RRB Group D (Level-1) Recruitment 2026
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) is set to release one of the most awaited employment notifications in India — RRB Group D (Level-1) Recruitment 2026. According to tentative schedules, the online registration process is expected to begin on January 31, 2026, and the last date to apply will be March 2, 2026. With 22,000+ vacancies expected across various zones of Indian Railways, this recruitment drive offers a golden opportunity for candidates seeking stable government jobs with attractive benefits.
RRB Group D posts fall under Level-1 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) and include roles such as Track Maintainer, Helper, Assistant Pointsman, and other technical and non-technical positions. This article provides a complete, in-depth overview of the RRB Group D 2026 recruitment process, including vacancies, eligibility, application procedure, selection stages, syllabus, salary structure, preparation strategy, and more.
Overview of RRB Group D (Level-1) Recruitment 2026
The RRB Group D examination is conducted at the national level to recruit candidates for entry-level positions in Indian Railways. These posts are critical to the daily operations, maintenance, and safety of railway infrastructure.
Key Highlights
- Recruiting Authority: Railway Recruitment Board (RRB)
- Post Name: Group D (Level-1)
- Total Vacancies: 22,000+ (Tentative)
- Application Start Date: January 31, 2026 (Tentative)
- Last Date to Apply: March 2, 2026 (Tentative)
- Job Location: Across India
- Pay Level: Level-1 (7th CPC)
- Mode of Exam: Online (CBT)
Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | January 2026 |
| Online Application Start | January 31, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | March 2, 2026 |
| Application Fee Payment Last Date | March 2026 |
| CBT Exam Date | To be announced |
| PET Date | To be announced |
| Document Verification | To be announced |
Note: All dates are tentative and subject to official confirmation by RRB.
RRB Group D Vacancies 2026 (Expected)
The 22,000+ vacancies are expected to be distributed across various RRB zones and post categories.
Expected Post-wise Vacancies
- Track Maintainer Grade-IV
- Helper / Assistant (Electrical, Mechanical, S&T, Engineering)
- Assistant Pointsman
- Other Level-1 posts
Zone-wise and category-wise vacancy details will be released along with the official notification.
RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must carefully check eligibility before applying.
Educational Qualification
- Minimum qualification: 10th pass (Matriculation) from a recognized board
OR - ITI certificate from NCVT/SCVT
OR - Equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of India
Age Limit (As on Cut-off Date)
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 33 years
Age Relaxation
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per rules |
| Railway Staff | As per rules |
Nationality Criteria
A candidate must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962
RRB Group D Application Form 2026
The application process is completely online.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official RRB website of your zone
- Click on RRB Group D Level-1 Recruitment 2026
- Complete new registration using basic details
- Fill the online application form
- Upload scanned photograph and signature
- Pay the application fee
- Submit and download confirmation page
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹500 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Female / Ex-Servicemen | ₹250 |
Partial fee refund will be provided after appearing for CBT, as per RRB rules.
RRB Group D Selection Process 2026
The selection process involves four stages:
- Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
- Document Verification (DV)
- Medical Examination
RRB Group D Exam Pattern 2026 (CBT)
The CBT will be conducted in multiple sessions.
Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| General Science | 25 | 25 |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted for each wrong answer
RRB Group D Syllabus 2026
1. Mathematics
- Number System
- BODMAS
- LCM & HCF
- Ratio & Proportion
- Percentage
- Profit & Loss
- Simple & Compound Interest
- Time & Work
- Time & Distance
- Geometry & Mensuration
2. General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Analogies
- Coding-Decoding
- Series
- Syllogism
- Venn Diagrams
- Blood Relations
- Direction Sense
- Puzzle Test
3. General Science
- Physics (up to 10th standard)
- Chemistry (basic concepts)
- Life Sciences (Biology)
4. General Awareness & Current Affairs
- Indian History
- Geography
- Polity & Constitution
- Economics
- Sports
- Awards & Honors
- Current Affairs (last 6–12 months)
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Candidates qualifying CBT will be called for PET.
PET Standards
For Male Candidates
- Lift and carry 35 kg weight for 100 meters in 2 minutes
- Run 1000 meters in 4 minutes 15 seconds
For Female Candidates
- Lift and carry 20 kg weight for 100 meters in 2 minutes
- Run 1000 meters in 5 minutes 40 seconds
Medical Standards
Candidates must pass the prescribed medical fitness standards as per the post requirements, including:
- Vision standards
- Physical fitness
- Hearing ability
RRB Group D Salary Structure 2026
Pay Scale (7th CPC)
- Pay Level: Level-1
- Basic Pay: ₹18,000 per month
Allowances
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) or Railway Quarters
- Transport Allowance
- Night Duty Allowance
- Medical Facilities
- Pension under NPS
Approximate Monthly In-Hand Salary: ₹22,000 – ₹25,000 (varies by location)
Job Profile & Responsibilities
Track Maintainer
- Maintenance of railway tracks
- Ensuring safety of trains
- Outdoor fieldwork
Helper / Assistant
- Assisting technicians
- Maintenance of electrical/mechanical systems
Assistant Pointsman
- Operating railway points
- Signaling assistance
- Platform safety management
Career Growth & Promotion
RRB Group D employees can grow through:
- Departmental exams
- Seniority-based promotions
Possible promotions:
- Technician
- Senior Technician
- Section Supervisor
Preparation Strategy for RRB Group D 2026
Smart Preparation Tips
- Understand syllabus thoroughly
- Focus on NCERT (Class 6–10) books
- Practice previous year question papers
- Take mock tests regularly
- Improve speed and accuracy
- Prepare PET alongside CBT
Books Recommended for RRB Group D
- RRB Group D Guide – Arihant / Lucent
- Lucent General Knowledge
- NCERT Science (Class 6–10)
- Quantitative Aptitude – RS Aggarwal
Why RRB Group D is a Great Career Option
- Permanent central government job
- Job security
- Good salary with allowances
- Pension benefits
- Opportunities for promotion
- Nationwide posting options
Conclusion
The RRB Group D (Level-1) Recruitment 2026 with 22,000+ vacancies is a massive employment opportunity for aspirants who have completed 10th or ITI and dream of working with Indian Railways. With the online application window tentatively open from January 31 to March 2, 2026, candidates should start preparing early to secure a place in the final merit list. A well-planned strategy covering CBT, PET, and medical standards can significantly increase the chances of success.
FAQs:
The RRB Group D 2026 notification is expected to be released in January 2026. As per tentative information, online applications may start from January 31, 2026.
The tentative last date to submit the online application is March 2, 2026. Candidates are advised not to wait until the last day.
More than 22,000 vacancies are expected under Level-1 posts across various Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) zones.
Candidates must have passed 10th (Matriculation) from a recognized board or possess an ITI certificate from NCVT/SCVT or an equivalent qualification.
The age limit is expected to be:
Minimum: 18 years
Maximum: 33 years
Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per government rules.
Yes. Age relaxation is applicable:
SC/ST: 5 years
OBC (NCL): 3 years
PwBD: 10 years
Ex-Servicemen: As per rules
General/OBC: ₹500
SC/ST/PwBD/Female/Ex-Servicemen: ₹250
A partial fee refund is provided after appearing for the CBT.
Comments