A good fit if you...
- Have passed Class 10 or ITI and want a permanent railway job.
- Are physically fit and comfortable with outdoor and technical work.
- Want a job with free passes, medical and promotion opportunities.
Railways · After 10th
RRB Group D — Level 1 Posts
Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Group D (Level 1) is one of India's largest recruitments, filling posts like Track Maintainer, Pointsman and Assistant in technical departments. It is open to Class 10 pass candidates and Industrial Training Institute (ITI) holders.
QualificationClass 10 / ITI / NAC
Age Limit18–33 years
Starting PayLevel 1 — ₹18,000 basic
StagesCBT → PET → DV → Medical
Overview
What is RRB Group D?
Group D (now called Level 1 of the 7th CPC pay matrix) recruitment is done through the Railway Recruitment Cells / Boards under a centralised notification. Lakhs of candidates apply for vacancies across railway zones.
Posts include Track Maintainer Grade IV, Pointsman and Assistant in departments such as Bridge, Carriage & Wagon, Loco Shed, Operations, P-Way, Signal & Telecom, TRD and Workshop.
Track MaintainerPointsmanAssistant (Technical)Level 1PET
Fit check
Who should choose RRB Group D
Think twice if you...
- Want a desk job — many Level 1 posts involve field and physical work.
- Cannot clear the lifting and running test.
- Already have higher qualifications and can target Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) or Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP).
What gives you an edge
Class 10 any stream
Enough for eligibility.
ITI trade
Helps in technical departments and later for ALP/technician posts.
Class 10 science
General science carries a quarter of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) marks.
Step-by-step plan for your background
Arts / Humanities
If you're from Arts
- General Awareness carries the highest weight — your strength; add Indian Railways and current affairs.
- Revise National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) Science (Class 9–10) carefully — it is new ground for most Arts students.
- Practise arithmetic daily from basics.
Commerce
If you're from Commerce
- Arithmetic is familiar — extend to geometry, mensuration and algebra.
- Revise NCERT Science (Class 9–10) for the general science questions.
- Daily current affairs and static General Knowledge (GK).
Science
If you're from Science
- General science and maths are your edge — keep them sharp with timed practice.
- Spend extra time on General Awareness: history, polity, culture and current affairs.
- Practise reasoning puzzles for speed.
Eligibility
RRB Group D eligibility criteria
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizen (and certain other categories) |
| Qualification | Class 10 pass, or ITI from an NCVT/SCVT institution, or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) |
| Age limit | 18–33 years (check each notification — one-time relaxations have applied) |
| Medical standard | Post-specific — A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, C-1 or C-2 |
Upper age relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) (non-creamy layer) | 3 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (UR / OBC / SC-ST) | 10 / 13 / 15 years |
| Ex-servicemen | As per government rules (military service deducted from age, plus 3 years) |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | No age relaxation |
Physical Efficiency Test
| Event | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Lift and carry | 35 kg for 100 m in 2 minutes without putting down | 20 kg for 100 m in 2 minutes without putting down |
| Run | 1000 m in 4 minutes 15 seconds | 1000 m in 5 minutes 40 seconds |
PET is qualifying, and only one chance is given. PwBD candidates are exempt from PET.
Step-by-step
RRB Group D selection process
Stage 1
Apply online
To one RRB / RRC with post preferences.
Stage 2
CBT
100 questions in 90 minutes.
Stage 3
Physical Efficiency Test
Qualifying.
Stage 4
Document verification
For candidates who clear PET.
Stage 5
Medical examination
As per post-wise medical standards.
Marks & timing
RRB Group D exam pattern
Stage 1
Computer-Based Test
Questions100Marks100Duration90 minutes
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Science | 25 | 25 | — |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 | — |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | — |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 | — |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 90 minutes |
Key rules at a glance
Negative marking
One-third mark deducted for each wrong answer.
Minimum marks
Qualifying percentages by category (e.g. 40% for UR/EWS in recent notifications).
Language
15 languages including English and Hindi.
Normalisation
Marks are normalised across shifts.
What to study
RRB Group D syllabus
General Science
Class 10 level physics, chemistry and life sciences.
Mathematics
Number systemBODMASDecimalsFractionsLCM and HCFRatioPercentageMensurationTime and workTime and distanceInterestProfit and lossAlgebraGeometryTrigonometryStatistics
Reasoning
AnalogiesSeriesCoding-decodingPuzzlesSyllogismVenn diagramsData sufficiencyDecision making
General Awareness
Science and technologySportsCulturePersonalitiesEconomicsPolitics and current affairs
Pay, perks & work
RRB Group D salary, designation & job profile
Basic pay₹18,000/month
Pay Level 1 (₹18,000–56,900).
Indicative in-hand₹22,000 – ₹30,000/month
With DA, House Rent Allowance (HRA) and allowances, depending on city; before deductions.
PerksFree railway passes, medical, quarters
Plus night duty and risk allowances in some posts, and pension under applicable rules.
Job role & responsibilities
Track Maintainer
Inspect and maintain railway tracks.
Pointsman
Operate points and signals at stations.
Assistant (Technical)
Support technicians in loco sheds, workshops, signal and electrical departments.
Safety
Help ensure safe train operations.
Career ladder
1Entry
Level 1 post
Entry.
2Step 2
Technician / Level 2–3
Through departmental promotion and trade tests.
3Step 3
Senior Technician and Supervisor
With experience.
4Step 4
Other exams
Many Group D staff later clear NTPC, ALP or Junior Engineer (JE) exams.
Preparation strategy
How to prepare for RRB Group D
A practical, phase-by-phase plan. Adjust the timeline to when the next notification is expected.
1Weeks 1–2
Understand the CEN
- Read the Centralised Employment Notice — posts, medical standards and eligibility.
- Pick post preferences you are medically fit for.
2Months 1–3
Build concepts
- NCERT Science Class 9–10, arithmetic and reasoning basics.
- Static GK and a daily current-affairs habit.
3Months 3–4
Previous papers
- Solve RRB previous papers shift-wise.
- Sectional tests on General Awareness and Maths.
4Final 6 weeks
Mocks and skill tests
- Full CBT mocks with one-third negative marking in mind.
- Typing practice or aptitude-test practice for posts that need it.
Trusted resources
Where to study from
- The CEN on your regional RRB website (apply only via official RRB sites)
- NCERT Science and Maths (Class 6–10)
- RRB previous-year papers (shift-wise)
- PIB (pib.gov.in) for current affairs and railway news
- Online mock tests with normalisation-style scoring
Keep exploring
Related government exams
Student doubts
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Class 10 pass, an ITI certificate or a National Apprenticeship Certificate is enough.
No. Recent notifications accept Class 10 pass, ITI or NAC.
No. The exam is at Class 10 level; previous papers and mock tests are usually enough.
No. You can apply in every cycle within the age limit.
Yes. A share of Level 1 vacancies is reserved for course-completed Act Apprentices trained in railway establishments.
PET: men carry 35 kg for 100 m in 2 min and run 1000 m in 4 min 15 s; women carry 20 kg and run 1000 m in 5 min 40 s.
Tracks, stations, sheds and workshops within the allotted zone.
Level 1 → Level 2 and above (technician/helper grades) through trade tests and departmental exams.
*Eligibility, age limits, exam pattern and pay figures are based on recent official notifications and the 7th Central Pay Commission structure as of 2026. In-hand salary estimates are indicative and vary with city (HRA) and the current Dearness Allowance rate. Every recruitment cycle can change the details — always confirm in the latest official notification before applying.
Official source: Indian Railways (indianrailways.gov.in) — apply only via your regional RRB website