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1What is RRB Group D?
RRB Group D is the national-level recruitment examination conducted by Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs) under the Ministry of Railways. It fills Level-1 posts in Indian Railways — primarily Track Maintainer Grade-IV and Helper/Assistant posts across departments including S&T, Electrical, Mechanical, Bridge, Workshop, and TL & AC.
With vacancies routinely in the tens of thousands, RRB Group D is one of the largest entry-level government recruitment drives in India — ideal for 10th pass and ITI-qualified candidates seeking stable employment with Indian Railways perks including free rail passes, medical facilities, and pension benefits.
Starting from 2024, RRB has moved to an annual recruitment cycle. The current cycle is CEN 09/2025, released 30 January 2026, with 22,195 vacancies across all 21 RRBs. Application closed 9 March 2026. CBT expected June–July 2026. The previous cycle CEN-08/2024 (32,438 vacancies) CBT was conducted November 2025 – February 2026; results are expected by May–June 2026.
2📅 RRB Group D Important Dates (CEN 09/2025)
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CEN-08/2024 Official Notification Released | January 2025 | ✅ Done |
| CEN-08/2024 CBT Conducted | Nov 2025 – Feb 2026 | ✅ Done |
| CEN 09/2025 Official Notification Released | 30 January 2026 | ✅ Done |
| CEN 09/2025 Online Application Window | 31 January – 9 March 2026 | ✅ Done |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 11 March 2026 | ✅ Done |
| Application Correction Window | 12–21 March 2026 | ✅ Done |
| CEN-08/2024 Result | Expected May–June 2026 | ⏳ TBN |
| CBT Admit Card Release (CEN 09/2025) | To be notified (TBN) | ⏳ TBN |
| Computer Based Test (CBT) — CEN 09/2025 | Expected June–July 2026 | ⏳ TBN |
| CBT Result & PET Call Letter | To be notified (TBN) | ⏳ TBN |
| Physical Efficiency Test (PET) | To be notified (TBN) | ⏳ TBN |
| Document Verification (DV) & Medical Examination | To be notified (TBN) | ⏳ TBN |
| Next Cycle Notification Expected | Late 2026 / Early 2027 | 🔜 Upcoming |
3Eligibility Criteria
🪪 Nationality
Candidates must be a Citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962, or a person of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries with intention to permanently settle in India — as per standard Railway Recruitment rules.
📋 Age Limit (as on 01.01.2026 — CEN 09/2025)
| Category | Relaxation | Effective Age Range |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | No relaxation | 18–33 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | +3 years | 18–36 years |
| SC / ST | +5 years | 18–38 years |
| PwBD (General/EWS) | +10 years | 18–43 years |
| PwBD (OBC-NCL) | +13 years | 18–46 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | +15 years | 18–48 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Service rendered + 3 years (after deducting military service) | Varies |
Note: Age is calculated as on 01.01.2026 for CEN 09/2025. The one-time 3-year upper-age relaxation that applied to CEN-08/2024 (COVID relief) does NOT apply to CEN 09/2025. Standard upper age for General/EWS is 33 years. Always verify in the official notification on rrbcdg.gov.in.
🎓 Educational Qualification
- →10th Pass (Matriculation) from a recognised Board of School Education
- →ITI certificate from an institution recognised by NCVT / SCVT
- →National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT
- ⚠️For posts like Assistant TL & AC, Assistant S&T, Assistant Loco Shed, Assistant Operations-Electrical — ITI in the relevant trade is mandatory
4Vacancies & Posts (CEN 09/2025)
| Post Name | Department | Pay Level | Qualification | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Track Maintainer Grade-IV (Trackman / P-Way) | Civil Engineering (P-Way) | Level 1 | 10th Pass | 9,350 |
| Pointsman B | Traffic / Operations | Level 1 | 10th Pass | 4,843 |
| Helper / Assistant (S&T) | Signal & Telecom (S&T) | Level 1 | ITI (relevant trade) | 1,257 |
| Helper / Assistant (Carriage & Wagon) | Mechanical — C&W | Level 1 | 10th Pass or ITI | 962 |
| Helper / Assistant (Electrical General Services) | Electrical — General Services | Level 1 | 10th Pass or ITI | — |
| Helper / Assistant (TL & AC) | Electrical — TL & AC | Level 1 | ITI (relevant trade) | — |
| Helper / Assistant (Track Machine) | Civil Engineering — Track Machine | Level 1 | 10th Pass or ITI | — |
| Helper / Assistant (Bridge) | Civil Engineering — Bridge | Level 1 | 10th Pass | — |
| Assistant Operations / Assistant TRD / Assistant Loco Shed | Various Departments | Level 1 | 10th Pass or ITI | — |
Exact post-wise vacancy breakdown varies by RRB region. Refer to the official CEN 09/2025 notification PDF for zonal and category-wise vacancy details.
5Selection Process
Computer Based Test (CBT)
Single-stage online exam: 100 questions / 100 marks / 90 minutes. Sections: Mathematics (25), Reasoning (30), General Science (25), General Awareness (20). Negative marking: 1/3rd per wrong answer. Qualifying marks: 40% for UR/EWS, 30% for OBC/SC/ST.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Qualifying in nature — marks NOT added to merit. Male: lift 35 kg / 100 m in 2 min + run 1000 m in 4:15. Female: lift 20 kg / 100 m in 2 min + run 1000 m in 5:40. Candidates called for PET = 3× total vacancies (category-wise).
Document Verification (DV)
Original documents verified: 10th marksheet, ITI certificate (if applicable), caste certificate, age proof, photo ID. Final merit list is prepared based on CBT marks only — PET is qualifying, not merit-based.
Medical Examination & Appointment
Candidates must meet Railway medical fitness standards. Posts have specific medical categories (A1, A2, B1, B2, C, D) based on job requirements. Appointment follows after medical fitness confirmation.
6Exam Pattern — CBT
| Section | Questions | Marks | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | Highest weightage section |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 | Class 10 level |
| General Science | 25 | 25 | NCERT Class 6–10 only |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 | Railways-specific GK important |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 90 minutes (120 min for PwBD) |
7Detailed Syllabus
General Intelligence & Reasoning (30 Qs — Highest Weightage)
Mathematics (25 Qs)
General Science (25 Qs — NCERT Class 6–10 Only)
General Awareness & Current Affairs (20 Qs)
8Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — Full Details
| Gender | Weight-Carry Task | Running Task |
|---|---|---|
| Male | Lift & carry 35 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes One chance only. Cannot put down the weight. | Run 1,000 metres in 4 min 15 sec |
| Female | Lift & carry 20 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes One chance only. | Run 1,000 metres in 5 min 40 sec |
| PwBD | Exempted from PET — subject to medical standards of the specific post | |
🏃 PET Training Tips
- →Start 1000 m running practice at least 2 months before the exam. Most failures happen in running, not weight-carry.
- →Practice carrying weight bags (start at 20–25 kg) to build grip and shoulder strength progressively.
- →Run daily: 3–4 km in the morning. Build up to completing 1000 m comfortably under 4 minutes as buffer.
- →Do not skip PET preparation during CBT mock test phase. 2 months is the minimum runway needed.
9💰 Salary & Benefits
| Component | Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Matrix Level | Level 1 (7th CPC Pay Matrix) |
| Basic Pay (7th CPC — Current) | ₹18,000 per month |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | 60% of Basic Pay (₹10,800/month) — revised Jan 2026 |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | 8–24% of Basic Pay (depends on posting city) |
| Transport Allowance | ₹900–₹3,600/month (depends on city & pay level) |
| Current In-Hand Salary (7th CPC) | ₹25,000 – ₹30,000/month (approx.) |
| Maximum Pay Scale (Level 1) | ₹56,900 per month (7th CPC) |
| 8th CPC Impact (when implemented) | Significant hike expected — projected Level 1 basic ~₹34,000–₹41,000 (speculative, fitment factor not yet decided) |
🎁 Additional Perks & Benefits
🚂 Free rail travel pass (self + family) for all Railway zones
🏥 Medical facilities at Railway hospitals for self & dependents
🏠 Railway quarters (subject to availability at posting location)
📈 Pension under National Pension System (NPS)
📚 Children's education allowance
⬆️ Promotion to Level 2 posts on passing departmental exams
🌴 30 days Earned Leave + 20 days Half Pay Leave per year
🛡️ Job security — Indian Railways is India's largest employer
Actual salary varies by posting city, DA revision, and applicable allowances.
106-Month Study Plan for RRB Group D 2026
Month 1 — Foundation Building
Build your Maths base — Number System, Percentage, Ratio, Average. Read Lucent GK chapters 1–5 (Indian History basics). Start daily current affairs from a single source (PIB or one news app). Daily target: 4–5 hours.
Month 2 — Reasoning Push
Reasoning has 30 questions — the highest weightage. Master Series, Analogies, Coding-Decoding, Mathematical Operations, Blood Relations, and Direction Test. Continue Maths — Profit/Loss, Time & Work, Time & Distance.
Month 3 — Science Deep Dive
General Science = NCERT Class 6–10 only. Focus heavily on Physics (motion, electricity, light, heat) and Biology (human body, diseases). Quick coverage of Chemistry. Solve sectional quizzes daily after each NCERT chapter.
Month 4 — GA & Railways-Specific
Static GK from Lucent. Indian Railways special section: 18 zones & HQs, Rail Bhawan, railway history, important firsts. Memorise awards, sports, books from last 12 months. Daily current affairs — do not skip.
Month 5 — Mock Test Phase
Take 1 full mock test daily. Review every wrong answer thoroughly. Maintain an "error notebook" for repeated mistakes. Focus revision on weak sections. Solve at least 5 years of previous year papers.
Month 6 — Sprint + PET Preparation
Take 2 mocks daily. Pure revision — no new topics. Start PET preparation: 1000 m running daily + weight-carry simulation. The PET is qualifying but you cannot afford to ignore it. Build mental confidence for exam day.
11Best Books for RRB Group D 2026
| Book | Author | Subject | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Track Objective Arithmetic | Rajesh Verma (Arihant) | Mathematics | Buy |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand) | Mathematics | Buy |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand) | Reasoning | Buy |
| A New Approach to Reasoning (Verbal & Non-Verbal) | B.S. Sijwali & Indu Sijwali (Arihant) | Reasoning | Buy |
| NCERT Science Textbooks (Class 6 to 10) | NCERT (Free PDF at ncert.nic.in) | General Science | — |
| Lucent's General Knowledge | Lucent Publications | GK & Current Affairs | Buy |
| Manorama Yearbook (Latest Edition) | Malayala Manorama | Current Affairs | — |
| RRB Group D Previous Year Papers (Solved) | Kiran / Arihant Publications | Practice | — |
12Expert Preparation Tips
Reasoning is your highest-value section — master it first
With 30 questions, Reasoning carries the single highest weightage in the CBT. If you master it thoroughly, you can secure 25+ marks here alone — often enough to clear the cutoff comfortably without depending on other sections.
General Science = NCERT only, nothing more
General Science in RRB Group D is 100% NCERT Class 6–10. Read all five science textbooks once and revise 2–3 times. No advanced books, no coaching material — just the NCERT. This alone can get you 20+ in this section.
Indian Railways GK is easy free marks
Questions about Indian Railways (18 zones, HQs, Rail Bhawan, historical firsts) appear in every Group D cycle. Memorise the 18 zones with their headquarters — this alone secures 2–3 easy marks that others miss.
Avoid guesswork — negative marking hurts
Every wrong answer costs you 1/3rd mark. If you cannot eliminate at least 2 options, it is better to skip the question. A disciplined 75-attempt strategy with 90% accuracy beats a reckless 100-attempt strategy every time.
Start PET training alongside CBT preparation
Do not leave the Physical Efficiency Test for after CBT results. Start 1000 m running practice at least 2 months before the PET. The running test (4:15 for men, 5:40 for women) is where most candidates fail — and it is purely a matter of consistent practice.
Apply to only ONE RRB region per cycle
You can apply to only one RRB per cycle. Submitting applications to multiple RRBs leads to automatic rejection of all applications. Choose your preferred zone carefully based on where you want to be posted.
13Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum educational qualification for RRB Group D?
How many sections are in the RRB Group D CBT and what is the marking pattern?
What are the minimum qualifying marks in CBT?
Is the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) tough?
What is the salary of an RRB Group D employee?
How often is RRB Group D notification released?
What is the difference between RRB Group D and RRB NTPC?
Can I apply for RRB Group D from any region in India?
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Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Always verify eligibility, dates, and vacancies from the official RRB notification at rrbcdg.gov.in. TaiyarHo is a free preparation platform — no paywall, no spam.