Posted by If you are searching for a railways D group job, this is the most direct route into Indian Railways for 10th pass and ITI candidates. Through CEN 09/2025, the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) advertised 22,195 Group D (Level 1) vacancies across 16 zones. This guide covers the live status, vacancy for Group D in railway zone by zone, eligibility, selection process, salary, exam pattern, syllabus and a preparation plan, so you can plan your next move whether you already appeared or are preparing for the next notification.
Railway Group D 2026 at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Indian Railways |
| Notification | CEN 09/2025 (published 30 January 2026) |
| Post level | Level 1 (Group D) |
| Total vacancies | 22,195 |
| Qualification | 10th pass / ITI / NAC |
| Age limit | 18–33 years (as on 1 Jan 2026) |
| Basic pay | Rs 18,000 per month |
| Mode of exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Official website | rrbapply.gov.in |
RRB Group D 2026 timeline and latest updates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Detailed notification | 30 January 2026 |
| Online application | 31 Jan – 9 Mar 2026 |
| Fee payment last date | 11 March 2026 |
| Correction window | 12 – 21 March 2026 |
| Scribe details submission | 22 – 26 March 2026 |
| CBT exam | 3 – 25 August 2026 |
| Provisional answer key and response sheet | 7 September 2026 |
| Objection window closed | 15 September 2026 |
| CBT result and cut-off | Awaited (expected late Oct 2026, unconfirmed) |
| PET, document verification, medical | After result; dates not announced |
Confirm every date on rrbapply.gov.in or your regional RRB site. The previous cycle (CEN 08/2024) result and zone-wise cut-off were released on 1 July 2026, which gives a useful benchmark for competition.
Vacancy for Group D in railway 2026: zone-wise
The largest share of railway jobs in Group D sits with Northern and Western Railway, together over 6,600 posts. Smaller zones like South Western Railway (Hubli) have very few, so competition per seat varies sharply by zone.
| Railway zone | Total | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Railway (New Delhi) | 3537 | 1437 | 530 | 266 | 956 | 348 |
| Western Railway (Mumbai) | 3148 | 1160 | 407 | 178 | 698 | 288 |
| Central Railway (Mumbai) | 1979 | 894 | 295 | 177 | 411 | 202 |
| South East Central (Bilaspur) | 1199 | 516 | 184 | 76 | 281 | 142 |
| North Eastern (Gorakhpur) | 1196 | 537 | 178 | 109 | 271 | 101 |
| North Central (Prayagraj) | 1183 | 570 | 156 | 89 | 271 | 97 |
| Northeast Frontier (Guwahati) | 1176 | 718 | 266 | 133 | 480 | 202 |
| Eastern (Kolkata)/Metro Kolkata | 1173 | 471 | 155 | 114 | 296 | 137 |
| West Central (Jabalpur) | 1147 | 581 | 174 | 89 | 157 | 145 |
| Southern (Chennai) | 1036 | 430 | 155 | 96 | 247 | 108 |
| South Central (Secunderabad) | 1012 | 376 | 148 | 129 | 258 | 101 |
| East Central (Hajipur) | 993 | 405 | 148 | 76 | 266 | 98 |
| North Western (Jaipur) | 974 | 483 | 152 | 48 | 188 | 104 |
| South Eastern (Kolkata) | 949 | 364 | 158 | 84 | 240 | 103 |
| East Coast (Bhubaneswar) | 803 | 329 | 120 | 57 | 206 | 91 |
| South Western (Hubli) | 90 | 51 | 14 | 5 | 14 | 6 |
| Total | 22195 | 9322 | 3240 | 1726 | 5240 | 2250 |
Group D posts and job profile
All posts are Pay Level 1. Typical work areas:
| Post | Department / work area |
|---|---|
| Track Maintainer (Grade IV) | Engineering: track inspection, maintenance and repair |
| Pointsman-B | Operations: operating points and signals on station yards |
| Assistant (Track Machine), Assistant (P-Way), Assistant (Bridge) | Engineering: track machines, permanent way and bridge upkeep |
| Assistant (TRD) | Electrical: traction distribution and overhead equipment |
| Assistant Loco Shed (Electrical), Assistant Operations (Electrical) | Electrical: loco shed and operations support |
| Assistant (TL & AC) | Electrical: train lighting and air conditioning |
| Assistant (C & W) | Mechanical: carriage and wagon maintenance |
| Assistant (S & T) | Signal and Telecommunication: signalling equipment support |
Most roles are field-based and physically demanding with shift duty, which is why the PET is part of selection.
Eligibility for Group D railway job
Educational qualification
- 10th pass (Matriculation) from a recognised board, or ITI from a recognised institution, or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) issued by NCVT, or Act Apprenticeship completed in any trade.
- Engineering diploma or degree is not accepted in place of ITI unless the notification says so.
- Candidates still awaiting their final qualifying result are not eligible.
Age limit
18 to 33 years as on 1 January 2026. Relaxation is provided to SC/ST/OBC, PwBD, ex-servicemen and other categories per government rules. Check the notification for exact years.
Nationality
Indian citizen, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who settled in India before 1 January 1962, or a person of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries to settle in India. Nepal, Bhutan and other listed categories need an eligibility certificate from the Government of India.
Medical standards
Selected candidates must clear the railway medical examination including vision standards for the post.
RRB Group D selection process
- Computer Based Test (CBT): objective test; RRB may hold it in one or two stages.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET): qualifying, for candidates shortlisted from CBT.
- Document verification (DV): originals checked for age, education, category and identity.
- Medical examination: fitness and vision standards for the post.
Final merit is based on CBT marks; PET is qualifying in nature.
Group D PET standards
| Category | Weight carry | Run |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 35 kg for 100 m in 2 minutes | 1000 m in 4 min 15 sec |
| Female | 20 kg for 100 m | 1000 m in 5 min 40 sec |
RRB Group D exam pattern
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 25 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 |
| General Science | 25 |
| General Awareness and Current Affairs | 20 |
| Total | 100 questions · 90 minutes |
- Negative marking: 1/3 mark per wrong answer.
- Minimum qualifying marks for shortlisting: 40% for UR and EWS, 30% for OBC (non-creamy layer), SC and ST.
- Extra time is allowed for PwBD candidates with a scribe as per rules.
Question split and duration follow the standard Group D CBT; verify against the official notification PDF.
RRB Group D syllabus 2026
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | Number system, BODMAS, decimals, fractions, LCM and HCF, ratio and proportion, percentages, mensuration, time and work, time and distance, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, elementary statistics, square root, age calculations, calendar and clock, pipes and cistern |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | Analogies, alphabetical and number series, coding-decoding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogism, jumbling, Venn diagram, data interpretation and sufficiency, conclusions and decision making, similarities and differences, analytical reasoning, classification, directions, statement-arguments and assumptions |
| General Science | Physics, chemistry and life sciences at Class 10 (CBSE) level |
| General Awareness and Current Affairs | Science and technology, sports, culture, personalities, economics, politics and other important events |
Railway Group D salary, allowances and benefits
Group D is Pay Level 1 with a basic pay of Rs 18,000 per month under the 7th Pay Commission. In-hand salary is commonly estimated at roughly Rs 22,500 to 25,000, varying with city and allowances.
- Dearness Allowance (DA) and House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Transport allowance, daily allowance, night duty and overtime allowance
- Medical facilities for employee and family
- Free or concessional railway passes and travel facilities
- Job security, annual increments and departmental promotion opportunities
Application fee and refund (CEN 09/2025)
| Category | Fee | Refund after appearing in CBT |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | Rs 500 | Rs 400 (minus bank charges) |
| SC / ST / EBC / women / transgender / ex-servicemen / minorities | Rs 250 | Full Rs 250 (minus bank charges) |
Documents required
- Scanned passport-size photograph and signature
- 10th certificate or ITI/NAC certificate
- Photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID)
- Category certificate and disability certificate, if applicable
- Bank account details for fee refund
How to apply for the next Group D notification
CEN 09/2025 applications are closed. When the next Group D CEN is published, the process is:
- Visit rrbapply.gov.in and choose New Registration.
- Enter name, date of birth, Aadhaar, parents’ names, 10th details, mobile and email; verify by OTP.
- Log in and fill Part 1 (education, category, gender) and Part 2 (post preferences).
- Pay the fee online, choose exam language and upload photo, signature and ID.
- Add bank details for refund, review, accept the declaration and submit.
Result, cut-off and answer key: what to do
- Result: published as zone-wise PDFs on regional RRB websites; search your roll number or registration number. The result is expected, not confirmed, for late October 2026.
- Cut-off: released with the result and varies by zone, category and exam difficulty. Compare your normalised score with your zone and category.
- Answer key: already released on 7 Sep 2026; use your response sheet to estimate marks while you wait.
- After result: shortlisted candidates move to PET, then document verification and medical.
Preparation strategy and books
A 90-day plan
- Days 1–30: finish Class 8–10 maths and science concepts; start daily reasoning practice.
- Days 31–60: topic-wise tests, previous-year papers, daily current affairs notes.
- Days 61–90: full-length mocks under 90 minutes, error log review, PET practice three days a week.
High-scoring approach by section
- Reasoning (30 marks): fastest to improve; practise series, coding-decoding, syllogism daily.
- Maths (25): master percentages, ratio, time-work and mensuration first.
- General Science (25): NCERT Class 9–10 physics, chemistry and biology cover most questions.
- GA and current affairs (20): last 6–12 months; static GK on railways, history, geography and polity.
Use NCERT science and maths textbooks plus a good previous-year paper collection and online mock tests. Avoid guessing: with 1/3 negative marking, wrong answers cost you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the latest update on Railway Group D 2026?
CBT held 3–25 Aug 2026; answer key out 7 Sep; objections closed 15 Sep. Result awaited and reported as expected in late October 2026, not officially confirmed.
How many vacancies are there in Railway Group D 2026?
22,195 across 16 zones. Northern Railway leads with 3,537.
What is the qualification for railway Group D job?
10th pass, ITI or NAC.
What is the age limit for Group D railway job?
18 to 33 years as on 1 January 2026, with category relaxation.
What is the salary of Railway Group D?
Basic Rs 18,000 (Level 1) plus DA, HRA and other allowances; in-hand around Rs 22,500 to 25,000.
Can I apply for railway jobs in Group D now?
No. CEN 09/2025 applications closed 9 March 2026. Watch rrbapply.gov.in for the next notification.
Is there negative marking in Group D?
Yes, 1/3 mark per wrong answer.
What are the PET standards?
Men: 35 kg for 100 m in 2 minutes and 1000 m in 4:15. Women: 20 kg for 100 m and 1000 m in 5:40.
What is the Group D exam pattern?
100 questions, 90 minutes: Maths 25, Reasoning 30, General Science 25, GA and Current Affairs 20.
Is the application fee refundable?
Yes, after appearing in the CBT: Rs 400 for General/OBC, full Rs 250 for reserved and other listed categories, minus bank charges.
Which zone has the most Group D vacancies?
Northern Railway (3,537), then Western (3,148) and Central (1,979).
Disclaimer: compiled from the RRB notification and public updates. Dates marked expected are unconfirmed. Verify on official RRB websites before acting.