RRB Group D Exam 2026

The RRB Group D 2026 (Level 1) exam is a national-level recruitment drive conducted by the Railway Recruitment Boards. Below are the key highlights:

• Exam Name: RRB Group D (CEN RRC 01/2026)
• Conducting Body: Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB)
• Level of Exam: National
• Exam Frequency: Periodic (Based on vacancies)
• Mode of Exam: Computer Based Test (CBT)
• Selection Stages: CBT, Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Document Verification, and Medical Examination
• Official Website: indianrailways.gov.in

The tentative schedule for the RRB Group D 2026 recruitment is as follows:

• Official Notification Release: January 2026
• Online Application Start Date: February 2026
• Last Date to Apply: March 2026
• Admit Card Release: 10-15 days before the exam
• CBT Exam Date: July - September 2026
• Provisional Answer Key: October 2026
• Result Declaration: December 2026

RRB Group D is a competitive recruitment examination held to fill various Level 1 posts in the Indian Railways. These roles are essential for the maintenance and operation of railway tracks, coaches, and departments. It is one of the largest recruitment drives in India, attracting millions of applicants due to the job security and benefits offered by the central government.

The full form of RRB Group D is Railway Recruitment Board Group D. It is also officially referred to as the RRC Level 1 recruitment, where RRC stands for Railway Recruitment Cell.

Historically, the RRB Group D exam has evolved from a manual, paper-based test to a sophisticated Computer Based Test (CBT). Over the years, the number of vacancies has ranged from 60,000 to over 1,00,000. In 2026, the exam continues to focus on transparency and merit-based selection, utilizing normalized scoring to ensure fairness across multiple shifts.

Candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria for the 2026 cycle:

• Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed 10th standard (Matriculation) or hold an ITI certificate from institutions recognized by NCVT/SCVT.
• Age Limit: 18 to 33 years. Age relaxations apply for OBC (3 years), SC/ST (5 years), and PwBD candidates.
• Nationality: Must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan.

The application process for 2026 is entirely online:

1. Visit the official regional RRB website.
2. Click on the link for 'New Registration' for CEN RRC 2026.
3. Fill in personal details, email, and mobile number to generate a Registration ID.
4. Log in and complete the application form with educational details.
5. Upload scanned photograph and signature as per specifications.
6. Pay the application fee (General/OBC: ₹500, Others: ₹250) via online mode.
7. Submit and print the confirmation page.

The RRB Group D Computer Based Test (CBT) covers four primary subject areas:

• General Science: Physics, Chemistry, and Life Sciences (10th standard level).
• Mathematics: Number system, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, Algebra, Geometry, etc.
• General Intelligence and Reasoning: Analogies, Coding-Decoding, Relationships, Syllogism, etc.
• General Awareness and Current Affairs: Science & Technology, Sports, Culture, Personalities, Economics, and Politics.

The 2026 syllabus is designed to test basic aptitude and general knowledge:

• Mathematics: LCM, HCF, Ratio, Proportion, Percentage, Mensuration, Time and Work, Profit and Loss.
• General Intelligence: Venn Diagrams, Data Interpretation, Sufficient Conclusions, Similarities and Differences.
• General Science: Focuses on CBSE Class 10 level Physics and Chemistry.
• General Awareness: Current events of national and international importance from 2025 and 2026.

The CBT follows a specific pattern with a duration of 90 minutes:

• General Science: 25 Questions
• Mathematics: 25 Questions
• General Intelligence & Reasoning: 30 Questions
• General Awareness & Current Affairs: 20 Questions
• Total: 100 Questions (100 Marks)
• Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted for every wrong answer.

The admission/selection process for 2026 consists of four stages:

1. Computer Based Test (CBT): The primary screening exam.
2. Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Qualifying test involving weight lifting and running.
3. Document Verification (DV): Checking the authenticity of certificates.
4. Medical Examination: Ensuring candidates meet the medical standards for specific posts.

While not universities, the RRB Group D recruitment is conducted for various Railway Zones across India. Participating zones include:

• Northern Railway (NR)
• Western Railway (WR)
• Southern Railway (SR)
• Eastern Railway (ER)
• Central Railway (CR)
• North Central Railway (NCR) and others.

The RRB Group D 2026 results will be published on the official websites of the respective regional RRBs. Results are released in PDF format containing the roll numbers of shortlisted candidates for the PET. Scores are normalized to account for variations in difficulty levels across different exam shifts.

After the declaration of CBT results, shortlisted candidates must prepare for the Physical Efficiency Test (PET). Male candidates must be able to lift 35kg for 100 meters in 2 minutes and run 1000 meters in 4 minutes 15 seconds. Female candidates have modified requirements (20kg weight and 1000 meters in 5 minutes 40 seconds).

The 'Counselling' phase in RRB is known as Document Verification (DV). Candidates equal to the number of vacancies are called based on CBT merit and PET qualification. During DV, candidates must produce original 10th certificates, ITI certificates, Caste certificates (if applicable), and valid ID proofs. This is followed by a medical fitness test at railway hospitals.

The cut-off for 2026 will depend on the number of applicants and the difficulty of the paper. Expected qualifying percentages are:

• UR / EWS: 40%
• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 30%
• SC: 30%
• ST: 25%

Note: Actual cut-offs for shortlisting are usually much higher than these qualifying marks.

Note: RRB Group D is conducted by the Ministry of Railways, not NTA. For official queries regarding the 2026 exam, contact the Railway Recruitment Boards:

• Official Helpdesk: rrbhelp@indianrail.gov.in
• Address: Respectively regional RRB offices (e.g., RRB Bhopal, RRB Chandigarh, RRB Mumbai).
• Phone: Check regional websites for specific helpline numbers.