The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has released official notification CEN 09/2025 for Group D Level-1 posts. According to official data, a total of 21,997 vacancies have been notified across 16 railway zones.
Missing important dates can cost you a year of preparation. Candidates who track deadlines carefully avoid last-minute server issues and document problems. This article provides complete important dates and key highlights of RRB Group D notification 2026.
Quick Answer (30-Second Read)
- Notification release date: January 31, 2026
- Application period: Jan 31 to March 9, 2026
- Total vacancies: 21,997 posts across 16 zones
- Exam expected: April-June 2026
- Official website: rrbapply.gov.in
*Source: RRB official notification CEN 09/2025 (rrbapply.gov.in)*
Complete Application Timeline 2026
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Notification release | January 31, 2026 | Released |
| Application start | January 31, 2026 | Started |
| Application end | March 9, 2026 | Active |
| Fee payment last date | March 11, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Correction window | March 12-21, 2026 | Upcoming |
| CBT exam date | April-June 2026 | To be announced |
| Result declaration | To be announced | To be announced |
Apply at least 5-7 days before March 9, 2026. Server crashes are common on the last day.
Key Highlights of the Notification
Total Vacancies
21,997 posts across 16 railway zones. Northern Railway (Delhi) has the highest with 3,537 vacancies. South Western Railway (Hubli) has the lowest with 90 posts.
Application Fee
- General/OBC/EWS: ₹500
- SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Serviceman/Women: ₹250
Age Limit (as of January 1, 2026)
- General: 18 to 33 years
- OBC: 18 to 36 years (+3 relaxation)
- SC/ST: 18 to 38 years (+5 relaxation)
Educational Qualification (any one)
- Class 10 (Matriculation) pass from recognized board
- ITI certificate from NCVT or SCVT
Rakesh from Varanasi missed the notification release date in previous cycle. "I started preparation late. Check the official website weekly for updates," he advises.
Selection Process Stages
| Stage | Details | Qualifying Nature |
|---|---|---|
| CBT (Computer Based Test) | 100 questions, 90 minutes, 1/3 negative marking | Merit-based |
| PET (Physical Efficiency Test) | 35kg/100m in 2 min (men), 20kg/100m in 2 min (women) | Qualifying only |
| Document Verification | Original certificates verification | Qualifying only |
| Medical Examination | Vision and physical fitness | Qualifying only |
CBT is the only stage where marks matter. PET and DV are qualifying only.
Zone-wise Vacancy Highlights
| Zone | Total Vacancies | Cut-off Expectation |
|---|---|---|
| Northern (Delhi) | 3,537 | Moderate |
| Western (Mumbai) | 3,148 | Moderate |
| Central (Mumbai) | 2,012 | Moderate |
| NFR (Guwahati) | 1,776 | Lower |
| SWR (Hubli) | 90 | Very High |
Choose high vacancy zones for better selection chances. Lower cut-off zones like Guwahati and Chennai need 60-65 marks. High cut-off zones like Chandigarh need 70+ marks.
Important Documents to Keep Ready
Before applying, keep these scanned copies:
- Photograph (20-50 KB, white background, recent)
- Signature (10-20 KB, black pen on white paper)
- Class 10 certificate (for age and education)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS if applicable)
- PwBD certificate (if applicable)
Karan from Jaipur kept all documents scanned in a folder before applying. "It took me 15 minutes to fill the form. Preparation is key," he said.
Previous Year Cut-off Trends (2022 Data)
| Zone | UR Cut-off | Safe Target |
|---|---|---|
| Chandigarh | ~70.9 | 75+ |
| Ranchi | ~70.6 | 75+ |
| Kolkata | ~69.6 | 74+ |
| Prayagraj | ~66.4 | 71+ |
| Mumbai | ~64.1 | 69+ |
| Chennai | ~60.9 | 66+ |
| Guwahati | ~60.3 | 65+ |
Source: RRB previous year data — Use these cut-offs to set your target score. Aim 5 marks above your zone's previous cut-off.
People Also Search For
1. When will RRB Group D notification 2026 be released?
RRB Group D notification 2026 (CEN 09/2025) was released on January 31, 2026. The notification includes vacancy details, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and important dates. Download the official PDF from rrbapply.gov.in.
2. What is the last date for RRB Group D application 2026?
The last date to apply is March 9, 2026. Fee payment is accepted until March 11, 2026. Correction window is open from March 12 to March 21, 2026. Do not wait until the last day — server issues are common.
3. How many vacancies are in RRB Group D 2026?
Total vacancies are 21,997 posts across 16 railway zones. Northern Railway (Delhi) has the highest with 3,537 posts. South Western Railway (Hubli) has the lowest with 90 posts. Zone-wise distribution is available in the official notification.
4. What is the exam date for RRB Group D 2026?
CBT exam dates are expected in April-June 2026. Exact dates will be announced on the official website rrbapply.gov.in after the application window closes. Check the website weekly for updates and download your admit card when released.
5. What is the selection process for RRB Group D 2026?
Selection has four stages: CBT (100 questions, 90 minutes, negative marking), PET (qualifying physical test), Document Verification, and Medical Examination. Only CBT marks determine merit. PET requires 35kg/100m in 2 minutes for men, 20kg/100m for women.
Conclusion: Your Next Step
RRB Group D notification 2026 is out with 21,997 vacancies. Key dates: Apply by March 9, 2026. Exam expected in April-June 2026. Choose high vacancy zones like Northern or Western Railway for better chances. Aim for 70+ marks. Keep documents ready before applying.
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