RRB Recruitment 2026 – Railway Jobs, NTPC, Group D, ALP & JE Latest Notifications
Indian Railways is one of the largest employers in the world with over 12 lakh employees and continues to be the most popular career destination for 10th, 12th and graduate-pass Indians. Every year the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and RRC (Railway Recruitment Cell) release notifications for over 1 lakh vacancies. In 2026, RRB notifications are out for NTPC, Group D, ALP & Technician, JE, Paramedical and Ministerial & Isolated Categories. Here's the complete guide.
What is RRB?
There are 21 RRBs across India under the Ministry of Railways. They conduct centralised competitive exams for various Group C and erstwhile Group D posts. Beyond RRBs, the RRC (Railway Recruitment Cell) handles Level 1 (Group D) hiring. Selected candidates are placed across zones and divisions of Indian Railways.
RRB 2026 – Major Recruitments at a Glance
| Notification | Posts | Approx Vacancy | Education | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RRB NTPC (Graduate) | Goods Train Manager, Sr Clerk-cum-Typist, Sr Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Station Master, Junior Accounts Asst-cum-Typist | ~11,500 | Graduate | Notification released |
| RRB NTPC (Undergraduate) | Commercial-cum-Ticket Clerk, Accounts Clerk-cum-Typist, Junior Clerk-cum-Typist, Trains Clerk | ~3,400 | 12th pass | Notification released |
| RRB ALP & Technician | Asst Loco Pilot, Technicians Gr 1 / 2 / 3 | ~18,800 | 10th + ITI / Diploma / B.E. | Notification released |
| RRC Group D (Level 1) | Pointsman, Track Maintainer, Asst (S&T / Operating / Electrical / Mechanical) | ~32,000+ | 10th pass / ITI / NAC | Notification released |
| RRB JE (Junior Engineer) | JE Civil / Electrical / Mechanical / S&T | ~7,900 | Diploma / B.E. / B.Tech | Notification released |
| RRB Paramedical & Ministerial | Staff Nurse, Lab Asst, Pharmacist, Stenographer, Teacher | ~1,500 | Varies | As per board |
Eligibility for Each Post
RRB NTPC
- Graduate posts: Bachelor's degree from any recognised university.
- Undergraduate posts: 12th (10+2) pass.
- Age: 18-33 years for graduate posts; 18-30 for undergraduate (as per latest notification, with relaxations).
- Typing test for clerk posts (English 30 wpm / Hindi 25 wpm).
RRB Group D
- 10th pass OR ITI OR National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) from NCVT.
- Age: 18-33 years (with relaxations).
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — Male: lift 35 kg weight for 100 m in 2 minutes & run 1,000 m in 4 min 15 sec; Female: lift 20 kg weight for 100 m in 2 min & run 1,000 m in 5 min 40 sec.
RRB ALP & Technician
- ALP: 10th + ITI in relevant trade / Diploma / Degree in Engineering.
- Technician Grade 1: Diploma / B.E. / B.Tech in relevant trade.
- Technician Grade 3: 10th + ITI in relevant trade.
- Age: 18-33 years (with relaxations).
RRB JE
- Diploma or B.E./B.Tech in relevant engineering branch.
- Age: 18-36 years (with relaxations).
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern
Two-stage Computer Based Test (CBT) + Skill Test (where applicable):
- CBT 1: 100 questions × 1 mark = 100 marks, 90 min. Sections: Maths (30), GA (40), Reasoning (30). Negative -1/3.
- CBT 2: 120 questions × 1 mark = 120 marks, 90 min. Sections: Maths (35), GA (50), Reasoning (35).
- Typing Test / Aptitude Test: For specific posts.
- Document Verification & Medical.
RRB Group D Exam Pattern
- CBT: 100 questions × 1 mark, 90 min. Sections: Maths (25), GI & Reasoning (30), GS (25), GA & Current Affairs (20). Negative -1/3.
- PET (Physical Efficiency Test): Qualifying.
- Document Verification & Medical Examination.
RRB ALP & Technician Exam Pattern
- CBT 1: 75 questions, 60 min. Maths (20), GI & Reasoning (25), GS (10), GA & Current (20). Negative -1/3.
- CBT 2: 175 questions split in Part A (100Q general) and Part B (75Q trade — qualifying).
- CBAT (Computer-Based Aptitude Test): for ALP only.
- Document Verification & Medical.
Salary Structure by Pay Level
| Post | Pay Level | Basic Pay | Approx In-Hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group D Track Maintainer / Pointsman | Level 1 | ₹18,000 | ~₹26,000-₹29,000 |
| ALP / Technician Gr 3 | Level 2 | ₹19,900 | ~₹30,000-₹35,000 |
| Technician Gr 1 (Signal & Telecom) | Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ~₹40,000-₹43,000 |
| NTPC Undergraduate (Clerk / Trains Clerk) | Level 2-3 | ₹19,900-₹21,700 | ~₹32,000-₹38,000 |
| NTPC Graduate (Goods Manager / Sr Commercial) | Level 5-6 | ₹29,200-₹35,400 | ~₹45,000-₹56,000 |
| Station Master | Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ~₹52,000-₹58,000 |
| JE Civil / Mech / Electrical / S&T | Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ~₹52,000-₹58,000 |
Add DA (50%), HRA (8/16/24%), TA, night duty allowance, mileage, running allowance (for ALP/Loco staff), free railway pass for self & family. Total CTC at entry is typically ₹3.5-₹7.5 lakh per year depending on post.
How to Apply – Step by Step
- Visit rrbapply.gov.in (single window for all RRB notifications).
- Register with mobile + email; create user ID and password.
- Login → Select notification → fill personal, educational details.
- Upload photo (10-50 KB), signature (2-30 KB), left thumb impression, handwritten declaration.
- Choose 4 RRBs in order of preference + preferred posts.
- Pay fee online — General ₹500 (₹400 refunded after CBT 1), SC/ST/Women/EBC ₹250 (fully refunded).
- Submit application and save PDF confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is medical examination strict in RRB recruitment?▼
Yes — Indian Railways has strict medical standards because of the safety-critical nature of railway operations. ALPs, Train Managers, Station Masters, Signal staff and Loco Pilots fall under "A-1" or "A-2" categories requiring perfect vision (6/6 distant and near, no colour blindness), good hearing, and excellent overall fitness. Clerical staff, accounts and ministerial posts fall under "C-1" or "C-2" with relaxed eyesight standards. Tattoos are not allowed for safety-critical posts (some leniency exists). If you have spectacles, glasses up to a certain power are accepted; LASIK surgery without scar is also accepted.
Does Indian Railways still recruit on the basis of merit alone or are there reservations?▼
Recruitment is on the basis of merit within each reservation category as per Government of India rules: SC 15%, ST 7.5%, OBC 27%, EWS 10%, PwBD 4%, Ex-Servicemen 10% (horizontal). Cut-offs are different for each category. There is no separate quota for Railway employees' children or any "sports/cultural quota" in the regular RRB exam — those are handled through separate sports recruitment notifications. Female candidates have a small horizontal reservation in some specific posts like Trackman.
What is the difference between RRB and RRC?▼
RRBs (Railway Recruitment Boards) — there are 21 of them — conduct exams for Group C and erstwhile Group D posts: NTPC, JE, ALP, Technicians, Paramedical, Ministerial. RRCs (Railway Recruitment Cells) — one per railway zone — conduct exams for Level 1 (Group D) posts only, like Trackman, Pointsman, Helper, Porter. RRC recruitment used to be zone-wise; from 2018 it has been consolidated through a single CEN (Centralised Employment Notification). Both organisations come under the Railway Recruitment Control Board of the Railway Board.
Can female candidates apply for ALP and Technician?▼
Yes — female candidates are eligible for Assistant Loco Pilot, all Technician grades and Group D posts. Indian Railways has been actively promoting women in technical roles since 2016. The Physical Efficiency Test (PET) has separate standards for women. The Female Loco Pilot has even featured on Vande Bharat trains, including the inaugural Mumbai-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat. The first all-women operated train was on the Asansol Division in 2022. For ALP and technical posts, female candidates often have lower cut-offs than male candidates in the same category.
How many years to become Station Master through RRB NTPC?▼
If you join directly as Station Master through RRB NTPC (Graduate level — Pay Level 6, Basic ₹35,400), you start your career at the station from day one after 6-12 months of training at the Railway training centre. The first promotion to Senior Station Master takes about 4-6 years. Further promotions to Section Controller / Deputy Station Superintendent take another 5-7 years. Top railway officers like Chief Operating Manager are typically reached after 25+ years through internal exams (LDCE) and merit-based promotions. Many also clear UPSC Civil Services or Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) for faster growth.