Ministry of Railways conducts the RPF Constable and Sub-Inspector (SI) Recruitment 2026 drive to fill Executive cadre vacancies in the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) across all railway zones in India. Eligible 10th-pass candidates for Constable posts and Graduate degree holders for Sub-Inspector posts can submit their application forms online through the official recruitment portal rrbapply.gov.in.
Below is the complete guide containing important dates, post details, selection process, CBT exam pattern, Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Measurement Test (PMT) standards, salary structure, and direct step-by-step instructions to fill out the RPF online application form.
RPF Constable SI Recruitment 2026: Important Dates
| Recruitment Event | Official Schedule / Dates |
| RPF Notification 2026 PDF Release Date | October 2026 |
| RPF 2026 Apply Online Start Date | October 2026 |
| RPF Recruitment 2026 Application Form Last Date | November 2026 |
| Online Application Fee Payment Last Date | November 2026 |
| Application Form Correction Window | December 2026 |
| RPF Admit Card 2026 Release Date | 4 Days Before CBT Exam |
| RPF CBT Exam Date 2026 / 2027 | January / February 2027 |
| RPF CBT Answer Key & Results | March 2027 |
RPF Recruitment 2026: Overview & Job Details
| Parameter | Details |
| Recruiting Authority | Railway Protection Force (RPF) / Ministry of Railways |
| Exam Conducting Agency | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) |
| Advertisement Number | CEN RPF 01/2026 (SI) & CEN RPF 02/2026 (Constable) |
| Posts Offered | Constable (Executive) & Sub-Inspector (SI Executive) |
| Job Type | Central Government Railway Job |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Selection Stages | Computer-Based Test (CBT) → PET / PMT → Document Verification → Medical Test |
| Job Location | Across All India Railway Zones |
| Official Application Website | rrbapply.gov.in / rpf.indianrailways.gov.in |
Post-Wise Vacancy & Qualification Breakdown
The recruitment drive covers both non-gazetted uniformed positions in Indian Railways:
| Post Name | Minimum Educational Qualification | Age Limit (General) | Pay Level (7th CPC) |
| RPF Constable (Executive) | 10th Pass (Matriculation) from a recognized Board | 18 to 28 Years | Level 3 (Basic ₹21,700) |
| RPF Sub-Inspector (SI Executive) | Bachelor’s Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a recognized University | 20 to 28 Years | Level 6 (Basic ₹35,400) |
Note: 15% of total vacancies in both Constable and SI cadres are reserved for female candidates.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Age Limit & Category-Wise Relaxation
- RPF Constable: 18 to 28 Years
- RPF Sub-Inspector (SI): 20 to 28 Years
Upper Age Relaxations:
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 Years
- SC / ST Candidates: 5 Years
- Ex-Servicemen (ESM): 3 to 8 Years (based on category and length of service)
- Widows / Divorced Women: 2 to 7 Years (as per government guidelines)
RPF Selection Process & CBT Exam Pattern 2026
The selection process consists of four distinct phases:
[ Phase 1: CBT Written Exam ] - [ Phase 2: PET & PMT Physical Tests ] - [ Phase 3: Document Verification ] - [ Phase 4: Medical Examination ]
CBT Written Examination Pattern (Common Structure for Constable & SI)
| Subject Section | Number of Questions | Total Marks | Exam Duration |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 50 | 50 | 90 Minutes (120 Mins for eligible PwBD) |
| Arithmetic (Mathematics) | 35 | 35 | 90 Minutes |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 35 | 35 | 90 Minutes |
| Total CBT Exam Pattern | 120 Questions | 120 Marks | 90 Minutes |
- Exam Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Negative Marking: $1/3^{\text{rd}}$ mark will be deducted for every incorrect response.
- Qualifying Marks: 35% for UR/EWS/OBC-NCL and 30% for SC/ST categories.
Physical Measurement (PMT) & Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Standards
Candidates who clear the CBT exam cutoff are shortlisted for physical tests in 10 times the number of vacancies.
1. Physical Measurement Test (PMT) Standards
| Category | Height (Male) | Height (Female) | Male Chest (Unexpanded) | Male Chest (Expanded) |
| UR / OBC | 165 cm | 157 cm | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| SC / ST | 160 cm | 152 cm | 76.2 cm | 81.2 cm |
| Garhwalis, Gorkhas, Marathas, Dogras, etc. | 163 cm | 155 cm | 80 cm | 85 cm |
2. Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Standards
RPF Constable PET:
- Male Candidates: 1600 Meters Run in 5 Minutes 45 Seconds (1 Chance) | High Jump: 4 Feet | Long Jump: 14 Feet
- Female Candidates: 800 Meters Run in 3 Minutes 40 Seconds (1 Chance) | High Jump: 3 Feet | Long Jump: 9 Feet
RPF Sub-Inspector (SI) PET:
- Male Candidates: 1600 Meters Run in 6 Minutes 30 Seconds (1 Chance) | High Jump: 3 Feet 9 Inches | Long Jump: 12 Feet
- Female Candidates: 800 Meters Run in 4 Minutes (1 Chance) | High Jump: 3 Feet | Long Jump: 9 Feet
RPF Salary Structure & Monthly Pay Scale
| Salary Component | RPF Constable (Pay Level 3) | RPF Sub-Inspector (Pay Level 6) |
| Pay Level (7th CPC) | Level 3 | Level 6 |
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹21,700 per month | ₹35,400 per month |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | ~50% of Basic Pay | ~50% of Basic Pay |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | ₹1,953 – ₹5,859 (X, Y, Z cities) | ₹3,186 – ₹9,558 (X, Y, Z cities) |
| Transport & Dress Allowance | Included | Included |
| Estimated In-Hand Starting Salary | ₹32,000 – ₹38,000 per month | ₹52,000 – ₹62,000 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 |
| SC / ST / Female / PwBD / Ex-SM / Minorities / EBC | ₹250 | ₹250 (Full 100% refund after appearing in CBT) |
How to Apply Online for RPF Recruitment 2026
- Visit the central railway online recruitment portal at
rrbapply.gov.in. - Click on the “Apply” button on the top right corner and select “Create an Account”.
- Fill in your basic details (Full Name, Date of Birth, Aadhaar Number, Mobile Number, and Email ID).
- Verify your account creation using the OTP sent to your registered mobile number and email address.
- Log in using your credentials and select your post preference: RPF Constable (Executive) or RPF Sub-Inspector (SI).
- Complete the application form by entering educational details, category certificates, and address details.
- Upload required scanned documents:
- Color passport photo (35mm x 45mm, light background).
- Signature in running hand.
- SC/ST Community Certificate (if claiming free rail travel pass).
- Pay the application fee via UPI, Net Banking, Debit Card, or Credit Card.
- Review all details carefully and click Submit. Save and print the completed RPF Recruitment 2026 Online Application Summary PDF for future reference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will there be an RPF Constable SI exam in 2026?
Yes, the Ministry of Railways releases recruitment notifications for RPF Constable and Sub-Inspector posts on the official online portal rrbapply.gov.in.
2. What is the educational qualification required for RPF SI recruitment 2026?
Candidates applying for the RPF Sub-Inspector (SI) post must possess a Bachelor’s Degree (Graduation) in any stream from a recognized university.
3. What is the age limit for RPF Constable candidates?
The general age limit for RPF Constable is 18 to 28 years. Category-wise age relaxations are applicable for OBC (3 years) and SC/ST (5 years) candidates.
4. What is the physical running requirement for RPF Constable Male candidates?
RPF Constable Male candidates must complete a 1600 meters run in 5 minutes and 45 seconds in one single chance.
5. What is the starting salary for an RPF Sub-Inspector (SI)?
RPF SI falls under Pay Level 6 with a basic pay of ₹35,400 per month. The total gross starting salary including DA, HRA, and allowances ranges between ₹52,000 and ₹62,000 per month.
6. Will the RPF application fee be refunded?
Yes, candidates who appear for the CBT exam will receive a fee refund (₹400 refund for General/OBC and full ₹250 refund for SC/ST/Female candidates) after bank charges deduction.
