
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) will close the online application window for Group D Level-1 Recruitment 2026 today, March 09. Candidates interested in securing one of the 22,195 vacant posts must complete their registration process by 11:59 PM on the official portal, rrbapply.gov.in.
This massive recruitment drive, conducted under CEN 09/2025, aims to fill technical and support positions across various zones and departments of Indian Railways. Based on the latest updates from the board, no further extension of the deadline is anticipated, making today the final opportunity for eligible candidates to apply.
The application process, which began on January 31, 2026, has seen a surge in registrations in the final week. The vacancies are spread across multiple disciplines, offering a diverse range of positions for 10th-pass youth. Key posts include Track Maintainer Grade IV, Pointsman-B, Assistant (Signal and Telecom), Assistant (Carriage and Wagon), Assistant Loco Shed (Electrical), and Assistant Track Machine, among others.
Eligibility Criteria
The Railways has kept the eligibility criteria straightforward to encourage maximum participation from the country's youth. Candidates must have passed the 10th standard (Matriculation) from a recognized board. Additionally, those possessing an ITI certificate or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) are also eligible to apply, particularly for technical roles.
Regarding age, applicants must be between 18 and 33 years of age as of January 1, 2026. However, the government provides significant relaxation in the upper age limit as per norms: 3 years for OBC candidates and 5 years for SC/ST candidates.
Four-Stage Selection Process
To secure a final position in the Indian Railways, candidates must successfully navigate a multi-stage selection process designed to assess both intellectual aptitude and physical fitness.
Computer-Based Test (CBT): This is the first and primary screening stage. It is a 90-minute online exam consisting of 100 questions from Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Science, and General Awareness. There is a negative marking of 1/3 mark for each wrong answer.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Candidates who clear the CBT will be called for the PET. This test is qualifying in nature. Male candidates must lift and carry 35 Kg of weight for 100 meters in 2 minutes and run 1000 meters in 4 minutes and 15 seconds. Female candidates must lift and carry 20 Kg for 100 meters in 2 minutes and run 1000 meters in 5 minutes and 40 seconds.
Document Verification (DV): Shortlisted candidates will have their original certificates and documents rigorously verified to confirm their eligibility.
Medical Examination: The final stage involves a thorough medical examination to ensure candidates meet the stringent health standards required for railway services.
Steps to apply for RRB Group D Recruitment 2026
With the deadline hours away, the Board advises candidates to avoid waiting until the last minute to prevent server issues due to heavy traffic. Follow these steps to complete your application immediately :
Step 1. Go to the designated application website at rrbapply.gov.in.
Step 2. On the homepage, click on the link for "RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 (CEN 09/2025)".
Step 3. New users must click on "Create an Account" and register using basic details like name, email, and mobile number to generate login credentials.
Step 4. Log in with your credentials and carefully fill in the online application form with personal details, educational qualifications, and preferences.
Step 5. Scan and upload the required documents, including photograph, signature, and educational certificates, as per the specified dimensions and format.
Step 6. Proceed to pay the application fee online through internet banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI.
Step 7. After successful payment, click the final "Submit" button. Download and take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference. This is a document that must be retained until the recruitment process is complete.
The official portal rrbapply.gov.in is expected to experience heavy traffic as the deadline approaches, which could lead to server slowdowns or payment gateway issues. The board strongly advises candidates to complete their application submissions immediately rather than waiting until late at night.
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