The official notification for RRB Group D 2026 (CEN 09/2025) has been officially released, announcing a massive recruitment drive of 22,082 vacancies for Level 1 posts under the Government of India. Aspirants aiming to secure a career with the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) must carefully evaluate their credentials against the specified guidelines. For candidates preparing for upcoming stages, it is also recommended to check the RRB Group D Exam City Slip 2026 Out ā Click to Check and keep track of updates to download the RRB Group D Admit Card 2026 ā Click to Download.
Level 1 posts encompass crucial operational roles such as Pointsman, Assistant, Track Maintainer, Assistant Loco Shed, and Assistant Operations. Understanding the selection criteria is critical, as candidates must progress through a multi-tier selection procedure consisting of a Computer-Based Test (CBT), Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Document Verification, and a Medical Examination.
RRB Group D Eligibility Parameters
To successfully register and compete for the Level 1 vacancies, applicants must satisfy a comprehensive set of parameters set by the Railway Recruitment Board. The core evaluation components are outlined below:
- Nationality
- Age Limit
- Educational Qualification
- Medical Standards
- Physical Test
Age Limits and Relaxations
The acceptable age limit for RRB Group D posts ranges from 18 to 33 years as of 1st January 2026. Review the standard age brackets in the table below:
| Minimum Age Limit | Maximum Age Limit |
|---|---|
| 18 years | 33 years |
Additionally, category-specific age relaxations are provided as per government guidelines:
| S.No. | Categories | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| 2. | SC & ST | 5 years |
| 3. | Ex-servicemen with at least 6 months service after attestation | UR and EWS:-3 years (after deduction of length of service from age) OBC-NCL:- 6 years (after deduction of length of service from age) SC/ST:- 8 years (after deduction of length of service from age) |
| 4. | PwBD | UR and EWS:- 10 Years OBC (NCL)- 13 Years SC/ST- 15 Years |
| 5. | Candidates who are serving Group āCā and Group āDā Railway Staff, Casual Labour, and Substitutes and put in minimum 3 years of service (continuous or in broken spells) | UR and EWS:- 40 Years OBC (NCL)- 43 Years SC/ST- 45 Years |
| 6. | Candidates who are working in Quasi-Administrative offices of the Railway organization such as Railway Canteens, Co-operative Societies, and Institutes | UR:- 33 Years of age + length of service rendered or 5 years, whichever is lower OBC-NCL:- 36 Years of age + length of service rendered or 5 years, whichever is lower SC/ST:- 38 Years of age + length of service rendered or 5 years, whichever is lower |
| 7. | Course Completed Act Apprentices applying for the posts for which minimum qualification is ITI/ Course Completed Act Apprenticeship | UR and EWS:- 33 Years of age + extent Apprentice Training undergone by them under the Apprentice Act 1961 subject to maximum 3 years OBC-NCL:- 36 Years of age + extent Apprentice Training undergone by them under the Apprentice Act 1961 subject to maximum 6 years SC/ST:- 38 Years of age + extent of Apprentice Training undergone by them under the Apprentice Act 1961 subject to maximum 8 years |
| 8. | Candidates (canteen staff of MB Division NR) | 5 years (After deduction of length of service from age) Maximum age up to 60 years |
Educational Qualifications
Applicants must fulfill one of the designated educational milestones to be deemed qualified for the Level 1 positions:
- 10th pass or
- ITI or equivalent or
- Course Complete Act Apprentices (CCAAs) in any field
- National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT
Nationality Requirements
Candidates applying for the examination must belong to one of the following categories regarding nationality:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A subject of Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came over to India, before the 1st of January 1962 to permanently settle in India, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam intending to permanently settle in India.
Medical Standards
Shortlisted candidates are subjected to strict medical evaluations across categories A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, C-1, and C-2, each with precise visual acuity prerequisites:
| Medical Standard | Visual Acuity |
|---|---|
| A-2 | ā¢ Distant vision: 6/9, 6/9 without glasses (No fogging test) ā¢ Near vision: Sn. 0.6, 0.6 without glasses, and must pass tests for colour vision, binocular vision, night vision, mesopic vision, etc |
| A-3 | ā¢ Distant vision: 6/9, 6/9 with or without glasses (power of lenses not to exceed 2D) ā¢ Near vision: Sn: 0.6, 0.6 with or without glasses and must pass the test for colour vision, binocular vision, night vision, myopic vision, etc. |
| B-1 | ā¢ Distant vision: 6/9, 6/12 with or without glasses (power of lenses not to exceed 4D) ā¢ Near vision: Sn. 0.6, 0.6 with or without glasses when reading or close work is required and must pass the test for colour vision, binocular vision, night vision, mesopic vision, etc. |
| B-2 | ā¢ Distant vision: 6/9, 6/12 with or without glasses (power of lenses not to exceed 4D) ā¢ Near vision: Sn. 0.6, 0.6 with or without glasses when reading or close work is required and must pass the test for binocular vision, etc |
| C-1 | ā¢ Distant vision: 6/12, 6/18 with or without glasses ā¢ Near vision: Sn. 0.6, 0.6 with or without glasses when reading or close work is required |
| C-2 | ā¢ Distant vision: 6/12 with or without glasses ā¢ Near vision: Sn. 0.6 combined with or without glasses where reading or close work is required |
Physical Standards and Efficiency Test (PET)
Candidates qualifying the Computer-Based Test must clear the Physical Efficiency Test according to their gender specifications:
| Candidates | Parameters |
|---|---|
| Male | Candidates should be able to lift and carry 35 kg weight at a time for a distance of 100 meters in 2 minutes without dropping the weight. |
| Male | Must be able to run a distance of 1000 meters in 4 minutes 15 seconds at a time |
| Female | Must be able to lift 20 kg weight and carry it to a distance of 100 meters in 2 minutes without dropping the weight. |
| Female | Able to run a distance of 1000 meters in 5 minutes and 40 seconds in one go. |
| PwBD | Persons with disabilities are exempted from appearing in PET. |
| PwBD | After qualifying the CBT, such candidates will have to pass the medical examination prescribed for persons with disabilities. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Recommended Reads
- RRB Group D Admit Card 2026 Released: Direct Link, Exam Dates & Timings
- RRB Group D Exam Analysis 2026: Shift Timings, Difficulty & Good Attempts
- RRB Group D Official Mock Test 2026 Activated: Check CBT Exam Pattern & Direct Link
- RRB Group D PET Result 2026 Out: Check CEN No. RRC-08/2024 Zone Wise Status
- RRB Group D PET Admit Card 2026 Out: Zone-Wise Physical Dates, Links
- RRB Group D 2026 CBT Exam Dates Announced Under CEN 09/2025 – Check Schedule
- RRB Group D Physical Test Schedule 2026: PET Dates, Admit Card & CEN Details
- RRB Group D Result 2026 Declared: Check CEN 08/2024 Scorecards & PET Schedule
- RRB Group D Admit Card 2026 Out for CEN 09/2025 CBT Exam – Download Hall Ticket
- RRB Group D Recruitment 2026: Exam Dates, Vacancies, Syllabus & Apply Online
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