Indian Railways Recruitment 2026 – Level-1 Posts (RRB Group D)
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has released the official notification for Group D Recruitment 2026 (CEN 09/2025), offering exciting opportunities for those looking to work in Indian Railways. The recruitment aims to fill approximately 22,195 vacancies for Level-1 posts in various zones across the country.
What exactly is this job?
When people hear “Group D,” they sometimes aren’t sure what the day-to-day looks like. These are Level-1 posts, the backbone of the Indian Railways. You’ll be the person making sure the trains actually run safely.
- Track Maintainers: You’re the guardian of the rails, checking for cracks and keeping the path smooth.
- Pointsmen: You’re in charge of the “switches” that move trains from one track to another.
- Assistants: You might work in a massive workshop fixing engines (Mechanical), maintaining the overhead wires (Electrical), or handling the signals and telecommunications.
It’s hard work, but it’s stable, it pays well, and the benefits (like free train travel and healthcare) are legendary.
Can you apply? RRB Group D 2026 recruitment
Before you get excited, let’s make sure you clear the hurdles..
- Your Education: You need to have finished your 10th standard. That’s the baseline. If you have an ITI certificate, that’s even better and opens up more technical roles. If you’re still waiting for your 10th results, you have to sit this one out—you must have your passing certificate by the time you apply.
- Your Age: As of January 1, 2026, you should be between 18 and 33. If you’re from a reserved category (OBC, SC, ST), the government gives you a few extra years (up to 3-5 years) because they know life circumstances vary.
- One Zone Only: This is the most important tip for you guys…Pick your zone carefully. You can only apply to one RRB (like Mumbai, Kolkata, or Secunderabad). Once you pick it, you are locked in. You can’t change your mind halfway through.
Key Highlights : RRB Group D 2026 recruitment
- Total Vacancies: Around 22,195 vacancies.
- Job Type: Full-time government job in Indian Railways.
- Posts: Includes roles like Track Maintainer, Helper, Assistant Pointsman, and more.
- Official Notification Released January 30, 2026
- Online Application Start Date January 31, 2026
- Last Date to Register & Pay March 2, 2026
- Correction Window March 5 – March 14, 2026
- Exam Date (CBT) Expected
Eligibility Criteria : RRB Group D 2026 recruitment
Age:
Minimum: 18 years
Maximum: 33 years (age relaxation for reserved categories like SC/ST/OBC)
Educational Qualification:
Must have passed 10th Grade or hold an ITI certification from a recognized board or institution.
Application Fees
Application Fee:
General/OBC: ₹500 (refundable if you appear for the exam)
SC/ST/PWD/Female/Ex-Servicemen: ₹250 (refundable if you appear for the exam)
Selection Process: RRB Group D 2026 recruitment
1.Computer-Based Test (CBT):
A multiple-choice test with questions covering General Knowledge, Mathematics, Reasoning, and General Science.
Duration: 90 minutes.
2.Physical Efficiency Test (PET):
Male candidates: Must lift 35 kg and run 100 meters in 24 seconds.
Female candidates: Must lift 20 kg and run 100 meters in 30 seconds.
3.Document Verification:
After passing the CBT and PET, candidates will need to submit their documents for verification.
4.Medical Examination:
Candidates will undergo a medical check-up to ensure they meet the health standards for the job.
More Details is below 👇
Stage 1: The Computer Test
This is a 90-minutes exam. It’s not about how much you know; it’s about how fast and accurate you are.
Math & Reasoning: This is basically “brain games.” It’s logic and numbers.
Science: This is straight out of your 10th-grade textbooks.
General Awareness: What’s happening in the world? Sports, news, and politics.
Warning: There is negative marking. If you guess and get it wrong, they take away a third of a mark. Human advice: If you don’t know the answer, leave it alone. A blank answer is better than a wrong one.
Stage 2: The Physical Test
If you pass the written test, you have to prove you’re fit.
Men: You have to carry a 35kg bag of sand for 100 meters without dropping it. Then, you have to run 1km in under 4 minutes and 15 seconds.
Women: The bag is lighter (20kg) and you get a bit more time for the run (5 minutes and 40 seconds).
Tip: Start walking and jogging now. Don’t wait until the results come out to start training your body.
Stage 3: The Medical Exam
The Railways are very strict about health, especially eyesight. Since you’ll be working around tracks and moving trains, you need to be able to see colors clearly (no color blindness) and have good distance vision.
How to actually apply without messing up
The application portal is open right now (as of Jan 31, 2026).
The Live Photo: This is a new thing. You can’t just upload an old photo from your gallery. You have to take a live photo using your phone or webcam during the application. Wear a plain shirt, sit in a bright room with a white wall behind you, and don’t wear a hat or glasses.
Documents: Have your 10th certificate and your caste certificate (if applicable) ready as PDFs.
The Deadline: You have until March 2, 2026. But please, do not wait until March 1. The servers usually crash because millions of people are trying to log in at the same time.
It’s more than just a salary (which starts at around ₹25,000–₹30,000 depending on the city). It’s job security. In a world where private jobs come and go, a Railway job is for life. You get a pension-style scheme (NPS), quarters to live in, and the pride of serving the nation.
My Final Advice to you all
My Final Advice to You
Don’t just study hard; study smart.
Focus on Science: 25 marks come from Science. If you master your 9th and 10th NCERT books, you’ve already won half the battle.
Keep your phone number active: The RRB will send you SMS updates about your exam center and date. If you lose that SIM card, you might miss your chance.
Check the “Correction Window”: If you make a mistake, you have a tiny window from March 5 to March 14 to fix it for a small fee.
Online Application: Visit the official RRB website to apply.
Exam Centers: The exam will be conducted across various cities, and you’ll get the details on your admit card.
Admit Card: Available online after the application deadline. Candidates can download it from the RRB website.
Why Apply?
- Government Job Security: Work in the stable and prestigious Indian Railways.
- Competitive Pay: Enjoy a solid starting salary with opportunities for growth.
- Wide Range of Opportunities: Numerous posts across multiple locations, offering flexibility in job allocation.
- Perks & Benefits: Enjoy health benefits, allowances, and more as part of Indian Railways.