RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 Notification Out: Apply Online for 22,000+ Vacancies, Exam Date, Syllabus & Salary
The wait is finally over for millions of railway aspirants across India! The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has released the highly anticipated notification for the RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 (CEN 09/2025). This massive recruitment drive is a golden ticket for candidates looking to secure a stable government job in the Indian Railways.
With 22,000+ vacancies announced for Level-1 posts like Track Maintainer, Assistant Pointsman, and various assistant roles, the competition will be intense. Whether you are a 10th-pass candidate or an ITI holder, this guide covers everything—application dates, eligibility, fee, exam pattern, detailed syllabus, PET, salary, and step-by-step apply process.
Official Websites: rrbapply.gov.in | rrbcdg.gov.in
RRB Group D 2026: Highlights & Exam Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | RRB Group D (Level-1) Exam 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) / RRC |
| Advertisement No. | CEN 09/2025 |
| Total Vacancies | 22,000+ (Approx.) |
| Post Level | Level-1 (7th CPC Pay Matrix) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Dates | 31 January 2026 to 2 March 2026 |
| Selection Process | CBT, PET, DV, Medical |
| Salary | Basic Pay ₹18,000 (Gross ₹26,000+) |
| Official Website | rrbapply.gov.in / rrbcdg.gov.in |
RRB Group D Notification 2026: Important Dates
Missing a deadline can cost you a year of preparation. The RRB released a short notification on 19 January 2026, confirming the rescheduled application timeline.
- Short Notification Release: 19 January 2026
- Detailed Notification PDF Release: 30 January 2026
- Online Application Start Date: 31 January 2026
- Last Date to Apply Online: 2 March 2026 (11:59 PM)
- Last Date for Fee Payment: 2 March 2026
- Correction Window: To be announced
- RRB Group D Exam Date 2026: July–August 2026 (Expected)
Note: The application window was earlier rumored to start sooner, but the official short notice confirms the new start date as 31 January 2026.
RRB Group D Vacancy 2026: Post-Wise & Zone-Wise Details
The vacancy count is approximately 22,000, distributed across departments such as Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, Signal & Telecom, and Traffic.
Post-Wise Vacancy Breakdown (Expected)
| Post | Expected Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Track Maintainer Grade IV | ~ 11,000 (Highest) |
| Pointsman B | ~ 5,000 |
| Assistant (S&T) | ~ 1,500 |
| Assistant (C&W) | ~ 1,000 |
| Assistant (TRD) | ~ 800 |
| Assistant (Track Machine) | ~ 600 |
| Assistant (Bridge) | ~ 600 |
| Assistant Operations (Electrical) | ~ 500 |
Zone-Wise Vacancy (Update Pending)
Vacancies are distributed among different RRCs like Northern Railway (New Delhi), Western Railway (Mumbai), Eastern Railway (Kolkata), etc.
- Northern Railway (NR): Expected highest number of seats
- Southern Railway (SR): Significant vacancies for Track Maintainers
- Western Railway (WR): High demand for assistant-level posts
Update Note: A detailed zone-wise vacancy table can be added once the detailed notification PDF is available on 30 January 2026.
RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria 2026
To avoid rejection during verification, ensure you meet the eligibility requirements before applying.
1) Educational Qualification
- Minimum: Class 10th (Matriculation) from a recognized board (NCVT/SCVT as applicable)
- Technical: ITI certificate or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT is also eligible
Important: Engineering graduates are generally not eligible for Level-1 posts unless they also possess the required matric/ITI credentials as per the notification.
2) Age Limit (As on 01.01.2026)
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 Years |
| Maximum Age (General) | 33 Years |
| OBC (NCL) | +3 Years (Up to 36) |
| SC/ST | +5 Years (Up to 38) |
| PwBD (General) | +10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per government norms |
3) Medical Standards
You must be medically fit as per the post requirements. Common standards include:
| Standard | Vision Requirement (Indicative) | Usually Required For |
|---|---|---|
| A-2 | 6/9, 6/9 without glasses | Pointsman / safety category posts |
| A-3 | 6/9, 6/9 with/without glasses (≤ 2D) | Selected technical posts |
| B-1 | 6/9, 6/12 with/without glasses (≤ 4D) | Various Level-1 posts |
| C-1 | 6/12, 6/18 with/without glasses | Non-safety category posts |
RRB Group D Application Fee 2026 (Refundable After CBT)
The application fee is paid online via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI. A portion is refundable if you appear in the CBT.
| Category | Application Fee | Refundable Amount (After CBT) |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹500 | ₹400 |
| SC / ST / Ex-Sm / PwBD / Female / Transgender / EBC | ₹250 | ₹250 |
RRB Group D Selection Process 2026
- Computer Based Test (CBT): Objective-type online exam
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Qualifying endurance test
- Document Verification (DV) & Medical: Final verification and medical fitness
RRB Group D Exam Pattern 2026 (CBT)
The CBT is the most important stage. It is a 90-minute paper with 100 questions.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Science | 25 | 25 | 90 Minutes |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 | |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | — |
- Negative Marking: 1/3 mark deducted for every wrong answer
- Normalization: Applicable if CBT is held in multiple shifts
Detailed RRB Group D Syllabus 2026 (Topic-Wise)
1) Mathematics
Focus on speed and accuracy.
- Number System, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions
- LCM & HCF, Ratio & Proportion, Percentages
- Mensuration, Time & Work, Time & Distance
- Simple & Compound Interest, Profit & Loss
- Algebra, Geometry & Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics
2) General Intelligence & Reasoning
Highest weightage (30 marks).
- Analogies, Alphabetical & Number Series
- Coding-Decoding, Mathematical Operations
- Blood Relations, Syllogism
- Jumbling, Venn Diagram, Data Interpretation & Sufficiency
- Directions, Classification, Statement–Arguments/Assumptions
3) General Science (10th Standard)
Based on CBSE 10th level concepts.
- Physics: Work, Energy, Power, Light, Electricity, Magnetism, Force, Laws of Motion
- Chemistry: Atomic Structure, Chemical Reactions, Periodic Table, Acids/Bases/Salts, Metals & Non-Metals
- Biology: Life Processes, Control & Coordination, Reproduction, Heredity, Human Eye, Environment
4) General Awareness & Current Affairs
- Current Affairs: Science & Tech, Sports, Culture, Personalities, Economics, Politics
- Static GK: Important days, books & authors, awards, national parks
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Details
PET is qualifying in nature. You just need to pass it; marks are not added to the merit list.
| Category | Task 1 | Task 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Male | Carry 35 kg for 100 m in 2 minutes (one chance, no dropping) | Run 1000 m in 4 min 15 sec (one chance) |
| Female | Carry 20 kg for 100 m in 2 minutes (one chance, no dropping) | Run 1000 m in 5 min 40 sec (one chance) |
RRB Group D Salary & Perks 2026
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level-1 (7th CPC) |
| Basic Pay | ₹18,000/- per month |
| Allowances | DA, HRA, TA, Night Duty, Overtime (as applicable) |
| Expected In-hand | ₹22,500 to ₹25,500/month (depends on city class) |
How to Apply Online for RRB Group D 2026
Follow these steps carefully to submit your application without errors:
- Visit the official site: rrbapply.gov.in (or your regional RRB website such as rrbcdg.gov.in).
- New Registration: Enter Name, DOB, Aadhaar (if required), Mobile Number, Email ID, and verify via OTP.
- Login: Use Registration Number and Password to access your dashboard.
- Fill Application: Complete Part I (education, community, etc.) and Part II (post preference).
- Post Preference: Select posts based on medical standards and your interest.
- Upload Documents: Photo, signature, and category certificate (if applicable) in the prescribed format.
- Fee Payment: Pay online via UPI/Card/Net Banking.
- Final Submit: Preview carefully, submit, and download/print the application form.
Start Early: Register on day 1, upload documents in the correct size, and avoid last-day server issues. Apply here: rrbapply.gov.in
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