The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have officially released Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 09/2025 for Level-1 posts under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, commonly known as RRB Group D Recruitment 2026. This is one of the largest government job opportunities in India, offering 22,195 vacancies across multiple railway zones for candidates with basic educational qualifications.
If you are a 10th pass, ITI holder, or Course Completed Act Apprentice, this recruitment opens a direct gateway to a permanent Central Government job with attractive salary, job security, allowances, and career growth.
This article explains everything in simple language—from eligibility, age limit, fees, application process, CBT & PET details, medical standards, and common mistakes that lead to rejection, so that you can apply confidently and correctly.
⚡ Quick Review – RRB Group D Level 1 Recruitment 2026
- 📢 Notification Number: CEN 09/2025
- 🏢 Recruiting Body: Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs)
- 📊 Total Vacancies: 22,195
- 💼 Post Level: Level-1 (7th CPC Pay Matrix)
- 💰 Initial Pay: ₹18,000 per month + allowances
- 🎯 Selection Process: CBT → PET → DV → Medical
- 🌐 Mode of Application: Online only
- 📅 Last Date to Apply: 02 March 2026
📌 About RRB Level-1 (Group D) Posts
RRB Level-1 posts include various technical and non-technical roles that form the backbone of Indian Railways’ daily operations. These posts involve field work, maintenance, assistance, and operational support, making them essential and highly stable government jobs.
All posts fall under Level-1 of the 7th Central Pay Commission, ensuring uniform pay structure across zones.
🧾 Total Vacancies & Pay Structure
- Total Vacancies: 22,195 (Railway-wise & post-wise)
- Initial Pay: ₹18,000/month
- Other Benefits Include:
- DA (Dearness Allowance)
- HRA / Transport Allowance
- Medical facilities
- Pension under NPS
- Free / concessional railway passes
⚠️ Vacancies are provisional and may increase or decrease as per Railway requirements
📅 Important Dates (Must Remember)
- 📰 Indicative Notice: 27 December 2025
- 🟢 Online Application Start: 31 January 2026 (00:00 hrs)
- 🔴 Last Date to Apply: 02 March 2026 (23:59 hrs)
- 💳 Last Date for Fee Payment: 04 March 2026
- ✏️ Application Correction Window: 05–14 March 2026
- ♿ Scribe Details Submission: 15–19 March 2026
🎓 Educational Qualification (Eligibility Check)
Candidates must possess qualification on or before 02 March 2026.
Eligible qualifications include:
- ✔️ 10th Pass (Matriculation)
- ✔️ ITI from NCVT/SCVT
- ✔️ Course Completed Act Apprentice (CCAA)
❌ Candidates awaiting final results are NOT eligible
🎂 Age Limit & Relaxation (As on 01-01-2026)
🔹 Basic Age Limit
- Minimum: 18 years
- Maximum: 33 years
🔹 Age Relaxation (Category-wise)
- 🟢 OBC-NCL: +3 years
- 🟢 SC/ST: +5 years
- 🟢 PwBD: up to +15 years
- 🟢 Ex-Servicemen: As per service rules
- 🟢 Widowed/Divorced Women: up to 40 years (SC/ST)
⚠️ Date of birth mismatch with 10th certificate = direct rejection.
💳 Application Fee & Refund Policy
🔸 Fee Structure
- 👤 General / OBC / EWS: ₹500
- 👩🦰 SC / ST / Female / PwBD / Ex-SM / Minority / EBC: ₹250
🔁 Refund Rules
- ₹400 (from ₹500) refunded after CBT
- ₹250 fully refunded for reserved categories after CBT
- ❌ No refund if CBT not attended
Refund is processed only through Aadhaar-linked bank account
📝 How to Apply Online (Step-by-Step)
- 🌐 Visit official RRB website
- 🆕 Create Account (cannot be edited later)
- 🧑 Enter personal & educational details
- 📸 Upload live photo & running handwriting signature
- 🏷️ Select ONE Railway Zone only
- 💳 Pay fee online (UPI/Card/Net Banking)
- 📥 Submit & download confirmation
⚠️ Multiple applications = permanent disqualification.
🧠 Selection Process Explained
🖥️ 1. Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Single stage (may be multi-stage)
- Negative marking: 1/3 mark deducted per wrong answer
🏃 2. Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
- Qualifying in nature
- Candidates shortlisted 3× vacancies
📄 3. Document Verification (DV)
- Original certificates checked
- Any mismatch = rejection
🩺 4. Medical Examination
- Must meet prescribed medical standards
- No alternative post if declared unfit
👁️ Medical Standards – Important Alert
Medical categories include A-2, A-3, B-1, C-1.
🚫 LASIK or corrective eye surgery candidates are NOT eligible for A-2 & A-3 posts.
Failure in medical test = out of recruitment, even after clearing CBT & PET
✅ You can Check RRB Group D Level 1 Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026 (CEN 09/2025) Here
🚫 Common Mistakes That Cause Rejection
This section solves real applicant problems:
- ❌ Applying to multiple RRB zones
- ❌ Uploading blurred photo/signature
- ❌ DOB mismatch with 10th certificate
- ❌ Claiming wrong category (EBC ≠ EWS ≠ OBC)
- ❌ Not attending CBT (no refund)
- ❌ Medical unfitness due to vision issues
- ❌ Using fake websites or agents
👉 Always apply early and double-check details before submission.
📞 Helpdesk & Official Support
- 📧 Email: rrb.help@csc.gov.in
- ☎️ Phone: 9592001188 / 0172-5653333
- 🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Working days)
📌 Candidates can also check Exam Updates here
🌐 Important Links
- Official Notification pdf download
- Official Website: indianrailways.gov.in
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✅ Final Words
RRB Group D Level-1 Recruitment 2026 is a golden opportunity for candidates seeking a stable government job with Indian Railways. With 22,195 vacancies, fair selection, and nationwide posting, competition will be high—but correct information and careful application can put you ahead.
👉 Bookmark this page, apply early, and prepare systematically for CBT & PET.