway Zone

Step 6

Upload:

Photograph
Signature
Required Certificates

Step 7

Pay the application fee.

Step 8

Submit the application form.

Step 9

Download and print the confirmation page.

Selection Process

The selection process consists of the following stages:

Stage 1

Computer Based Test (CBT)

Stage 2

Physical Efficiency Test (PET)

Stage 3

Document Verification (DV)

Stage 4

Medical Examination

Candidates must qualify each stage to move to the next round.

Physical Efficiency Test (PET)

Candidates shortlisted in the CBT must appear for the Physical Efficiency Test.

Male Candidates

Lift and carry 35 kg for a specified distance within the prescribed time.
Run 1000 metres within the prescribed time.

Female Candidates

Lift and carry 20 kg for a specified distance within the prescribed time.
Run 1000 metres within the prescribed time.

The PET is qualifying in nature, and candidates should prepare well in advance.

RRB Group D Exam Pattern

The Computer Based Test (CBT) is the first stage of the selection process. Candidates who qualify the CBT are shortlisted for the Physical Efficiency Test (PET), followed by Document Verification and Medical Examination.

Subject	Questions	Marks
Mathematics	25	25
General Intelligence & Reasoning	30	30
General Science	25	25
General Awareness & Current Affairs	20	20
Total	100	100

Duration

90 Minutes
120 Minutes for eligible PwBD candidates using a scribe.

Negative Marking

1 mark is awarded for every correct answer.
1/3 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer.

RRB Group D Syllabus

Mathematics

Important topics include:

Number System
Percentage
Profit & Loss
Ratio & Proportion
Average
Simple & Compound Interest
Time & Work
Time & Distance
Algebra
Geometry
Mensuration
Simplification
Data Interpretation

General Intelligence & Reasoning

Prepare the following topics:

Coding-Decoding
Blood Relation
Direction Sense
Alphabet Series
Number Series
Puzzle
Seating Arrangement
Analogy
Classification
Venn Diagram

General Science

Questions are generally based on the Class 10 NCERT level.

Important subjects:

Physics
Chemistry
Biology

General Awareness & Current Affairs

Focus on:

Indian History
Geography
Indian Polity
Indian Economy
Sports
Awards
Books & Authors
Science & Technology
Government Schemes
Railway Current Affairs

Medical Standards

Candidates who qualify the CBT and PET must pass the prescribed railway medical examination.

The medical test checks:

Vision
Hearing
Physical Fitness
Overall Health

Candidates declared medically unfit cannot be appointed to the post.

Salary

RRB Group D employees are placed under Pay Level-1 of the 7th CPC.

Basic Pay

₹18,000 per month

Along with the basic salary, employees receive:

Dearness Allowance (DA)
House Rent Allowance (HRA)
Transport Allowance
Night Duty Allowance
Overtime Allowance
Medical Benefits
Railway Pass Facilities
Pension and Other Government Benefits

The approximate in-hand salary varies depending on the city and allowances but is generally higher than the basic pay.

Job Responsibilities

Selected candidates may work as:

Track Maintainer
Pointsman
Assistant
Helper
Porter

Daily responsibilities include:

Railway track maintenance
Assisting technical staff
Equipment handling
Station operations
Passenger safety
Maintenance work

Best Books for Preparation

Recommended books include:

Mathematics

RS Aggarwal Quantitative Aptitude

Reasoning

RS Aggarwal Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning

General Science

NCERT Class 9 & 10 Science

General Awareness

Lucent General Knowledge
Monthly Current Affairs Magazine

Preparation Strategy

To score well:

Study 5–6 hours daily.
Revise concepts regularly.
Solve previous year papers.
Attempt weekly mock tests.
Focus on accuracy to reduce negative marking.
Improve speed through timed practice.

Consistency is the key to success.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many candidates lose marks because of simple mistakes.

Avoid:

Filling the application form incorrectly.
Waiting until the last day to apply.
Ignoring the syllabus.
Not practicing mock tests.
Guessing answers.
Skipping revision.
Ignoring PET preparation.

Why Choose RRB Group D?

Railway jobs remain among India's most popular government careers because they offer:

Job Security
Attractive Salary
Regular Promotions
Medical Facilities
Pension Benefits (as applicable)
Work-Life Balance
Opportunities to work across India

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many vacancies are available?

A total of 22,195 Level-1 vacancies have been notified under CEN 09/2025.

What is the minimum qualification?

Candidates should have passed Class 10 (Matriculation) or possess the required ITI/NAC qualification as prescribed for the post.

What is the application fee?

General/OBC/EWS: ₹500
SC/ST/Female/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen/EBC: ₹250 (subject to the refund rules after appearing in CBT).

What is the salary?

The initial basic pay is ₹18,000 per month, with additional allowances such as DA, HRA, and Transport Allowance.

Is there negative marking?

Yes.

1/3 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer.

What are the selection stages?

The recruitment process consists of:

Computer Based Test (CBT)
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Document Verification
Medical Examination

Important Links

Official Railway Recruitment Portal: https://www.rrbapply.gov.in
Official RRB Website: https://rrb.indianrailways.gov.in
Group D Notification (CEN 09/2025): Available on the official RRB website.
Admit Card: Released approximately 4 days before the candidate's CBT date on the official portal.

Final Thoughts

The RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 is one of the largest recruitment drives in Indian Railways, offering 22,195 vacancies across multiple Level-1 posts. It is an excellent opportunity for candidates seeking a secure Central Government job after Class 10 or ITI.

Prepare according to the latest syllabus, practice mock tests regularly, revise consistently, and stay updated through the official RRB portal for notifications related to admit cards, exam dates, answer keys, and results. With disciplined preparation and the right strategy, you can significantly improve your chances of securing a position in Indian Railways.

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