RRB Recruitment 2026 – All Railway Exams, Vacancies, Dates & Complete Guide
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) conducts some of the largest government recruitment drives in India, hiring lakhs of candidates every year across technical and non-technical posts in Indian Railways. RRB Recruitment 2026 covers a full calendar of exams — from Group D Level-1 posts for 10th-pass candidates to graduate-level NTPC posts, plus ALP, Technician, and Junior Engineer roles. This guide brings every major railway exam together in one place, with vacancies, eligibility, and what to track next.
RRB Recruitment 2026 — Overview
| Recruiting Body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways |
|---|---|
| Exam Calendar 2026 | Released 12 December 2025 |
| Major Exams | NTPC, Group D, ALP, Technician, JE, RPF, Paramedical |
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT), followed by stage-specific tests |
| Official Portal | rrbapply.gov.in |
RRB Recruitment 2026 — Major Railway Exams at a Glance
Each RRB exam targets a different qualification level and post type. The table below summarises the biggest recruitments in the 2026 cycle so you can identify which one fits your eligibility.
| Exam | Level / Posts | Eligibility | Approx. Vacancies (current cycle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRB Group D | Level-1: Track Maintainer, Points-man, Assistant | 10th pass / ITI | 22,195 (CEN 09/2025) |
| RRB NTPC | Graduate & UG non-technical: Station Master, Clerk, etc. | 12th pass / Graduate | 8,868 (CEN 06–07/2025) |
| RRB ALP | Assistant Loco Pilot | 10th + ITI / Diploma | As per latest CEN |
| RRB Technician | Technician Grade-I & III | 10th + ITI / Diploma | ~6,565 |
| RRB JE | Junior Engineer, DMS, CMA | Engineering Diploma / Degree | Notification as per calendar |
RRB 2026 — Exam-Wise Detailed Guides
Explore the complete guide for each railway exam below. We update these with the latest notifications, vacancies, salary and syllabus.
- RRB NTPC 2026 — 8,868 Vacancies, Salary, Syllabus & Exam Pattern
- RRB Group D 2026 — 22,195 Level-1 Vacancies, Salary & Syllabus
- RRB ALP 2026 — 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot Vacancies, Apply by 14 June
- RRB Technician 2026 — 6,565 Posts, Salary & Exam Pattern
RRB Recruitment 2026 — General Selection Process
While each exam has its own structure, most RRB recruitments follow a broadly similar sequence of stages:
- Computer-Based Test (CBT): One or more stages of objective MCQ tests.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Mandatory and qualifying for posts like Group D.
- Skill / Aptitude Test: For specific posts such as ALP (CBAT) and typing posts.
- Document Verification (DV): Verification of educational and category documents.
- Medical Examination: As per the medical standards of the applied post.
RRB Recruitment 2026 — Eligibility Basics
Eligibility depends on the exam. Group D requires a Class 10th pass or ITI; NTPC undergraduate posts need a 12th pass, while graduate posts need a bachelor’s degree. Technical posts like ALP, Technician and JE require relevant ITI or engineering qualifications. Age limits vary by post and carry standard government relaxations for reserved categories.
How to Apply for RRB Exams 2026
- Visit the official portal rrbapply.gov.in.
- Complete the one-time registration (OTR) with your personal and educational details.
- Open the active CEN (Centralised Employment Notice) for your chosen exam.
- Fill in the application, upload photo and signature, and choose your RRB zone.
- Pay the application fee online and submit.
- Download the confirmation for future reference.
RRB Zones — Where You Can Be Posted
The Railway Recruitment Boards operate across 21 RRBs and 16 railway zones nationwide, including Northern, Western, Central, Eastern, Southern, South Central, North Eastern and others. When applying through rrbapply.gov.in, candidates choose a preferred RRB zone, and the post is allotted within that zone based on merit, vacancy availability and reservation rules. Because vacancies are distributed zone-wise, the same exam can have very different cut-offs in different regions, so it is worth checking the zone-wise vacancy table in each CEN before locking your preference.
Documents Required for RRB Applications 2026
Keep these ready before you start the online form: a recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format, your Class 10th certificate (proof of date of birth), educational and technical qualification certificates (ITI/Diploma/Degree as applicable), a valid category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) where claimed, a PwBD certificate if relevant, and a valid photo ID such as Aadhaar. Uploading clear, correctly sized scans the first time avoids rejection at the document verification stage later.
How to Prepare for RRB Exams 2026
Most RRB exams test a common core of Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning and General Awareness, with General Science added for Group D and Technician posts. A practical study plan starts with building speed in arithmetic and reasoning through daily timed practice, layering in static GK and the last six months of current affairs, and finishing with full-length mock tests under exam conditions. Since every CBT carries a 1/3 negative-marking penalty, accuracy matters as much as speed — learning when to skip a doubtful question is a skill in itself. Candidates targeting Group D and ALP should also begin physical and aptitude preparation early, as those stages are qualifying but decisive.
Why RRB Jobs Are in High Demand
Indian Railways is one of the world’s largest employers, and an RRB job offers a 7th Pay Commission salary, strong job security, a defined promotion ladder, free or subsidized travel passes for the employee and family, medical facilities, and pension coverage under NPS. These benefits, combined with relatively accessible eligibility for 10th- and 12th-pass candidates, are why each RRB cycle attracts lakhs of applicants nationwide.
Explore the Full RRB Recruitment 2026 Guide
- 🚉 RRB NTPC 2026 — 8,868 Vacancies, Salary & Syllabus
- 💰 RRB NTPC Salary 2026 — Post-Wise Pay & In-Hand
- 📘 RRB NTPC Syllabus 2026 — CBT 1 & CBT 2 Pattern
- 🛤️ RRB Group D 2026 — 22,195 Vacancies, Salary & Syllabus
- 💰 RRB Group D Salary 2026 — In-Hand Pay & Allowances
- 📘 RRB Group D Syllabus 2026 — CBT Pattern & PET
- ✍️ SSC Stenographer — Complete Exam Guide
RRB Recruitment 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
rrbapply.gov.in is the common online portal for all RRB applications across zones.
RRB Group D, with around 22,195 Level-1 vacancies under CEN 09/2025.
A Class 12th pass for undergraduate posts and a graduate degree for graduate-level posts.
Applications for CEN 06/2025 and 07/2025 are closed; CBTs are underway in 2026 and results are being declared zone-wise.
Yes, most RRB CBTs deduct 1/3 mark per wrong answer.
No, selection is based on CBT performance plus stage-specific tests (PET, skill test), document verification and medical examination.
RRB Recruitment 2026 — Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Application Portal | rrbapply.gov.in |
| RRB NTPC 2026 Guide | RRB NTPC 2026 |
| RRB Group D 2026 Guide | RRB Group D 2026 |
| All Railway Jobs | Railway Category |
| Whatsapp Channel | Join Now |
| Telegram Channel | Join Now |
Disclaimer: Vacancy counts and dates are indicative and change per recruitment cycle. Always confirm the latest details from the official CEN on rrbapply.gov.in.
Quick Comparison: RRB Exam vs RRB Exam
| Feature | RRB NTPC | RRB Group D | RRB ALP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Vacancies 2026 | 8,868 | 22,195 | 11,127 |
| Minimum Qualification | 10th / Graduation | 10th / ITI | 10th + ITI |
| Pay Level | Level 2–6 | Level 1 | Level 2 |
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹19,900 | ₹18,000 | ₹19,900 |
| Selection Stages | CBT 1 → CBT 2 → Skill/PET | CBT → PET | CBT 1 → CBT 2 → CBAT |
Frequently Asked Questions
