The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) will release the Railway Group D Recruitment 2026 notification for candidates who want to get a government job in Indian Railways. This recruitment is conducted to fill various Level-1 posts such as Track Maintainer, Helper, Assistant Pointsman and other technical and non-technical posts.
Railway Group D is one of the most popular government job exams in India. Every year, lakhs of candidates apply for this exam because it offers job security, good salary, and career growth.
Railway Group D 2026 – Overview
Railway Group D recruitment is conducted by RRBs (Railway Recruitment Boards) across different zones of Indian Railways. The selection process is done through a Computer Based Test (CBT) followed by Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Document Verification, and Medical Examination.
Candidates who have passed Class 10 or possess an ITI certificate are eligible to apply.
🏢 RRB Group D Zone-Wise Vacancies (Approx. 22,000 Total)
The vacancies are distributed across 17 railway zones. High-vacancy zones usually see more competition but offer more seats.
| Railway Zone (Region) | Major Hub City | Approx. Vacancies |
| Northern Railway (NR) | New Delhi / Chandigarh | 3,537 |
| Western Railway (WR) | Mumbai (Churchgate) | 3,148 |
| Central Railway (CR) | Mumbai (CST) | 1,979 |
| Eastern Railway (ER) | Kolkata | 1,196 |
| North Central Railway (NCR) | Prayagraj | 1,186 |
| South Central Railway (SCR) | Secunderabad | 1,012 |
| Southern Railway (SR) | Chennai | 949 |
| Others (NER, NFR, SWR, etc.) | Various | ~9,000 |
Railway Group D 2026
Railway Group D 2026 Important Dates
The official dates for Railway Group D 2026 will be announced by RRB in the notification. As per previous years, the expected schedule is:
| Event | Date |
| Short Notification Release | December 23, 2025 |
| Detailed Notification PDF | January 20, 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | January 21, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | February 20, 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Exam Date (CBT) | To be announced (Expected mid-2026) |
Candidates must regularly check the RRB website for the latest updates.
Railway Group D 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have:
- Passed Class 10 (Matriculation) from a recognized board
OR - Possess ITI certificate from NCVT/SCVT
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 33 years
Age relaxation is given to SC, ST, OBC, Ex-servicemen, and other reserved categories as per government rules.
Railway Group D 2026 Selection Process
The selection process consists of:
- Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
- Document Verification (DV)
- Medical Examination
Candidates must qualify in each stage to be selected for final appointment.
📊 CBT Exam Pattern 2026
The Computer Based Test (CBT) consists of 100 questions to be solved in 90 minutes. There is a negative marking of 1/3rd for every wrong answer.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| General Science (10th Level) | 25 | 25 |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 |
Total Questions: 100
Total Marks: 100
Duration: 90 minutes
Negative Marking: 1/3rd for each wrong answer
How to Apply for Railway Group D 2026
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official RRB website
- Click on Railway Group D Recruitment 2026
- Register with email ID and mobile number
- Fill the online application form
- Upload photo & signature
- Pay the application fee
- Submit the form and download confirmation page
📚 Detailed Syllabus: Mathematics & Reasoning
1. Mathematics (25 Marks)
Focus on speed and accuracy. The questions are generally of 10th-grade difficulty.
- Arithmetic: Number System, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM & HCF, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest.
- Commercial Math: Time and Work, Time and Distance, Pipes and Cisterns.
- Advanced Math: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics, Square Root.
- Others: Age Calculations, Calendar & Clock
2. General Intelligence & Reasoning (30 Marks)
This is the highest-scoring section. Use diagrams for better visualization.
- Logical Reasoning: Analogies, Alphabetical and Number Series, Coding and Decoding, Mathematical Operations, Syllogism.
- Analytical Reasoning: Venn Diagrams, Data Interpretation and Sufficiency, Conclusions and Decision Making, Similarities and Differences.
- Verbal/Non-Verbal: Relationships (Blood Relations), Jumbling, Classification, Directions, Statement – Arguments and Assumptions.
🗓️ 3-Month Study Timetable (Daily Routine)
Consistency is more important than long hours. Aim for 6–8 hours of quality study.
| Time Slot | Subject | Activity |
| 07:00 AM – 08:30 AM | General Science | Read one Physics/Chemistry/Biology topic from NCERT (Class 9/10). |
| 09:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Mathematics | Learn 1 concept + Solve 30 practice questions. |
| 02:00 PM – 03:30 PM | Reasoning | Practice puzzles, coding-decoding, and series. |
| 05:00 PM – 06:00 PM | Current Affairs | Daily news, sports, awards, and Railway-specific GK. |
| 08:30 PM – 10:00 PM | Revision/Mock | Revise formulas or solve a Previous Year Paper (PYP). |
🏃 Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Criteria
The PET is qualifying in nature (marks aren’t added to the merit, but you must pass to stay in the race). You get only one chance for each task.
For Male Candidates
- Weight Lifting: Lift and carry 35 kg for a distance of 100 meters in 2 minutes without putting the weight down.
- Running: Run a distance of 1000 meters (1 km) in 4 minutes and 15 seconds.
For Female Candidates
- Weight Lifting: Lift and carry 20 kg for a distance of 100 meters in 2 minutes without putting the weight down.
- Running: Run a distance of 1000 meters (1 km) in 5 minutes and 40 seconds.
Tip: Start practicing the weight-carrying task with a sandbag. Many candidates fail here because they accidentally drop the bag or rest it on their heads (which is often disallowed depending on the specific center’s rules).
👁️ Medical Standards (Vision)
Since many Group D roles involve safety (like Pointsman or Track Maintainer), vision is critical:
- Standard A2/A3: Distant vision of 6/9 (with or without glasses for some posts).
- Tests: You must pass tests for Color Vision, Binocular Vision, Night Vision, and Mesopic Vision.
Railway Group D Salary
The initial pay for Group D posts is ₹18,000 per month as per Level-1 of 7th Pay Commission, plus allowances like DA, HRA, TA, and medical benefits.
Official Website
Candidates should apply only through official RRB portals:
👉 https://www.rrbcdg.gov.in
👉 https://indianrailways.gov.in
💡 Quick Tips for Aspirants
- Zone Selection: You can only apply to one zone. High-vacancy zones usually include Northern Railway (NR), Western Railway (WR), and Central Railway (CR).
- Keep Documents Ready: Ensure you have your 10th/ITI marksheet and a valid category certificate ready before the application window opens on Jan 21.
Note: Meanwhile, the previous cycle’s (CEN 08/2024) exams are currently ongoing and scheduled to conclude by February 10, 2026.
Conclusion
The Railway Group D Recruitment 2026 is a golden chance for 10th-pass candidates to get a permanent government job in Indian Railways. Interested candidates should apply as soon as the notification is released and start preparing for the CBT and physical tests.
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Railway Group D Recruitment 2026 notification, apply online, eligibility, exam date, syllabus and salary details here.
