Official Guide Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) & RRB • Reviewed: 01 October 2026

RRB Group D (Level-1) Examination Blueprint (2026)

The Railway Recruitment Cell Level-1 (RRB Group D) recruitment is one of the highest-volume public employment drives globally, selecting essential frontline operational, engineering, electrical, and mechanical track staff for the Indian Railway network. Operating across 16 Zonal Railway jurisdictions, it recruits Track Maintainers Grade-IV, Pointsmen, Assistant Workshop personnel, and Hospital Attendants. Featuring a single-stage Computer-Based Test (CBT) followed by a mandatory Physical Efficiency Test (PET), this recruitment provides Level-1 starting employment with comprehensive railway welfare allowances.

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1. Statutory Eligibility Criteria

Age Limit & Crucial Date:

18 to 33 Years as on crucial date. Standard category relaxations: OBC-NCL +3 yrs, SC/ST +5 yrs, PwBD +10 yrs.

Educational Qualification:

10th pass from recognized Board, OR National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT, OR 10th pass plus ITI from recognized institutions.

Nationality:

Citizen of India.

Permissible Attempts:

Unlimited within age bracket.

2. Multi-Stage Selection Framework

CBT: Computer-Based Test Online Objective (100 Qs, 100 Marks)

General Science (25), Mathematics (25), General Intelligence & Reasoning (30), General Awareness & Current Affairs (20). Duration: 90 Minutes. 1/3rd negative marking.

PET: Physical Efficiency Test Physical Athletic Events

Male: Lift & carry 35 kg weight for 100m in 2 minutes + Run 1000m in 4 mins 15 secs. Female: Lift & carry 20 kg weight for 100m in 2 minutes + Run 1000m in 5 mins 40 secs.

DV / Medical: Document Verification & Medical Exam Verification & Detailed Medical Test

Must meet B-1 / C-1 railway medical fitness standards depending on trade post.

3. Examination Scheme & Syllabus

Focuses heavily on Class 10 NCERT General Science and basic arithmetic.

Section / Paper Questions Marks Duration Negative Marking
General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) 25 25 90 Mins (Composite) 1/3rd mark
Mathematics 25 25 90 Mins (Composite) 1/3rd mark
General Intelligence and Reasoning 30 30 90 Mins (Composite) 1/3rd mark
General Awareness and Current Affairs 20 20 90 Mins (Composite) 1/3rd mark

4. 7th CPC Pay Scale & Career Growth

Pay Level & Grade Pay:

Pay Level 1 (₹18,000–₹56,900) under 7th CPC Matrix

Starting Basic & In-Hand Range:

₹18,000 (Estimated in-hand: ₹27,500 to ₹33,000 per month (plus Risk & Hardship allowance of ₹2,700/month for Track Maintainers).)

Hierarchical Promotion Ladder:
  1. Entry: Track Maintainer Grade IV / Pointsman (Level 1, Basic ₹18,000)
  2. Seniority Track: Track Maintainer Grade III & II (Level 2 & 4)
  3. Departmental Promotion (LDCE): Technician Grade III / Assistant Loco Pilot (Level 2)
  4. Supervisory Track: Junior Engineer (P-Way / Works, Level 6 via 20% LDCE quota)

5. Frequently Asked Questions (Railway Level-1 Posts (Track Maintainer, Pointsman))

Is ITI mandatory for all posts in RRB Group D?

For general Level-1 recruitments, 10th pass or ITI/NAC is the prescribed standard. Specific technical cadres require National Apprenticeship Certificates (NAC) or ITI.

What is the physical efficiency test standard for male candidates in RRB Group D?

Male candidates must carry 35 kg weight for 100 meters in 2 minutes without putting down the bag, and complete a 1000-meter run in 4 minutes 15 seconds in a single chance.

What is the in-hand salary of a Track Maintainer in Indian Railways?

A Track Maintainer at Level 1 receives approximately ₹30,000 to ₹33,500 per month, which includes Basic Pay (₹18,000), 50% DA, HRA, Transport Allowance, and a monthly Risk and Hardship Allowance of ₹2,700.

Is there an interview stage in RRB Group D?

No. There is zero interview. Final selection is based 100% on the normalized CBT score followed by qualifying PET and Document Verification.

How much is deducted for each wrong answer in RRB Group D?

One-third (1/3rd) of the marks allocated to each question is deducted for every incorrect response.