RRB Group D (CEN 09/2025) ā 22,195 Level-1 Posts | Admit Card Confirmed 31 July, CBT 3-21 August 2026
The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways, issued Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 09/2025 for 22,195 vacancies in Level 1 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix (commonly called 'Group D') across 16 RRB zones and Production Units of Indian Railways. The indicative notice appeared in Employment News on 27.12.2025; the detailed CEN was updated 30.01.2026. Online applications were open from 31 January 2026 (00:00 Hrs) to 2 March 2026 (23:59 Hrs) -- though several secondary sources report the window was subsequently extended to 9 March 2026, which candidates should verify against their own application confirmation page since this record could not independently confirm an official extension notice. Fee payment closed 4 March 2026, and a modification window (for corrections other than account/RRB-zone choice) ran 5-14 March 2026 at Rs 250 per modification. This is a SEPARATE, newer recruitment cycle from CEN 08/2024 (32,438 posts), which already completed its CBT and is currently in the post-result PET stage. CEN 09/2025 candidates have not yet sat their CBT. The single-stage Computer Based Test (CBT) is scheduled across 17 specific dates: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 August 2026 (note: 9 and 16 August are NOT exam dates), conducted in multiple shifts across the country. ā LATEST UPDATE: The Admit Card (e-Call Letter) release date is now OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED for 31 July 2026 for the first batch of candidates (CBT dates 3-4 August) -- this is an update from the earlier estimate of 'around 30 July,' now firmed up to 31 July across six independent sources including one published within the last 4 hours. Download is via your specific RRB/RRC's official website or rrb.indianrailways.gov.in, roughly 4 days before each candidate's specific CBT date, using Registration Number and Date of Birth. No admit card is sent by post, and entry to the exam centre is not permitted without a printed copy. The Exam City Intimation Slip has been live since 23-24 July 2026, released in a staggered, exam-date-wise manner (roughly 9-10 days ahead of each candidate's specific CBT date) via rrb.digialm.com or the candidate's regional RRB/RRC website. This slip only confirms the exam CITY and date/shift for travel planning -- it is NOT a valid admit card for entry. š New requirement found: candidates must ensure their Aadhaar is verified and in an UNLOCKED condition in UIDAI before exam day, since Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication is performed at the exam centre before entry. Candidates should authenticate via rrbapply.gov.in in advance if not already done, and carry their original Aadhaar (or an e-verified Aadhaar printout) to the centre. Eligibility: 10th (Matriculation) pass, OR ITI (NCVT/SCVT), OR National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT. Age 18-33 years as on 01.01.2026, with category-wise relaxations (OBC-NCL +3 years, SC/ST +5 years, PwBD +10/13/15 years, Ex-Servicemen +3/6/8 years, and several other specific categories). Fee: Rs 500 (Rs 400 refunded on appearing in CBT) for General/OBC/EWS; Rs 250 (fully refunded on appearing in CBT) for SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen/Female/Transgender/Minorities/EBC. Selection: CBT -> Physical Efficiency Test (PET, qualifying, 3x shortlist) -> Document Verification (1:1 of vacancies) -> Medical Examination.
22,195
Total Posts
Level-1, 7th CPC Pay Matrix ā Initial Basic Pay Rs 18,000/month (Level-1 spans Rs 18,000 to Rs 56,900 across its pay cells) + DA, HRA, and other allowances as applicable per posting location
Salary
18ā33
Age (yrs)
Posting across the 16 Railway Zones/Production Units notified under CEN 09/2025 (Northern, Western, Central, Northeast Frontier, South East Central, North Eastern, North Central, Eastern, West Central, Southern, South Central, East Central, North Western,
Location
ā Admit Card Release Date Officially Confirmed ā 31 July 2026
About This Notification
| Conducted by | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB), on behalf of RRCs |
| Post Type | Various Level-1 posts (Track Maintainer, Pointsman-B, Assistant grades) |
| Total Posts | 22,195 across 16 zones |
| Eligibility | 10th pass / ITI (NCVT-SCVT) / NAC |
| Age Limit | 18-33 years (as on 01.01.2026) |
| Initial Pay | ₹18,000/month, Level-1, 7th CPC Pay Matrix |
| CBT Dates | 3-21 August 2026 (tentative) |
| Selection | CBT → PET → Document Verification → Medical |
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Application Window | 31 Jan – 2 Mar 2026 | Closed |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 4 Mar 2026 | Closed |
| Modification Window | 5 – 14 Mar 2026 | Closed |
| City Intimation Slip | ~24-25 Jul 2026 onward | Rolling Release |
| e-Call Letter (Admit Card) | ~31 Jul 2026 onward | Rolling Release |
| CBT | 3-21 Aug 2026 | Tentative |
| Zone | Posts |
|---|---|
| Northern Railway (New Delhi) | 3,537 |
| Western Railway (Mumbai) | 3,148 |
| Central Railway (Mumbai) | 1,979 |
| Northeast Frontier Railway (Guwahati) | 1,776 |
| South East Central Railway (Bilaspur) | 1,199 |
| All 16 Zones — Grand Total | 22,195 |
Key Details
Organization
Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB) ā Ministry of Railways, Government of India
Department
Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs) of respective Zonal Railways / Production Units
Exam Name
Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 09/2025 ā Level-1 Posts (Group D)
Total Posts
22,195
Job Location
Posting across the 16 Railway Zones/Production Units notified under CEN 09/2025 (Northern, Western, Central, Northeast Frontier, South East Central, North Eastern, North Central, Eastern, West Central, Southern, South Central, East Central, North Western,
Selection Process
Online Application (closed) ā Computer Based Test (CBT ā single stage, 100 questions, 90 minutes, 1/3 negative marking) ā Physical Efficiency Test (PET ā qualifying, shortlisted at 3x community-wise vacancies; PwBD/CCAA/Ex-Servicemen exempt) ā Document Ve
Official Website
https://www.rrbapply.gov.in
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
10th (Matriculation/SSLC) pass from a recognized Board, OR ITI in a relevant trade from NCVT/SCVT, OR National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT. Diploma/Degree in Engineering is NOT accepted in lieu of ITI/CCAA unless otherwise specified. Candidates awaiting final results should NOT apply.
Age Limit
18-33 years as on 01.01.2026. Date of birth window: not born earlier than 02.01.1993 (UR/EWS), 02.01.1990 (OBC-NCL), or 02.01.1988 (SC/ST, relaxation-inclusive), and not born after 01.01.2008 (all categories).
Age Relaxation (upper limit)
OBC-NCL +3 years; SC/ST +5 years; Ex-Servicemen +3/+6/+8 years (UR/OBC-NCL/SC-ST respectively, after deducting service length); PwBD +10/+13/+15 years (UR/OBC-NCL/SC-ST); serving Railway Group C/D staff with 3+ years' service: max age 40/43/45 (UR/OBC-NCL/SC-ST); widowed/divorced/judicially-separated women (not remarried): max age 35/38/40 (UR/OBC-NCL/SC-ST); CCAA Act Apprentices: relaxed to extent of apprenticeship undergone (max 3/6/8 years); candidates who began Act Apprenticeship before age 25: max age 35/38/40 (UR-EWS/OBC-NCL/SC-ST). Relaxations are NOT cumulative -- only the single maximum applicable relaxation is granted.
š Aadhaar Biometric Authentication (Mandatory at Centre)
Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication is performed at the exam centre before entry. Ensure your Aadhaar is verified and in an UNLOCKED condition in UIDAI before exam day, and authenticate via rrbapply.gov.in in advance if not already done. Carry your original Aadhaar (or an e-verified Aadhaar printout) to the centre.
Nationality
Citizen of India, OR citizen of Nepal, OR subject of Bhutan, OR Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before 01.01.1962 intending permanent settlement, OR person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan/Burma/Sri Lanka/certain East African countries/Vietnam intending permanent settlement (latter categories require a Government of India eligibility certificate, submitted at Document Verification).
One Application Only
Only ONE application is permitted. Multiple applications (to different RRBs or the same RRB) result in rejection of ALL applications, disqualification, and debarment from future RRB/RRC examinations. Only one RRB/Railway Zone can be chosen, and this choice is final and cannot be modified later.
PwBD Eligibility Threshold
Only candidates with not less than 40% of a recognized benchmark disability (per RPwD Act 2016) are eligible for PwBD relaxation/reservation. A valid Disability Certificate and UDID must be submitted at Document Verification.
Educational Qualification
- 10th (Matriculation/SSLC) pass from a recognized Board, OR
- ITI in a relevant trade from NCVT/SCVT, OR
- National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT
- Diploma/Degree in Engineering is NOT accepted in lieu of ITI/CCAA unless otherwise specified in the post parameters
- Candidates awaiting their final qualifying-exam result must NOT apply ā the qualification must be held as on the closing date of application (02.03.2026)
Age Limit
General Category: 18ā33 years
- OBC-Non Creamy Layer (NCL): +3 years
- SC/ST: +5 years
- Ex-Servicemen (6+ months service): +3/+6/+8 years (UR-EWS/OBC-NCL/SC-ST), after deducting length of service
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): +10/+13/+15 years (UR-EWS/OBC-NCL/SC-ST)
- Serving Railway Group C/erstwhile Group D staff with 3+ years' service: max age 40/43/45 (UR-EWS/OBC-NCL/SC-ST)
- Widowed/divorced/judicially-separated women (not remarried): max age 35/38/40 (UR/OBC-NCL/SC-ST)
- Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAA): relaxed to extent of apprenticeship undergone (max 3/6/8 years)
- Candidates who began Act Apprenticeship before age 25: max age 35/38/40 (UR-EWS/OBC-NCL/SC-ST)
- Relaxations are not cumulative ā only the single highest applicable relaxation is granted
- Age is reckoned as on 01.01.2026
