RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 : The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially released the short notification for one of the most awaited recruitment drives of the year: RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 (CEN 09/2025). This massive hiring initiative aims to fill over 22,000 Level-1 vacancies across various zones of the Indian Railways. These roles, ranging from Track Maintainers to Assistants in various departments, form the backbone of railway operations and offer a stable, respected career in the central government.
The notification comes as a significant relief for lakhs of aspirants who have been preparing for a chance to join the national carrier. For a 10th-pass candidate or an ITI holder, this is arguably the best entry point into a government sector that provides not only a competitive salary but also comprehensive medical benefits, travel concessions, and long-term job security.
| Feature | Details |
| Recruitment Body | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) |
| Notification No. | CEN 09/2025 |
| Post Name | Group D (Level-1) – Track Maintainer, Pointsman, Assistant, etc. |
| Total Vacancies | 22,000+ (Tentative) |
| Job Category | Central Government Job |
| Salary Level | Level 1 of 7th CPC Pay Matrix |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | rrbapply.gov.in |
1.RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 : RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 : Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Short Notification Date | 23rd December 2025 |
| Detailed Notification Release | 20th January 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 21st January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 20th February 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 20th February 2026 |
| CBT Exam Date | To be notified soon |
2.RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 : Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy the following educational and nationality requirements:
Nationality: Must be a Citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee (as per specific rules).
Educational Qualification:
10th Standard (Matriculation) pass from a recognized board.
OR ITI from institutions recognized by NCVT/SCVT.
OR National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT.
3.RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 : Age Limit (As of 01/01/2026)
| Category | Age Limit |
| General (Unreserved) | 18 – 33 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 18 – 36 Years |
| SC / ST | 18 – 38 Years |
| PwBD (General) | 18 – 43 Years |
4.RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 : Vacancy Details
| Department | Common Post Names |
| Engineering | Track Maintainer Grade IV, Assistant Bridge, Assistant P-Way |
| Mechanical | Assistant C&W, Assistant Locomotive (Diesel/Electric) |
| Traffic | Pointsman |
| S&T | Assistant Signal & Telecom |
| Electrical | Assistant TRD, Assistant Operations |
5.RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 : Selection Process
- Computer-Based Test (CBT): The primary screening round consisting of 100 MCQs (Maths, Reasoning, Science, GA).
2. Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Qualifying in nature; involves weight lifting and running.
3. Document Verification (DV): Checking of original certificates and identity.
4. Medical Examination: Conducted by Railway Medical Officers to ensure fitness for the specific post.
6.RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 : Application Fee
| Category | Fee | Refund Amount (After CBT) |
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹500 | ₹400 |
| SC / ST / Female / PwBD / Ex-SM | ₹250 | ₹250 (Full Refund) |
7.RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 : Salary Structure
| Component | Amount (Approx.) |
| Basic Pay | ₹18,000 |
| Allowances (DA, HRA, TA) | Varies by City (X, Y, Z) |
| Gross Monthly Salary | ₹22,500 – ₹26,000 |
8. RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 : How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Registration: Visit rrbapply.gov.in and click on “New Registration.”
Account Creation: Fill in basic details (Name, DOB, Aadhaar, Mobile, Email) and verify via OTP.
Login: Use your new credentials to log in.
Application Form: Fill in your educational details and choose your preferred RRB zone.
Upload Documents: Upload a scanned passport-size photo (white background) and your signature.
Fee Payment: Pay the fee using Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI.
Submission: Review your details and submit. Save/Print the final application form for future use.
9.RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 : Important Links Table
| Useful Link | Direct URL |
| Official Application Portal | Apply Here |
| Official RRB Website | indianrailways.gov.in |
| Syllabus & Pattern PDF | Check Here |
Preparing for the RRB Group D (CEN 09/2025) exam requires a mix of speed, accuracy, and physical stamina. Since the exam is based on the 10th-grade level syllabus, focusing on fundamentals is the key to success.
Here is a comprehensive 4-step preparation guide.
1. Understand the Exam Pattern
Before you buy books, you must know what you are up against. The CBT (Computer Based Test) is the most critical hurdle.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Focus Area |
| General Science | 25 | 25 | 10th Standard Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 | Calculation speed & Arithmetic |
| Reasoning | 30 | 30 | Logical puzzles & Analogy |
| General Awareness | 20 | 20 | Current Affairs (Last 6-8 months) |
| Total | 100 | 100 | Time: 90 Minutes |
Note: Negative marking is $1/3$ for every wrong answer. Accuracy is more important than the number of attempts.
2. Subject-Wise Strategy
🧪 General Science (25 Marks)
This section usually decides the merit. Don’t rely on random MCQ books alone.
NCERT is King: Read Class 9 and 10 NCERT Science textbooks thoroughly.
Notes: Create one-liner notes for formulas (Ohm’s Law, Motion) and chemical names.
Weightage: Focus on Biology (Human Body, Plants) as it often carries more questions.
🔢 Mathematics (25 Marks)
Master Basics: Clear your concepts on BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, and Percentages.
Shortcuts: Learn tables up to 30, squares up to 50, and cubes up to 20 to save time.
Important Topics: Number System, Time & Work, Profit & Loss, and Mensuration.
🧠 Reasoning (30 Marks)
This is the highest-scoring section.
Daily Practice: Solve at least 20-30 reasoning questions daily.
Tricky Areas: Focus on Syllogism, Statement-Conclusion, and Puzzles, as these can be time-consuming.
Visual Reasoning: Practice mirror images and paper folding.
🌍 General Awareness (20 Marks)
Current Affairs: Focus on the last 6-8 months of news. Key areas: Sports, Appointments, Awards, and Government Schemes.
Static GK: Focus on Indian Geography and the Constitution (Articles/Parts).
3. Best Resources & Books
| Subject | Recommended Book / Resource |
| General Science | NCERT (Class 9 & 10) + Lucent’s General Science |
| Mathematics | Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma (Arihant) |
| Reasoning | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal |
| General Awareness | Lucent’s General Knowledge + Monthly Current Affairs Magazines |
| Practice | RRB Group D Previous Year Solved Papers (2018 & 2022) |
4. The “Success Routine” (Last 60 Days)
Phase 1 (Day 1-40): Complete the syllabus. Make handwritten notes for quick revision.
Phase 2 (Day 41-50): Solve Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs). This helps you understand the “Railway Language” of questions.
Phase 3 (Day 51-60): Take one full-length Mock Test every day at the same time as your actual exam shift. Analyze your mistakes in a “Mistake Register.”
5. Don’t Forget the PET (Physical Test)
Many candidates pass the CBT but fail the PET. Start light physical activity (walking/jogging) twice a week now.
Male: Carry 35kg for 100m in 2 mins + Run 1000m in 4 min 15 sec.
Female: Carry 20kg for 100m in 2 mins + Run 1000m in 5 min 40 sec.