RRB Group D CEN 09/2025 Notification — 22,195 Level-1 Vacancies

RRB Group D CEN 09/2025 — at a glance

RRB Group D CEN 09/2025 — Overview

Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 09/2025 is issued by the Railway Recruitment Boards (Ministry of Railways, Government of India) inviting online applications from eligible Indian Nationals and other eligible nationals for recruitment to various posts in Level 1 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix in various units of Indian Railways. Applications are invited by RRBs on behalf of RRCs.

Key parameters of the recruitment:

• Total Vacancies: 22195
• Initial Pay: Rs. 18000 (Level 1 of 7th CPC Pay Matrix)
• Medical Standard: As per Annexure A
• Age (as on 01.01.2026): 18-33 Years
• Railway Zone-wise detailed distribution of vacancies is given in Annexure B.
• Vacancies under CCAA are applicable to Apprentices trained in Railway Establishments only.
• The exam is a single stage Computer Based Test (CBT), followed by Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Document Verification and Medical Examination. Railway Administration reserves the right to conduct the CBT in either single or multi stage mode.

Reservations for SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), EWS, PwBD, ExSM and CCAA and relaxations in age for various eligible categories will be applicable as per details contained in the CEN. Railway reserves the right to revise these vacancies in part or full.

Important Dates

Note: Dates for CBTs and other stages of the recruitment process shall be intimated through Railway Recruitment Board (RRB/RRC) websites listed at Para 24.0 of the Notice from time to time. Modification fee is Rs. 250/- (non-refundable) for each occasion from 05.03.2026 to 14.03.2026.

Important Instructions & General Instructions

Registration & Submission of Application

• Read the information given in the CEN thoroughly before filling up the ONLINE application.
• Candidates must possess and fulfil all prescribed educational qualifications on or before the closing date. Those awaiting final results of the prescribed qualification are NOT eligible to apply.
• Applications must be submitted ONLINE only through the link on official RRB websites listed at Para 24.0(A).
• Candidates can choose only one RRB/Railway Zone and indicate their preference for posts/categories in that chosen RRB only. Options once exercised shall be final; the selection of RRB/Railway Zone once exercised shall be final.
• Only one application is to be submitted. Multiple applications to different RRBs or the same RRB will lead to rejection of all applications, disqualification and debarment from future examinations of RRB and RRC.
• Eligibility is provisional based on details furnished; certificates/documents are verified at Document Verification stage.
• Crucial date for claim of SC/ST/OBC/EWS/EBC status or any other benefit (fee concession, reservation, age-relaxation, etc.), where not specified, is the closing date for submission of ONLINE applications.
• Candidates must fulfil the prescribed medical standards for the post(s) opted; those found medically unsuitable will not be given any alternative appointment.
• Age is reckoned as on 01.01.2026.
• Candidates must have their own active mobile number and valid active personal Email ID; all communication is only through SMS and/or email. Only one ONLINE Registration is permitted through one mobile number and one email ID. No request for change of mobile number/email will be entertained.
• Centre/City allocation for CBT/PET depends on technical and logistical feasibility; candidates may have to travel to other Cities/States. Requests for change of Exam Centre/date/shift shall NOT be allowed.
• Candidates are advised to authenticate their identity using Digilocker or Aadhaar during the "Create an Account" stage, or via the "Verify Aadhaar" facility before final submission. Those verifying with alternate Photo IDs will face significantly stricter and more detailed scrutiny at every stage.
• Candidates who created an Account for CENs notified in 2024/2025 should use the same account credentials. Details filled in the 'Create an Account' form (including mobile number and Email ID) and Chosen RRB/Railway Zone cannot be modified once the account is created.
• After 14.03.2026, RRBs shall not entertain any representation for modification of the information furnished.
• Helpline (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all working days): Email [email protected]; Phone 9592001188 / 01725653333.

Examination Processes

• Stages of Exam: Single stage Computer Based Test (CBT); Railway reserves the right to conduct CBT in single or multi stage mode. Candidates qualifying in the CBT undergo Physical Efficiency Test (PET), followed by Document Verification and Medical Examination.
• Short Listing for PET: Done Railway/RRC wise at the rate of three times the vacancies (may increase or decrease), based on merit in the CBT. Normalisation of marks will be done for CBTs held in multiple shifts.
• Shortlisting for DV and Medical Examination: Done Railway/RRC wise at the rate of 1:1 of the vacancies, based on merit in CBT and qualification in PET.
• Negative Marking: There will be negative marking (@ 1/3rd mark for every wrong answer) in CBTs.
• Candidates more than the prescribed number of vacancies may be called for PET and/or subsequent stages to account for absentees; calling for or qualifying in PET/DV/Medical does not confer a vested right to appointment.
• Malpractices: Any candidate using unfair means, impersonation, etc. will be debarred from all examinations of all RRBs/RRCs for lifetime, debarred from any Railway appointment, and if appointed will be dismissed and liable for legal prosecution (attention drawn to "The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024" effective 21.06.2024).
• Banned items: Mobile phones, pager, watches, earphones, Bluetooth devices, microphone, health bands, calculators, book, pen, paper, pencil, eraser, pouch, scale, writing-pad, belts, handbag, cap, purse, camera, water bottle, packaged/open food items, etc. are not allowed inside the test centre. Only the e-call letter is allowed inside; pen is provided during the exam. Candidates are advised not to apply Henna on hands/feet as it obstructs biometric capture.
• Cloak room arrangement for belongings may not be available at exam venues; candidates are advised not to bring valuables/banned items.

General Instructions (Para 1.0)

• Admission to all stages of recruitment is purely provisional, subject to satisfying eligibility conditions.
• Requisite educational qualification must be from a recognized Board/University/Institute as on the closing date; those awaiting final results should not apply.
• Candidates submitting more than one application will be summarily rejected and debarred from all future examinations of RRBs and RRCs.
• Candidates debarred by any RRB/RRC (for life or an unexpired specified period) should NOT apply.
• Candidates dismissed from service by Government of India / State Government / PSU / any other government organization are not eligible.
• Candidate must enter name, father's name, mother's name and Date of Birth as recorded in SSC/SSLC/Matriculation/10th class certificate (or equivalent); candidates having only ITI/NAC qualification may enter these as per the ITI/NAC certificate. Changes in name must be supported by Gazette Notification/legal document plus a valid photo ID at CBT/DV.
• Candidates must upload a live image and their own running-handwriting signature per specifications; blurred/illegible/non-standard photographs or signatures are liable to rejection. No capital/block/disjointed-letter signature is acceptable.
• Vacancies are provisional and may increase, decrease or become NIL in total or in specific communities/posts/units; additional posts may be included later.
• Mere issuance of an E-call letter does not imply acceptance of candidature for subsequent stages.
• Posting: No request for transfer to another Railway will be registered until the candidate completes at least 5 to 10 years of service; candidates should choose their Railway with due care.
• Selected candidates undergo training where prescribed (stipend paid during training), are liable for active service in the Railway Engineers' Unit of the Territorial Army, and may have to execute a Security/indemnity bond at joining.
• Free Train Travel Facility: Free Sleeper Class Railway Pass admissible to SC & ST candidates only (on request) for various stages (CBT/PET/DV/Medical); original SC & ST community certificate must be shown while travelling.
• Selection by RRB/RRC does not confer any right of appointment. Allotment of category/post/Railway is based on merit, post preference, medical fitness and vacancy availability on the date of panel preparation.
• RRBs may share candidates' scores, with candidate consent, with other Ministries/Departments/PSUs and private organizations for their recruitment.

Vacancies

Total Vacancies: 22195 for various posts in Level 1 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. The Post Parameters (Minimum/Maximum age, Qualification, Medical Standard and Suitability of the post for PwBD, etc.) are at Annexure-A, and the Railway and post-wise vacancies including reservation for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, Ex-SM, CCAA and PwBD are at Annexure-B. Vacancies may increase or decrease as per the requirement of the Railway Administration.

Details of vacancies at a glance:

Railway Zone-wise detailed distribution of vacancies is given in Annexure B. Vacancies under CCAA are applicable to Apprentices trained in Railway Establishments only. (Post-wise, RRB/zone-wise and community/category-wise vacancy tables are given in Annexure A and Annexure B, which are detailed in the official Annexure A/B of the CEN; the railway / zone-wise totals are shown below.)

RRB Group D CEN 09/2025 - Railway/Zone Wise Vacancies

The vacancies span the following Level-1 post categories across all zones: Assistant (Bridge), Assistant (Carriage and Wagon), Assistant Loco Shed (Electrical), Assistant Operations (Electrical), Assistant (TL and AC), Assistant P.Way, Assistant (S and T), Assistant Track Machine, Assistant TRD, Track Maintainer Grade-IV and Pointsman-B. In every zone Track Maintainer Grade-IV is by far the largest single post, followed by Pointsman-B.

Medical Standards for the Posts

Candidates called for DV must pass the requisite medical fitness test(s) conducted by the Railway Administration. Visual Acuity Standard is one of the important criteria of medical fitness. The medical requirements against different medical standards are outlined below:

Notes on medical standards:

• The above medical standards are indicative and not exhaustive and apply to candidates in general. Candidates are advised to read Chapter 5 of the Indian Railway Medical Manual (IRMM) Vol.-I.
• Candidates who have undergone Lasik surgery or any other surgery to correct refractory error are not eligible for posts having Medical Standards A-2 & A-3; they must submit a declaration in Annexure-VII during DV.
• Candidates who have undergone Lasik/refractive surgery are eligible for posts having Medical Standard B-1, C-1 as per conditions in Railway Board letter 2022/H/5/1/NER/Dalbir dated 25.08.2022 [Annexure-VII].
• Medical Standard for PwBD is as detailed in Para 511(7) of IRMM Vol. I; medical standards for Ex-Servicemen are as detailed in Para 534 of IRMM Vol. I.
• Candidates found medically unsuitable for the applied post(s) shall not be given any alternative appointment.
• A candidate failing to acquire the required medical standard at the initial medical examination may be offered one last and final opportunity to prefer a Medical Appeal on payment of prescribed charges; the appeal result is final and binding.

Nationality / Citizenship

A candidate must be either:

• a citizen of India, or
• a citizen of Nepal, or
• a subject of Bhutan, or
• a Tibetan refugee who came over to India, before 01.01.1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
• a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) above, shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India.

A candidate in whose case a certificate of eligibility is necessary may be admitted to the examination provisionally. However, the certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India has to be submitted during Document Verification, failing which his/her candidature shall be rejected.

Age Limit

The lower and upper age limits (18 to 33 years) indicated for a particular post(s) in the Post Parameter Table (Annexure-A) will be reckoned as on 01.01.2026.

Date of birth of candidates should be between the dates given below (both dates inclusive):

Candidates belonging to communities/categories in the table at para 5.2 shall be eligible for age relaxation as applicable. Note: The date of birth limits for SC/ST & OBC-NCL given in this table includes community age relaxation.

IMPORTANT: Candidates should note that the date of birth filled in the application should be same as recorded in the Matriculation/SSLC or an equivalent certificate. No subsequent request for its change will be considered. Any difference in the date of birth will lead to disqualification of the candidate.

Age Relaxation

The relaxation in upper age limit / maximum upper age for the following categories/communities in the table below is applicable subject to submission of requisite certificates.

• If a candidate is eligible for age relaxation on more than one ground, he/she will get the maximum amongst the relaxations for which he/she is eligible (not cumulative).
• SC, ST & OBC (NCL) candidates applying against UR vacancies will not be eligible to get any age relaxation.
• PwBD candidates applying against UR vacancies will be allowed age relaxation applicable for PwBD (UR) only – subject to conditions of suitability.

Educational Qualifications

Please see Annexure-A for the prescribed qualifications for each post.

• Candidates must already have the Educational/Technical qualifications prescribed in the CEN from recognized Board/Institute/University as on the last date (i.e. 02.03.2026) for submission of ONLINE application.
• Those awaiting results of their final examination of the prescribed minimum educational/technical qualification SHOULD NOT apply.
• Diploma/Degree in Engineering will not be accepted in lieu of Course Completed Act Apprentices/ITI for the post of Level-1 unless otherwise specified. Graduate Act apprentice will not be accepted in lieu of Course Completed Act Apprenticeship (CCAA).

NOTE: The educational certificates viz. Provisional or Regular Certificates should contain the date of issue. In case, date of issue of these certificates is after the closing date of the notification, then the consolidated marks sheet with date of declaration of the final qualifying exam or individual mark sheets of all the semesters/years with date of declaration of each semester/year result should be submitted. In case of non-availability of date in any of these certificates, then a certificate indicating date of declaration of result from the Board/University/Institute to this effect should be produced at the time of DV.

Examination Fee

Candidates applying for the posts in this CEN have to pay the prescribed fee as per their category, detailed below:

NOTE: Only candidates who appear in CBT will get a refund of their examination fee as mentioned above.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR CANDIDATES CLAIMING CONCESSION UNDER EBC CATEGORY: Please read paragraph 7.3 of this CEN carefully before claiming concession under the Economically Backward Class (EBC) category. Candidate seeking a concessional fee must possess a valid document - i.e. EBC certificate (Annexure IIIA) or BPL card or Izzat MST or any certificate issued by Central Government under a recognized poverty alleviation programme - at the time of application filling. They must enter the relevant details in the online application and shall submit same in original at the time of Document Verification (DV).

EBC certificate (Annexure IIIA), BPL card, or Izzat MST or certificate issued by Central Government under a recognized poverty alleviation programme issued after the closing date of application, i.e., 02.03.2026, will not be accepted. The candidature of candidates who fail to produce a valid document - i.e. EBC certificate (Annexure IIIA), BPL card, or Izzat MST issued on or before the closing date of application against this CEN is liable to be rejected.

Modes of Fee Payment

• ONLINE fee payment only through internet banking, debit/credit cards, or UPI will be accepted. All applicable service charges shall be borne by the candidate.
• Fee can be paid by the candidates through ONLINE mode only. There will be no option to pay fee through any other mode.
• Applications received without the prescribed fee shall not be considered and will be summarily rejected. No representation against such rejection will be entertained.

Minorities shall include Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Zoroastrians (Parsis) subject to revision/deletion/inclusion if any, received till the last date for submission of online application (02.03.2026).

Affidavit for 'Minority Community Declaration': Minority candidates claiming waiver of examination fee will be required to furnish an affidavit (as per Annexure IV) on non-judicial stamp paper mentioning their minority community at the time of DV, failing which their candidature is liable to be rejected.

Economically Backward Class (EBC) candidates are those whose annual family income is less than Rs. 50,000 and are eligible for concessional fee (as per para 7.0 above). For this, they should have:

• Valid Income Certificate on the date of application in the prescribed format (as per Annexure III A) on the letterhead of the Issuing Authority. The following authorities are authorized to issue income certificate for the purpose of identifying economically backward classes:
  • District magistrate or any other Revenue Officer up to the level of Tahsildar.
  • Sitting Member of Parliament of Lok Sabha for persons of their own Constituency.
  • Sitting Member of Parliament of Rajya Sabha for persons of the district in which these MPs normally reside.
  • Union Minister for any persons from anywhere in the country.
• (OR) BPL Card or any other certificate issued by Central Government under a recognized poverty alleviation programme
• (OR) Izzat MST issued by Railways.

All EBC candidates who seek concessional fee, should fill in the relevant details of valid EBC certificate/BPL card/Izzat MST in the ONLINE application and the same must also be submitted in original, at the time of DV, failing which their candidature is liable to be rejected.

NOTE:

• Economically Backward Class (EBC), Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Other Backward Class (OBC) are not same but three distinct categories. An Economically Backward Class (EBC) candidate, as defined under this para, is entitled only to fee concession and not to job reservation.
• Extremely Backward Class certificate (being issued by some State Govt.) will not be accepted in lieu of Economically Backward Class certificate.

Refund of Examination Fee

Refund of Examination Fee (for those attending 1st Stage CBT):

• Refund (duly deducting bank charges as applicable) of examination fees, wherever applicable, shall be credited only to the bank account seeded with the candidate's Aadhaar number. During the application process, candidates will be required to validate their Aadhaar number. Upon successful validation, the bank account already linked with Aadhaar will be automatically shown for confirmation, which will be used for refund purposes. If no bank account is found to be seeded with Aadhaar, the candidate will be redirected to the NPCI portal for real-time Aadhaar–bank account linking and, thereafter, returned to the application page to complete the process. Candidates not holding a bank account may provide a family member's Aadhaar-seeded bank account, as per the above prescribed procedure.
• The examination fee paid by the candidates whose application is incomplete or those who have not submitted their application or whose application is rejected, will not be refunded.
• The responsibility for ensuring linkage of a valid and operational Aadhaar-seeded bank account rests solely with the candidate. RRB shall not entertain any correspondence or claims arising out of incorrect, invalid, or non-operational bank account linkage.
• No refund of examination fee shall be admissible in cases of rejected applications or where the Aadhaar-seeded bank account linked by the candidate is found to be non-operational.

Ex-Servicemen

Definition: Ex-Servicemen means a person who has served in any rank (whether as a Combatant or non-Combatant) in the regular Army, Navy or Air Force of the Indian Union, but does not include a person who has served in the Defence Security Corps, the General Reserve Engineering Force, the Lok Sahayak Sena and the Para Military Forces, and who meets any of the following conditions:

• Has been retired, relieved or discharged from such service, whether at his own request or by the employer, after earning pension; or
• Has been relieved on medical grounds attributable to military service or circumstances beyond his control and awarded medical or other disability pension; or
• Has been released as a result of reduction in establishment; or
• Has been released after completing the specific period of engagement, otherwise than on his own request/dismissal/discharge for misconduct or inefficiency, and given a gratuity (includes Territorial Army pension holders for continuous embodied or broken spells of qualifying service); or
• Personnel of the Army Postal Service who are part of the Regular Army and retired with pension or released on attributable medical grounds with disability pension; or
• Personnel on deputation in Army Postal Service for more than six months prior to 14th April 1987; or
• Gallantry award winners of the Armed Forces, including Territorial Army personnel; or
• Ex-recruits boarded out or relieved on medical grounds and granted medical disability pension w.e.f. 01.02.2006.

Serving personnel: Persons serving in the Armed Forces who on retirement would come under the Ex-Servicemen category may apply for re-employment one year before completion of their specific terms of engagement, but cannot leave the uniform until they complete that term. Serving Defence personnel expected to be released within one year from the closing date (02/03/2026) may apply, both for Ex-Servicemen-earmarked and non-reserved posts, provided they possess the prescribed educational qualification as on the closing date. NOC with probable date of discharge (Annexure VI(A)) must be submitted at Document Verification.

Prior civil employment: Ex-Servicemen who have already secured civil employment under Central Government in Group 'C' and erstwhile 'D' (including PSUs, autonomous/statutory bodies, nationalised banks, etc.) after availing Ex-Servicemen benefits will be permitted only the benefit of age relaxation for another employment, and will not be considered against vacancies reserved for Ex-Servicemen.

The medical standard of Ex-Servicemen will be as per Para 534 of the Indian Railway Medical Manual (IRMM) Volume I.

Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)

As per The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 (effective from 19th April, 2017), the Benchmark Disabilities are:

• Blindness and Low Vision (VI);
• Deaf and hard of hearing (HI);
• Locomotor Disability (LD) including Cerebral Palsy, Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims and Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Deformity (SD) and Spinal Injury (SI) without any associated neurological/limb dysfunction;
• Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness;
• Multiple Disabilities (MD) from amongst the above clauses, including deaf-blindness, in posts identified for each disability.

Benchmark degree: Only persons suffering from not less than 40 percent of the relevant benchmark disability are eligible for relaxation/reservation. Those availing relaxation and/or reservation and shortlisted for Document Verification must submit a Certificate of Disability issued by the Competent Authority (Form V and VI of Rule 18(1) of the Gazette Notification dated 16th October, 2024 of the RPwD (Amendment) Rules, 2024; see Annexure V(A) and V(B)). Existing certificates issued under the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995 remain valid for the period specified therein.

Sub-category: Candidates must select the appropriate PwBD sub-category (LD/HI/VI/MD) as per their certificate while filling the application form. No subsequent change of sub-category is allowed. The requisite certificate along with the Unique Disability Identity (UDID) must be furnished at Document Verification, failing which candidature will be cancelled. Type of disability (OA, OL, BL, OAL, DW, AAV, SD, SI, etc.) as per Notification No. 38-16/2020-DDIII dated 04.01.2021 must be clearly mentioned by the Competent Authority.

Per DePwD OM dated 17.12.2025, candidates with disability conditions falling under "likely to improve" (temporary disability) are not eligible for reservation; conditions falling under "progressive, non-progressive or not likely to improve" are eligible.

When vacancies are reserved for PwBDs and a full panel cannot be made at the minimum qualifying percentage of each category (UR, EWS, SC, ST, OBC-NCL), a relaxation of up to 2 marks in the minimum qualifying marks is allowed.

Scribe & Compensatory Time

• For persons with benchmark disabilities in the category of Blindness, Locomotor Disability (Both Arms affected - BA) and Cerebral Palsy, the scribe facility is given if desired.
• Other categories of persons with benchmark disabilities may be allowed a scribe on producing a certificate (Annexure V(G)) from the Chief Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon/Medical Superintendent of a Government Health Care institution stating physical limitation to write, plus a letter of undertaking (Annexure V(D)).
• PwBD persons with less than 40% disability (covered under Section 2(s) but not Section 2(r) of the RPwD Act, 2016) having difficulty in writing may also avail a scribe on producing a certificate (Annexure V(E)) and undertaking (Annexure V(F)).
• All one-eyed candidates and candidates whose visual degree of disability is less than 40% shall not be considered as Visually Impaired persons.
• Candidates must opt for scribe in their online application and arrange the scribe on their own at their own cost.
• The scribe must be registered with RRBs at rrbapply.gov.in (One-Time Registration / OTR number). Scribe details are furnished during a 5-day window after the Modification Window closes, confirmed via OTP to the scribe's registered mobile.
• A scribe shall not assist more than one candidate in the same examination; a candidate applying for the examination cannot act as scribe for another candidate in the same CEN.
• The educational qualification of the candidate's own scribe should be one step below the qualification of the candidate. A scribe provided by RRB will not exceed the minimum qualification of the CEN, and will always be matriculate or above.
• A compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour of examination is provided to candidates permitted to use a scribe. Eligible candidates who choose not to avail the scribe may also be granted the same 20 minutes per hour, if they so desire.

Railway Act Apprentices (CCAA)

Vacancies to be filled from among the Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) trained in Railway Establishments and possessing a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by the National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT) are separately indicated in the vacancy table. This is in the nature of horizontal reservation, as with PwBDs and Ex-Servicemen. Unlike PwBDs, there is no carry forward of unfilled vacancies; in case of shortfall, the vacant slots are filled from others in the combined merit list.

• The closing date of online application (02.03.2026) is the cut-off date for completion of Apprenticeship. A candidate is considered to have completed the Act Apprenticeship training only if he has appeared in the NCVT examination before 02.03.2026 (result may not yet be declared).
• Course Completed Act Apprentices are eligible to apply for any RRB/RRC irrespective of the Railway establishment in which they were trained.
• Due weightage is given for marks obtained in the NCVT examination such that one-third of the marks in preparation of the final merit list after the CBT is based on the NCVT marks.
• Where the marks after adding the NCVT score are less than the marks obtained originally in the CBT, the higher/best of the two is awarded for the final merit list.
• Course Completed Act Apprentices are exempted from the Physical Efficiency Test (PET).
• Candidates must feed their NCVT marks and passing status in the RRB portal during the modification window; those who fail to fill the marks are awarded zero marks against the NCVT weightage. The NAC certificate issued by NCVT must be submitted at Document Verification, failing which the candidate is not eligible for CCAA reservation.

Recruitment Process

Only one online application through any of the official websites of the RRBs is required to be submitted by the candidate.

The recruitment process shall comprise of the following stages:

• Computer Based Tests (CBT)
• Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
• Document Verification (DV)
• Medical Examination (ME)

Information of date of CBT, PET, DV, ME or any other additional activities will be given to eligible candidates in due course through RRB/RRC websites, SMS and email. Request for postponement of any of the stages or for change of venue, date and shift will not be entertained under any circumstance.

Candidates are not permitted to use calculators and other electronic gadgets and should not bring the same inside the Examination Premises. If any candidate is found to possess a mobile phone, Bluetooth or any other means of wireless communication, in working or switched off mode, his/her candidature shall be cancelled forthwith and he/she will be debarred from RRB examinations besides legal action as deemed fit.

Single-Stage CBT - Exam Pattern

All eligible candidates have to undergo a Computer Based Test(s) on the specified date(s), time and venue(s) as per the e-call letter downloaded from the websites of RRBs/RRCs. The examination duration and number of questions for CBT are indicated below.

Exam Duration: 90 minutes. The examination duration will be 120 minutes for candidates who are eligible for use of a scribe.

The section wise distribution given in the above table is only indicative and there may be some variation in the actual question paper.

Negative marking: There will be negative marking and 1/3 marks shall be deducted for each wrong answer.

Where a second stage CBT is deemed necessary and held, the Railway Administration reserves the right to treat the first stage CBT as a qualifying test for the purpose of short listing of a reasonable number of candidates for the second stage.

Minimum Qualifying Marks

Minimum percentage of marks for shortlisting in various communities:

These percentage of marks for eligibility may be relaxed by 2 marks for PwBD candidates in case of shortage of PwBD candidates against vacancies reserved for them.

Normalisation of Marks

Short listing of candidates for various stages shall be based on the normalized marks obtained by them whenever CBT is conducted in multiple sessions for the same syllabus.

Physical Efficiency Test (PET)

Based on the merit of the candidates in the CBT, candidates shall be called for PET three times the community wise total vacancy of the posts notified against RRBs/RRCs. However, Railways reserve the right to increase/decrease this ratio as required to ensure availability of an adequate/reasonable number of candidates for all the notified posts. Passing the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) is mandatory and the same will be qualifying in nature. The criteria for PET are as under:

The Physical Efficiency Test (PET) consists of two stages. To ensure uniformity, candidates will be tested for carrying of weight to the specified distance in the specified time first and, if successful in this test, for the running test after a recovery gap. Failing in the first test, i.e. weight carrying, will mean elimination at that stage itself. The weight carrying test will involve lifting a sand bag (without any handle) from a bench/platform at around waist height and carrying it in whichever manner the candidate wants above the ground till the destination point without dropping the sandbag on the ground.

Exemptions and special provisions:

• The Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) as specified in Para 11.0 are exempted from appearing for PET. However, after qualifying in the CBT, such candidates will have to pass the medical examination prescribed for PwBD.
• The Course Completed Act Apprentices will be exempted from Physical Efficiency Test.
• Ex-Servicemen will be exempted from Physical Efficiency Test. However, all Ex-Servicemen will be required to pass the written test, physical standards, if any, and medical standards of the post as prescribed for direct recruits.
• Transgender Candidates: Relaxed PET standards equivalent to the PET standards for Female candidates will be applicable for Transgender candidates.
• Pregnant Female Candidates: On reporting for PET, a self-declaration indicating her pregnancy status shall be submitted. If she declares that she is pregnant, a confirmatory pregnancy test shall be done and, if found pregnant, irrespective of duration of pregnancy, she shall be declared temporarily unfit and her empanelment held in abeyance until the confinement is over. The vacancy would be kept reserved for her and she would be re-examined for PET six weeks after the date of confinement, subject to production of a medical certificate of fitness from a registered medical practitioner.

It is the candidates' responsibility to ensure that they are medically fit enough to attempt the PET. Railways will not be responsible for any injury/harm suffered by candidates as a result of participating in the PET.

Document Verification & Medical Examination

Based on the performance of candidates in CBT, subject to their qualifying in PET, the number of candidates to be called for Document Verification (DV) will be equal to the number of notified vacancies (i.e. in the ratio of 1:1).

In case of shortfall in empanelment of candidates or other exigencies, RRB/RRC reserves the right to utilize the candidates down the merit list if required, as per the merit and option of the candidates. This, however, will not confer any vested right on such candidates to be considered for appointment.

Tie-break rule: In case of two or more candidates securing the same marks, their merit position shall be determined by age criteria, i.e. the older person shall be placed at higher merit, and in case age being same, then alphabetical order (A to Z) of the given name (not surname) shall be taken into account to break the tie.

During Document Verification, candidates will have to produce their original certificates. No additional time will be given and the candidature of a candidate not producing their original certificates on the date of verification is liable to be forfeited.

Appointment of selected candidates is subject to their passing the requisite Medical Fitness Test to be conducted by the Railway Administration, final verification of educational and community certificates and verification of antecedents/character of the candidates. RRBs/RRCs only recommend names of the empaneled candidates and appointment is offered ONLY by the respective Railway Administrations.

Modification of Application

Modification of submitted Application Details

After submitting the complete ONLINE application and successfully paying the requisite fee, candidates who wish to modify any details (except the details filled in the 'Create an Account' form and the chosen RRB) may do so by paying a non-refundable modification fee of ₹250 per modification.

• Details entered in the 'Create an Account' form and the 'Chosen RRB' cannot be changed under any circumstances.
• The modification window will open from 05.03.2026 to 14.03.2026.
• Requests for modification will not be accepted after 14.03.2026.
• Candidates are advised to verify all information carefully before the deadline.

Detailed Modification Provisions (Para 18.0)

• After the final submission of the ONLINE application, if a candidate wishes to further modify any details, except details filled in 'Create an Account' form (including mobile number and Email ID) and Chosen RRB, he/she may do so by paying a modification fee of Rs. 250/- (non-refundable) for each occasion. Details filled in 'Create an Account' form (including mobile number and Email ID) and Chosen RRB cannot be changed.
• The modification fee is to be paid by all candidates irrespective of community and category.
• In the case of a candidate modifying his community from SC/ST to UR/OBC/EWS, he will have to pay the difference in examination fee i.e. Rs.250 in addition to the modification fee. In case of failure to do so, his modified application will not be accepted.
• Similarly, if a candidate is switching from ExSM/Female/Transgender/PwBD to Non Ex.SM/Non PwBD/Male etc., he will have to pay the difference in examination fee i.e., Rs. 250 in addition to the modification fee. In case of failure to do so, his modified application will not be accepted.
• Modifications of ONLINE application will be allowed any number of times on payment of the modification fee for each occasion.
• ONLINE Modifications to the ONLINE application, along with the payment of the modification fee, will be permitted up to 10 (ten) days after the Last Date for Application fee payment for the submitted applications, i.e. 04.03.2026 (23:59 hrs) for this CEN. The modification window will remain open from 05.03.2026 to 14.03.2026 (23:59 hrs). After this period, RRBs shall not entertain any representation for modification of the information furnished in the application.

Common Services Centre (CSC) Support

Candidates can use the services of the Common Services Centre (CSC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India under the Digital India initiatives for submitting ONLINE applications. There are more than 1.5 lakh Common Services Centres across the country which will provide support to candidates from urban as well as rural areas in the ONLINE submission of the Application Form and payment of fee through e-wallet. The list of the Common Services Centre is available on the website www.csc.gov.in. To know the nearest Common Services Centre, open the link Find My CSC.

e-Call Letter (Admit Card)

• Information and details regarding the CBT/PET/DV schedules and the link for downloading the e-call letters will be given on the websites of the RRBs/RRCs. Eligible candidates will also be informed via SMS and email. However, candidates should regularly visit the official websites of RRBs/RRCs as there can be failure in delivery of SMS/E-mail due to reasons beyond control of RRBs/RRCs.
• Eligible candidates and scribes (where applicable) can download their e-call letter for the CBT from the RRB websites about 4 (four) days before the date of CBT. Intimation about the city of examination shall be given about 10 (ten) days in advance.
• No call letter will be sent to candidates by post.
• Detailed information and instructions regarding the CBT/PET/DV will be given along with the e-call letter. Candidates should read and follow them scrupulously. Failure to comply may lead to disqualification.
• Free Travel Facility: For SC & ST candidates who are eligible and opt for free train travel, their e-call letter itself will contain the free travel authority (sleeper class railway pass). Such candidates will be allowed to book train reservation by submitting a self-attested photocopy of their e-call letter and SC/ST certificate at the ticket booking counter. During the journey, SC & ST candidates should carry their original community certificate and an original prescribed proof of identity, failing which they will be treated as travelling without ticket and charged accordingly.
• During the examination, candidates must bring their e-call letters along with a valid ORIGINAL Photo ID (viz., Voter ID-Card, Aadhaar card, printout of e-Aadhaar, driving license, PAN card, passport, valid identity card issued by the employer in case the candidate is a govt. employee, School / College / University photo ID card if still studying, etc.) to the examination hall, failing which the candidates shall NOT be allowed to appear in the examination.
• During the CBT/PET/DV/ME, candidates must bring a colour passport photograph that is not older than two months from the date of the CBT/PET/DV/ME, as applicable.

Warning: Candidates will have to write the paragraph of Self-Declaration, sign and affix LTI on the e-call letter at the venue of the CBT in the presence of the invigilator at the Examination Hall ONLY and hand over the same to the invigilator before the conclusion of the examination. Candidates writing the self-declaration paragraph in advance and/or signing in CAPITAL letters will be rejected.

RRB(s) will not entertain any request for any change in examination center, date and shift allotted to candidate(s).

Note on Scribe e-Call Letter: A separate e-Call Letter will be issued to the scribe. The scribe must carry the original and valid ID proof used at the time of registration on the day of the examination.

Document Verification

• Candidates shortlisted for DV will have to produce all their original documents along with two sets of self-attested photocopies at the time of DV.
• Candidates are advised to upload the scanned copies (in true colour) of Photo & Signature before their DV date through the portal https://oirms-ir.gov.in/rrbdv.
• All certificates should be either in English or Hindi only. Where certificates are not in English/Hindi, a self-attested translated version (in Hindi/English) should be produced wherever/whenever required. Certificates produced during the DV should be strictly in the prescribed formats.
• No additional time will be given to candidates not producing their original certificates on their date of DV, and the candidature of such candidates is liable to be cancelled.
• Candidature of candidates absent during the document verification will be cancelled.

Note:

• Candidates who wish to be considered against reserved vacancies or seek age-relaxation must submit the requisite/relevant certificate in original from the competent authority, in the prescribed format at the time of Document Verification. Otherwise, their claim for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/ExSM/CCAA/PwBD status will not be entertained and their candidature/applications will be considered under UR category, if eligible. The certificates should be as per the formats annexed. Certificates obtained in any other format will not be accepted.
• The Educational Qualification Certificates (Provisional or Regular) should contain the date of issue. In case the date of issue is after the closing date for online application, then the consolidated mark sheet with date of declaration of the result of the final qualifying exam, or individual mark sheets of all semesters/years with date of declaration of result on each, should be submitted. In case of non-availability of passing date in any of these certificates, a certificate indicating date of declaration of result from the Institution/Board/University to this effect should be produced at the time of DV.

Biometric verification: Biometric details of candidates will be recorded at every stage of the recruitment process. In case of any mismatch, RRBs/RRCs concerned shall reserve the right to disqualify a candidate and take appropriate legal action. RRBs/RRCs/Railway Zones also reserve the right to conduct additional authentication procedures to cross-verify the identity and carry out background checks of any candidate.

List of RRBs & Websites

List of RRCs & Websites

Abbreviations

• Stages of Recruitment Process: CBT = Computer Based Test, PET = Physical Efficiency Test, DV = Document Verification, ME = Medical Examination
• Reservation / Age relaxation Category: CCAA = Course Completed Act Apprentices, EBC = Economically Backward Class, EWS = Economically Weaker Section, ExSM = Ex-Servicemen, OBC-CL = Other Backward Classes - Creamy Layer, OBC-NCL = Other Backward Classes - Non Creamy Layer, SC = Scheduled Caste, ST = Scheduled Tribe, UR = Unreserved (General)
• Disabilities: VI = Visually Impaired (LV = Low Vision, B = Blind), HI = Hearing Impaired (D = Deaf, HH = Hard of Hearing), LD = Locomotor Disabilities (OA = One Arm, OL = One Leg, OAL = One Arm & One Leg, LC = Leprosy Cured, DW = Dwarfism, AAV = Acid Attack Victim, BL = Both Legs, SD = Spinal Deformity, SI = Spinal Injury), MD = Multiple Disabilities, B-VI = Backlog Visually Impaired, B-HI = Backlog Hearing Impaired, B-LD = Backlog Locomotor Disabilities, B-MD = Backlog Multiple Disabilities, PwBD = Persons With Benchmark Disabilities, RPwD = Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• Railway Zones / Production Unit / Organizations: CLW = Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Chittaranjan; CR = Central Railway, PLW = Patiala Locomotive Works, Patiala; ER = Eastern Railway, ECR = East Central Railway, ECoR = East Coast Railway, ICF = Integral Coach Factory, Chennai; MCF = Modern Coach Factory, Rai Bareli, NR = Northern Railway, NCR = North Central Railway, NER = North Eastern Railway, NFR = Northeast Frontier Railway, NWR = North Western Railway, PSU = Public Sector Undertaking, PU = Production Unit, RCF = Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala; RDSO = Research Design and Standards Organization, Lucknow; Rly = Railway, RRB = Railway Recruitment Board, RRC = Railway Recruitment Cell, RWF = Rail Wheel Factory, Bengaluru; SR = Southern Railway, SCR = South Central Railway, SER = South Eastern Railway, SECR = South East Central Railway, SWR = South Western Railway, WR = Western Railway, WCR = West Central Railway
• Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs): ADI = Ahmedabad, AII = Ajmer, BCT = Mumbai, BBS = Bhubaneswar, BPL = Bhopal, BLSP = Bilaspur, CDG = Chandigarh, GKP = Gorakhpur, GHY = Guwahati, KOL = Kolkata, MAS = Chennai, PNBE = Patna, PRYJ = Prayagraj, RNC = Ranchi, BNC = Bengaluru, SC = Secunderabad
• General: CBSE = Central Board of Secondary Education, CEN = Centralized Employment Notice, IFSC = Indian Financial System Code, JPEG = Joint Photographic Experts Group, KB = Kilo byte, LTI = Left hand Thumb Impression, OTP = One Time Password, UPI = Unified Payments Interface
• Institutions / Council / Certificates: DGT = Directorate General of Training, ITI = Industrial Training Institute, NAC = National Apprenticeship Certificate, NTC = National Trade Certificate, NOC = No Objection Certificate, NCVT = National Council for Vocational Training, SCVT = State Council for Vocational Training

Frequently Asked Questions