RRB Group D 2026: exam date, pattern, syllabus and how to apply
RRB Group D is the recruitment for Level 1 posts in Indian Railways: Track Maintainer, Pointsman and the Assistant posts in workshops, sheds and signalling. The Railway Recruitment Boards run it on behalf of the Railway Recruitment Cells. The latest notice, CEN 09/2025, has already had its computer-based test, held in August 2026. As of 20 October 2026, the RRB websites show no new Level 1 notice, so the next chance to apply depends on the next CEN.
RRB Group D at a glance
| Conducting body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) for the Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs) |
| What it is for | Posts in Level 1 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, initial pay ₹18,000 |
| Latest notice | CEN 09/2025, 22,195 provisional vacancies |
| Stages | CBT, Physical Efficiency Test (PET), document verification, medical |
| CBT | 100 questions in 90 minutes, 1 mark each |
| Negative marking | One-third of a mark for each wrong answer |
| Languages | English, Hindi and 13 regional languages, shown with English |
| How often | Each cycle is a new CEN; recent ones were CEN 08/2024 and CEN 09/2025 |
| Official website | rrb.indianrailways.gov.in |
RRB Group D exam date
Checked 20 October 2026 on the RRB website:
| Step | CEN 09/2025 (Level 1) |
|---|---|
| Indicative notice in Employment News | 27 December 2025 |
| Online applications | 31 January to 2 March 2026 |
| CBT | 3 to 6, 9 to 14, 17 to 21 and 25 August 2026 (16 days), in the revised schedule of 30 July 2026 |
| Answer key and objections | Notice of 7 September 2026 |
| Result, PET | Not yet listed on the RRB website on 20 October 2026 |
If you missed CEN 09/2025: the next Level 1 notice has not been announced. RRBs first publish a short indicative notice in Employment News and then the detailed CEN with the application window; both appear on the RRB websites. For CEN 09/2025 the gap between the indicative notice and the start of applications was about five weeks. Our RRB Group D exam dates page follows the notices.
How to apply for RRB Group D
The steps below are those of CEN 09/2025; check the next notice, since details can change.
- Read the detailed CEN on the RRB website. Annexure A gives each post's qualification and medical standard, and Annexure B the vacancies by railway.
- Apply online through the link on the official RRB websites (the application portal is rrbapply.gov.in), by creating an account.
- Choose one railway (RRC). One application per CEN only.
- Upload a photograph and signature as the notice specifies, choose your language for the CBT, and give post preferences.
- Pay the fee. In CEN 09/2025 it was ₹500, of which ₹400 is refunded after you sit the CBT, with a lower fee for the concession categories listed in the notice.
Keep ready: your Class 10 certificate (name and date of birth must match it), your ITI or National Apprenticeship Certificate if you have one, a caste, EWS or PwBD certificate if you claim one, and your Aadhaar.
Eligibility. In CEN 09/2025 the age band was 18 to 33 years on 1 January 2026, with relaxations. CEN 08/2024 gave the minimum qualification as 10th pass, or ITI, or a National Apprenticeship Certificate; the qualification for each post is in Annexure A of the notice.
RRB Group D exam pattern
The same table appears in CEN 08/2024 and CEN 09/2025:
| Subject | Questions (indicative) | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Science | 25 | 25 |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| General Awareness and Current Affairs | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
The paper is 90 minutes on one clock (120 minutes with a scribe). A wrong answer costs one-third of a mark. To be shortlisted you need at least 40% (UR and EWS) or 30% (OBC-NCL, SC and ST), relaxable by 2 marks for PwBD candidates if reserved posts would go unfilled. Marks are normalised across shifts.
Candidates are then called for the PET at about three times the vacancies. In CEN 09/2025, men must carry 35 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes and run 1,000 metres in 4 minutes 15 seconds; women carry 20 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes and run 1,000 metres in 5 minutes 40 seconds. The PET is qualifying, and specified PwBD candidates are exempt.
RRB Group D syllabus
- General Science: physics, chemistry and life sciences of the Class 10 (CBSE) standard.
- Mathematics: number system, BODMAS, fractions, LCM and HCF, square roots, ratio, percentages, profit and loss, interest, time and work, pipes and cisterns, time and distance, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration, statistics, ages, calendar and clock.
- General Intelligence and Reasoning: analogies, classification, series, coding-decoding, relationships, directions, syllogism, Venn diagrams, data sufficiency, conclusions and decision making.
- General Awareness and Current Affairs: science and technology, sports, culture, personalities, economics and politics.
See the full list on our RRB Group D syllabus page.
A plan while you wait for the next notice
With no date set, use the time to build the base; the weeks after a notice go quickly.
| Weeks | What to do |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Take one full RRB Group D mock test to find your weak subject. Start walking and jogging if you have not run 1,000 metres recently. |
| Weeks 2 to 6 | Class 10 science textbooks, one chapter a day. Mathematics: 25 questions a day by topic, without a calculator. Reasoning: 20 a day. |
| Weeks 7 to 10 | One full mock a week, then two. Keep a list of every science fact and formula you got wrong. Time your 1,000-metre run weekly. |
| After the notice | Apply early, then two or three mocks a week and current affairs from the months before the exam. |
Negative marking is one-third, so a blind guess on a four-option question gains nothing on average; guess only after ruling out at least one option. Our article on negative marking shows the numbers.
Useful links
- RRB website (notices, CBT schedule, results)
- Detailed CEN 09/2025, Level 1 (RRB)
- RRB online application portal
- Free RRB Group D mock tests
- RRB Group D syllabus
- RRB Group D exam dates
- RRB NTPC 2026: exam date, pattern and how to apply
- RRB ALP 2026: exam date, pattern and how to apply
Frequently asked questions
When is the RRB Group D 2026 exam?
The CBT for CEN 09/2025 was held on 16 days in August 2026. A new Level 1 notice had not been announced on 20 October 2026; watch the RRB website for the indicative notice.
Is there negative marking in RRB Group D?
Yes. One-third of a mark is deducted for every wrong answer. An unanswered question scores zero.
What is the RRB Group D pass mark?
The notice sets minimum marks for shortlisting: 40% for UR and EWS, and 30% for OBC-NCL, SC and ST. Shortlisting for the PET is then by normalised merit, so the minimum alone does not guarantee a call.
What is the RRB Group D eligibility?
In CEN 09/2025, age 18 to 33 years on 1 January 2026, with relaxations. The qualification for each post is in Annexure A; the 2024 notice listed 10th pass, ITI or a National Apprenticeship Certificate.
What is in the RRB Group D PET?
A weight carry (35 kg for men, 20 kg for women, 100 metres in 2 minutes) and a 1,000-metre run (4 minutes 15 seconds for men, 5 minutes 40 seconds for women), each in one chance, as set in CEN 09/2025.
Are these mock tests official?
No. They are our own practice tests built to the pattern in the notice. The RRBs post their own mock test link before each CBT.