The Government of India, Ministry of Railways, through the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), has officially released the Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 09/2025 for recruitment to various posts in Level 1 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. This notification brings a massive opportunity for candidates across India, as a total of 22,195 vacancies have been announced for Group D Level 1 posts in different zones of Indian Railways.
Railway jobs are among the most sought-after government jobs in India due to job security, attractive salary, additional allowances, pension benefits, and growth opportunities. Every year, lakhs of aspirants prepare for RRB exams, and this recruitment drive is expected to witness huge participation.
In this detailed blog post, we will cover everything you need to know about RRB Level 1 Recruitment 2026 — including vacancy details, important dates, eligibility criteria, age limit, age relaxation, educational qualification, salary, application fee, selection process, how to apply, and preparation tips.
RRB Level 1 Recruitment 2026
Under CEN 09/2025, RRBs are inviting online applications from eligible Indian nationals for various posts in Level 1 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. These posts generally include:
- Track Maintainer Grade-IV
- Helper/Assistant in various technical departments
- Assistant Pointsman
- Hospital Attendant
- Porter
- Gateman
- Safaiwala
The recruitment will be conducted centrally but allocated zone-wise. Candidates must apply online through the official RRB website of their chosen railway zone.
RRB Group D 2026: Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Notification No. | CEN 09/2025 |
| Total Vacancies | 22,195 (Level 1 Posts) |
| Application Start | January 31, 2026 |
| Application End | March 2, 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Correction Window | March 5 – March 14, 2026 |
| Age Limit (General) | 18 to 33 years (as of Jan 1, 2026) |
| Qualification | Class 10th (Matriculation) or ITI/NAC certificate |
| Selection Process | CBT, PET, Document Verification, and Medical Exam |
| Application Fee | ₹500 (Gen/OBC); ₹250 (SC/ST/Female/EWS/Ex-SM) |
| Salary (Basic) | ₹18,000 per month (approx. ₹22,500–₹25,380 in-hand) |
| Official Website | rrbapply.gov.in |
RRB Group D 2026: Zone-Wise Vacancy Details
The total vacancies for the RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 (CEN 09/2025) have been finalized at 22,195 posts. This represents a revision from the initially indicated numbers and covers 16 railway zones.
| Railway Zone (Region) | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Railway (New Delhi) | 1437 | 956 | 530 | 266 | 348 | 3537 |
| Western Railway (Mumbai) | 1160 | 698 | 407 | 178 | 288 | 3148 |
| Central Railway (Mumbai) | 894 | 411 | 295 | 177 | 202 | 1979 |
| Northeast Frontier Railway (Guwahati) | 718 | 480 | 266 | 133 | 179 | 1776 |
| South East Central Railway (Bilaspur) | 516 | 281 | 184 | 76 | 142 | 1199 |
| North Eastern Railway (Gorakhpur) | 537 | 271 | 178 | 109 | 101 | 1196 |
| North Central Railway (Prayagraj) | 570 | 271 | 156 | 89 | 97 | 1183 |
| Eastern Railway / Metro Kolkata | 471 | 296 | 155 | 114 | 137 | 1173 |
| West Central Railway (Jabalpur) | 581 | 157 | 174 | 89 | 145 | 1147 |
| Southern Railway (Chennai) | 430 | 247 | 155 | 96 | 108 | 1036 |
| South Central Railway (Secunderabad) | 376 | 258 | 148 | 129 | 101 | 1012 |
| East Central Railway (Hajipur) | 405 | 266 | 148 | 76 | 98 | 993 |
| North Western Railway (Jaipur) | 483 | 188 | 152 | 48 | 104 | 974 |
| South Eastern Railway (Kolkata) | 364 | 240 | 158 | 84 | 103 | 949 |
| East Coast Railway (Bhubaneswar) | 329 | 206 | 120 | 57 | 91 | 803 |
| South Western Railway (Hubli) | 51 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 90 |
| Grand Total | 9322 | 5240 | 3240 | 1726 | 2250 | 22,195 |
RRB Group D 2026: Important Dates
Below are the important dates as mentioned in CEN 09/2025:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Indicative Notice Release | December 27, 2025 |
| Detailed Notification (CEN 09/2025) | January 30, 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | January 31, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | March 2, 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | March 4, 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Modification/Correction Window | March 5 – March 14, 2026 |
| Scribe Detail Submission Window | March 15 – March 19, 2026 |
| CBT Exam Date (Tentative) | May 2026 |
| City Intimation & Admit Card | 10 days and 4 days before exam |
Candidates are strongly advised not to wait for the last date to apply.
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, candidates must ensure they fulfill all eligibility conditions mentioned in the notification.
Nationality
A candidate must be:
- A citizen of India, OR
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, OR
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962, OR
- A person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries.
Age Limit (As on 01.01.2026)
Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 33 Years
Candidates must be within this age range as of 1st January 2026.
Age Relaxation
Age relaxation is applicable as per Government rules:
| Category | Age Relaxation | Maximum Upper Age |
|---|---|---|
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years | 36 Years |
| SC / ST | 5 Years | 38 Years |
| PwBD (UR & EWS) | 10 Years | 43 Years |
| PwBD (OBC-NCL) | 13 Years | 46 Years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 Years | 48 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen (UR/EWS) | 3 Years* | Service length + 3 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen (OBC-NCL) | 6 Years* | Service length + 6 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen (SC/ST) | 8 Years* | Service length + 8 Years |
| Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ Railway Staff | Up to 40-45 Years | UR: 40, OBC: 43, SC/ST: 45 |
| Widows/Divorced Women | Up to 35-40 Years | UR: 35, OBC: 38, SC/ST: 40 |
Proper supporting documents must be uploaded during application.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed:
- Class 10th (Matriculation) from a recognized board, OR
- ITI from NCVT/SCVT recognized institution, OR
- National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC).
Important Note: Candidates waiting for final results of prescribed qualifications are NOT eligible to apply.
RRB Group D Salary Structure 2026
For RRB Group D (CEN 09/2025), the pay scale follows the 7th CPC Pay Matrix at Level 1.
| Component | Amount (Monthly) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹18,000 |
| Grade Pay | ₹1,800 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | ~₹9,000 (Calculated at 50% of Basic) |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | ₹1,800 – ₹5,400 (Depends on City Category) |
| Transport Allowance (TA) | ₹1,350 – ₹1,800 + DA on TA |
| Gross Salary | ₹28,000 – ₹32,000 |
| In-Hand (Net) Salary | ₹25,000 – ₹28,000 (After NPS & Tax deductions) |
Additional Allowances :-
Apart from the standard pay, Group D employees are eligible for specific perks based on their job role:
- Risk & Hardship Allowance: Provided to Track Maintainers (~₹2,700/month).
- Night Duty Allowance: For employees working night shifts.
- National Holiday Allowance: For working on gazetted holidays.
- Dress Allowance: ₹5,000 paid annually in July.
- Daily Allowance: For outstation duties.
Application Fee
The application fee structure (expected as per previous trends):
General/OBC: ₹500
SC/ST/PwBD/Female/Ex Servicemen/EWS: ₹250
Part of the fee is refundable after appearing in CBT.
Payment Mode:
- Debit Card
- Credit Card
- Net Banking
- UPI
Selection Process
The RRB Level 1 recruitment process generally consists of:
1.Computer Based Test (CBT)
The first screening stage is an online objective exam.
Objective Type Questions
Duration: 90 minutes
Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted per wrong answer
Subjects:
- Mathematics
- General Intelligence & Reasoning
- General Science
- General Awareness & Current Affairs
2. Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Candidates who qualify CBT will be called for PET.
| Task | Male Candidates | Female Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Lifting | 35 kg for 100m in 2 mins (1 chance) | 20 kg for 100m in 2 mins (1 chance) |
| Running | 1000m in 4 mins 15 secs (1 chance) | 1000m in 5 mins 40 secs (1 chance) |
3.Document Verification (DV)
Shortlisted candidates from the PET stage must present original documents for authentication.
- Educational Certificates
- Caste Certificate
- Age Proof
- Photo ID
4. Medical Examination
Candidates must meet prescribed medical standards.
How to Apply Online?
Follow these steps:
1.New Registration:
- Visit the RRB Apply Portal and click on “Create an Account”.
- Enter your basic details: Name, Date of Birth, Father’s/Mother’s Name, Mobile Number, and Email ID.
- Verify your account using the OTP sent to your registered mobile and email.
- Note: If you already have an account from a previous 2024/2025 RRB notification, you do not need to register again; simply log in.
2. Candidate Login:
- Log in using your registered Email/Mobile and Password.
- Select the recruitment notification “CEN 09/2025 – Group D (Level-1)”.
3. Fill Application Details:
- Part I: Enter your educational qualifications (Class 10/ITI), community, gender, and religion.
- Part II: Choose your preferred RRB Zone and rank your Post Preferences (e.g., Track Maintainer, Pointsman).
- Select your preferred Exam Language for the CBT.
4. Upload Documents:
- Live Photo: The portal captures a live image via webcam/mobile camera. Ensure proper lighting and a plain background.
- Scanned Signature: Upload in JPEG format (typically 30–50 KB).
- SC/ST Certificate: Required in PDF format (up to 500 KB) if you are requesting a free travel pass.
5. Fee Payment:
- Pay the application fee (₹500 for General/OBC; ₹250 for SC/ST/Female/PwBD) using Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI.
- Enter your Bank Account details accurately to ensure your fee refund after appearing in the CBT.
6. Final Submission:
- Review all entries in the “Preview” section carefully.
- Submit the form and download/print the confirmation page and fee receipt for future reference
Important Instructions for Candidate
- Read the official CEN 09/2025 notification carefully before filling out the online application form.
- Ensure that you meet all eligibility criteria regarding age, educational qualification, and nationality.
- Candidates waiting for final results of the prescribed qualification are not eligible to apply.
- Submit the application only through the official RRB website; offline applications will not be accepted.
- Fill in correct personal, academic, and category details to avoid rejection during document verification.
- Upload clear and recent scanned copies of your photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee within the specified deadline to complete the registration process.
- Do not submit multiple applications for the same RRB; it may lead to disqualification.
- Keep your registered mobile number and email ID active for updates.
- Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
| OFFICIAL WEBSITE | CLICK HERE |
| OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION PDF | CLICK HERE |
| APPLY ONLINE | CLICK HERE |
| WHATSAPP LINK | CLICK HERE |
| TELEGRAM LINK | CLICK HERE |
| FACEBOOK LINK | CLICK HERE |
| INSTAGRAM LINK | CLICK HERE |
| MORE UPDATES | CLICK HERE |
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