🗓️Last Updated: June 2026

RRB Group D 2026: 10th Pass Level 1 Posts — Eligibility, PET & Complete Guide

RRB Group D fills Level 1 posts across Indian Railways — Track Maintainer Grade-IV, Helper (Electrical/Engineering/S&T/Mechanical), Assistant Pointsman, and Hospital Attender. Minimum qualification is 10th pass; ITI is preferred. This guide covers the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) requirements, pay scale under 7th Pay Commission, exam pattern, and the complete application process.

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Verified by NagrikIQ Research Team
Sources: Official .gov.in portals only · Updated June 2026
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📋 Overview

RRB Group D (officially known as CEN for Level 1 Posts) is one of the world's largest competitive recruitment exercises. The 2018 cycle received over 1.03 crore (10.3 million) applications — making it one of the largest exams by applicant count in recorded history. This speaks to the massive employment opportunity that Group D represents for 10th-pass candidates across India. Group D fills Level 1 posts under the 7th Pay Commission Pay Matrix. These are ground-level operational and maintenance roles critical to the functioning of Indian Railways: - Track Maintainer Grade-IV: Maintenance of railway tracks, switches, and crossings — posted at maintenance depots and station yards. - Helper (Electrical Department): Assists in maintenance of overhead equipment, traction, and electrical installations. - Helper (Engineering Department): Assists in civil and structural maintenance of railway infrastructure. - Helper (S&T Department): Assists in Signal & Telecommunication equipment maintenance. - Helper (Mechanical Department): Assists in maintenance of rolling stock (coaches, wagons, locos) at workshops and sheds. - Assistant Pointsman: Manages track switches and signals at station yards — safety-critical role. - Hospital Attender: Works in Railway hospitals and dispensaries in a non-clinical support capacity. Pay Scale: Pay Level 1 under 7th Pay Commission — basic pay ₹18,000 per month, with annual increment. The pay range at Level 1 is ₹18,000–₹56,900 (over a full career). Gross in-hand salary with DA, HRA, and Transport Allowance is typically ₹22,000–₹30,000 per month at entry, varying by city category. Education: 10th pass from a recognised board AND National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) or ITI from a recognised institute in the relevant trade. For some posts, 10th pass alone is sufficient — check the specific CEN notification for post-wise education requirements. Exam Pattern: CBT (Computer Based Test): 100 questions, 90 minutes — General Science (25 questions), Mathematics (25 questions), General Intelligence & Reasoning (30 questions), General Awareness and Current Affairs (20 questions). Negative marking: 1/3 mark per wrong answer. Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Mandatory for all shortlisted candidates (PwD exempted where applicable). - Male candidates: Must carry 35 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes AND run 1000 metres in 4 minutes 15 seconds. - Female candidates: Must carry 20 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes AND run 1000 metres in 5 minutes 40 seconds. PET is pass/fail — no marks, no retesting in the same cycle. Candidates who fail PET are disqualified. After PET: Document Verification → Medical Examination at Railway hospital → Final appointment. Check indianrailways.gov.in or rrbcdg.gov.in for current Group D notification and vacancy details.

✅ Eligibility

  • ✓Education: 10th pass (Matriculation) from a recognised board AND ITI (Industrial Training Institute) certificate in the relevant trade from NCVT/SCVT, OR National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT. For some specific posts, 10th pass alone without ITI may be accepted — check the CEN notification for post-wise details
  • ✓Age: 18–33 years. SC/ST candidates: +5 years relaxation (18–38). OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): +3 years (18–36). PwD candidates: +10 years in addition to community relaxation. Ex-Servicemen: as per central government rules
  • ✓Physical Efficiency Test — Male: Carry 35 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes AND run 1000 metres in 4 minutes 15 seconds. Both tasks must be completed in the stated time. Female: Carry 20 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes AND run 1000 metres in 5 minutes 40 seconds. PwD candidates are exempted from PET for permissible post types
  • ✓Medical standard: Group D posts generally fall under medical category C2 — vision correctable to 6/9 with glasses is acceptable. Colour vision test applies for Assistant Pointsman (safety-related post). Check the specific post's medical category in the notification
  • ✓Nationality: Indian citizens only (or eligible Nepali/Bhutanese/Tibetan refugee/person of Indian origin as per central government norms with eligibility certificate)
  • ✓No bar on number of attempts — you can apply each time a Group D notification is released as long as you remain within the age limit. Once you cross the upper age limit (33 + relaxation), you are no longer eligible

📁 Documents Required

▸10th pass certificate and marksheet from a recognised board — mandatory; serves as date-of-birth proof
▸ITI certificate (NCVT or SCVT) or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) — required for ITI-eligible posts; note the specific trade must match what's listed in the notification
▸Community/Caste certificate from Tehsildar/SDM in central government format — for OBC/SC/ST candidates seeking reservation and age relaxation
▸Aadhaar card — primary identity proof for registration and at document verification
▸EWS income and asset certificate from Tehsildar/SDM (for Economically Weaker Section candidates)
▸Recent passport-size photograph and signature scan within specified file size (as per RRB notification)
▸PWD certificate from a government medical board (for PwD candidates)
▸Ex-Servicemen discharge certificate with service record (for ex-SM candidates claiming age relaxation)
▸Active mobile number and email ID — used for admit card dispatch and all official communications

💰Fees & Processing Time

Fee
General/OBC/EWS candidates: ₹500 (refundable on appearing in CBT Stage 1). SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/Women/Transgender/PwD/Minorities/EBC candidates: ₹250 (refundable on appearing in CBT Stage 1). Payment via net banking, UPI, debit/credit card, or at designated bank/post office counters as specified in the notification.
Processing Time
Typically 12–18 months from notification to final appointment. The process: CBT → PET → Document Verification → Medical Examination → Joining formalities. Given the very large applicant base for Group D, CBT scheduling and PET logistics take considerable time. Check your RRB's official portal regularly for dates.

🖥️ How to Apply Online

  1. 1Visit the official RRB website for your preferred posting zone — e.g., rrbcdg.gov.in for Delhi zone — and find the active Group D CEN notification
  2. 2Click 'New Registration' — enter your name, date of birth, mobile number, and email. Save your Registration Number and Password securely
  3. 3Log in and complete the application form: personal details, educational qualifications, ITI trade (if applicable), community category, and exam language preference
  4. 4Select preferred exam cities — typically up to 3 cities within the RRB zone
  5. 5Upload your passport-size photograph and signature scan in the format specified in the notification
  6. 6Review all details carefully — post-submission edits are not permitted
  7. 7Pay the application fee online via UPI, net banking, or debit/credit card and save the payment transaction ID
  8. 8Submit and download/print the final application form with Registration Number for your records
  9. 9Download CBT Admit Card from the RRB portal — usually released 10–15 days before the exam date
  10. 10After CBT result, shortlisted candidates receive PET call letter → appear for PET → PET-qualified candidates proceed to Document Verification → Medical Examination at Railway hospital

🏢 How to Apply Offline

  1. 1No offline application mode. All applications are submitted online through the RRB website. Candidates without internet access can use Common Service Centres (CSC) or cyber cafes. The CBT (Computer Based Test) is conducted online at designated exam centres. PET (Physical Efficiency Test) and Medical Examination are conducted in person at Railway-designated venues and hospitals respectively.

⚠️Common Problems & Solutions

✗PET (Physical Efficiency Test) failed — disqualified from Group D
→PET is a pass/fail test with no retest in the same recruitment cycle. Both tasks must be completed — carrying the weight AND completing the run within time. If you failed, you are not eligible for that cycle but can apply when the next Group D notification is released. Use the gap to prepare physically — build cardiovascular endurance with daily running and strength training for the carry task. PwD candidates are exempted where the post permits.
✗ITI certificate not recognised — trade does not match notification list
→Each Group D notification specifies which ITI trades are acceptable for which posts. If your ITI trade is not in the list for the post you applied for, you may still qualify as 10th-pass-only if the post allows it. Check the CEN notification carefully — the post-wise education table lists both the 'with ITI' and 'without ITI' eligibility. If in doubt, contact the RRB helpdesk with your ITI trade name and the post you wish to apply for.
✗Confusion about ex-apprentice status — does it count as ITI?
→A National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) issued by NCVT after completing an apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act is accepted as equivalent to an ITI certificate for most Group D posts. If you have completed a trade apprenticeship and received NAC from NCVT, you qualify at par with ITI holders. Carry your NAC certificate with employer verification letter to document verification.
✗Medical examination rejected — vision or fitness issue
→Group D posts generally fall under medical Category C2 — vision correctable with glasses is acceptable for most posts. If rejected, you have the right to appeal within 15 days. Assistant Pointsman has stricter vision requirements (safety-critical role) — if you have vision issues, consider applying for non-pointsman posts. Carry your ophthalmologist's report and spectacle prescription to the medical appeal.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q.Is ITI mandatory for RRB Group D, or can I apply with just 10th pass?

For most Group D posts, the minimum qualification is 10th pass PLUS ITI or NAC. However, some specific posts accept 10th pass alone without ITI. Check the post-wise education table in the CEN notification carefully. If you do not have an ITI certificate, you can only apply for posts where 10th pass alone is listed as sufficient. Having an ITI certificate broadens the number of posts you are eligible for.

Q.What is the PET (Physical Efficiency Test) for Group D?

PET is mandatory for all Group D candidates shortlisted on CBT merit (PwD exempted for applicable posts). Male candidates must: (1) carry 35 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes, and (2) run 1000 metres in 4 minutes 15 seconds. Female candidates must: (1) carry 20 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes, and (2) run 1000 metres in 5 minutes 40 seconds. Both tasks are mandatory — failing either task means elimination from that cycle.

Q.What is the difference between Group D and NTPC in terms of work and career?

Group D (Level 1) are ground-level operational and maintenance posts — physical, outdoor work at track depots, workshops, and station yards. NTPC posts (Level 2–6) are station or office-based clerical, commercial, and supervisory roles. Group D posts offer limited promotion scope within Level 1; NTPC posts have a clearer promotion ladder. Pay-wise, NTPC starts at Level 2 (₹19,900) vs Group D at Level 1 (₹18,000). For candidates who qualify for both, NTPC is generally preferred for career growth.

Q.Can Group D candidates later appear for NTPC or other higher-level exams?

Yes. Being a Group D employee does not bar you from appearing for other RRB or government exams. You can appear for NTPC, JE, or any other government exam as long as you meet the age and educational eligibility criteria. Many Group D employees prepare and clear NTPC or SSC exams to upgrade their positions. Your employment in Railways does not restrict your eligibility for other examinations.

Q.How is merit decided if many candidates pass both CBT and PET?

Merit is calculated based solely on CBT marks (normalised if multiple exam sessions were held). PET is only pass/fail — passing PET does not add to your CBT score. Among candidates who pass PET, the final selection is based on CBT merit rank within each category (UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS) and zone. If two candidates have equal normalised scores, age-based tiebreaking (older candidate gets preference) applies as per RRB policy.

📞Helpline & Support

  • ▸RRB Regional Helplines: Listed on each RRB's official website — visit indianrailways.gov.in for the complete list of 21 RRBs
  • ▸Railway Enquiry: 139 (toll-free, 24x7)
  • ▸Indian Railways Official Portal: indianrailways.gov.in
  • ▸Grievances: pgportal.gov.in — select Ministry of Railways for complaints related to Group D recruitment
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