RRB Group D Recruitment 2026: Official Details

New Delhi, December 18, 2025: The Indian Railways has set the stage for a massive recruitment drive in 2026. Following the Ministry of Railways’ decision to shift to an annual recruitment cycle, the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially released the RRB Exam Calendar 2026, which includes thousands of vacancies for Level 1 (Group D) posts.

With approximately 22,000 vacancies approved for the upcoming cycle, aspirants across the country are gearing up to secure a position in the world’s fourth-largest railway network. Here is everything you need to know about the RRB Group D Recruitment 2026.

Notification Release and Vacancy Details

According to the latest annual calendar, the official notification (Centralized Employment Notice or CEN) for Group D Level-1 posts is expected to be proposed in October 2026. However, some reports suggest that a specific drive for 22,000 approved posts—including roles like Track Maintainer Grade IV, Pointsman-B, and Assistant (S&T)—could see movement as early as the first quarter of 2026.

Candidates are advised to keep a close watch on the official portal, rrbapply.gov.in, where the application link will be activated.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for these Level-1 positions, candidates must meet specific educational and age requirements:

1. Educational Qualification

• Candidates must have passed Class 10 (Matriculation) from a recognized board.
• OR possess an ITI certificate or a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT/SCVT.

2. Age Limit

• The general age bracket is 18 to 33 years.
• Relaxation: In recent cycles, the RRB has granted a one-time 3-year age relaxation due to pandemic-related delays, effectively pushing the upper limit to 36 years for General candidates. Further relaxations apply for SC/ST (5 years) and OBC (3 years) categories.

The Selection Process

The RRB Group D selection is a rigorous multi-stage process designed to test both mental aptitude and physical fitness.

1. Computer-Based Test (CBT): The first hurdle is an online exam.
2. Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Candidates who pass the CBT must perform physical tasks (e.g., carrying weight and running within a time limit).
3. Document Verification (DV): Verification of educational and category certificates.
4. Medical Examination: A final check to ensure the candidate meets the medical standards (A-2, B-1, etc.) required for the specific post.

CBT Exam Pattern

The exam consists of 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) to be solved in 90 minutes.

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

How to Apply at rrbapply.gov.in

Once the notification is live, follow these steps to register:

1. Visit the official application portal: rrbapply.gov.in.
2. Click on “Create an Account” and provide your basic details (Aadhar is usually required for identity verification).
3. Log in and select the specific RRB Zone you wish to apply for.
4. Fill in the application form, upload your scanned photograph and signature, and pay the fee (approx. ₹500 for General/OBC and ₹250 for others).
5. Submit and download the confirmation page for future reference.

Next Step: Would you like me to help you create a 30-day study plan tailored to the RRB Group D syllabus?