The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have announced one of the largest recruitment drives of the year 2026 with the release of Centralized Employment Notification (CEN) No. 09/2025. This notification is for the recruitment of 22,195 vacancies for various Level-1 (Group D) posts across all 16 railway zones of Indian Railways. This is a massive opportunity for 10th pass and ITI qualified candidates to secure a stable government job in the world’s largest railway network. The online application window opens on 31st January 2026 and the last date to apply is 2nd March 2026.
RRB Group D Recruitment 2026: Key Highlights
| Organization | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) – Ministry of Railways |
|---|---|
| Notification No. | CEN 09/2025 |
| Post Name | Various Level-1 Posts (Group D) |
| Total Vacancies | 22,195 |
| Eligibility | 10th Pass OR ITI Certificate |
| Age Limit | 18 – 33 Years (with relaxations) |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Application Dates | 31 Jan 2026 to 02 Mar 2026 |
| Selection Process | CBT → PET → Document Verification → Medical |
| Official Websites | www.indianrailways.gov.in & respective RRB sites |
Vacancy Distribution (Major Zones)
The 22,195 vacancies are distributed across various railway zones. Here is a snapshot of major zones:
| Railway Zone | Approx. Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Northern Railway (NR) | 3,537 |
| Western Railway (WR) | 3,166 |
| Central Railway (CR) | 2,157 |
| South Central Railway (SCR) | To be notified |
| Eastern Railway (ER) | 1,078 |
| Others (All 16 Zones) | Remaining |
Note: For the exact, post-wise and zone-wise vacancy breakdown, candidates must check Annexure-B of the official notification PDF.
Post Details & Medical Standards
Posts include Track Maintainer, Pointsman, Assistant (S&T), Assistant Loco Shed, etc., across Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, S&T, and Traffic departments.
| Post Name (Example) | Department | Medical Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Track Maintainer Grade-IV | Engineering | B1 |
| Pointsman | Traffic | A2 |
| Assistant (Signal & Telecommunication) | S&T | B1 |
| Assistant Loco Shed (Electrical) | Electrical | B1 |
Detailed Eligibility Criteria
1. Educational Qualification (as on 02.03.2026)
- Essential: 10th pass (Matriculation/SSLC) from a recognized board OR
- ITI Certificate from NCVT/SCVT OR
- National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) from NCVT.
- Note: Diploma/Degree is not a substitute for ITI. Final year students are not eligible.
2. Age Limit (as on 01.01.2026)
- Minimum Age: 18 Years
- Maximum Age for UR/EWS: 33 Years
- Age Relaxation:
- OBC-NCL: 3 Years (Max 36)
- SC/ST: 5 Years (Max 38)
- PwBD (UR): 10 Years (Max 43)
- Ex-Servicemen: Up to length of service + 3 years.
Salary (Pay Scale)
Selected candidates will be placed in Level-1 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, with an initial pay of ₹18,000/- per month, along with other admissible allowances (DA, HRA, etc.). The pay scale ranges from ₹18,000 – ₹56,900.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee | Refund* |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹500 | ₹400 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-SM / Female / Others | ₹250 | ₹250 |
| *Refund (minus bank charges) is made only to candidates who appear in the CBT. Payment is online only. |
Selection Process
The selection involves four successive stages:
- Computer Based Test (CBT): 100 Questions, 90 Minutes. Subjects: Mathematics (25), General Intelligence & Reasoning (30), General Science (25), General Awareness (20). Negative marking (⅓) applies.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Qualifying test involving weight carrying and running. Exempted for PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, and Course Completed Act Apprentices.
- Document Verification (DV): Verification of all original certificates.
- Medical Examination: As per prescribed medical standards for the post.
How to Apply Online for RRB Group D 2026?
Follow these steps meticulously for a successful application.
- Visit Official Website: Go to the official Indian Railways recruitment page or the website of your preferred RRB (e.g., RRB Chennai, Mumbai, etc.).
- Find Notification: Locate the link for “CEN 09/2025 – Recruitment for Level-1 Posts”.
- Read Notification: Download and thoroughly read the 50+ page official PDF notification. It contains vacancy tables, eligibility, and crucial instructions.
- New Registration: Click ‘Apply Online’. Complete the one-time registration using your Name, Date of Birth, and Aadhaar Number. Note the Registration ID.
- Fill Application Form: Log in and fill the detailed form:
- Select your preferred Railway Zone and Post.
- Fill personal, educational, and community details accurately.
- Choose exam language and preferred exam city.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of:
- Recent Photograph & Signature (as per specs).
- 10th/ITI Marksheet & Certificate.
- Caste/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen Certificate (in prescribed format).
- EWS/Income Certificate (if applicable).
- Pay Application Fee: Pay the fee online via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI.
- Review & Submit: Review all details carefully. Submit the application.
- Print Application: Download and print the final submitted application form.
Important Dates
- Start Date for Online Application: 31 January 2026 (00:00 Hrs)
- Last Date for Online Application: 02 March 2026 (23:59 Hrs)
- Last Date for Fee Payment: 04 March 2026
- Correction Window: 05 to 14 March 2026 (with ₹250 fee).
- Tentative CBT Date: To be notified later.
Key Instructions: You can apply for posts under only one Railway Zone. Choose your zone carefully based on vacancy and preference. The correction window allows limited edits after submission. Start preparing for the CBT as soon as you apply, focusing on the 10th standard syllabus for Maths, Science, and Reasoning.
If you have any questions or face issues during the application process, feel free to comment below.
Important Links
| Notification | Click Here |
| Application Form | Click Here |
| Notification Video | Click Here |
| How to Make A Resume | Click Here |
| Download App | Click Here |
| Website | Click Here |
| SC, ST, OBC, Certificate (Video) | Click Here |
| Join Telegram Channel | Click Here |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
| Contact Our Online Application Team | Click Here |
