The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially announced the tentative examination calendar for its major recruitment drives scheduled for the 2026-2027 cycle. Aspirants aiming for coveted posts like Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP), Junior Engineer (JE), and various Technician categories can now mark their calendars, as the board has published a detailed timeline on its official websites.
Key Examination Dates for RRB Recruitment 2026-27
The recruitment cycle will commence with the Computer-Based Test for the Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) position under the notification CEN 01/2025. This exam is slated to be conducted over a three-day period from February 16 to February 18, 2026.
Immediately following the ALP exam, the first-stage CBT for JE, DMS (Deputy Material Superintendent), and CMA (Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant) posts under CEN 05/2025 will be held. Candidates for these positions will appear for their tests on February 19, February 20, and March 3, 2026.
The schedule moves into March with exams for Technician Grade I Signal and various Technician Grade III categories. As per CEN 02/2025, these examinations will take place from March 5 to March 9, 2026.
Rounding off this phase of recruitment will be the tests for Para-Medical Categories under CEN 03/2025. The board has allocated March 10 to March 12, 2026 for these examinations.
Essential Pre-Exam Procedures and Aadhaar Mandate
The RRB notification outlines several critical steps candidates must follow. Approximately 10 days before a candidate's final exam date, the link for viewing the exam city, date, and downloading the travel authority (for SC/ST candidates) will be activated on all RRB regional websites.
Furthermore, the download window for E-Call letters will open about four days prior to the exam date mentioned on the city intimation slip. The board has placed a strong emphasis on biometric authentication.
Aadhaar-linked biometric verification will be mandatory at the examination centre before entry into the hall. Consequently, all aspirants must carry their original Aadhaar card to the test venue. The RRB has instructed candidates who have not yet completed Aadhaar verification during the application process to do so promptly by logging into the portal rrbapply.gov.in to ensure a smooth entry process.
Planning Ahead for the Recruitment Cycle
This release of the tentative schedule provides lakhs of railway job aspirants across India with a clear roadmap for their preparation. It is crucial to note that these dates are provisional and subject to change, though they offer a reliable framework. Candidates are advised to regularly monitor the official RRB websites of their respective regions for any updates, final admit card details, and precise instructions.
In a related development, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has also released its tentative examination calendar for the 2026-27 recruitment cycle, outlining the expected timelines for major exams like SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, and others, providing a comprehensive overview of government job opportunities in the coming year.
