Complete exam guide
Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB) Level-1 Examination, commonly called RRB Group D
RRB Group D is the Railway Recruitment Boards' entry-level exam for Level-1 posts of the 7th Pay Commission matrix in Indian Railways: Track Maintainer Grade-IV, Pointsman-B and a range of Assistant posts (Track Machine, Bridge, P-Way, TRD, C&W, S&T, TL&AC and others). The academic bar is low, Class 10 pass, or an ITI / NCVT-SCVT certificate, or NAC, so each cycle attracts a crowd of lakhs of candidates for a pool of tens of thousands of seats. Selection is a four-step funnel: a single 100-question, 90-minute computer-based test, then a Physical Efficiency Test (PET), then document verification and a medical examination. The CBT score decides who is shortlisted and ranked; PET and medical are fitness hurdles you must clear. Prep therefore runs on two tracks: sharpen General Science, Maths, Reasoning and Current Affairs for the CBT, and train for the load-carry and the 1000 m run well before the PET call. Every post sits at Pay Level 1 with an initial pay of ₹18,000 per month.
2026 cycle — status
✓ Verified 1 Oct 2026The CEN 09/2025 CBT has been held (from 3 August 2026) and the answer key was released on 7 September 2026. In the sources checked up to 1 October 2026, RRBs had not officially announced the CBT result; secondary sites only speculate about late October 2026. Until then: revise, and start PET practice (35 kg carry for men, 20 kg for women, plus the 1000 m run). The previous cycle, CEN 08/2024 (32,438 vacancies), is further ahead: its CBT result came out on 1 July 2026 and PET for shortlisted candidates ran from 25 July 2026 onward.
- Notification (CEN 09/2025)Done30 January 2026
- ApplicationsDone31 Jan – 9 Mar 2026
- CBTDoneFrom 3 Aug 2026Multiple days and shifts · normalised scores
- Answer keyDone7 September 2026
- Result and PETAwaitedTo be announced
The CBT is a single written stage, so there is no second written paper. The exam was spread over several days in August 2026; sources disagree on the last day (21 vs 25 August), so confirm on your RRB's site. Vacancies are RRB-wise and zone-wise, you may submit only one application, and the RRB you choose cannot be changed afterwards. Shortlisting is by normalised marks. Result, PET and DV dates for CEN 09/2025 will be posted only on the official RRB websites (rrbcdg.gov.in links to all RRBs). Always confirm with the official notice.
Exam pattern
Computer Based Test (CBT) Merit-deciding — shortlists candidates for PET
Online CBT, objective multiple choice (four options) · 90 min · −1/3 mark per wrong answer
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 |
| General Science | 25 | 25 |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Each question carries 1 mark. Duration is 90 minutes (120 minutes for PwBD candidates with a scribe). The paper is bilingual (English and Hindi) as per the CEN 08/2024 coverage; check the CEN 09/2025 notice for regional-language options. Mobile phones, calculators and electronic devices are banned in the exam hall. Minimum qualifying percentage in the CBT: UR and EWS 40%, OBC (non-creamy layer) 30%, SC 30%, ST 30%, with up to 2 marks of relaxation for PwBD if the panel cannot otherwise be filled. Scores are normalised across shifts.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Qualifying (pass/fail)
Conducted by the RRCs / zonal railways · min · Not applicable
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Total |
Candidates are shortlisted from the CBT at about 3 times the vacancies (railway/RRC-wise and community-wise; the ratio can change with the administration's requirement). Men: carry 35 kg over 100 m in 2 minutes without putting it down, then run 1000 m in 4 minutes 15 seconds. Women: carry 20 kg over 100 m in 2 minutes, then run 1000 m in 5 minutes 40 seconds. Exempt from PET: PwBD candidates, Course Completed Act Apprentices and ex-servicemen; pregnant candidates can ask for the test to be deferred on a temporary-unfitness declaration.
Document Verification (DV) and Medical Examination Qualifying (pass/fail)
Conducted by the RRBs / railway administration · min · Not applicable
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Total |
After PET, candidates are called for DV in merit order at about 1 time the vacancies, then undergo the medical examination (fitness per the medical category of the post, listed in the notice's annexure). Selection by the RRB does not by itself guarantee appointment; the final offer comes from the railway administration.
Eligibility
Citizen of India. Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who came before 1 January 1962, and persons of Indian origin from specified countries (with a government eligibility certificate) are also allowed under the usual railway rules.
Class 10 (Matriculation) pass, or ITI (NCVT/SCVT), or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC). An engineering diploma is not accepted in place of ITI.
| OBC (non-creamy layer) | +3 years |
| SC / ST | +5 years |
| Ex-servicemen (UR/EWS) | +3 years after deducting military service rendered |
| Ex-servicemen (OBC-NCL / SC-ST) | +6 / +8 years |
| PwBD (UR/EWS, OBC-NCL, SC/ST) | +10, +13, +15 years |
| Widowed/divorced women not remarried (UR, OBC-NCL, SC/ST) | Upper limit 35, 38, 40 years |
Age and education are reckoned on 1 January 2026 for CEN 09/2025. Only the single most beneficial relaxation applies; they are not cumulative. The notice's own table, including any further relaxations (for example Course Completed Act Apprentices), overrides this summary.
Posts, pay & who should apply
| Post | Department | Group | Pay level | Approx. in-hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Track Maintainer Grade-IV | Engineering (Track) | Level-1 | Level 1 · initial pay ₹18,000 | |
| Pointsman-B | Traffic / Operations | Level-1 | Level 1 · initial pay ₹18,000 | |
| Assistant (S&T) | Signal & Telecommunication | Level-1 | Level 1 · initial pay ₹18,000 | |
| Assistant (Carriage & Wagon) | Mechanical (C&W) | Level-1 | Level 1 · initial pay ₹18,000 | |
| Assistant (TRD) | Electrical (Traction Distribution) | Level-1 | Level 1 · initial pay ₹18,000 | |
| Assistant (Track Machine) | Engineering | Level-1 | Level 1 · initial pay ₹18,000 | |
| Assistant Operations (Electrical) | Electrical | Level-1 | Level 1 · initial pay ₹18,000 | |
| Assistant (Bridge) | Engineering (Bridge) | Level-1 | Level 1 · initial pay ₹18,000 | |
| Assistant (TL & AC) | Electrical (Train Lighting & Air Conditioning) | Level-1 | Level 1 · initial pay ₹18,000 | |
| Assistant (P-Way) | Engineering (Permanent Way) | Level-1 | Level 1 · initial pay ₹18,000 | |
| Assistant Loco Shed (Electrical) | Electrical (Loco Shed) | Level-1 | Level 1 · initial pay ₹18,000 |
Special requirements: Track Maintainer Grade-IV — 9,350 vacancies in CEN 09/2025, the largest single post; outdoor track upkeep · Pointsman-B — 4,843 vacancies in CEN 09/2025; works points and signals at stations and yards · Assistant (S&T) — 1,257 vacancies in CEN 09/2025 · Assistant (Carriage & Wagon) — 962 vacancies in CEN 09/2025 · Assistant (TRD) — 748 vacancies in CEN 09/2025 · Assistant (Track Machine) — 593 vacancies in CEN 09/2025 · Assistant Operations (Electrical) — 592 vacancies in CEN 09/2025 · Assistant (Bridge) — 557 vacancies in CEN 09/2025 · Assistant (TL & AC) — 505 vacancies in CEN 09/2025 · Assistant (P-Way) — 296 vacancies in CEN 09/2025 · Assistant Loco Shed (Electrical) — 167 vacancies in CEN 09/2025
Selection process
CBT → PET → Document Verification (DV) → Medical Examination (ME). About 3 times the vacancies are shortlisted from the CBT for PET (railway/RRC-wise and community-wise), and about 1 time the vacancies are called for DV, in merit order. To be considered you need the minimum CBT percentage: 40% for UR and EWS, 30% for OBC-NCL, SC and ST, with up to 2 marks of relaxation for PwBD where needed. PET and the medical are qualifying; CBT marks (normalised) drive the merit order. You apply to one RRB only, and the notice states that multiple applications lead to rejection of all of them and debarment. There is no interview. Note that the 11-post vacancy list shown here adds up to fewer than the 22,195 total, so the notice may list further posts not captured here.
Normalisation (why your raw score ≠ final score)
Because the CBT runs over many days and shifts with different papers, RRBs normalise marks across sessions and use the normalised marks for shortlisting at every stage. The practical lessons: (1) don't compare raw scores with friends in other shifts; (2) the scorecard shows both raw and normalised marks; (3) a tougher shift is compensated, so don't panic and attempt only what you can answer with reasonable confidence, since each wrong answer costs 1/3 mark. The exact formula is in the RRB notice and is not reproduced here.
Subjects to prepare
Notification dates history
| Year | Vacancies | Notification | Exam | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 22195 | 30 Jan 2026 (CEN 09/2025) | CBT from 3 Aug 2026; answer key 7 Sep 2026 | — |
| 2024 | 32438 | CEN 08/2024 (short notice Dec 2024); applications 23 Jan – 22 Feb 2025 | CBT from 27 Nov 2025; result declared 1 Jul 2026 | — |
FAQs
What is the RRB Group D exam pattern?
One online test of 100 questions, 100 marks, 90 minutes: General Science (25), Mathematics (25), General Intelligence & Reasoning (30) and General Awareness & Current Affairs (20). Each question carries 1 mark and each wrong answer costs 1/3 mark.
What is the age limit for RRB Group D?
For CEN 09/2025 it is 18–33 years as on 1 January 2026. Relaxations include +3 years for OBC-NCL, +5 for SC/ST, and more for ex-servicemen, PwBD and widowed/divorced women (upper limit 35/38/40). Relaxations are not cumulative.
What qualification do I need?
A Class 10 pass, an ITI (NCVT/SCVT) certificate or a National Apprenticeship Certificate. An engineering diploma cannot replace ITI.
Which posts does Group D cover and what is the pay?
Track Maintainer Grade-IV, Pointsman-B and Assistant posts such as Track Machine, Bridge, P-Way, TRD, C&W, S&T, TL&AC and Loco Shed (Electrical). All are Pay Level 1 with an initial pay of ₹18,000 per month, plus allowances that vary by posting.
How many vacancies are there in the latest cycle?
22,195 under CEN 09/2025, notified on 30 January 2026. The earlier cycle, CEN 08/2024, had 32,438 vacancies. Track Maintainer Grade-IV is the largest post (9,350 in CEN 09/2025), followed by Pointsman-B (4,843).
What are the PET standards?
Men: carry 35 kg for 100 m in 2 minutes, then run 1000 m in 4 min 15 s. Women: carry 20 kg for 100 m in 2 minutes, then run 1000 m in 5 min 40 s. It is qualifying only. PwBD candidates, ex-servicemen and Course Completed Act Apprentices are exempt.
What is the minimum qualifying percentage in the CBT?
40% for UR and EWS; 30% for OBC-NCL, SC and ST, with up to 2 marks of relaxation for PwBD where the panel cannot be filled. Clearing the minimum is not enough: only about 3 times the vacancies are called for PET, so the actual cut-off is higher.
What is the application fee?
₹500 for General/OBC/EWS (₹400 refunded after you appear in the CBT) and ₹250 for SC/ST, ex-servicemen, PwBD, women, transgender, minorities and EBC (refunded after you appear).
Is there a Tier 2 or an interview?
No. The written stage is a single CBT, followed by PET, document verification and the medical examination. There is no interview.
Is the CEN 09/2025 result out yet?
In the sources checked up to 1 October 2026, no official result date had been announced. The CBT answer key was released on 7 September 2026. Treat any specific date on unofficial sites as a guess and check your RRB's website.
Can I apply to more than one RRB?
No. Only one application is allowed; submitting more than one can lead to rejection of all of them and debarment. The RRB and zone you pick cannot be changed after registration.
Do PET marks count in the merit?
No. PET and the medical examination are qualifying; they decide whether you stay in the process, while your normalised CBT score decides your place in merit.
Documents for document verification
At document verification, keep originals ready of: Class 10 certificate or ITI/NAC certificate (with issue dates; proof of age and qualification), a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, voter ID, driving licence or similar), community certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) in the prescribed format if you claimed it, disability certificate if you claimed PwBD benefits, ex-servicemen documents if applicable, a recent passport-size photograph (not older than 2 months), your admit card/scorecard, and any further documents the call letter lists. Mismatches in name or date of birth between documents can cancel your candidature, so fix them early.