Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) release the official notification for RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 (Level-1 Posts) across 16 Railway Zones in India. Thousands of positions are filled through this annual recruitment drive, including Track Maintainer Grade-IV, Pointsman-B, Assistant Bridge, Assistant C&W, Assistant Loco Shed, Assistant S&T, and Assistant TRD.
Candidates holding a 10th pass certificate or ITI/NAC certification can submit their online application forms through the unified official recruitment portal rrbapply.gov.in. Below is the detailed breakdown of important dates, job details, post vacancies, eligibility criteria, CBT exam pattern, physical efficiency test (PET), salary scale, and direct application steps.
RRB Group D Recruitment 2026: Important Dates
| Recruitment Event | Official Schedule / Dates |
| RRB Group D Notification 2026 PDF Release | October 2026 |
| RRB Group D 2026 Application Form Start Date | October 2026 |
| RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 Last Date to Apply | November 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | November 2026 |
| Application Form Correction Window | December 2026 |
| RRB Group D Admit Card 2026 Release Date | 4 Days Before Exam |
| RRB Group D Exam Date 2026 (CBT) | January / February 2027 |
| RRB Group D Answer Key Release | March 2027 |
| RRB Group D Result 2026 / 2027 | March / April 2027 |
RRB Group D Recruitment 2026: Overview & Job Details
| Parameter | Details |
| Recruitment Authority | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) / Ministry of Railways |
| Advertisement Number | CEN 09/2025 / CEN Group D 2026 |
| Post Names | Track Maintainer Grade IV, Pointsman, Assistant (C&W, S&T, Loco Shed, Electrical, etc.) |
| Pay Matrix Level | Level 1 (7th CPC Pay Matrix) |
| Total Vacancies | 22,000+ Posts |
| Educational Qualification | 10th Pass (Matriculation) OR ITI / NAC Certificate |
| Age Limit | 18 to 33 Years (Relaxation for Reserved Categories) |
| Selection Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) → Physical Efficiency Test (PET) → DV & Medical |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Application Website | rrbapply.gov.in / indianrailways.gov.in |
RRB Group D Post-Wise Vacancy & Job Profile Breakdown
The recruitment drive covers key technical and operational cadres across Indian Railway divisions:
| Post Name | Department | Primary Duties & Responsibilities |
| Track Maintainer Grade-IV | Engineering | Maintenance of railway tracks, checking alignment, and safety inspections |
| Pointsman-B | Operating | Handling track switches, signaling, and shunting operations of trains |
| Assistant (Carriage & Wagon) | Mechanical | Maintenance, inspection, and repair of passenger coaches and freight wagons |
| Assistant (S&T) | Signal & Telecom | Maintenance of railway signals, track circuits, and communication lines |
| Assistant Loco Shed (Electrical/Diesel) | Electrical / Mechanical | Overhauling and servicing of locomotives inside railway sheds |
| Assistant Bridge | Engineering | Maintenance and inspection of railway bridges and steel structures |
| Assistant TRD (Traction Distribution) | Electrical | Maintenance of overhead electric lines (OHE) and power substations |
| Assistant Operations (Electrical) | Electrical | Electrical maintenance in train yards and operational facilities |
Eligibility Criteria
1. Educational Qualification
- 10th Pass: Passed Class 10th (Matriculation) from a recognized Board.
- OR ITI / NAC: National Trade Certificate (NTC) or State Trade Certificate (STC) issued by NCVT/SCVT, OR National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT.
2. Age Limit (as on Cutoff Date)
- Minimum Age: 18 Years
- Maximum Age (General / EWS): 33 Years
Category-Wise Upper Age Relaxations:
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 Years (Up to 36 Years)
- SC / ST Candidates: 5 Years (Up to 38 Years)
- PwBD Candidates: 10 to 15 Years
- Ex-Servicemen: As per Central Railway guidelines
RRB Group D Selection Process & Exam Pattern
The selection process involves four stages:
[ Stage 1: CBT Written Exam ] -[ Stage 2: Physical Efficiency Test (PET) ] - [ Stage 3: Document Verification ]- [ Stage 4: Medical Test ]
1. Computer-Based Test (CBT) Scheme
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks | Total Duration |
| General Science (10th Standard Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences) | 25 | 25 | 90 Minutes (120 Mins for PwBD) |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 | 90 Minutes |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | 90 Minutes |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 | 90 Minutes |
| Total CBT Exam Pattern | 100 | 100 | 90 Minutes |
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark is deducted for every incorrect answer.
- Normalization: Marks obtained in CBT are normalized across multiple exam shifts to declare the RRB Group D cut off and qualifying list.
2. Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Standards
Candidates qualifying the CBT exam (based on cut-off marks) are called for PET in a 3:1 ratio:
| PET Parameter | Male Candidates | Female / Transgender Candidates |
| Weight Carrying Task | Lift and carry 35 kg for 100 meters in 2 minutes in 1 chance | Lift and carry 20 kg for 100 meters in 2 minutes in 1 chance |
| Running Task | Run for a distance of 1000 meters in 4 minutes 15 seconds in 1 chance | Run for a distance of 1000 meters in 5 minutes 40 seconds in 1 chance |
RRB Group D Salary & Pay Scale
Group D positions are categorized under Pay Level 1 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC):
| Pay Component | Structure & Amount |
| Pay Level | Level 1 (7th CPC Pay Matrix) |
| Basic Pay | ₹18,000/- per month |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | ~50% of Basic Pay |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | 9% / 18% / 27% (Depending on City X, Y, Z category) |
| Transport Allowance (TA) | ₹1,350 – ₹3,600 + DA |
| Special Allowances | Risk & Hardship Allowance (₹2,700 for Track Maintainers), Night Duty Allowance |
| Gross Starting Salary | ₹24,500 – ₹28,500/- per month |
Application Fee Details
| Category | Application Fee | Refundable Amount (Post CBT Attendance) |
| General / OBC / EWS Male Candidates | ₹500 | ₹400 refunded after appearing in CBT 1 |
| SC / ST / Female / PwBD / Ex-SM / Minorities / EBC | ₹250 | ₹250 (100% full refund after appearing in CBT 1) |
How to Apply Online for RRB Group D Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official unified recruitment website:
rrbapply.gov.in. - Click on “Apply” and select “Create an Account”.
- Enter your primary details (Aadhaar Number, Full Name, Date of Birth, Email ID, Mobile Number) and create a password.
- Verify your registration using OTPs sent to your mobile number and email.
- Log in with your credentials and select your target RRB Zone (e.g., RRB Ranchi, RRB Patna, RRB Allahabad, RRB Kolkata, etc.).
- Fill in educational qualification details (10th Pass / ITI / NAC marks), category, and permanent address.
- Upload scanned copies of required documents:
- Recent color photograph (white background, JPEG format)
- Signature scan (running hand signature)
- SC/ST Caste Certificate (for claiming free rail travel pass, if applicable)
- Pay the application fee online via UPI, Net Banking, Debit Card, or Credit Card.
- Submit the application form and download the RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 Online Application Form Summary PDF for future reference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will there be an RRB Group D exam in 2026?
Yes, the Railway Recruitment Board conducts annual recruitment drives for Level-1 posts. The RRB Group D Notification 2026 PDF is scheduled for release on the official portal rrbapply.gov.in.
2. What is the RRB Group D exam date 2026?
The CBT written examination for RRB Group D 2026 is expected to be conducted in early 2027 following the completion of application form submissions in late 2026.
3. What is RRB Group D eligibility?
Candidates must have passed 10th (Matriculation) or hold an ITI / NAC certificate recognized by NCVT/SCVT. The age limit is 18 to 33 years, with relaxation for OBC (3 years) and SC/ST (5 years).
4. What is the starting RRB Group D salary?
RRB Group D posts fall under Pay Level 1 with a basic pay of ₹18,000 per month. Including DA, HRA, TA, and risk allowances, the starting gross salary ranges between ₹24,500 and ₹28,500 per month.
5. How can I get the RRB Group D notification 2026 PDF download link?
You can download the official notification PDF directly from rrbapply.gov.in or regional RRB websites once published.
6. When will the RRB Group D result 2026 and cut off be declared?
The RRB Group D cut off and CBT results are declared within 60 to 90 days after the completion of all exam shifts on regional RRB websites.
