RRB Group D Registration Process Postponed, Applications to Begin from January 31

The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have postponed the online registration for the RRB Group D Recruitment 2026, originally scheduled to start on January 21, 2026. According to updates reported across multiple sources citing official RRB communications, the application process will now commence on January 31, 2026.

This recruitment drive, referenced under CEN 09/2025 in several notices, targets approximately 22,000 vacancies for Level-1 posts in various departments of Indian Railways. The move affects candidates across multiple RRB jurisdictions nationwide.

Check the Official Notification

Official Website: RRB Group D Website

RRB Group D Revised Timeline: Key Details

The Railway Recruitment Boards issued a short notice indicating the postponement. While the exact reason for the delay has not been detailed in public updates, the revised schedule provides candidates with additional preparation time.

Original registration start date: January 21, 2026
New registration start date: January 31, 2026
Application closing date: March 2, 2026 (till 11:59 pm, as per consistent reports)
Detailed notification release: Expected around January 30, 2026, on official RRB websites

Candidates are advised to apply through the central portal www.rrbapply.gov.in. Regional RRB websites, including those for Prayagraj, Bangalore, Bhopal, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Patna, and others, will also host relevant updates and links.

RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria and Vacancy Overview

The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have outlined the key eligibility parameters and approximate vacancy details for the RRB Group D (Level-1) Recruitment 2026 under CEN 09/2025. These apply nationwide across participating RRBs. The detailed official notification, expected around January 30, 2026, will provide final confirmation on post-wise and zone-wise breakdowns.

Eligibility Criteria

Parameter	Details
Educational Qualification	Class 10th pass from a recognized board, OR ITI/equivalent from NCVT/SCVT recognized institute, OR National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT. Candidates awaiting final results are not eligible.
Age Limit (as on relevant cutoff date, typically 01/01/2026)	Minimum: 18 years Maximum: 33 years (some sources indicate up to 36 years with relaxations considered; final confirmation awaited in detailed CEN)
Age Relaxation	Applicable as per Government of India rules: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, additional for PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, and other categories.
Application Fee	Rs 500 for General and OBC candidates Rs 250 for SC/ST, PwBD, Female, Transgender, Ex-Servicemen, Minority Communities, and Economically Backward Class (EBC) candidates (refundable under certain conditions as per rules)
Nationality	Indian nationals (with provisions for certain other categories as per rules)

Vacancy Overview

Approximately 22,000 vacancies are targeted for Level-1 Group D posts across Indian Railways departments. The authority has not announced the final zone-wise or category-wise distribution yet in the short notice. Indicative breakdown based on available reports includes:

Post/Department	Approximate Vacancies
Track Maintainer Grade-IV	11,000
Pointsman / Traffic Points roles	5,000
Assistant (S&T)	1,500
Assistant (C&W)	1,000
Assistant (TRD)	800
Assistant (Track Machine) and Assistant (Bridge)	600
Assistant (P-Way)	300
Assistant Operations	500
Assistant Loco Shed	200
Other Engineering and related roles	Balance contributing to total ~22,000
Total Vacancies	Approximately 22,000

Candidates should refer to the official detailed notification on www.rrbapply.gov.in or respective RRB websites for confirmed vacancy matrix, post parameters, and any updates. The authority has not announced further details yet on exact category-wise reservations or final post nomenclature variations.

RRB Group D Selection Process and Application Steps

The recruitment follows the standard RRB Group D selection process for Level-1 posts, though specific stages for this cycle await confirmation in the detailed notification. Typically, it includes:

Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Document Verification
Medical Examination

To apply once registration opens, candidates should:

Visit www.rrbapply.gov.in
Complete new registration and create login credentials
Fill the application form with required details
Upload necessary documents and photograph/signature
Pay the application fee online
Submit the form and retain the confirmation page

The authority has not announced further details yet on the exact exam schedule, admit card release dates, or city intimation slips for this recruitment cycle. Candidates should regularly check the official RRB websites and the centralized application portal for authentic updates, as misleading information circulates on unofficial channels.

This postponement applies pan-India under the jurisdiction of all participating Railway Recruitment Boards for the 2026 recruitment to Group D Level-1 positions in Indian Railways.

Written by Abhijeet Chatterjee

Abhijeet Chatterjee is a professional Content and Copy specialist with over five years of experience in crafting compelling content around the Edtech domain. His portfolio includes notable work for companies such as PhysicsWallah, Roar Media, Jagran Josh, etc. Academically, Abhijeet holds a Master's in Mass Communication, where he was awarded a gold medal for his outstanding performance. He has also qualified for the UGC NET in Mass Communication, demonstrating his expertise and a deep understanding of the field. His academic foundation is built on a Bachelor's degree in English Literature. Beyond his professional work, Abhijeet is an avid writer and a cinephile. His personal interests include scriptwriting, film criticism, and reading novels.

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