Railway Group D Recruitment 2026: Apply Online Starts Jan 31 – Full Details

The wait is finally over for millions of railway job aspirants across India. The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially released the short notification for the RRB Group D (Level-1) Recruitment 2026.

However, there is a small change in the schedule. In a fresh update released on January 19, 2026, the RRB announced that the online application process has been postponed slightly. Instead of starting on January 21, the registration window will now open on January 31, 2026.

This article covers everything you need to know about the new dates, the 22,000+ vacancies, eligibility criteria, and what you must do before the link gets active.

RRB Group D 2026: Key Updates at a Glance

The Railway Board has released CEN No. 09/2025, which confirms the recruitment for various Level-1 posts. Here is the latest confirmed schedule:

Event	Old Date	New Revised Date
Short Notice Release	Jan 19, 2026	Jan 19, 2026
Application Start Date	Jan 21, 2026	January 31, 2026
Last Date to Apply	Feb 20, 2026	March 2, 2026
Total Vacancies	–	Approx. 22,000

Why Was the Date Changed?

According to official reports, the delay is administrative. The board has rescheduled the window to ensure a smoother application process on the new portal (rrbapply.gov.in). The detailed notification with the exact syllabus and zone-wise seat breakup is expected to be released by January 30, 2026.

Vacancy Details: Which Posts Are Available?

For the 2026 cycle, the RRB has announced approximately 22,000 vacancies. While this is lower than the massive 2019 recruitment, it is still a significant opportunity.

The posts fall under Level-1 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix (Basic Pay: ₹18,000 + Allowances). The major posts include:

• Track Maintainer Grade IV (Highest vacancies expected, approx. 11,000)
• Assistant Pointsman (Traffic Department)
• Assistant Bridge
• Assistant Track Machine
• Assistant Loco Shed (Electrical/Diesel)
• Assistant Signal & Telecom (S&T)

Note: The exact number of seats for each Railway Zone (like Northern Railway, Western Railway, etc.) will be clear once the detailed PDF is out.

Eligibility Criteria: Is ITI Mandatory in 2026?

This is the biggest question for students. Here is what we know based on the short notice and recent rules:

1. Education Qualification:
   • Class 10th Pass (Matriculation) is the minimum requirement for most posts.
   • ITI (Industrial Training Institute) certification is mandatory for specific technical posts (like Civil Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, and S&T departments).
   • NAC (National Apprenticeship Certificate) holders granted by NCVT are also eligible.
2. Age Limit:
   • Minimum Age: 18 years
   • Maximum Age: 33 years (likely to be relaxed to 36 years as per recent trends, but wait for the detailed notification).
   • Age relaxation applies for OBC (3 years) and SC/ST (5 years).

Important Warning: Aadhaar Verification

The RRB has issued a strict advisory regarding Aadhaar Cards.

• Your name and date of birth on your Aadhaar Card must match exactly with your Class 10th Marksheet.
• If there is a spelling mistake or date mismatch, update your Aadhaar immediately before January 31.
• Biometric verification (fingerprint/iris) will be done during the exam.

What Happens Next? (Selection Process)

Once you apply, the selection process will follow these three steps:

1. Computer Based Test (CBT): A single online exam covering Science, Maths, Reasoning, and General Awareness.
2. Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Running and weight-carrying tasks (Boys: 35kg lift / Girls: 20kg lift).
3. Document Verification (DV) & Medical Test: Final checking of certificates and medical fitness.

The exams are expected to be conducted in mid-2026, following the new annual calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)