Railway RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 21997 Posts

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially released its 2026 recruitment notification, opening doors for 21,997 Group D positions. This is a massive opportunity for career seekers looking to join the Indian Railways. Interested candidates must submit their applications through the official online portal before the deadline on March 2, 2026.

To ensure a smooth application process, we highly recommend visiting the official regional website at www.rrbbbs.gov.in. Before applying, please review the formal notification thoroughly to understand the eligibility criteria and step-by-step instructions.

RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 -Overview

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has announced a major recruitment drive for 2026. Below are the essential highlights you need to know before applying:

Organization Name: Railway Recruitment Board (RRB)
Job Category: Central Government Jobs
Total Vacancies: 21,997 Posts
Post Name: Group D (Level-1)
Application Mode: Online Only
Eligibility: All India Candidates (Open to all states)
Gender: Both Male and Female candidates are eligible
Place of Posting: Anywhere across India
Application Deadline: March 2, 2026 (02/03/2026)
Official Websites: * www.rrbbbs.gov.in
www.indianrailways.gov.in

RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria 2026

Educational Qualifications:

Minimum Requirement: Candidates must have completed Class 10th (Matriculation) from a recognized Board or Institution.
Technical Qualification: Candidates possessing an ITI Pass certificate (NCVT/SCVT) or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) are also eligible to apply.

Note: For a detailed breakdown of specific post-wise requirements, please refer to the official notification PDF to verify your eligibility before applying.

RRB Group D Selection Process 2026

Candidates applying for the 21,997 vacancies will be selected based on the following sequence:

Written Exam: Computer Based Test (CBT)
Physical Test: Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Verification: Document Verification (DV)
Final Clearance: Medical Examination (ME)

Railway RRB Group D Exam Pattern 2026

The initial selection stage consists of a Computer Based Test (CBT). It is essential for candidates to understand the structure of the paper to manage their time effectively during the exam.

Examination Overview

Mode of Exam: Online (Multiple Choice Questions - MCQs)
Total Number of Questions: 100
Total Maximum Marks: 100
Time Allowed: 90 Minutes (Extra time provided for eligible PwBD candidates)
Negative Marking: A penalty of 1/3rd mark applies for every wrong answer.

Subject-Wise Weightage

General Intelligence & Reasoning: 30 Questions (30 Marks)
General Science: 25 Questions (25 Marks)
Mathematics: 25 Questions (25 Marks)
General Awareness & Current Affairs: 20 Questions (20 Marks)

Railway RRB Group D Vacancy 2026 Details

General (UR): 9,235 Posts
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 5,217 Posts
SC (Scheduled Caste): 3,231 Posts
EWS (Economically Weaker Section): 2,237 Posts
ST (Scheduled Tribe): 1,726 Posts
Grand Total: 21,997 Vacancies

RRB Group D Age Limit 2026

To be eligible for the 21,997 Group D vacancies, candidates must fall within the age bracket defined by the Railway Recruitment Board. The age will be calculated as of January 1, 2026.

General Age Criteria

Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 33 Years (For General/UR & EWS)

Category-Wise Age Relaxation

Upper age relaxations are provided to candidates belonging to reserved categories as per Government of India norms:

OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 Years relaxation (Up to 36 years)
SC / ST Candidates: 5 Years relaxation (Up to 38 years)
Ex-Servicemen: Service period + 3 years (Up to 8 years for SC/ST ESM)
PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities): * UR/EWS: 10 Years
OBC-NCL: 13 Years
SC/ST: 15 Years

RRB Group D Recruitment 2026: Essential Information

RRB Group D Important Dates 2026

Stay ahead of the schedule to ensure your application is submitted on time:

Official Notification Release: January 30, 2026
Online Application Starts: January 31, 2026
Last Date to Apply Online: March 2, 2026 (11:59 PM)
Final Date for Fee Payment: March 4, 2026
Application Correction Window: March 5 to March 14, 2026
CBT Exam Date: To be announced (Expected May/June 2026)
Application Fees
The Railway Recruitment Board provides a partial refund of the fee after you appear for the Stage 1 CBT:
General / EWS / OBC Candidates: ₹500 (₹400 refundable after appearing in CBT)
SC / ST / Female / Transgender / Ex-SM / PwBD: ₹250 (Full ₹250 refundable after appearing in CBT)
Payment Mode: Online via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI.

RRB Group D Required Documents for Online Apply

Keep these scanned copies ready before starting the registration process:

Educational Proof: 10th Class (Matriculation) / ITI Certificate and Marksheets.
Identity Proof: Valid ID (Aadhaar Card is preferred, Voter ID, or PAN Card).
Category Certificate: Caste Certificate (for SC/ST/OBC) or EWS Certificate if applicable.
Photograph: Recent color passport-size photo (White background preferred).
Signature: Scanned signature on white paper with black/blue ink.
Contact Details: A valid Email ID and an active Mobile Number for OTP verification.

RRB Group D Salary & Pay Level

Candidates selected for the Group D posts will be placed under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix:

Post Level: Level-1
Basic Pay: ₹18,000 per month
Gross Salary: ₹22,500 – ₹28,000 per month (Approximate, including DA, HRA, and Transport Allowances based on the city of posting).

IMPORTANT NOTES :

Be Accurate: Ensure all details match your certificates. Incorrect information will lead to instant rejection.
Follow Guidelines: Strictly follow the photo and signature specifications mentioned in the official notification.
Don't Wait: Apply well before March 2, 2026, to avoid last-minute server issues.
Online Only: Only applications submitted via the official portal will be accepted; no offline forms are allowed.

How to Apply for Railway RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 - step by step guide

Follow these simple steps to complete your application for the 21,997 Group D vacancies:

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal – Go to the centralized application website at www.rrbapply.gov.in or your regional RRB website (e.g., www.rrbbbs.gov.in).
Step 2: Read the Notification – Before starting, download and thoroughly read the official CEN 09/2025 PDF to ensure you meet all eligibility and medical standards.
Step 3: Create an Account – Click on the "Create an Account" button. Register using a valid mobile number and email ID. You will receive an OTP to verify your details.
Step 4: Fill the Application Form – Log in with your new credentials. Enter your personal details, educational qualifications (10th/ITI), and select your preferred RRB Zone and post preferences.
Step 5: Upload Documents – Upload scanned copies of your recent color photograph, signature, and SC/ST certificate (if applying for a free travel pass) as per the required dimensions.
Step 6: Pay the Fee – Submit the application fee (₹500 for Gen/OBC/EWS or ₹250 for others) using online modes like Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI.
Step 7: Final Submission – Review your form carefully one last time. Submit the application and print/download the confirmation page for future reference.

Pro Tip: Keep your registered email and mobile number active throughout the recruitment process, as the Railway Board will send exam dates and Admit Card updates directly to you!