Opening
The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways, Government of India, have issued Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 09/2025 for recruitment to various Level 1 posts under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. The notification covers 22,195 vacancies in Indian Railways. The Computer Based Test (CBT), answer key and objection schedule will be notified separately through the official RRB websites.
Post Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways |
| Post Name | Various Level 1 Posts under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix |
| Total Vacancies | 22,195 |
| Qualification | 10th pass, ITI or equivalent, or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT, as applicable to the post |
| Category | Answer Key / Recruitment Notice |
| Status | Recruitment notification released; answer key schedule to be announced |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Indicative Notice in Employment News | 27/12/2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | 31/01/2026 at 00:00 hrs |
| Online Application Closing Date | 02/03/2026 at 23:59 hrs |
| Last Date for Application Fee Payment | 04/03/2026 at 23:59 hrs |
| Application Modification Window | 05/03/2026 to 14/03/2026 at 23:59 hrs |
| Scribe Details Submission Window | 15/03/2026 to 19/03/2026 |
| CBT Date | To be notified by the concerned RRB |
| Answer Key Date | To be notified by the concerned RRB |
| Objection Submission Deadline | To be notified along with the answer key |
Vacancy Details
The recruitment includes the following Level 1 posts:
| Post Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Assistant TRD | Electrical |
| Assistant Operations (Electrical) | Electrical |
| Assistant TL and AC | Electrical |
| Assistant (S and T) | Signal and Telecommunication |
| Pointsman B | Traffic |
| Assistant Track Machine | Engineering |
| Trackmaintainer-IV | Engineering |
| Assistant Bridge | Engineering |
| Assistant Carriage and Wagon | Mechanical |
| Assistant Loco Shed (Electrical) | Electrical |
| Assistant P.Way | Engineering |
The total notified vacancy is 22,195 posts. Detailed RRB-wise, Railway-wise, post-wise and category-wise vacancy distribution is provided in Annexure B of CEN No. 09/2025. Vacancies are provisional and may be increased, decreased or revised by the Railway Administration.
Answer Key Details
The notification does not provide a CBT answer key or an objection schedule. Candidates should note the following:
- The CBT date will be announced separately on the official websites of the participating RRBs.
- The provisional answer key, when released, is expected to be made available through the concerned RRB’s candidate login portal.
- Candidates should download the response sheet and provisional answer key using their registration details.
- Objections, if invited, must be submitted online within the deadline specified by the concerned RRB.
- Candidates should carefully verify the question number, answer option and supporting explanation before submitting an objection.
- The final answer key and normalized marks will be used for shortlisting candidates for subsequent stages.
- Candidates must regularly check the official RRB/RRC websites because SMS or email delivery may sometimes fail.
Examination Pattern
The CBT will contain objective-type multiple-choice questions. The indicative pattern is as follows:
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Science | 25 | 25 |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| General Awareness and Current Affairs | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
- Examination duration: 90 minutes.
- Examination duration for candidates eligible to use a scribe: 120 minutes.
- Negative marking: One-third mark will be deducted for every wrong answer.
- Minimum shortlisting marks: UR and EWS 40%, OBC-NCL 30%, SC 30% and ST 30%.
- The minimum qualifying percentage may be relaxed by 2 marks for PwBD candidates in case of shortage against reserved PwBD vacancies.
- Normalization of marks will be applied where the CBT is conducted in multiple sessions.
Syllabus Highlights
Mathematics
Number system, BODMAS, decimals, fractions, LCM, HCF, ratio and proportion, percentages, mensuration, time and work, time and distance, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, elementary statistics, square roots, age calculations, calendar, clock, pipes and cisterns and related topics.
General Intelligence and Reasoning
Analogies, alphabetical and number series, coding and decoding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogism, jumbling, Venn diagrams, data interpretation and sufficiency, conclusions and decision-making, similarities and differences, analytical reasoning, classification, directions, statements, arguments and assumptions.
General Science
Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences at the 10th-standard level based broadly on the CBSE curriculum.
General Awareness and Current Affairs
Science and technology, sports, culture, personalities, economics, politics and other subjects of national and general importance.
Selection Process
The recruitment process comprises the following stages:
- Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
- Document Verification (DV)
- Medical Examination (ME)
Candidates may be shortlisted for PET at approximately three times the community-wise vacancies. Shortlisting for Document Verification and Medical Examination will generally be made at a 1:1 ratio against the notified vacancies, subject to merit, PET qualification, medical fitness and document verification.
Physical Efficiency Test
| Candidate | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Male candidates | Carry 35 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes without putting it down and run 1,000 metres in 4 minutes 15 seconds |
| Female candidates | Carry 20 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes without putting it down and run 1,000 metres in 5 minutes 40 seconds |
The PET is qualifying in nature. PwBD candidates, Course Completed Act Apprentices trained in Railway Establishments and Ex-Servicemen are exempted from PET as per the conditions given in the notification.
Age Limit and Qualification Information
The prescribed age is 18 to 33 years, calculated as on 01/01/2026. The basic educational qualification must have been acquired on or before 02/03/2026. Candidates awaiting the final result of the prescribed qualification are not eligible.
The qualification for the notified posts is generally 10th pass, ITI or equivalent, or NAC granted by NCVT, subject to the specific post parameters in Annexure A. Engineering diplomas or degrees are not accepted in lieu of ITI or Course Completed Act Apprenticeship unless specifically permitted.
Medical Standards
Posts carry medical standards such as A-2, A-3, B-1 and C-1. Candidates must satisfy the medical and visual acuity standards applicable to their opted post. Candidates who have undergone LASIK or another corrective eye surgery are not eligible for posts having A-2 and A-3 medical standards, subject to the conditions specified in the notification. No alternative appointment will be provided if a candidate is medically unsuitable for the opted post.
Key Instructions for Candidates
- Only one application may be submitted to one RRB/Railway Zone.
- Multiple applications will result in rejection and possible debarment from future RRB/RRC examinations.
- Details entered during account creation, including mobile number and email ID, and the chosen RRB cannot be modified.
- Candidates should keep their registered mobile number and email ID active throughout the recruitment process.
- Candidates must carry the e-call letter and an original valid photo identity document to the examination centre.
- Electronic devices, calculators, watches, mobile phones, books, bags, food items and other prohibited articles are not allowed inside the examination centre.
- Original certificates and two sets of self-attested photocopies must be produced during Document Verification.
- Candidates claiming SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen or CCAA benefits must produce certificates in the prescribed format.
- Any impersonation, cheating, forged document, false claim or use of unfair means may result in cancellation, lifetime debarment and legal action.
Official Answer Key and Recruitment Websites
Candidates should use only the official RRB/RRC websites for downloading the answer key, response sheet, e-call letter and recruitment notices. The answer key and objection facility will be published by the concerned RRB after the CBT schedule is announced.