RRB Group D 2026 Recruitment — Overview
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Group D (Level-1) exam is the gateway to lakhs of railway jobs for Class 10-pass candidates. The official notification (CEN 09/2025) was released and the CBT exam is currently being conducted from August 3–21, 2026. This is one of the largest government recruitment drives in the world by the number of applicants.
Group D posts include Track Maintainer Grade-IV, Helper/Assistant (various departments), Assistant Pointsman, and Level-1 posts in all departments of Indian Railways. It is the most accessible railway job, requiring only a Class 10 qualification.
RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria 2026
Age Limit
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 18 Years | 33 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 18 Years | 36 Years (+3) |
| SC / ST | 18 Years | 38 Years (+5) |
| PwBD (General) | 18 Years | 43 Years (+10) |
Educational Qualification
- Minimum: Class 10 / Matriculation from a recognized Board.
- OR National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT.
- No graduation required — this is Group D's accessibility advantage.
RRB Group D 2026 — Selection Process
- Computer-Based Test (CBT) — Single-stage written exam
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — Mandatory for all shortlisted candidates
- Document Verification & Medical Examination
RRB Group D CBT Exam Pattern 2026
| Section / Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 | 90 Minutes |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | |
| General Science | 25 | 25 | |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 90 Minutes |
⚠️ Negative Marking: 1/3 mark (0.33) per wrong answer. Attempt only what you know.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Standards
| Task | Male Candidates | Female Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| Lift & Carry Weight | 35 kg for 100m in 2 minutes | 20 kg for 100m in 2 minutes |
| Running | 1000m in 4 minutes 15 seconds | 1000m in 5 minutes 40 seconds |
Start physical training alongside exam preparation — many candidates clear CBT but fail PET.
RRB Group D Previous Year Cut-off
| Year | General / UR | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 (Phase 4) | 74.88 | 69.75 | 60.50 | 50.25 |
| 2022 (Phase 3) | 77.50 | 72.25 | 63.75 | 53.00 |
RRB Group D Detailed Syllabus 2026
Mathematics
Number System, Decimals, Fractions, LCM & HCF, Ratio & Proportion, Percentages, Mensuration, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Simple & Compound Interest, Profit & Loss, Geometry, Basic Algebra, Trigonometry.
Group D vs NTPC Maths: Same topics but easier application. Focus on Speed calculations and Ratio/Percentage for quick marks.
General Intelligence & Reasoning
Analogies, Alphabetical & Number Series, Coding & Decoding, Mathematical Operations, Relationships, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagrams, Puzzle, Data Interpretation and Sufficiency, Conclusions, Decision-Making, Similarities & Differences.
General Science (Unique to Group D!)
This section covers Physics, Chemistry, and Life Sciences up to 10th-grade CBSE/NCERT level. This is a differentiating section from banking exams.
- Physics: Force, Motion, Work & Energy, Sound, Light, Electricity, Magnetism.
- Chemistry: Matter, Atoms & Molecules, Chemical Reactions, Acids/Bases/Salts, Carbon Compounds.
- Biology: Cell, Tissues, Life Processes, Control & Coordination, Heredity.
General Awareness & Current Affairs
Sports, Art & Culture of India, Monuments & Places, Books & Authors, Science & Technology, Environment, Current Affairs (National/International), Indian Railways GK (zones, headquarters, projects).
RRB Group D Salary 2026
| Component | Amount (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay (Pay Level-1) | ₹18,000 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | ~₹7,000 – ₹8,000 |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | ₹1,800 – ₹3,600 |
| Transport & Other Allowances | ~₹900 |
| In-Hand Salary (Approx.) | ₹22,000 – ₹25,000 / month |
Extra Perks: Free pass for railway travel (self & family), Free medical treatment at Railway hospitals, Risk & Hardship allowances, Railway quarters at subsidized rates. These perks add significant value beyond the monetary salary.
Career Growth: Group D employees can appear for GDCE (Graduate Level Departmental Competitive Exam) to get promoted to Group C (NTPC level) posts over time.
RRB Group D Preparation Strategy 2026
Group D has a 90-minute, 100-question format — which means 54 seconds per question. Speed is critical.
- Science is the Secret Weapon: Most aspirants ignore Science assuming it's easy. But 25 marks from NCERT Class 10 Science can be near-perfect with just 2 weeks of focused reading.
- Mathematics: Class 10 level basics are sufficient. Master Percentages, Ratio, and Speed/Distance for quick marks.
- Reasoning: Series and Analogy are most asked — 30 questions/day practice is enough.
- Current Affairs: Focus on sports results, national awards, railway projects, and science discoveries.
PET Training (Start from Day 1):
- Running: Jog 500m daily, gradually increase to 1.5km by exam time.
- Weight lifting: Practice carrying a 35kg (male) load for short distances.
Give Ikkish Prep's RRB Group D mock tests to get exam-pattern-specific timed practice and know exactly where you stand before the real exam.
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Start Free Mock TestFrequently Asked Questions
What is the qualification for RRB Group D 2026?
The minimum qualification for RRB Group D is Class 10 (Matriculation) from a recognized board, or a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT. No graduation required.
What is the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) standard for Group D?
Male: Lift and carry 35 kg for 100 meters in 2 minutes; Run 1000 meters in 4 min 15 sec. Female: Lift and carry 20 kg for 100 meters in 2 minutes; Run 1000 meters in 5 min 40 sec. PET is mandatory and qualifying.
What are the Group D posts in Indian Railways?
Group D posts include Track Maintainer Grade-IV, Helper/Assistant in Loco Pilot department, Assistant Pointsman, Assistant Workshop, and various Level-1 posts across all railway departments.