The RRB Group D Recruitment 2026
The RRB
Group D Recruitment 2026, officially designated by advertisement number CEN
09/2025, is a centralized recruitment drive managed by the Railway
Recruitment Board (RRB) on behalf of the Indian Railways. The notification
provides the essential framework for filling approximately 22,000 Level 1
vacancies across various departments and zones.
Notification
Timeline
The release
of information regarding this recruitment is structured into several key dates
to allow for candidate preparation:
• Short
Notification: Released on December 23, 2025, through employment
newspapers, this served as the initial announcement of registration dates and
the vacancy count.
• Detailed
Notification PDF: This comprehensive document is scheduled for release on January
20, 2026, and will contain the full specifics of the recruitment process.
• Online
Registration Period: Candidates can submit their applications starting January
21, 2026, with the window closing on February 20, 2026.
Vacancy
Scope and Historical Context
The 2026
notification outlines a total of 22,000 vacancies for various Level 1
posts, including Track Maintainer (Group IV), Pointsman B, and
several Assistant roles in departments like Electrical, Mechanical, and
S&T.
In a larger
historical context, the sources highlight a downward trend in vacancy
numbers. The 22,000 posts available in 2026 represent the lowest vacancy
count since 2018, as compared to:
• 2018:
62,097 vacancies.
• 2019:
103,769 vacancies.
• 2025:
32,438 vacancies.
Operational
Framework for Candidates
The
notification defines the primary parameters for applicants, ensuring a
standardized selection process across India:
• Eligibility
at a Glance: The recruitment is aimed at 10th-pass candidates, ITI
holders, or those with a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC). The age
limit is set between 18 and 33 years as of January 1, 2026.
• Official
Portals: All recruitment activities, including application and city
intimation, are directed through official sites like www.rrbapply.gov.in
and www.rrbcdg.gov.in.
• Selection
Stages: The notification clarifies that the process will involve a single-stage
Computer-Based Test (CBT), followed by a Physical Efficiency Test (PET),
Document Verification, and a Medical Examination.
• Salary
Expectations: Selected candidates will enter the 7th CPC pay matrix with a basic
pay of Rs. 18,000, with a total in-hand salary range of Rs. 22,500 to
Rs. 25,380 per month after allowances.
Application
and Fee Structure
The
notification also details the financial requirements for participation. The
standard application fee is Rs. 500 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and Rs.
250 for SC/ST, Female, and other reserved categories. Notably, the sources
emphasize a refund policy where a portion of this fee (Rs. 400 for
General/OBC and the full amount for others) is returned to the candidate only
if they appear for the CBT.
The
commencement of registration on January 21, 2026, serves as the
operational start of the application phase within the broader RRB Group D
Recruitment 2026 notification timeline. According to the sources, this date
is a critical milestone that follows the initial announcement of the
recruitment drive,.
The
Registration Timeline in Context
The start of
registration is part of a structured sequence of events outlined in the
recruitment overview:
• Initial
Announcement: The recruitment process began with a short notification
released on December 23, 2025, which provided preliminary details about
the vacancies and dates,.
• The Eve
of Registration: Just one day prior to the registration start, on January
20, 2026, the detailed notification PDF is scheduled for release,
providing comprehensive instructions and specific post details.
• Active
Application Window: Once registration opens on January 21, 2026,
candidates have exactly one month to complete their submissions, as the window
closes on February 20, 2026, at 11:59 pm,.
Official
Portals and Access
The sources
specify that the registration process will be hosted on official platforms to
ensure security and centralize the 22,000 anticipated applications,. Candidates
are directed to use the following websites for the online form:
• https://www.rrbapply.gov.in/,
• http://www.rrbcdg.gov.in/,
Significance
of the Start Date
The January
21st start date marks the first opportunity for candidates to interact with the
CEN 09/2025 application system,. At this stage, candidates must begin a
multi-step process that includes:
• Initial
Registration: Entering basic details such as name, Aadhaar number, and
educational background to generate a registration number.
• Verification: Confirming contact information
through OTP verification for both email and mobile numbers.
• Application Completion: Filling out Part I
(eligibility details) and Part II (post preferences), choosing the exam
language, and uploading necessary documents like photos and signatures.
In the larger context of the recruitment overview, the
January 21st registration date is the "golden opportunity" for
approximately 10th-pass candidates and ITI holders to officially vie for
one of the 22,000 Level 1 vacancies across various railway departments,.
It also activates the window for paying the application fee—Rs. 500 for
General/OBC and Rs. 250 for reserved categories—which is essential for securing
a seat in the Computer-Based Test (CBT),.
Describe the eligibility criteria regarding nationality for
the 2026 recruitment.
Outline the four stages of the Group D selection process.
www.rrbapply.gov.in : CLICK MORE INFORMATION
RRB Group D 2026 Recruitment Post Details and Vacancies
Post Name | Department | Total Vacancies | Educational Qualification | Medical Standard | Visual Acuity Requirements | Basic Pay (INR) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Track Maintainer (Group IV) | Engineering | 11000 | 10th pass or ITI or equivalent or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) | Not in source | Not in source | 18000 | [1] |
Pointsman B | Operating | 5000 | 10th pass or ITI or equivalent or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) | Not in source | Not in source | 18000 | [1] |
Assistant (S & T) | S&T | 1500 | 10th pass or ITI or equivalent or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) | Not in source | Not in source | 18000 | [1] |
Assistant (C & W) | Mechanical | 1000 | 10th pass or ITI or equivalent or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) | Not in source | Not in source | 18000 | [1] |
Assistant (TRD) | Electrical | 800 | 10th pass or ITI or equivalent or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) | Not in source | Not in source | 18000 | [1] |
Assistant (Track Machine) | Engineering | 600 | 10th pass or ITI or equivalent or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) | Not in source | Not in source | 18000 | [1] |
Assistant (Bridge) | Engineering | 600 | 10th pass or ITI or equivalent or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) | Not in source | Not in source | 18000 | [1] |
Assistant Operations (Electrical) | Electrical | 500 | 10th pass or ITI or equivalent or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) | Not in source | Not in source | 18000 | [1] |
Assistant (TL & AC) | Electrical | 500 | 10th pass or ITI or equivalent or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) | Not in source | Not in source | 18000 | [1] |
Assistant (P-way) | Engineering | 300 | 10th pass or ITI or equivalent or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) | Not in source | Not in source | 18000 | [1] |
Assistant Loco Shed (Electrical) | Electrical | 200 | 10th pass or ITI or equivalent or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) | Not in source | Not in source | 18000 | [1] |

