Railway Recruitment Board Postpones RRB Group D 2026 Application Process
The Railway Recruitment Board has announced a delay in the application process for the RRB Group D recruitment 2026. This recruitment drive involves approximately 22,000 vacancies across various railway zones and departments. The board has shifted the schedule, causing a change in the registration timeline.
Revised Application Dates and Official Portal
According to the revised schedule, the online registration process will now commence on January 31, 2026. This date replaces the earlier announced start date of January 21, 2026. Candidates can submit their applications until 11:59 PM on March 2, 2026. The Railway Recruitment Board is conducting this recruitment as part of the Centralised Employment Notification No. 09/2025.
All applications must be submitted exclusively through the official website at www.rrbapply.gov.in. The board emphasizes that no other portals or methods will be accepted for this recruitment process.
Aadhaar Advisory for Applicants
The Railway Recruitment Board has issued a crucial advisory regarding Aadhaar details. Candidates must ensure their Aadhaar information is fully updated before applying. The name and date of birth on the Aadhaar card must match exactly with the details mentioned in the Class 10 certificate.
Job aspirants are also directed to update their latest photograph and biometric information in Aadhaar. This includes fingerprints and iris scans. The board warns that unverified applications through Aadhaar may face delays and inconvenience during recruitment. Additional verification processes could be required for such applications.
Vacancy Distribution Across Departments
The RRB Group D recruitment 2026 offers around 22,000 vacancies. The Engineering Department has the highest number of sanctioned posts with 12,500 vacancies. Within this department, the Track Maintainer Grade-4 position alone comprises 11,000 posts.
Other significant vacancies include:
- 5,000 posts for Traffic Point B
- 1,500 vacancies for Assistant (S&T)
- 1,000 positions for Assistant (C&W)
- 800 posts for Assistant (TRD)
- 600 vacancies each for Assistant (Track Machine) and Assistant (Bridge)
- 300 positions for Assistant (P-Way)
- 500 posts for Assistant Operation
- 200 vacancies for Assistant Loco Sheet
Region-wise allocations show 993 posts for East Central Railway and 1,199 posts for South Eastern Railway. The Railway Recruitment Board will confirm final post-wise and zone-wise details only after releasing the detailed notification.
Eligibility Criteria and Selection Process
The age limit for RRB Group D recruitment 2026 is 18 to 33 years. The board provides age relaxation for reserved categories. OBC candidates receive three years of relaxation, while SC and ST candidates get five years of relaxation.
The short notification has not clearly mentioned educational qualification requirements. This omission has created confusion among candidates regarding ITI and Class 10 qualifications. Applicants should wait for the detailed notification for clarification.
The selection process involves a single stage Computer Based Test followed by a Physical Efficiency Test. The CBT will last 90 minutes with 100 questions. There will be negative marking of one-third per wrong answer. The board will call three times the number of vacancies for the PET. Successful candidates will then undergo document verification and medical examination.
Application Rules, Fees, and Pay Scale
Candidates can apply for only one Railway Recruitment Board. Multiple applications for different railways will lead to rejection. However, applicants may apply for multiple posts within the same railway through a single application form.
The application fee is Rs 500 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates. The board will refund Rs 400 upon appearing for the Computer Based Test. Selected candidates will receive a Level-1 pay scale of Rs 18,000.
Prospective applicants should regularly check the official website for updates and detailed notifications. The Railway Recruitment Board advises candidates to prepare all necessary documents in advance to avoid last-minute issues.
