What is RRB Exam & Requirements?
Every year, the RRB exam releases thousands of vacancies for candidates with qualifications ranging from matriculation to graduation. Due to the scale and job security associated with these roles, applications reach millions.
The recruitment process is handled at the regional level by the Railway Recruitment Board and Railway Recruitment Cells. RRBs handle Group C technical and non-technical posts, while RRCs manage the selection process for Group D posts. Currently, 21 RRBs and 16 RRCs operate across the country. Recruitment for Group A and Group B posts is conducted through a different process, primarily through the Civil Service and Engineering Service exams.
RRB exams cover several categories, including NTPC posts, Level 1 posts under the 7th CPC pay matrix, Junior Engineer roles, Assistant Loco Pilots, and various technical and ministerial posts. Depending on operational needs, different railway zones may also announce additional vacancies. This guide explains the structure, eligibility requirements, and key components of the RRB exam.
RRB Recruitment Calendar 2026 (Upcoming Notifications)
| Exam Name | Expected Notification | Post Categories | Eligibility (Typical) |
| RRB ALP | Jan – March 2026 | Assistant Loco Pilot | 10th + ITI / Diploma / Degree (Engg) |
| RRB Technician | April – June 2026 | Technicians (Gr I & III) | 10th + ITI / 12th (PCM) / Diploma |
| RRB JE | July – Sept 2026 | Junior Engineer, DMS, CMA | Diploma / Degree in Engineering |
| RRB NTPC (Grad) | July – Sept 2026 | Station Master, Goods Guard | Graduation in any stream |
| RRB NTPC (UG) | Oct – Dec 2026 | Clerk, Typist, Time Keeper | 12th Pass |
| RRB Group D | Oct – Dec 2026 | Level-1 (Track Maintainer, etc.) | 10th Pass or ITI |
| Ministerial Posts | Oct – Dec 2026 | Stenographer, Translator | Varies (12th/Grad + Skills) |
Highlights of RRB exam
| Conducting Body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and Railway Recruitment Cells (RRC) |
| Exams Level | National |
| Exams Purpose | Selection of candidates to the various posts in Group C and D categories. |
| Exams Frequency | Once a year (but based on vacancy) |
| Exams Language | RRB NTPC & Group D: 15 different languages which are English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu RRB ALP: 12 languages- Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Manipuri, Konkani |
| Official Website | indianrailways.gov.in |
| RRB exams in India | |
| RRB Group D | RRB NTPC |
| RRB JE | RRB ALP |
Overview of all RRB Exams
| RRB NTPC | |
| Post names | Undergraduate posts: Junior Clerk cum Typist, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Junior Time Keeper, Trains Clerk and Commercial cum Ticket Clerk. Graduate posts: Traffic Assistant, Goods Guard, Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist, Senior Time Keeper, Commercial Apprentice and Station Master. |
| Recruitment stages | 1st Stage Computer Based Test (CBT), 2nd Stage Computer Based Test (CBT), Typing Skill Test/Computer Based Aptitude Test (as applicable to the posts) and Document Verification/Medical Examination |
| Exam Duration | 1st Stage & 2nd Stage: 90 minutes (120 minutes for PwBD candidates accompanied with scribe) |
| RRB Group D | |
| Post names | Various Posts in Level 1 of 7th CPC Pay Matrix such as Track Maintainer Grade-IV, Helper/Assistant Pointsman, etc. |
| Recruitment stages | CBT, Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Document Verification and Medical Examination |
| Exam Duration | CBT is conducted for 90 minutes |
| RRB ALP | |
| Post names | Assistant Loco Pilot and Technician |
| Recruitment stages | First Stage CBT, Second Stage CBT, Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) (conducted for Assistant Loco Pilot) and Document Verification |
| Exam Duration | First stage CBT: 1 Hour Second stage CBT: 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
| RRB JE | |
| Post names | Junior Engineer (JE), Junior Engineer (Information Technology) Depot Material Superintendent (DMS) and Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA) |
| Recruitment stages | First Stage CBT, Second Stage CBT, Document Verification and Medical Examination |
| Exam Duration | First Stage CBT: 90 minutes Second Stage CBT: 120 minutes |
Changes in Railway Recruitment over the years
The RRB exam over the years has undergone various changes in the recruitment process. Some of the major changes in railway recruitment are given below:
Online Application System: To expedite the application process, Railway Recruitment Boards have adopted the online application submission process. This allows candidates to fill out and submit the application form online. Earlier, candidates had to get the application form from the respective RRBs or by post or in Employment News or newspapers.
Computer-Based Exam: The Railways moved to computer-based testing mode from pen and paper mode. Admit cards for the various RRB exams are issued online. Earlier, the admit cards were sent through the post.
Release of answer keys: Railway Recruitment Boards release the answer keys for their various exams. This initiative is taken with the view to ensure transparency in the exam. Candidates are also allowed to raise objections to the official answer key by paying a certain amount of fees.
A comprehensive view of the kind of posts, their required educational qualifications, pattern of examination, etc., is mentioned below.
| EXAM | Other Important Details |
| COMMERCIAL APPRENTICE | Minimum Educational Qualification: Degree from recognized University or its equivalent. Age Limit : 18 -32 years. Exam Pattern : Single Stage Computer Based Test followed by document verification |
| TRAFFIC APPRENTICE | Minimum Educational Qualification: Degree from recognized University or its equivalent. Age Limit: 18 -32 years. Exam Pattern : Single Stage Computer Based Test followed by document verification |
| ENQUIRY cum RESERVATION CLERK | Minimum Educational Qualification: Degree from recognized University or its equivalent. Age Limit : 18 -32 years. Exam Pattern : Single Stage Computer Based Test followed by document verification |
| GOODS GUARD | Minimum Educational Qualification: Degree from recognized University or its equivalent. Age Limit: 18 -32 years. Exam Pattern : Single Stage Computer Based Test followed by document verification |
| JUNIOR ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT cum TYPIST | Minimum Educational Qualification: Degree from recognized University or its equivalent. Typing proficiency in English/Hindi on Computer is essential. Typing proficiency @ 30 wpm in English or @ 25 wpm in Hindi. Age Limit: 18 -32 years. Exam Pattern : Single Stage Computer Based Test, Typing skill test, followed by document verification. |
| SENIOR CLERK cum TYPIST | Minimum Educational Qualification: Degree from recognized University or its equivalent. Age Limit: 18 -32 years. Exam Pattern : Single Stage Computer Based Test followed by document verification |
| GOODS GUARD | Minimum Educational Qualification: Degree from recognized University or its equivalent. Age Limit: 18 -32 years. Exam Pattern : Single Stage Computer Based Test followed by document verification |
| JUNIOR ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT cum TYPIST | Minimum Educational Qualification: Degree from recognized University or its equivalent. Typing proficiency in English/Hindi on Computer is essential. Typing proficiency @ 30 wpm in English or @ 25 wpm in Hindi. Age Limit: 18 -32 years. Exam Pattern : Single Stage Computer Based Test, Typing skill test, followed by document verification. |
| SENIOR CLERK cum TYPIST | Minimum Educational Qualification: Degree from recognized University or its equivalent. Typing proficuency in English/Hindi on Computer is essential. Typing proficiency @ 30 wpm in English or @ 25 wpm in Hindi. Age Limit: 18 -32 years. Exam Pattern : Single Stage Computer Based Test, Typing skill test, followed by document verification. |
| ASSISTANT STATION MASTER | Minimum Educational Qualification: Degree from recognized University or its equivalent. Desirable Qualification: Diploma in Rail Transport & Management, Transport Economics, Multimodal Transport. Age Limit: 18 -32 years. Exam Pattern : Single Stage Computer Based Test, Aptitude test, followed by document verification. |
| TRAFFIC ASSISTANT | Minimum Educational Qualification: Degree from recognized University or its equivalent. Desirable Qualification: Diploma in Rail Transport & Management, Transport Economics, Multimodal Transport. Age Limit : 18 -32 years. Exam Pattern : Single Stage Computer Based Test, Aptitude test, followed by document verification. |
| SR. TIME KEEPER | Minimum Educational Qualification: Degree from recognized University or its equivalent. Typing proficiency in English/Hindi on Computer is essential. Age Limit: 18 -32 years. Exam Pattern : Single Stage Computer Based Test, Typing skill test, followed by document verification. |
RRB Exam FAQs
Q. How many times is the RRB exam conducted?
A. RRB exams are conducted based on vacancies.
Q. What is the mode of exams?
A. The exams are conducted in computer-based mode.
Q. What are the posts filled through the RRB exam?
A. The posts that are filled through the exam are Non-Technical Popular Categories, Para Medical Categories, Ministerial and Isolated Categories, Various Posts in Level 1 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, and various posts of Jr. Engineer, Depot Material Superintendent and CMA, ALP, and Technicians.
Q. What is the age limit for applying to the various exams?
A. The age limit is different for different exams. You can refer to the ‘Eligibility Criteria’ section on this page.
Q. How can I fill out the application form for various RRB exams?
A. The application forms need to be submitted online only.
Q. Is there any limit to the number of attempts?
A. No, there is no capping on the number of attempts.
Q. What is the educational qualification?
A. The educational qualification is class 10, 12, and graduation.
Q. Is there any negative marking in the exam?
A. Yes, there is negative marking in the exam.
Q. Who issues the letter of appointment?
A. The letter of appointment is issued by the respective railway zones.
Q. Is it mandatory to qualify the document verification?
A. Yes, it is mandatory to qualify the document verification.
Q. Why is the medical test done?
A. The medical test is done to check the fitness of candidates for a particular post.