Official Guide Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB) & Ministry of Railways • Reviewed: 01 October 2026

RPF SI & Constable Recruitment Guide (2026)

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) recruitment serves as the premier uniformed armed enforcement recruitment under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India. Operating with statutory police powers under the Railway Protection Force Act, 1957, personnel are tasked with securing millions of railway passengers daily, protecting vital national railway infrastructure, escorting sensitive passenger trains, and preventing crimes across tracks and stations. The recruitment selects Sub-Inspectors (Executive) at 7th CPC Pay Level 6 and Constables (Executive) at 7th CPC Pay Level 3, combining an intensive Computer-Based Examination with demanding athletic Physical Efficiency Tests (1600-meter run, high jump, and long jump).

Official Portal (Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB) & Ministry of Railways) ↗ 7th CPC In-Hand Calculator ← All 15 Exam Hubs

1. Statutory Eligibility Criteria

Age Limit & Crucial Date:

Constable: 18 to 28 Years. Sub-Inspector: 20 to 28 Years (including 3-year age concession). Standard relaxations: OBC-NCL +3 yrs, SC/ST +5 yrs.

Educational Qualification:

Constable: 10th pass (Matriculation) from a recognized Board. Sub-Inspector: Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized University.

Nationality:

Citizen of India.

Permissible Attempts:

Unlimited within age bracket.

2. Multi-Stage Selection Framework

CBT: Computer-Based Test Online Objective (120 Qs, 120 Marks, 90 Mins)

General Awareness (50), Arithmetic (35), General Intelligence & Reasoning (35). 1/3rd negative marking.

PET / PST: Physical Efficiency & Measurement Test Qualifying Athletic Test

Constable: 1600m run in 5 mins 45 secs (Male) + 14 ft Long Jump + 4 ft High Jump. SI: 1600m in 6 mins 30 secs + 12 ft Long Jump + 3 ft 9 in High Jump.

DV / Medical: Document Verification & Medical Exam Verification & B-1 Medical Fitness

Rigorous medical examination ensuring B-1 physical fitness and color vision.

3. Examination Scheme & Syllabus

Focuses on Indian Constitution, railways, general science, and rapid arithmetic.

Section / Paper Questions Marks Duration Negative Marking
General Awareness 50 50 90 Mins (Composite) 1/3rd mark
Arithmetic 35 35 90 Mins (Composite) 1/3rd mark
General Intelligence & Reasoning 35 35 90 Mins (Composite) 1/3rd mark

4. 7th CPC Pay Scale & Career Growth

Pay Level & Grade Pay:

Sub-Inspector: Pay Level 6 (₹35,400–₹1,12,400); Constable: Pay Level 3 (₹21,700–₹69,100)

Starting Basic & In-Hand Range:

SI: ₹35,400 / Constable: ₹21,700 (Estimated in-hand: Constable: ₹36,000 to ₹42,000/mo. Sub-Inspector: ₹58,000 to ₹66,000/mo (plus uniform allowance, ration money, and railway passes).)

Hierarchical Promotion Ladder:
  1. Constable -> Head Constable -> Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) -> Sub-Inspector (SI)
  2. SI -> Inspector -> Assistant Security Commissioner (ASC - Group A) -> Divisional Security Commissioner (DSC)

5. Frequently Asked Questions (Railway Protection Force (SI & Constable))

What is the PET running standard for RPF Constable male candidates?

Male candidates for Constable must run 1600 meters within 5 minutes and 45 seconds in a single attempt, followed by a 14-foot Long Jump and a 4-foot High Jump.

What is the height requirement for RPF Sub-Inspector?

For male candidates (UR/OBC), the minimum height is 165 cm (chest 80-85 cm). For SC/ST males, it is 160 cm. For female candidates (UR/OBC), minimum height is 157 cm (152 cm for SC/ST).

Is there an interview in RPF SI or Constable recruitment?

No. Selection is determined entirely by the CBT score, subject to qualifying the Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Physical Measurement Test (PMT), and Document Verification.

What is the in-hand salary of an RPF Sub-Inspector?

An RPF Sub-Inspector at Level 6 receives an initial in-hand monthly salary of approximately ₹58,000 to ₹64,000, including Basic Pay (₹35,400), DA, HRA, Transport Allowance, and Ration Money.

Are women candidates eligible for RPF recruitment?

Yes. 15% of vacancies in both RPF Sub-Inspector and Constable recruitments are statutorily reserved for women candidates.