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RRB Group D generates an enormous volume of questions from aspirants because it is one of the largest central government recruitment drives and has unique features not found in other exams: a mandatory Physical Efficiency Test with no second chance, Aadhaar biometric verification at the exam centre, a single CBT whose marks directly determine the final merit list, and separate cutoffs for 21 zones. This page compiles the most frequently asked questions about RRB Group D 2026, organised by topic, with answers sourced from official CEN 09/2025 and CEN 08/2024 notifications.
What is RRB Group D?
RRB Group D refers to Level 1 posts in Indian Railways recruited through the Railway Recruitment Boards. Posts include Track Maintainer Grade IV, Pointsman, Helper/Assistant, Assistant Loco Shed (Diesel and Electrical), Assistant Operations, Assistant TL and AC, and Hospital Attendant. These are permanent central government positions with Pay Level 1 (basic pay Rs 18,000 per month) under the 7th Pay Commission.
How many vacancies are there in RRB Group D 2026?
A total of 22,195 Level 1 vacancies have been announced under CEN 09/2025, released January 30, 2026. The notification covers 16 railway zones with Northern Railway having the highest count (3,537), followed by Western Railway (3,148) and Central Railway (1,979).
What is the exam date for RRB Group D 2026?
The RRB Group D CEN 09/2025 CBT is expected to be held in June 2026. The official exam date has not been announced as of mid-May 2026 and will be released at rrbapply.gov.in. The application closed on March 9, 2026.
Is there a CBT 2 for RRB Group D?
No. RRB has confirmed that RRB Group D will be a single-stage exam. There is only one Computer-Based Test. After the CBT, candidates proceed to PET, Document Verification, and Medical Examination. There is no CBT 2 for Group D.
Which organisation conducts RRB Group D?
Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) conduct RRB Group D under the aegis of the Railway Recruitment Control Board (RRCB) and the Ministry of Railways. There are 21 regional RRBs across India. Applications are submitted to a specific zone's RRB.
What is the difference between RRB Group D and RRB NTPC?
RRB NTPC recruits for Non-Technical Popular Categories posts (Graduate and Undergraduate levels, Pay Level 2 to Level 8). It has two CBTs: CBT 1 (qualifying only) and CBT 2 (merit-determining). RRB Group D recruits for Level 1 posts (Pay Level 1), has only one CBT (which is both shortlisting and merit-determining), requires a mandatory PET, and is open to 10th pass candidates. NTPC requires Class 12 or graduation.
What is the salary for RRB Group D posts?
The basic salary of candidates selected under RRB Group D Recruitment will be Rs 18,000 per month. With Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance, and other allowances, the gross in-hand salary is approximately Rs 22,500 to Rs 25,380 per month depending on the posting city.
What is the minimum qualification for RRB Group D 2026?
The minimum educational qualification requires candidates to have completed Class 10th (Matriculation) from a recognised board, or ITI from NCVT/SCVT, or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) issued by NCVT. The qualification must be obtained by the application closing date of March 9, 2026.
Can 12th pass candidates apply for RRB Group D?
Yes. 12th pass candidates can apply for RRB Group D 2026 because having passed 12th means they have already passed 10th. 12th pass alone is not a separate eligibility criterion; it qualifies because it inherently includes 10th pass.
What is the age limit for RRB Group D 2026?
Candidates must have attained the minimum age of 18 years and must not have crossed the maximum age of 33 years as on January 1, 2026. For CEN 09/2025, the effective upper limit is 36 years for all categories due to a special COVID-19 age relaxation.
Is ITI mandatory for RRB Group D?
ITI certification is not mandatory for all posts. The Railway Recruitment Board accepts Class 10 pass as the primary qualification. ITI from NCVT/SCVT or NAC from NCVT is an alternative qualification and may be specifically required for some trade-related posts.
Can final-year Class 10 appearing students apply?
No. The qualification must be completed by the application closing date. Awaiting-results candidates are not eligible to apply for RRB Group D exam 2026.
What is the age limit for OBC candidates?
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates get 3 years relaxation. With the standard 33-year upper limit for UR, OBC candidates can apply up to 36 years. With the COVID-19 relief (additional 3 years), the effective upper limit for OBC is 39 years for CEN 09/2025.
What is the RRB Group D CBT exam pattern?
The CBT has 100 questions for 100 marks in 90 minutes. The four sections are Mathematics (25 questions, 25 marks), General Intelligence and Reasoning (30 questions, 30 marks), General Science (25 questions, 25 marks), and General Awareness and Current Affairs (20 questions, 20 marks).
| Section Questions Marks | ||
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| General Science | 25 | 25 |
| General Awareness and Current Affairs | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
What is the negative marking in RRB Group D?
There will be negative marking and 1/3 marks shall be deducted for each wrong answer. On a 1-mark question, a wrong answer results in a deduction of 0.33 marks (one-third).
Is there sectional timing in RRB Group D CBT?
No. The full 90-minute duration applies to all 100 questions. Candidates can move freely between sections throughout the exam. There is no minimum or maximum time per section.
Is there sectional cutoff in RRB Group D?
No. There is no sectional cutoff in RRB Group D exam. Only the overall aggregate cutoff applies. A candidate who scores low in one section but high in others can still clear the overall cutoff.
Are CBT marks counted in the final merit?
Yes. Unlike RRB NTPC where only CBT 2 matters, Group D has a single CBT whose normalised marks directly determine the final merit list, post allocation, and zone allocation.
What are the minimum qualifying marks?
The minimum percentage of marks for eligibility in various categories: UR and EWS: 40%, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 30%, SC: 30%, ST: 30%. This percentage may be relaxed by 2% for PwBD candidates in case of a shortage.
What is the RRB Group D CBT syllabus?
Mathematics: Arithmetic (Percentage, Profit/Loss, SI/CI, TW, TSD, Ratio), Geometry, Mensuration, Number System, Algebra, Trigonometry, Statistics. Reasoning: Series, Analogy, Coding-Decoding, Classification, Non-verbal, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Directions, Venn Diagrams. General Science: Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences (Biology) at Class 10 level. General Awareness: Current Affairs (6-12 months), Sports, Science-Technology, Awards, Culture. Full topic list: RRB Group D Syllabus.
How is RRB Group D syllabus different from RRB NTPC?
Group D has a dedicated 25-mark General Science section covering Physics, Chemistry, and Biology at Class 10 level. NTPC does not have a separate General Science section; science is embedded within the General Awareness section. Group D does not have a CBT 2; NTPC has a CBT 2 with a more advanced syllabus including Data Analytics and Computer Aptitude.
What level of difficulty is the Group D CBT?
The RRB Group D CBT is at Class 10 standard. Mathematics is based on Class 10-level arithmetic, geometry, and algebra. Science is based on Class 10 NCERT Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Reasoning is standard pattern-based with no complex multi-variable puzzles.
Can I still apply for RRB Group D 2026?
No. The application window for CEN 09/2025 closed on March 9, 2026. The correction window also closed on March 21, 2026. The next opportunity will be the CEN for the 2027 cycle, expected in late 2026 or early 2027.
What is the application fee for RRB Group D?
Rs 500 for General and OBC candidates (Rs 400 refunded after appearing in CBT). Rs 250 for SC, ST, PwBD, Women, Ex-Servicemen, Transgender, Minorities, and EBC candidates (full refund after appearing).
Can I apply to multiple RRB zones?
In most Group D cycles, candidates can apply to only one zone. Multiple applications to the same cycle from the same candidate result in rejection. Check the specific notification for CEN 09/2025 rules (which apply to the 2026 cycle now in progress).
What are the PET standards for male candidates?
Male candidates must lift and carry 35 kg of weight for a distance of 100 metres in 2 minutes without putting it down, and run 1000 metres in 4 minutes and 15 seconds in one attempt.
What are the PET standards for female candidates?
Female candidates must lift and carry 20 kg of weight for a distance of 100 metres in 2 minutes without putting it down, and run 1000 metres in 5 minutes and 40 seconds in one attempt.
How many attempts are given in PET?
Only one attempt is allowed for each PET activity. There is no re-test or second chance. Candidates who fail either task are disqualified.
Is PET the same for all posts?
Yes. The same PET standards apply regardless of which Level 1 post (Track Maintainer, Pointsman, Assistant, etc.) the candidate has been shortlisted for. The PET tests basic fitness for railway operational duties generally.
What happens if I fail PET?
Candidates who fail to meet the PET requirements will be disqualified from the recruitment process, even if they qualify in CBT. There is no appeal process for PET failure.
Are Ex-Servicemen exempt from PET?
Yes. Ex-Servicemen are exempt from PET. Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAA) and specified PwBD candidates are also exempt, but all must still pass the medical examination.
How many candidates are shortlisted for PET?
Based on the merit of candidates in the CBT, candidates three times the community-wise total vacancy are called for PET. For 22,195 total vacancies, approximately 66,585 candidates are shortlisted.
When will the PET be conducted?
The PET date will be announced shortly after the RRB Group D CBT result is announced. For CEN 09/2025, with CBT expected in June 2026 and result in August to September 2026, the PET is expected in October to November 2026.
What is the RRB Group D cutoff?
The cutoff is the minimum normalised CBT score required to be shortlisted for PET. Cutoffs are zone-specific and category-specific. In 2022 (CEN 02/2019), the UR cutoff ranged from 62 to 99 depending on the zone, with RRB Chandigarh at 98.35 being the highest and some zones significantly lower.
Is the cutoff the same for all zones?
No. RRB releases a separate cutoff for each zone. Zones with more candidates per vacancy have higher cutoffs; zones with fewer candidates per vacancy have lower cutoffs. Chandigarh, Patna, and Mumbai consistently have the highest cutoffs.
When will the CEN 09/2025 result be released?
Based on the CEN 08/2024 result being released May 5, 2026 (approximately 84 days after the last exam date of February 10, 2026), the CEN 09/2025 result is expected approximately 2.5 to 3 months after the June 2026 CBT concludes, placing it in August to September 2026.
Does the Group D CBT score appear in the final appointment?
The normalised CBT score forms the final merit list. After PET, DV, and Medical clearance, candidates are appointed in merit rank order. The CBT score is the only merit-determining factor.
Are Group D marks used in a different way from NTPC marks?
Yes. Group D has one CBT that directly determines PET shortlisting, DV shortlisting, and final merit simultaneously. NTPC has CBT 1 (qualifying only) and CBT 2 (merit-determining). In Group D, every mark in the single CBT impacts all subsequent stages.
What documents must I carry to the RRB Group D CBT?
A printed hard copy of the admit card, original Aadhaar card (with biometric unlocked), one additional original photo ID (Voter ID, PAN, Passport, or Driving Licence), one photocopy of the ID, and two to three recent passport-size photographs.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for RRB Group D 2026?
Yes. Aadhaar-based biometric verification is mandatory at the exam centre. The Aadhaar biometric must be unlocked at uidai.gov.in at least 3 days before the exam. Candidates with locked biometrics will not be admitted.
Are mobile phones allowed in the exam hall?
No. Mobile phones are strictly prohibited. Carrying a phone inside the exam hall is grounds for immediate disqualification.
What are the exam timings for RRB Group D CBT?
Three shifts per day: Shift 1 starts at 9:00 AM (reporting 8:30 AM), Shift 2 at 12:45 PM (reporting 12:15 PM), Shift 3 at 4:30 PM (reporting 3:45 PM). Your assigned shift is printed on your admit card.
What is a safe score target for RRB Group D CBT 2026?
For competitive zones (Chandigarh, Patna, Mumbai) and the UR category: target 88 to 92. For moderate zones: target 83 to 87. For lower-competition zones (Malda, Bilaspur): target 78 to 82. Since CBT marks are merit-determining, scoring significantly above the cutoff improves post and zone allocation.
Which subject is most important in RRB Group D?
Reasoning carries 30 marks (highest weight) and is the most consistent scoring section (easy difficulty). General Science carries 25 marks and is the most differentiating section because it requires specific Class 10 NCERT revision. Both sections should be prioritised.
How should I prepare for General Science?
Study Class 10 NCERT Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) thoroughly. Science is unique to Group D among major railway exams. Topics tested include Newton's Laws, Ohm's Law, Periodic Table, Acids/Bases, Cell Biology, Human Organ Systems, and Diseases. Reviewing PYQs from previous Group D cycles builds familiarity with the specific facts RRB repeatedly tests.
Should I train physically during CBT preparation?
Yes. PET follows the CBT within 4 to 8 weeks of the result. Candidates who do not train physically during CBT preparation will be inadequately prepared for the 35 kg carry and 1000-metre run. Begin physical training in parallel with CBT study from today.
How many mock tests should I attempt before the CBT?
Target 25 to 40 full mock tests (100 questions, 90 minutes each) before the exam. The RRB Group D Test Series provides 400 tests across topic-wise, subject-wise, and full mock levels to support preparation at every stage.
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24 May 2026
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