RRB Group D 2026 Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Salary – Complete Guide
By Super Notes
The RRB Group D Level-1 recruitment 2026 is one of the most popular entry routes into Indian Railways for candidates with 10th pass / ITI qualification. Conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board, this recruitment focuses on ground-level operational and maintenance roles that keep the railway system running safely and efficiently.
This syllabus-based guide explains the official notification details, vacancy position, eligibility conditions, exam pattern, syllabus focus, salary structure, and job reality for RRB Group D 2026.
RRB Group D 2026 Notification – Official Details
- Notification Number: CEN 09/2025
- Notification Release Date: 30 January 2026
- Application Start Date: 31 January 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 02 March 2026
- Mode of Application: Online
- Recruitment Type: Pan-India, single application per candidate
Candidates can apply only once and must choose their preferred railway zone during the application process.
Overview of RRB Group D Recruitment 2026
RRB Group D covers Level-1 non-gazetted posts across multiple railway departments.
Common Posts Include:
- Track Maintainer
- Pointsman-B
- Assistant (Electrical, Mechanical, TRD, TL & AC, C&W, S&T)
These roles involve field work, maintenance duties, operational assistance, and safety-critical responsibilities.
Vacancy Details – Zone-Wise Reality
- Total Vacancies: 22,195
- Number of Zones: 16
Major vacancy-heavy zones include:
- Northern Railway
- Western Railway
- Central Railway
- South Central Railway
- Northeast Frontier Railway
Although vacancies are lower than the 2019 cycle, the number is still significant, making the exam highly competitive. Cut-offs are expected to be tighter, especially for unreserved categories.
Eligibility Criteria – Who Can Apply
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess any one of the following:
- 10th Pass (Matriculation)
- ITI
- National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC – NCVT)
Candidates awaiting results are not eligible.
Age Limit (as on 01-01-2026)
Minimum Age: 18 years
Maximum Age: 33 years
Age relaxation is applicable for SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, Ex-servicemen, and other categories as per railway rules.
Nationality
Applicants must be:
Indian citizens, or
Candidates from permitted categories such as Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees, etc., with valid eligibility certificates.
Medical Standards – A Critical Elimination Stage
Medical fitness is mandatory for final selection.
Different posts require different medical categories:
A-2 / A-3: Safety-critical posts (Track Maintainer, etc.)
B-1 / B-2 / C-1 / C-2: Other Level-1 roles
Candidates who fail medical tests are disqualified, regardless of CBT or PET performance.
Selection Process – Step by Step
RRB Group D selection is strictly eliminatory:
Computer Based Test (CBT)
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Document Verification
Medical Examination
Final merit is prepared only on the basis of CBT marks, subject to qualifying PET and medical standards.
RRB Group D 2026 Exam Pattern (CBT)
Total Questions: 100
Total Marks: 100
Duration: 90 minutes
Negative Marking: 1/3 mark for each wrong answer
Sections:
Mathematics
General Science (10th standard level)
General Intelligence & Reasoning
General Awareness & Current Affairs
Minimum Qualifying Marks:
UR / EWS: 40%
OBC / SC / ST: 30%
RRB Group D Syllabus – What Really Matters
The syllabus is 10th-standard based, but questions are application-oriented.
High-Scoring Areas:
Arithmetic basics (percentage, ratio, time & work, speed & distance)
General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology – NCERT level)
Reasoning fundamentals
Current affairs (last 12–18 months)
Candidates who revise basics repeatedly perform better than those chasing advanced shortcuts.
Salary Structure & In-Hand Pay
Basic Pay: ₹18,000 per month
In-Hand Salary Range:
₹22,500 – ₹25,000 per month, depending on location and allowances.
Allowances Include:
Dearness Allowance
House Rent Allowance
Transport Allowance
Night duty allowance
Medical benefits
This is a permanent, pensionable central government job, which explains the high competition.
Nature of the Job – Reality Check
RRB Group D posts are not desk jobs.
Most roles involve:
Outdoor duties
Shift work
Physical labour
Safety-critical responsibilities
This exam suits candidates comfortable with field-based work and disciplined routines, not those seeking purely clerical roles.
Final Words from Super Notes
RRB Group D 2026 is a serious opportunity, but not an easy one. With reduced vacancies and lakhs of applicants, success depends on accuracy, consistency, and physical readiness, not guesswork.
Candidates who start early, focus equally on CBT fundamentals and PET fitness, and revise basics consistently still find this exam to be one of the most reliable entry routes into Indian Railways.
— Super Notes
