Railway Group D Recruitment 2026: Official Notification Released for 22,000+ Vacancies
An official notification has been issued for the Railway Group D Recruitment 2026, offering over 22,000 direct भर्ती positions. This recruitment drive is open to candidates who have passed 10th grade, making it a significant opportunity for many job seekers. Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply, and the application process will be conducted online. Comprehensive details regarding the selection process, age limits, application dates, and how to apply for this railway direct recruitment are now available.
Vacancy Details
The recruitment is officially named Railway Group D Recruitment 2026, falling under Level 1 of the 7th Pay Commission. The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) is the conducting authority for this Group D post recruitment. A detailed notification has been released, indicating that application forms will be accepted from February through March 2026, with a specific closing date of March 2, 2026.
Posts Included in Railway Group D
The Railway Group D recruitment covers various posts, including:
- Track Maintainer Grade IV
- Helper in Electrical, Mechanical, Engineering, Signal & Telecommunication (S&T) departments
- Assistant Pointsman
- Hospital Assistant
- Other Level 1 posts
The total number of vacancies is specified as 22,195.
Eligibility Criteria (Who Can Apply)
Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply for this direct railway recruitment. Applicants must be citizens of India and must meet the minimum educational qualification requirements. The recruitment is based on a general nature and merit.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed 10th/Matriculation from a recognized board or institute. Alternatively, candidates possessing an ITI qualification or a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) are also eligible to apply.
Age Limit
For the Railway Group D Recruitment 2026, the minimum age limit is 18 years, and the maximum age limit is 33 years, calculated as of January 1, 2026. Age relaxations are applicable as per government rules:
- SC/ST Candidates: 5 years of age relaxation.
- OBC Candidates: 3 years of age relaxation.
- PWD Candidates: Age relaxation as per Government norms.
- Ex-Servicemen: Age relaxation as per rules.
Salary and Pay Scale
Railway Group D employees will receive a salary according to the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) Level 1 Pay Matrix. The basic pay level is ₹18,000 per month. The approximate in-hand salary for Railway Group D ranges from ₹20,000 to ₹25,000. Additional benefits include Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Travel Allowance (TA), Medical Facilities, and Pension & Retirement Benefits.
Selection Process
The selection process for Railway Group D Recruitment 2026 involves several stages:
- Computer Based Test (CBT): The initial stage of examination.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Candidates qualifying CBT will proceed to PET.
- Document Verification (DV): Verification of all submitted documents.
- Medical Examination: A medical fitness test.
- Final Merit List: Selection will be based on a final merit list.
CBT Exam Pattern
The Computer Based Test (CBT) will consist of 100 questions for 100 marks, with a time duration of 90 minutes. There will be a negative marking of 1/3rd for each incorrect answer. The subject-wise distribution is as follows:
- General Science: 25 questions, 25 marks.
- Mathematics: 25 questions, 25 marks.
- General Intelligence & Reasoning: 30 questions, 30 marks.
- General Awareness & Current Affairs: 20 questions, 20 marks.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Details
The Physical Efficiency Test (PET) has specific requirements for both male and female candidates:
For Male Candidates:
- Candidates must lift and carry 35 kg of weight for a distance of 100 meters in 2 minutes (one chance allowed).
- Candidates must complete a 1000-meter run in 4 minutes 15 seconds.
For Female Candidates:
- Candidates must lift and carry 20 kg of weight for a distance of 100 meters in 2 minutes (one chance allowed).
- Candidates must complete a 1000-meter run in 5 minutes 40 seconds.
Important Dates
According to the official notification, the key dates for the Railway Group D Recruitment 2026 are:
- Opening Date & Time of Online Application: January 31, 2026
- Closing Date & Time for Online Application: March 2, 2026
Important Documents Required
To apply online for the Railway Group D Recruitment 2026, candidates will need the following documents:
- 10th Marksheet/Certificate
- Aadhaar Card/Photo ID
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Passport Size Photograph
- Signature
- Valid Mobile Number
- Email ID
How to Apply
Candidates must apply only through the official website. The Indian Railways has issued a disclaimer to “be aware of fake websites” and encourages applicants to use only authentic official railway portals for application. The official notification must be thoroughly reviewed before applying. For additional details regarding the vacancies, exam patterns, and complete information, candidates can search for “fan news.com” on Google and navigate to the relevant section for Railway Group D Recruitment 2026.
