By Soumya Ranjan Railway RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 Notification out for 21,997 Posts
The employment notification CEN No. 09/2025 for recruitment of different positions in Level 1 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix has been formally released by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs). For 10th-pass holders looking for a long-term government position with the Indian Railways, this is a fantastic possibility. This recruitment effort seeks to fill roles such as Assistant Pointsman, Track Maintainer Grade IV, and Assistants in the Electrical, Mechanical, and S&T sectors, with a staggering 21,997 openings announced across multiple Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs).
The Railway Group D Vacancy 2026 online application link will be open from January 31 to March 02, 2026. It is recommended that candidates apply as soon as possible to prevent server problems at the last minute. The physical efficiency exam (PET) requirements, eligibility conditions, and a direct link to the RRB Group D Apply Online portal are all covered in full in this article.
Important Points: RRB CEN 09/2025 Notification
Candidates should review the brief description of the selection procedure before submitting an application. A computer-based test (CBT), a physical efficiency test (PET), document verification, and a medical examination will be the next steps in the selection process.
- Recruiting Organisation: Indian Railways (RRBs/RRCs)
- Notification Number: CEN No. 09/2025
- Exam Name: RRB Group D (Level 1) Exam 2026
- Total Vacancies: 21,997
- Job Location: All India (Zone-wise)
- Application Mode: Online
- Salary/Pay Scale: Level 1 (7th CPC) – Basic Pay ₹18,000
RRB Group D Vacancy 2026 Zone Wise Details
The positions are split up among different Railway Zones. When applying, candidates can only select one RRB or RRC. The zone-by-zone summary from the official Annexure B is shown below.
| Railway Zone / RRC | Headquarters | Key Posts Available |
|---|---|---|
| Central Railway | Mumbai | Track Maintainer, Pointsman, Assistant (Works) |
| Northern Railway | New Delhi | Engineering, S&T, Mechanical posts |
| Western Railway | Mumbai | Electrical, Traffic, and Bridge assistants |
| Eastern Railway | Kolkata | Includes Metro Railway Kolkata posts |
| Southern Railway | Chennai | Posts in TN, Kerala, and surrounding regions |
| North Western Railway | Jaipur | Engineering and Traffic assistants |
| Total Vacancies | All India | 21,997 Posts |
RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria 2026
To be eligible for the Railway Group D Bharti 2026, candidates must fulfill the following criteria as of the closing date of the application.
Educational Qualification
- For General Candidates: Passed 10th Standard (Matriculation) from a recognized Board/Institution OR passed ITI from institutions recognized by NCVT/SCVT.
- For Apprentices: Candidates holding a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT are also eligible.
- Note: Candidates waiting for their final results are not eligible to apply.
Age Limit (as on 01.01.2026)
- Minimum Age: 18 Years
- Maximum Age: 33 Years
- Age Relaxation:
- OBC (NCL): 3 Years (Upper age limit: 36 Years)
- SC / ST: 5 Years (Upper age limit: 38 Years)
- PwBD / Ex-Servicemen: As per extensive government rules.
Medical Standards
Candidates must pass the medical fitness test conducted by the Railway Administration.
- A-2 & A-3: High vision standards (Distant Vision 6/9).
- B-1 & C-1: Moderate vision and physical fitness standards.
- Alert: Candidates with LASIK surgery are not eligible for A-2 and A-3 medical standard posts.
RRB Group D Salary and Benefits (Pay Level 1)
Selected candidates will receive a salary under Level 1 of the 7th Pay Commission. This is one of the most attractive aspects of 10th pass government jobs.
- Basic Pay: ₹18,000/- per month.
- Dearness Allowance (DA): Revised semi-annually (currently approx. 50% of Basic).
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): 9%, 18%, or 27% depending on the city (Class X, Y, Z).
- Transport Allowance (TA): Fixed amount + DA on TA.
- Gross Salary: The in-hand salary for a Group D employee typically ranges between ₹28,000 to ₹32,000 per month initially.
- Perks: Railway Pass for travel, Medical care (Railway Hospital), Pension (NPS), and steady career growth.
Exam Pattern & Selection Procedure for RRB Group D
There are three primary phases to the hiring process. To move on to the next phase, candidates must pass each one.
Stage 1: Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Duration: 90 Minutes
- Total Questions: 100
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted for every wrong answer.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Science (10th Level Physics, Chem, Bio) | 25 | 25 |
| Mathematics (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry) | 25 | 25 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Stage 2: Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Shortlisted candidates (3 times the vacancies) will be called for PET.
- Male Candidates:
- Lift and carry 35 kg for 100 meters in 2 minutes (without putting it down).
- Run 1000 meters in 4 minutes and 15 seconds.
- Female Candidates:
- Lift and carry 20 kg for 100 meters in 2 minutes (without putting it down).
- Run 1000 meters in 5 minutes and 40 seconds.
Stage 3: Document Verification (DV) & Medical Exam (ME)
Candidates are called for DV and Medical based on their CBT performance and PET qualification.
How to Apply Online for Group D 2026 of RRB
The full application procedure takes place online. To make sure your form is approved, follow these steps:
- Registration: Visit the official RRB website (link below) and click on “Apply Online for CEN 09/2025”. Create an account using your mobile number and email.
- Authentication: Use DigiLocker or Aadhaar to verify your identity. This speeds up the process and avoids scrutiny delays.
- Fill Details: Enter your personal information, educational marks (Matriculation/ITI), and choose your preferred Railway Zone carefully (this cannot be changed later).
- Uploads: Upload a high-quality live photograph (instructions provided in portal) and your signature. Upload SC/ST certificate if you want a free travel pass.
- Fee Payment: Pay the requisite fee via Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI.
- Final Submit: Preview the application form and submit. Print the application for future reference.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 27 December 2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | 31 January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 02 March 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 04 March 2026 |
| Correction/Modification Window | 05 March to 14 March 2026 |
| CBT Exam Date | To be notified soon |
Application Fees
| Category | Fee Amount | Refund (After appearing in CBT) |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved / OBC / EWS | ₹500/- | ₹400/- |
| SC / ST / Ex-SM / PwBD / Female / Minorities / EBC | ₹250/- | ₹250/- |
Essential Links
- Official Notification PDF – Download Notification
- RRB Group D Apply Online – Apply Online Here
- Previous Year Question Papers – Download PDF
- RRB Group D Syllabus 2026 – Check Syllabus
- Zone Wise Cut Off Marks – View Previous Cut Off
- Official RRB Website Link – Check
- Join our WhatsApp channel: Join Now
- Join us on X: JoinNowJoin Now
Read: SSC Exam Calendar 2026: Verify the dates for GD Constable, CGL, CHSL, and MTS
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