RRB Group D
Railway Recruitment Board
🚆 Railway
🇮🇳 National level
● Active
RRB Group D is the Railway Recruitment Board exam for Level 1 posts of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix in Indian Railways, covering Track Maintainer Grade IV, Pointsman B, and Assistant posts across departments. Under CEN 09/2025 the RRBs notified 22,195 vacancies, with a single-stage Computer Based Test followed by a Physical Efficiency Test, Document Verification and Medical Examination.
RRB Group D 2026 — Key Facts at a Glance
| Exam name | RRB Group D (Level 1 posts, 7th CPC Pay Matrix) |
|---|---|
| Notification | CEN 09/2025 |
| Conducting body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways |
| Total vacancies | 22,195 |
| Exam date (CBT) | 3 August to 21 August 2026 |
| Admit card | Released — direct download link (available four days before your exam date) |
| Qualification | Class 10 pass, or ITI / National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) as per post |
| Age limit | 18 to 33 years as on 01.01.2026 |
| Application window | 31 January 2026 to 2 March 2026 |
| Application fee | ₹500 general (₹400 refunded on appearing in CBT); ₹250 for SC, ST, Ex-servicemen, PwBD, female, transgender, minority and EBC candidates (fully refunded) |
| Exam pattern | Computer Based Test, 100 questions, 100 marks, 90 minutes |
| Negative marking | 1/3 mark deducted per wrong answer |
| Qualifying marks | UR and EWS 40%; OBC-NCL, SC and ST 30% |
| Selection stages | CBT → Physical Efficiency Test (PET) → Document Verification → Medical Examination |
| Initial pay | ₹18,000 per month (Level 1, 7th CPC Pay Matrix) |
| Posts covered | Track Maintainer Grade IV, Pointsman B, Assistant (S&T), Assistant P.Way, Assistant Bridge, Assistant Carriage & Wagon, Assistant TL & AC, Assistant TRD, Assistant Operations (Electrical), Assistant Track Machine |
| Official website | rrbapply.gov.in |
RRB Group D is the recruitment examination conducted by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) on behalf of the Railway Recruitment Cells for Level 1 posts of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix in Indian Railways. Under CEN 09/2025, the RRBs notified 22,195 vacancies. The Computer Based Test is scheduled from 3 to 21 August 2026.
What is RRB Group D?
Group D — officially "various posts in Level 1 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix" — is the entry grade of Indian Railways. It is the single largest railway recruitment in terms of applicant volume, because the minimum qualification is Class 10 pass. Selected candidates start at a basic pay of ₹18,000 per month and work in the Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, Traffic and S&T departments.
Which posts come under RRB Group D?
CEN 09/2025 covers ten Level 1 posts. Track Maintainer Grade IV accounts for the largest share of vacancies in every zone:
- Track Maintainer Grade IV — Engineering
- Pointsman B — Traffic
- Assistant (S&T) — Signal & Telecommunication
- Assistant P.Way — Engineering
- Assistant Bridge — Engineering
- Assistant Track Machine — Engineering
- Assistant Carriage & Wagon — Mechanical
- Assistant TL & AC — Electrical
- Assistant TRD — Electrical
- Assistant Operations (Electrical) — Electrical
RRB Group D selection process
The recruitment runs in four stages, and every stage must be cleared in sequence:
- Computer Based Test (CBT) — 100 questions in 90 minutes, with negative marking
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — qualifying in nature, no marks awarded
- Document Verification (DV)
- Medical Examination (ME) — to the standard prescribed for the post
Candidates are called for PET at three times the community-wise vacancy count, based on CBT merit.
Is there negative marking in RRB Group D?
Yes. One third of a mark is deducted for every wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty, so blind guessing lowers your score on average.
What are the minimum qualifying marks?
To be shortlisted from the CBT, candidates must score at least 40% (UR and EWS) or 30% (OBC-NCL, SC and ST). These thresholds may be relaxed by 2 marks for PwBD candidates where there is a shortage of PwBD candidates against reserved vacancies.
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View all news →💬 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RRB Group D vacancy for 2026?
The RRBs notified 22,195 vacancies for Level 1 posts under CEN 09/2025. The Railways reserves the right to revise this number in part or in full.
When is the RRB Group D exam 2026?
The Computer Based Test for CEN 09/2025 is scheduled from 3 August to 21 August 2026, across multiple shifts and more than 200 exam cities.
What is the age limit for RRB Group D 2026?
The age limit is 18 to 33 years as on 1 January 2026. Relaxation is 3 years for OBC-NCL, 5 years for SC/ST, and 10 to 15 years for PwBD candidates depending on their category.
What is the educational qualification for RRB Group D?
Candidates need Class 10 pass, or an ITI certificate or National Apprenticeship Certificate from NCVT, depending on the post. Candidates awaiting final results are not eligible to apply.
Is an Engineering diploma accepted for RRB Group D?
No. A Diploma or Degree in Engineering is not accepted in place of ITI or a Course Completed Act Apprenticeship for Level 1 posts, unless a specific post allows it.
What is the RRB Group D application fee?
The fee is ₹500 for general candidates, of which ₹400 is refunded on appearing in the CBT. SC, ST, Ex-servicemen, PwBD, female, transgender, minority and EBC candidates pay ₹250, which is fully refunded on appearing.
Is there negative marking in RRB Group D?
Yes. One third of a mark is deducted for every wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.
What is the RRB Group D exam pattern?
A single Computer Based Test of 100 questions and 100 marks in 90 minutes: General Intelligence and Reasoning 30, Mathematics 25, General Science 25, and General Awareness and Current Affairs 20.
What are the minimum qualifying marks for RRB Group D?
UR and EWS candidates need 40%, while OBC-NCL, SC and ST candidates need 30%. PwBD candidates may receive a 2-mark relaxation where there is a shortage of PwBD candidates against reserved vacancies.
What is the RRB Group D PET standard?
Male candidates must carry 35 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes and run 1000 metres in 4 minutes 15 seconds. Female candidates must carry 20 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes and run 1000 metres in 5 minutes 40 seconds. Each is one chance only.
Is the RRB Group D PET counted in the merit list?
No. The PET is qualifying in nature and carries no marks, but passing it is mandatory. A high CBT score cannot compensate for failing the PET.
What happens if I fail the weight carrying test in PET?
Failing the weight carrying test means elimination at that stage. The running test is only attempted by candidates who clear weight carrying first.
What is the RRB Group D salary?
Level 1 posts start at a basic pay of ₹18,000 per month under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, plus Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance and railway benefits such as the pass facility.
Which posts come under RRB Group D?
CEN 09/2025 covers Track Maintainer Grade IV, Pointsman B, Assistant (S&T), Assistant P.Way, Assistant Bridge, Assistant Track Machine, Assistant Carriage and Wagon, Assistant TL and AC, Assistant TRD, and Assistant Operations (Electrical).
How many times can I apply for RRB Group D?
Only one online application per candidate is permitted for a CEN, submitted through any one RRB website. The chosen Railway cannot be changed afterwards.
Why is my RRB Group D score different from my raw marks?
Because the CBT runs across many shifts with different question papers, the RRBs normalise marks. Shortlisting uses normalised marks, so a raw score from an easier shift can normalise lower than a slightly lower score from a harder shift.
What is the difference between the city slip and the admit card?
The city and date intimation slip tells you your exam city, date and shift in advance so you can plan travel. The e-call letter, released four days before the exam, carries the full venue address and is what you must bring to the exam hall.
Can I carry a mobile phone to the RRB Group D exam?
No. Possessing a mobile phone, Bluetooth device or any wireless communication device, even switched off, leads to cancellation of candidature and debarment from RRB examinations.