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RRB Group D previous year question papers (PYQs) are the most direct and authentic resource available for candidates preparing for the CBT. Unlike mock tests which approximate the exam experience, PYQs are the actual papers used by the Railway Recruitment Board in live exam conditions. They reveal the exact difficulty standard, question format, topic selection, and the balance between the four sections that candidates will encounter on exam day.
For the June 2026 CEN 09/2025 exam, candidates have access to official papers from the 2022 and 2018-19 cycles across multiple phases and shifts. The November 2025 to February 2026 CEN 08/2024 papers will also become available after the final answer key is published. This page covers year-wise PYQ availability, how to download them, a comprehensive 8-year topic frequency analysis for all four sections, and an effective strategy for using PYQs alongside mock tests.
| Benefit RRB Group D PYQ Mock Test | ||
| Authentic difficulty calibration | Exact real-exam level | Approximation |
| Science question format accuracy | 100% authentic | Variable |
| GA question repetition (specific facts) | High; many facts recur | Not applicable |
| 10-year topic frequency data | Complete | Limited |
| Official answer key | Available from RRB | Depends on provider |
| Normalisation benchmark | Directly tied to official cutoffs | Not applicable |
| Coverage of recent topics | Limited to exam year | Can include latest affairs |
The most distinctive advantage of Group D PYQs over other government exam PYQs is in General Science. Science questions test specific facts and concepts from Class 10 NCERT (Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences). Many of these facts repeat across cycles because the syllabus is defined and finite. A candidate who has solved 5 to 8 years of Group D Science questions has covered a large percentage of the total science fact bank that RRB draws from.
| Cycle Exam Dates Status | ||
| CEN 08/2024 (2025-26) | November 27, 2025 to February 10, 2026 | Available after final answer key (post May 2026 result) |
| CEN 02/2019 (2022) | August 17 to October 11, 2022 (multiple phases) | Available on regional RRB websites |
| CEN 01/2019 (2021) | Multiple phases, 2021 | Available |
| Pre-2019 (2018-19) | 2018 | Available |
| Period Relevance Reason | ||
| CEN 08/2024 (2025-26) | Very High | Most recent; same syllabus and pattern |
| CEN 02/2019 (2022) | Very High | Large volume of papers; multiple phases |
| CEN 01/2019 (2021) | High | Multiple phases; good topic variety |
| 2018-19 | Medium | Older but useful for Science and GA fact building |
Begin with CEN 08/2024 papers (available after May 2026). Progress to CEN 02/2019 phase-wise papers for high-volume practice. Use 2018-19 papers for supplementary Science and GA topic coverage.
Official papers are released on regional RRB websites after the final answer key is published for each cycle.
| Step Action | |
| 1 | Identify the RRB zone whose papers you want |
| 2 | Visit the official regional RRB website (e.g., rrbcdg.gov.in for Chandigarh, rrbpatna.gov.in for Patna) |
| 3 | Navigate to "Previous Year Question Paper" or "Answer Key" section |
| 4 | Find the CEN-specific question paper download link |
| 5 | Papers are available shift-wise as PDF downloads |
| 6 | Download the question paper and the final answer key |
Additionally, during the answer key objection window after each exam phase, candidates can access their individual question paper through the candidate login portal. This individual paper is the most reliable source for the exact questions and options as they appeared in that candidate's shift.
Systematic analysis of RRB Group D CBT papers across the 2018-19, 2022, and 2025-26 (CEN 08/2024) cycles produces a clear and reliable topic priority map.
| Topic Frequency (Out of 8 Years/Cycles) Avg. Questions per Shift Priority | |||
| Arithmetic (Percentage, P/L, SI/CI, TW, TSD, Ratio, Average) | 8/8 (100%) | 12 to 16 | Non-negotiable |
| Geometry and Mensuration | 8/8 (100%) | 3 to 5 | Non-negotiable |
| Number System and Simplification | 8/8 (100%) | 2 to 3 | Very High |
| Trigonometry | 7/8 (87%) | 1 to 2 | High |
| Algebra | 7/8 (87%) | 1 to 2 | High |
| Basic Data Interpretation | 6/8 (75%) | 1 to 2 | High |
| Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode) | 5/8 (62%) | 1 | Medium |
| Partnership | 4/8 (50%) | 1 | Lower |
Arithmetic has appeared in 100 percent of all Group D exam cycles analysed. It accounts for 50 to 65 percent of Mathematics questions in every shift. This is the most reliable topic group across the entire exam.
| Topic Frequency (Out of 8 Years/Cycles) Avg. Questions per Shift Priority | |||
| Number and Alphabetical Series | 8/8 (100%) | 5 to 8 | Non-negotiable |
| Analogy | 8/8 (100%) | 4 to 6 | Non-negotiable |
| Coding-Decoding | 8/8 (100%) | 3 to 5 | Non-negotiable |
| Non-verbal (Mirror, Paper Folding, Embedded) | 8/8 (100%) | 4 to 6 | Non-negotiable |
| Classification / Odd One Out | 8/8 (100%) | 3 to 4 | Very High |
| Syllogism | 7/8 (87%) | 2 to 3 | High |
| Blood Relations | 7/8 (87%) | 1 to 2 | High |
| Direction Sense | 7/8 (87%) | 1 to 2 | High |
| Venn Diagrams | 6/8 (75%) | 1 to 2 | Medium |
| Mathematical Operations | 6/8 (75%) | 1 | Medium |
| Statement-based topics | 5/8 (62%) | 1 to 2 | Lower |
Five reasoning topics appeared in 100 percent of all cycles: Series, Analogy, Coding-Decoding, Non-verbal, and Classification. Together they account for 65 to 80 percent of the Reasoning section.
This section has the highest question-specific repetition rate in RRB Group D. Science facts from Class 10 NCERT are finite and specific, and RRB tests from the same pool year after year.
Physics (approximately 8-10 questions per shift):
| Topic Frequency Priority | ||
| Electricity (Ohm's Law, circuits, power) | 8/8 (100%) | Non-negotiable |
| Light (reflection, refraction, lenses, human eye) | 8/8 (100%) | Non-negotiable |
| Force and Motion (Newton's Laws, momentum) | 8/8 (100%) | Non-negotiable |
| Sound (wave motion, echo, characteristics) | 7/8 (87%) | Very High |
| Work, Energy, and Power | 7/8 (87%) | Very High |
| Magnetism and Electromagnetism | 6/8 (75%) | High |
| Gravitation | 6/8 (75%) | High |
| Heat and Temperature | 5/8 (62%) | Medium |
Chemistry (approximately 7-9 questions per shift):
| Topic Frequency Priority | ||
| Acids, Bases, and Salts | 8/8 (100%) | Non-negotiable |
| Metals and Non-metals | 8/8 (100%) | Non-negotiable |
| Chemical Reactions | 8/8 (100%) | Non-negotiable |
| Periodic Table | 7/8 (87%) | Very High |
| Carbon Compounds | 7/8 (87%) | Very High |
| Environmental Chemistry (pollution, ozone) | 6/8 (75%) | High |
Life Sciences/Biology (approximately 7-9 questions per shift):
| Topic Frequency Priority | ||
| Human Body Systems (digestive, circulatory, nervous) | 8/8 (100%) | Non-negotiable |
| Cell Biology | 7/8 (87%) | Very High |
| Photosynthesis and Plant Nutrition | 7/8 (87%) | Very High |
| Diseases (causes, symptoms, pathogens) | 7/8 (87%) | Very High |
| Reproduction | 6/8 (75%) | High |
| Genetics and Heredity | 6/8 (75%) | High |
| Ecology and Environment | 6/8 (75%) | High |
The science repetition insight: Analysis of Group D papers from 2018 to 2025 shows specific facts appearing in multiple cycles. For example, Ohm's Law, the pH scale definition, Newton's Laws, the function of white blood cells, the formula for photosynthesis, and the composition of air have appeared in virtually every cycle. Candidates who build a PYQ-based science revision sheet covering all such recurring facts have a significant advantage.
| Topic Frequency Avg. Questions per Shift Priority | |||
| Current Affairs (6-12 months) | 8/8 (100%) | 8 to 12 | Non-negotiable |
| Science and Technology news | 7/8 (87%) | 2 to 3 | Very High |
| Sports (recent) | 7/8 (87%) | 2 to 3 | Very High |
| Awards and Honours | 6/8 (75%) | 1 to 2 | High |
| Government Schemes | 6/8 (75%) | 1 to 2 | High |
| Culture and Heritage | 5/8 (62%) | 1 | Medium |
| Economy and Banking news | 5/8 (62%) | 1 | Medium |
| Indian Railways news | 5/8 (62%) | 1 | Medium |
Current affairs remain the dominant topic in GA (40 to 60 percent of questions). Unlike GA in Science which benefits from PYQ repetition, GA current affairs from old PYQs cannot be applied to current exams. However, the format and question style from PYQs helps candidates understand how RRB frames GA questions.
Do not attempt full PYQ papers before completing the primary topics from all four sections. Use the RRB Group D Syllabus Tracker to track coverage and ensure at least 75 percent of the syllabus is complete before the first full PYQ attempt.
Set a 90-minute timer. Attempt all 100 questions across all four sections without pausing or using notes. The 90-minute simulation builds the timing instinct critical for Group D.
After time is up, calculate your normalised score: (correct × 1) minus (wrong × 0.33). Track this number across papers to monitor improvement. Do not assess performance by counting correct answers alone.
For every Science question answered incorrectly, look up the correct fact and add it to a running revision document organised by sub-area (Physics facts, Chemistry facts, Biology facts). Over 5 to 8 years of PYQs, this document becomes one of the most valuable Science revision resources available. The same facts that appeared in 2018 and 2022 have a measurable probability of appearing in June 2026.
For Mathematics and Reasoning, identify whether the error was a concept gap, formula error, or calculation mistake. Each requires a different fix. Concept gaps require returning to the NCERT chapter; calculation errors require method improvement.
PYQs are finite. The CEN 08/2024 papers add to the pool but are not sufficient for the full volume of practice needed. Use the RRB Group D Test Series to complement PYQ practice with fresh content, including the most recent current affairs for the June 2026 exam window.
| Time Before Exam PYQs to Solve Focus | ||
| 2 or more months | 20 to 25 full papers | CEN 08/2024 first, then 2022 phase-wise |
| 1 to 2 months | 15 to 18 full papers | 2025-26 and 2022 |
| 3 to 4 weeks | 10 to 12 full papers | Most recent 2 cycles only |
| Final 2 weeks | 5 to 7 papers | CEN 08/2024 only; build Science fact bank |
Solving without a timer: Without the 90-minute constraint, no time management skill is developed. Always enforce the timer.
Skipping Science question review: Science wrong answers from PYQs are the most valuable preparation input in the entire process. Each Science error is a fact that has been tested in a real exam and has a high probability of reappearing. Never skip the Science review after a PYQ attempt.
Using only the most recent year: A single year's papers gives a narrow topic view. The full benefit of PYQ analysis comes from multiple cycles revealing which topics are consistently tested.
Not calculating the 0.33 penalty: Always calculate actual marks with the deduction applied. Assessing performance by correct answers overestimates your actual exam score.
Treating GA from old PYQs as preparation for current affairs: Current affairs from 2018 or 2022 papers are outdated. Use PYQs for Science fact building and question format understanding, not for current affairs content.
Where can I download official RRB Group D question papers? On regional RRB websites under the "Previous Year Question Paper" or "Answer Key" section. Papers are available for the 2022 and 2018-19 cycles. CEN 08/2024 papers will be available after the final answer key is published post the May 2026 result.
Do questions repeat in RRB Group D? Mathematics and Reasoning formats repeat (not exact questions). General Science has the highest specific fact repetition rate among all sections. Certain Physics, Chemistry, and Biology facts and formulas appear across multiple cycles. GA current affairs does not repeat as topics change year to year.
How many papers are available from the 2022 cycle? The 2022 cycle (CEN 02/2019) was conducted in multiple phases from August to October 2022. Each phase had 3 shifts per day. The total number of unique shift papers is over 80, making it the largest single source of Group D PYQs.
Should I solve Science PYQs from 2018 even though the exam is in 2026? Yes. Science PYQs from all available years are useful because the Class 10 NCERT science syllabus has not changed. The same facts that RRB tested in 2018 remain testable in 2026.
Stay updated with the latest news and notifications about RRB Group D PYQ 2026: Previous Year Question Papers CBT with Answer Keys and Topic Analysis and other exams.
ExamUpdateAspirantMitraa
24 May 2026
ExamAnalysisAspirantMitraa
24 May 2026
