Official Application Portal: rrbapply.gov.in
If you've searched "RRB Group D 2026" recently, you've probably run into two different sets of dates, two different vacancy numbers, and a lot of confusion about which one actually applies to you. That's not a rumor problem — it's because two separate RRB Group D recruitment cycles are genuinely active at the same time right now. One is finishing up. The other hasn't even sat its exam yet.
This guide sorts that out first, then gives you everything confirmed about the cycle that matters most going forward — CEN 09/2025 — pulled from the official exam-schedule notice and CEN documentation, cross-checked across multiple reporting sources. Where something is still unannounced, this guide says so plainly instead of guessing.
The Short Version (for anyone in a hurry)
| What you need to know | The answer |
|---|---|
| Recruitment cycle | CEN No. 09/2025 (Level-1 / Group D) |
| Total vacancies | 22,195 |
| CBT exam window | 3 August – 21 August 2026 |
| City Intimation Slip | From ~25 July 2026 |
| Admit Card | From ~31 July 2026 |
| CBT duration | 90 minutes (120 min for PwBD with scribe) |
| Total questions / marks | 100 questions / 100 marks |
| Negative marking | 1/3 mark per wrong answer |
| Age limit | 18–33 years as on 01.01.2026 |
| Educational qualification | Class 10 pass / ITI / NAC |
| Application fee | ₹500 (UR/OBC) · ₹250 (SC/ST/PwBD/Women/Ex-SM/Transgender/Minorities/EBC), refundable after appearing in CBT |
| Starting pay | ₹18,000/month, Level-1, 7th CPC Pay Matrix |
| Selection stages | CBT → PET (qualifying) → Document Verification → Medical |
1. Wait — Which RRB Group D Cycle Are You In?
RRB doesn't run Group D recruitment on a fixed annual calendar, and right now the previous cycle and the new one are overlapping:
| CEN 08/2024 (older cycle) | CEN 09/2025 (current cycle) | |
|---|---|---|
| Vacancies | 32,438 | 22,195 |
| CBT status | Completed (concluded 10 Feb 2026) | Scheduled: 3–21 Aug 2026 |
| Where it stands now | Result out; ~63,000+ candidates shortlisted for PET; PET scheduled 29 July – 1 August 2026 | Applications closed; CBT ahead |
| What to do | Focus on PET prep if shortlisted | Focus on CBT prep |
If you already sat a Group D CBT earlier in 2026 and are waiting on a physical test, you're in CEN 08/2024 — check your zonal RRB/RRC site for your PET admit card. Everything from this point in the guide onward covers CEN 09/2025, the recruitment cycle whose exam is still ahead of you.
Sources: CareerPower — Group D Physical Test | RankQMaths — CEN 08/2024 Result & Cut-Off
2. RRB Group D CEN 09/2025 — Official Timeline
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 09/2025 Notification released | 30 January 2026 | Done |
| Online application window | 31 January – 9 March 2026 (extended from 2 March) | Done |
| Application correction window | 5 – 14 March 2026 (₹250 fee per correction) | Done |
| Application status (accepted/rejected) released | 9 July 2026 | Done |
| Official exam-schedule notice published | 3 July 2026 | Done |
| City Intimation Slip | From ~25 July 2026 (≈9–10 days before each candidate's exam) | Upcoming |
| Admit Card | From ~31 July 2026 (≈4 days before each candidate's exam) | Upcoming |
| CBT exam window | 3 – 21 August 2026, multiple shifts, 200+ centres | Upcoming |
| PET, Document Verification, Medical | To be announced after CBT results | Upcoming |
As of this writing there is no official notice of postponement for the August CBT. Previous Group D cycles (notably CEN 08/2024) did see multiple reschedules due to court cases and normalisation disputes, so it's not unheard of — but candidates should prepare on the announced schedule unless RRB says otherwise, and check their specific regional RRB/RRC site regularly.
Sources: Testbook — Group D Exam Date | CareerPower — Exam Date Out | PracticeMock — Exam Date
Every candidate gets a different date and shift within that Aug 3–21 window — the exact allotment shows up on the City Intimation Slip, not before. Centre and date-change requests are not entertained, so don't plan travel until your slip is out.
3. Vacancies & Posts on Offer
CEN 09/2025 covers 22,195 Level-1 vacancies spread across these post categories:
- Assistant (Bridge)
- Assistant (S&T)
- Assistant Loco Shed (Electrical)
- Assistant (P.Way)
- Assistant Carriage & Wagon
- Assistant (Track Machine)
- Pointsman B
- Assistant (TRD)
- Assistant Operations (Electrical)
- Track Maintainer (Grade-IV)
- Assistant (TL&AC)
Zone-wise and post-wise vacancy splits are published in the CEN's annexures on each regional RRB site — they aren't identical across all 16/21 boards, so check your chosen RRB's own breakdown rather than assuming an even split.
4. Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
- 18 to 33 years as on 1 January 2026 (the notified cut-off date).
- Age relaxation: 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), 5 years for SC/ST, and 10–15 years for PwBD candidates depending on category, plus standard relaxation for Ex-Servicemen and other Government-notified categories.
Educational Qualification
- Class 10th (Matriculation) pass, OR
- ITI certificate from an institution recognised by NCVT/SCVT, OR
- National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT, OR
- Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAA) — eligible separately under the CCAA quota.
Candidates still awaiting their final qualifying-exam result are not eligible to apply. You must hold the qualification on or before the application closing date (2 March 2026 for this cycle).
Nationality
Open to Indian citizens, and — subject to eligibility certificates — citizens of Nepal, subjects of Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who settled in India before 1 January 1962, and persons of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Sources: QMaths — CEN 09/2025 Notification Summary | Karmasandhan — CEN 09/2025 Details
5. Application Fee & Refund
| Category | Fee | Refund |
|---|---|---|
| UR / OBC | ₹500 | ₹400 refunded after appearing in CBT (bank charges deducted) |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women / Ex-Servicemen / Transgender / Minorities / EBC | ₹250 | Full ₹250 refunded after appearing in CBT (bank charges deducted) |
The fee had to be paid online (debit/credit card or net banking) during the application window; it is not collected again at later stages.
6. CBT Exam Pattern — What's Actually on the Test
CEN 09/2025 runs a single-stage CBT (Railway Administration reserves the right to switch to multi-stage if needed):
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| General Science | 25 |
| Mathematics | 25 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 |
| Total | 100 questions / 100 marks |
- Duration: 90 minutes (120 minutes for PwBD candidates using a scribe)
- Marking: +1 for each correct answer
- Negative marking: −1/3 mark for each wrong answer; no penalty for unattempted questions
- Minimum qualifying marks: UR/EWS — 40% · OBC-NCL/SC/ST — 30% (consistent with prior Group D cycles; final figures are confirmed with the result)
- Languages: English, Hindi, and 13 regional languages (15 in total)
- Identity check: Mandatory Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication at the exam centre — carry your original Aadhaar card, or a printout of an e-verified Aadhaar with your UIDAI record unlocked before exam day
If you verified your account using a photo ID other than Aadhaar at registration, expect noticeably stricter document scrutiny at every subsequent stage. Aadhaar/DigiLocker verification is the smoother path.
Sources: Adda247 — Exam Date & Pattern | TrendingRojgar — Syllabus | QMaths — CEN 09/2025 Notification
7. Syllabus at a Glance
General Science — Class 10-level Physics (motion, force, work/energy/power, sound, light, electricity, magnetism), Chemistry (matter, atomic structure, reactions, metals/non-metals, carbon compounds, acids/bases/salts), and Life Sciences (cell biology, human body systems, nutrition, diseases, plants, ecology).
Mathematics — Number system, BODMAS, decimals & fractions, LCM/HCF, ratio & proportion, percentages, mensuration, time & work, time & distance, simple/compound interest, profit & loss, algebra, geometry & trigonometry, elementary statistics, square roots, age calculations, calendar & clock, pipes & cisterns.
General Intelligence & Reasoning — Analogies, alphabetical/number series, coding-decoding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogism, jumbling, Venn diagrams, data interpretation & sufficiency, conclusions & decision making, similarities & differences, classification, directions & distances, statement & arguments.
General Awareness & Current Affairs — National/international current events, science & technology developments, Indian history, geography, polity and economy, sports, and general railway-related knowledge.
8. What Happens After the CBT
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — Qualifying Only
PET is pass/fail; no marks carry forward to the merit list. Standards (consistent with recent cycles) are:
| Male candidates | Female candidates | |
|---|---|---|
| Run | 1000 m in 4 minutes 15 seconds | 1000 m in 5 minutes 40 seconds |
| Carry | 35 kg for 100 m in 2 minutes (without setting it down) | 20 kg for 100 m in 2 minutes (without setting it down) |
PwBD candidates are exempt from PET but must clear the medical fitness test prescribed for their category. Historically, roughly up to 3 times the number of vacancies are called for PET based on CBT merit.
Document Verification & Medical Examination
Shortlisted candidates must produce original documents plus self-certified photocopies (translated into Hindi/English if issued in another language), followed by a medical fitness examination conducted by Railway Administration to confirm they can perform Level-1 duties.
Sources: Careerera — Selection Process | Testbook — PET Requirements
9. Exam Day Checklist
- Printed Admit Card (available ~4 days before your exam date)
- Original valid photo ID (Aadhaar preferred — biometric verification is mandatory)
- Passport-size photographs, if specified on your admit card
- Arrive with buffer time for the Aadhaar biometric check before entry
- For SC/ST candidates who opted in: your Travel Authority is issued alongside the admit card
Don't rely on the City Intimation Slip for entry — it confirms your city/date/shift only. The Admit Card is what gets you into the hall.
Source: Adda247 — Exam Date 2026
10. RRB Group D vs. Other RRB Exams
If you're weighing Group D against other Railways options:
| Exam | Qualification | Level | CBT Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRB Group D | Class 10 / ITI | Level-1 | 100 Q / 90 min, single stage |
| RRB NTPC (UG) | Class 10+2 | Level-2 to 4 | 100 Q CBT1, 100 min CBT2 |
| RRB NTPC (Graduate) | Bachelor's degree | Level-5 to 6 | 100 Q CBT1, 120 Q CBT2 |
| RRB ALP | Class 10 + ITI/Diploma | Level-2 | Two-stage CBT + trade test |
Group D has the widest eligibility (just Class 10) and the largest vacancy pool of any RRB exam, which is exactly why competition per seat is so intense.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the RRB Group D CBT in 2026?
The CBT for CEN 09/2025 runs from 3 August to 21 August 2026, across multiple shifts and 200+ centres. Your specific date and shift appear on the City Intimation Slip, released about 9–10 days beforehand.
How many vacancies are there in RRB Group D CEN 09/2025?
22,195 Level-1 vacancies across posts including Track Maintainer (Grade-IV), Pointsman B, and various Assistant roles (Bridge, S&T, P.Way, C&W, TRD, TL&AC, Operations, Track Machine, Loco Shed).
What is the age limit for RRB Group D 2026?
18 to 33 years as on 1 January 2026, with the standard relaxations: 3 years for OBC-NCL, 5 years for SC/ST, and 10–15 years for PwBD depending on category.
Is there negative marking in RRB Group D?
Yes — 1/3 mark is deducted for every wrong answer in the 100-question, 90-minute CBT. Unattempted questions are not penalised.
What is the difference between CEN 09/2025 and CEN 08/2024?
CEN 08/2024 (32,438 vacancies) is an older cycle whose CBT already concluded; shortlisted candidates are now heading into PET (29 July – 1 August 2026). CEN 09/2025 (22,195 vacancies) is the newer cycle, with its CBT still ahead in August 2026. If you're unsure which one you applied to, check your registration number's associated CEN on your RRB's login portal.
What is the starting salary for RRB Group D posts?
₹18,000/month initial basic pay under Level-1 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, plus HRA, DA, TA and other allowances admissible to Central Government employees.
What is the RRB Group D selection process?
Four stages: Computer Based Test (CBT) → Physical Efficiency Test (PET, qualifying only) → Document Verification → Medical Examination. Only the CBT score feeds into the merit list.
Can I change my exam centre or date?
No. RRB does not entertain requests to change the exam centre, date, or shift once allotted.
Key Resources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| RRB Centralised Application Portal | rrbapply.gov.in |
| ExamOven RRB Group D Practice | examoven.com/exam-library?q=rrb-group-d |
| Testbook — Exam Date & Notification Coverage | testbook.com/news |
| CareerPower — Exam Date & PET Coverage | careerpower.in |
| QMaths — CEN 09/2025 Notification Summary | rank.qmaths.in |
This guide was fact-checked on 16 July 2026 against RRB's official exam-schedule notice (dated 3 July 2026) for CEN 09/2025, cross-referenced across multiple independent reporting sources linked throughout. Figures marked as "consistent with prior cycles" (minimum qualifying marks, PET standards) follow established RRB Group D norms but are confirmed officially only when RRB publishes them alongside each stage's result. Always verify centre-specific and category-specific details on your respective regional RRB/RRC website before making decisions.
