Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have officially announced the online application schedule for RRB Level 1 Recruitment 2026 under Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 09/2025. As per the latest corrigendum issued by the Ministry of Railways, the online application process will begin on 31 January 2026 and will remain open until 02 March 2026.
This recruitment drive aims to fill approximately 22,000 Level-1 posts across all Railway Recruitment Boards. The recruitment is currently based on an indicative advertisement, and the detailed notification is still awaited. However, candidates can now plan and apply confidently using the officially confirmed dates.
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🔍 Quick Review: RRB Level 1 Recruitment 2026
- ✔ Recruitment Authority: Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs)
- ✔ Notification Type: Indicative Advertisement (CEN 09/2025)
- ✔ Posts: Level-1 (7th CPC Pay Matrix)
- ✔ Total Vacancies: Approx. 22,000
- ✔ Initial Pay: ₹18,000
- ✔ Age Limit: 18 to 33 years (as on 01.01.2026)
- ✔ Application Start Date: 31 January 2026
- ✔ Last Date to Apply: 02 March 2026 (23:59 hrs)
- ✔ Detailed Notification: Yet to be released
🧾 What Is RRB Level 1 Recruitment?
RRB Level-1 recruitment refers to entry-level railway posts governed under Level-1 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC). These posts are filled through a centralised, merit-based, fully computerised selection process conducted by Railway Recruitment Boards across India.
The current recruitment is announced through CEN 09/2025, but only in indicative form, meaning that core information like application dates, age limit, and pay scale are officially confirmed, while detailed rules will be notified later.
📊 RRB Level 1 Vacancy Details 2026
- Total Vacancies: Approximately 22,000
- Coverage: All Railway Recruitment Boards
- Nature of Vacancies: Tentative
Candidates should note that the vacancy count is marked as approximate and may change once the detailed notification is released.
🧰 Expected Posts Under RRB Level 1
- RRB Level-1 recruitment generally includes entry-level posts such as Track Maintainer, Helper/Assistant, Pointsman, and other similar roles required for day-to-day railway operations. The exact post-wise breakup for CEN 09/2025 will be announced in the detailed notification.
💰 Pay Scale and Job Level
- Pay Level: Level-1
- Pay Matrix: 7th CPC
- Initial Basic Pay: ₹18,000 per month
Additional allowances will be applicable as per Railway rules once the detailed notification is issued.
🎂 Age Limit (As on 01 January 2026)
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 33 years
Age relaxation details for reserved categories will be notified in the full notification.
🎓 Expected Educational Qualification
- As per previous RRB Level-1 recruitments, candidates are usually required to have passed Class 10th or possess an ITI qualification from a recognised institution. The exact educational qualification criteria for CEN 09/2025 will be confirmed in the detailed notification.
📅 Online Application Dates (Official)
Candidates must strictly follow the revised and currently valid dates:
- Application Start Date: 31 January 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 02 March 2026
- Closing Time: 23:59 hrs
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted under any circumstances.
📢 Detailed Notification Status (Very Important)
As of now:
- The recruitment is based on an indicative advertisement
- The full CEN 09/2025 notification has not been released
- Details such as:
- Educational qualification
- Selection stages
- Exam pattern & syllabus
- Application fee
- Reservation rules
will be notified later
Candidates are advised to apply within the given dates and regularly check official RRB updates.
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📝 Selection Process (Overview)
- The selection process for RRB Level-1 recruitment is expected to include a Computer Based Test (CBT) followed by a Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Document Verification. Stage-wise details will be notified officially along with the full notification.
🩺 Medical Fitness Requirements
- Candidates shortlisted for Level-1 posts will have to meet the prescribed medical standards as per Indian Railways norms. Post-wise medical requirements will be mentioned in the detailed notification.
🛠️ Common Problems Candidates Face (And Clear Solutions)
Problem 1: “Should I wait for the full notification?”
Solution: No. The application dates are officially announced. You can apply now and update details later if permitted.
Problem 2: “Are these dates final?”
Solution: Yes. These dates are issued via an official corrigendum and are currently valid.
Problem 3: “Is this a date extension?”
Solution: No. This is the first effective application schedule, as the earlier notice was only indicative.
Problem 4: “Can agents help in selection?”
Solution: Absolutely not. RRB has clearly warned against touts. Selection is 100% merit-based and computerised.
⚠️ Important Warning to Candidates
Railway Recruitment Boards have issued a strict warning:
- Do not trust middlemen or agents
- No illegal consideration can influence selection
- The recruitment process is fully transparent and merit-based
Candidates are advised to rely only on official RRB information.
👉 What Candidates Should Do Next
- Prepare required documents in advance
- Monitor RRB websites for the full notification
- Apply well before the last date to avoid technical issues
- Do not rely on unofficial sources or social media rumors
⏳ Exam Date & Admit Card Information
- The exam date and admit card release schedule for RRB Level-1 Recruitment 2026 have not been announced yet. These details will be released after the completion of the online application process.
🌐 Important Links
- Official Notification pdf download
- Official Website: indianrailways.gov.in
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✅ Conclusion
RRB Level 1 Recruitment 2026 under CEN 09/2025 has officially entered the application phase with confirmed dates. With 22,000 Level-1 vacancies, this recruitment offers a significant opportunity for candidates seeking a stable government job in Indian Railways. While the detailed notification is awaited, the announced application schedule allows candidates to move forward confidently.