Railway Group D 2026 Notification — Vacancies, Eligibility & How to Apply
The Railway Group D 2026 Notification has been released by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) for the recruitment of Level 1 posts across Indian Railways. This is one of the largest government recruitment drives with approximately 1,03,769 vacancies for posts including Track Maintainer Grade-IV, Helper/Assistant in various technical departments, and other Level 1 positions.
Railway Group D recruitment attracts massive interest due to its accessibility — candidates with a 10th pass certificate and ITI qualification are eligible. The selection is through a Computer Based Test (CBT) followed by Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Document Verification, and Medical Examination.
Key Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,03,769 (approximate) |
| Post Category | Level 1 (Track Maintainer, Helper, Assistant) |
| Qualification | 10th Pass + ITI (or equivalent) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Official Website | rrbcdg.gov.in |
Group D posts form the backbone of railway operations, covering track maintenance, workshop assistance, and operational support across all railway zones. The pay is under Level 1 of the 7th CPC with a basic pay of ₹18,000 per month, along with standard railway benefits including free passes, medical facilities, and housing.
Due to the high number of vacancies and minimal educational requirements, Group D recruitment typically receives over 1.25 crore applications, making it one of India's most competitive exams by applicant volume. Candidates are strongly advised to prepare systematically and take advantage of mock tests to improve their score.
Railway Group D 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 2026-02-20 |
| Online Application Start | 2026-04-01 |
| Application Last Date | 2026-07-15 |
| CBT Exam Date | October–December 2026 (Tentative) |
| PET Date | To Be Announced |
| Result Date | To Be Announced |
Railway Group D Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
10th pass from a recognized Board PLUS an ITI certificate from an NCVT/SCVT recognized institute, OR National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT. Some posts accept 10th pass with specific trade qualifications.
Age Limit
18 to 33 years for General/EWS category
Age Relaxation
OBC-NCL: 3 years | SC/ST: 5 years | PwBD: 10 years | Ex-Servicemen: as per rules
Physical Fitness
Candidates must pass the Physical Efficiency Test (PET). Male candidates: lift 35 kg and carry it for 100 metres in 2 minutes + run 1000m in 4 minutes 15 seconds. Female candidates: lift 20 kg and carry it for 100 metres in 2 minutes + run 1000m in 5 minutes 40 seconds.
Check Your Age Eligibility
Check if you meet the age requirement for Railway Group D. Our calculator shows your exact age on the cut-off date with category-wise relaxation (OBC, SC/ST, PH, Ex-Servicemen).
- ✓ Enter DOB and cut-off date
- ✓ Category-wise age relaxation
- ✓ Preset cut-off dates for major exams
Railway Group D 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General | ₹500 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | ₹500 |
| SC / ST | ₹250 |
| Female (all categories) | ₹250 |
| PwD / Ex-Servicemen | ₹250 |
Payment Modes: Online (Net Banking, UPI, Debit Card), SBI Challan, Post Office Challan
Railway Group D Selection Process
- Computer Based Test (CBT) — 100 marks, 90 minutes
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — qualifying
- Document Verification (DV)
- Medical Examination — as per railway medical standards
- Final Merit List based on CBT normalized scores
Railway Group D 2026 Exam Pattern
Computer Based Test (CBT)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Science | 25 | 25 | 90 minutes | 1/3 per wrong answer |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 | Combined | 1/3 per wrong answer |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | Combined | 1/3 per wrong answer |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 | Combined | 1/3 per wrong answer |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Railway Group D 2026 Salary Structure
Pay Levels
Pay Level 1
Gross Salary Range
₹26,000 – ₹55,000
In-Hand Salary Range
₹21,000 – ₹45,000
Post-wise Basic Pay
| Post Name | Pay Level | Basic Pay (₹/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Track Maintainer Grade-IV | Level 1 | ₹18,000 |
| Helper/Assistant (Electrical) | Level 1 | ₹18,000 |
| Helper/Assistant (Mechanical) | Level 1 | ₹18,000 |
| Helper/Assistant (S&T) | Level 1 | ₹18,000 |
Allowances & Benefits
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Transport Allowance
- Free Railway Passes
- Medical Benefits
- National Pension System (NPS)
- Overtime Allowance
Calculate Your In-Hand Salary
Use the 7th CPC Government Salary Calculator to estimate your in-hand salary for Railway Group D 2026 posts — including DA, HRA, and all deductions based on your pay level and city.
- ✓ Select pay level (1–18) and basic pay
- ✓ City-wise HRA (X, Y, Z category)
- ✓ DA, TA, NPS deductions included
How to Apply for Railway Group D 2026
- Visit the official RRB website for your zone (rrbcdg.gov.in or respective regional RRB site)
- Click "New Registration" for CEN Group D 2026
- Register with valid email ID and active mobile number
- Fill personal details, educational qualification, and ITI trade details
- Upload photograph (3.5×4.5 cm) and signature as per specifications
- Pay the application fee online or through challan
- Review, submit, and save the confirmation page for future reference
Railway Group D 2026 Admit Card
Release Date: To Be Announced
- Visit the official RRB website of your region (e.g. rrbcdg.gov.in for RRB New Delhi)
- Click on "Download Admit Card" or "CEN Group D 2026 Admit Card" link
- Log in with your Registration Number and Date of Birth
- Download and print the admit card on A4 paper
- Carry the printed admit card to the examination hall
- Carry one valid photo ID proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence, or PAN Card — candidates without both documents will not be permitted to enter
Railway Group D Previous Year Cutoff Marks
| Year | Category | Cutoff Score | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | General | 70.25 | 100 |
| 2024 | OBC | 62.50 | 100 |
| 2024 | SC | 53.75 | 100 |
| 2024 | ST | 45.00 | 100 |
| 2022 | General | 65.38 | 100 |
| 2022 | OBC | 57.62 | 100 |
| 2022 | SC | 49.12 | 100 |
| 2022 | ST | 41.25 | 100 |
| 2018 | General | 62.17 | 100 |
| 2018 | OBC | 54.88 | 100 |
| 2018 | SC | 46.50 | 100 |
| 2018 | ST | 38.75 | 100 |
Railway Group D 2026 Result
Result Date: To Be Announced
Next Steps After Result:
- Check the result on your regional RRB website — qualified candidates' roll numbers are published in a PDF
- RRBs apply normalisation across multiple CBT shifts to ensure fair scoring — your raw score is converted to a normalised score
- Download your individual score card from the RRB candidate login portal after result declaration
- CBT qualified candidates will be called for Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
- Final merit list is prepared based on normalised CBT scores and published on respective RRB websites
Railway Group D 2026 – FAQs
Age Limit
For the 2026 Railway Group D recruitment, the age limits are precisely defined, with relaxations provided for various reserved categories. The minimum age for all candidates is 18 years. The upper age limit for General and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) candidates is 33 years, calculated as of July 1, 2026.
Relaxations are applicable as follows: Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) candidates receive a 3-year relaxation, making their upper age limit 36 years. Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates are granted a 5-year relaxation, extending their upper age limit to 38 years. Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are eligible for a 10-year age relaxation (13 years for OBC, 15 years for SC/ST). Ex-servicemen also receive specific age relaxations based on their period of service plus three years. Further relaxations may apply to candidates like widows, divorced women, and existing railway employees, as detailed in the comprehensive official notification.
Preparation Tips
Effective preparation for the Railway Group D CBT in 2026 demands a structured and focused approach. Begin by thoroughly understanding the detailed syllabus for General Science, Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, and General Awareness. For General Science, concentrate on NCERT textbooks from classes 9th and 10th, covering Physics, Chemistry, and Biology fundamentals. Mathematics requires consistent practice of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation problems to enhance speed and accuracy.
General Intelligence & Reasoning should focus on logical deduction, analytical reasoning, and pattern recognition through diverse question types. For General Awareness, stay updated with current affairs, particularly those related to Indian Railways, sports, awards, and significant national/international events. Regularly attempt mock tests to simulate exam conditions, identify weak areas, and refine time management strategies. Concurrently, start preparing for the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) by incorporating running and weight-lifting exercises into your routine to build stamina and strength, ensuring readiness for this mandatory qualifying stage.
Application Process
The application process for the 2026 Railway Group D recruitment will be conducted exclusively online through the official websites of the respective Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs). Aspiring candidates must first register by providing basic details, creating a unique registration ID and password. Subsequently, they will proceed to fill out the detailed application form, accurately entering personal, educational, and contact information.
Crucially, applicants must upload scanned copies of their photograph and signature in the specified format and dimensions. Candidates are required to select their preferred RRC/Railway Zone carefully, as applying to multiple RRCs will lead to disqualification. The final step involves paying the application fee online through various payment gateways. General/OBC candidates typically pay a fee, while SC/ST, PwBD, Ex-servicemen, and Female candidates often receive fee concessions or exemptions. It is imperative to review all entered details before final submission.
