RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit, Qualifications & Requirements

Comprehensive RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria 2026 for 22,000+ vacancies are outlined here. Prospective candidates can verify their eligibility status regarding age limits, educational qualifications, and nationality requirements.

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) oversees the selection process for various Level 1 positions through the national RRB Group D exam. Before submitting your application for the 2026 cycle, it is essential to thoroughly review the eligibility criteria, including age restrictions, academic qualifications, and medical standards. Failure to meet these mandatory requirements will result in disqualification and render candidates ineligible to appear for the examination.

RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria 2026

The official RRB Group D 2026 (CEN 09/2025) notification has been released, announcing 22,082 vacancies for Level 1 roles, including Pointsman, Track Maintainer, and Assistant positions. Eligibility is determined by age, education, and nationality. The final selection process involves a Computer-Based Test (CBT), Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Document Verification, and a medical assessment.

Nationality
Age Limit
Educational Qualification
Medical Standards
Physical Test

RRB Group D Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess the minimum academic requirements to qualify for the RRB Group D 2026 recruitment. The RRB Group D educational standards mandate that applicants hold specific certifications.

10th pass or
ITI or equivalent or
Course Complete Act Apprentices (CCAAs) in any field
National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT

RRB Group D Age Limit 2026 (as on 01/01/2026)

Adherence to the age criteria is mandatory for all applicants. According to the official notification, candidates must fall within the specified age bracket of 18 to 33 years as of January 1, 2026, to be eligible for selection.

Minimum Age Limit	Maximum Age Limit
18 years	33 years

Understanding RRB Group D Age Relaxation Rules

Candidates belonging to reserved categories—including OBC, SC, ST, and others—are eligible for upper age limit relaxations in accordance with Government of India regulations.

Ex-Servicemen (UR): 33 years of age + length of defense service + 3 years relaxation.

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 ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ 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

RRB Group D Nationality

Meeting the nationality requirements set by the RRB is a prerequisite for all applicants interested in the 2026 Group D examination.

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.

RRB Group D Medical Standards

Applicants must comply with the stringent medical standards prescribed by the Railway Recruitment Board. Successful candidates are required to clear both the physical and medical fitness examinations.

Medical Standard	Visual Acuity
A-2	Distant vision: 6/9, 6/9 without glasses (No fogging test) 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	Distant vision: 6/9, 6/9 with or without glasses (power of lenses not to exceed 2D) 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	Distant vision: 6/9, 6/12 with or without glasses (power of lenses not to exceed 4D) 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	Distant vision: 6/9, 6/12 with or without glasses (power of lenses not to exceed 4D) 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	Distant vision: 6/12, 6/18 with or without glasses Near vision: Sn. 0.6, 0.6 with or without glasses when reading or close work is required
C-2	Distant vision: 6/12 with or without glasses Near vision: Sn. 0.6 combined with or without glasses where reading or close work is required

RRB Group D Physical Requirements

Beyond basic educational and age criteria, candidates must pass a Physical Efficiency Test (PET). The requirements for this test vary based on gender.

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.

FAQs

Is medical test mandatory for RRB Group D 2026 exam?

Yes, all candidates must undergo a medical examination to confirm they meet the health and vision standards required for railway duty.

What is the age limit required for RRB Group D 2026 exam?

The standard age limit for the RRB Group D 2026 exam is between 18 and 33 years.

What educational qualification is required for Railway Group D 2026?

Educational requirements include: Completion of 10th grade OR an ITI certification from an NCVT/SCVT-recognized institution OR a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT.

Is it necessary to meet the medical standard criteria for RRB Group D 2026?

Yes, meeting the prescribed medical standards is a mandatory condition for final recruitment in the RRB Group D 2026 cycle.

RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit, Qualifications & Requirements