Railway Recruitment Process
Railway Recruitment Process
Overview
Indian Railways, the 4th largest railway network in the world, recruits over 1.2 lakh employees every year through 21 Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and 16 Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs). The entire process—from notification to final allotment—is 100 % online, merit-based and monitored by the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board).
Key Facts & Figures
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1. Total workforce | ≈ 12.3 lakh (2025) |
| 2. Annual vacancies notified | 1.2 – 1.6 lakh |
| 3. RRBs in operation | 21 (from 2020 merger) |
| 4. RRCs (for Group-D & casual staff) | 16 (one per zone) |
| 5. Main recruiting exams | NTPC, Group-D, JE, ALP, Paramedical, Ministerial & Isolated categories |
| 6. Exam conducting agency | RRBs (under Railway Board) |
| 7. Selection stages | CBT-1 → CBT-2 → CBAT/Typing/Document Verification → Medical → Empanelment |
| 8. Normalisation formula | Mean + standard deviation method (applicable since 2019) |
| 9. Reservation as per GoI | SC-15 %, ST-7.5 %, OBC-27 %, EWS-10 %, PwBD 4 % horizontal |
| 10. Upper age relaxations | OBC-3 yrs, SC/ST-5 yrs, PwBD-10 yrs, Ex-SM as per DoPT |
| 11. Fee concession | SC/ST/Ex-SM/Female/Transgender/EWS: ₹ 0; others ₹ 500 (refundable on appearing) |
| 12. Medical standards for technical posts | A-1, A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, C-1 (Vision 6/6 & 6/9 without aid for A-1) |
| 13. Training academies | 7 Centralised Training Institutes (CTIs) + 55 Zonal schools |
| 14. Bond/penalty for JE/ALP | ₹ 2 lakh if resignation within 5 yrs (w.e.f. 2022) |
| 15. Promotion channel | LDCE (30 %) + GDCE (70 %) for non-gazetted to gazetted |
| 16. Language of CBT | 15 languages (including English, Hindi & regional) |
| 17. Average cycle time | 10–14 months (from notification to appointment) |
| 18. Grievance portal | rrbcdg.gov.in → “Candidate Grievance” (reply within 30 days) |
| 19. Digital signature on e-offer | PKI-based DSC; no physical offer letter since 2021 |
| 20. Highest zone-wise intake (2024) | Northern Railway (≈ 22 000 posts) |
Important Points
- RRB NTPC (Graduate & UG) is the single-largest exam (> 35 lakh applicants per cycle).
- 1st CBT is qualifying only; marks normalised, but no sectional cut-off since 2022.
- Negative marking: ⅓ rd for every wrong answer (except CBAT & Stenography skill test).
- CBAT (Computer-Based Aptitude Test) is mandatory for Station Master & Traffic Assistant.
- Typing test for Ministerial posts: 30 wpm (English) / 25 wpm (Hindi) on MS-Office 2016 keyboard.
- Document Verification is common for all categories; original certificates + self-attested copies.
- Empanelment is zone-specific; candidates can opt for one home zone + 3 other zones.
- Railways follow “Own Merit” rule—no weightage to academic %; only CBT marks count.
- EWS certificate must be of the same financial year (01 Apr–31 Mar) in which notification is issued.
- Railways do not conduct interviews for Group-B (non-gazetted) & below; 100 % CBT-based.
- PwBD reservation is horizontal—first adjusted in respective vertical category.
- Ex-Servicemen get age + service relaxation, but must discharge 3 yrs before DV.
- Railways follow single vacancy list—no wait-list after 2020 reforms.
- Transfer policy: 30 % compulsory transfer every 5 yrs for safety categories.
- Railway Board can cancel any stage result if malpractices are detected even after appointment.
Frequently Asked in Exams
- How many RRBs are functional after 2020 rationalisation?
- Which medical standard is required for Loco Pilot (ALP)?
- What is the upper-age relaxation for OBC in Railway recruitment?
- Name the seven Centralised Training Institutes (CTIs) of Indian Railways.
- Which two stages of RRB exams carry negative marking?
Practice MCQs
Question:01 Indian Railways merged how many RRBs into 21 in the year 2020?
A) 42
B) 64
C) 56
D) 72
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: In 2020, Indian Railways consolidated 64 existing Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) into 21 larger, region-based RRBs to streamline the recruitment process and improve efficiency.
Question:02 [The aptitude test for Station Master is officially known as __________.]
A) CBT
B) CBAT
C) PET
D) PRT
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) is the official designation of the aptitude test conducted for recruitment to the post of Station Master in Indian Railways.
Question:03 What is the refundable application fee for General male candidates in RRB exams 2026?
A) ₹ 250
B) ₹ 500
C) ₹ 750
D) ₹ 1,000
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: As per the 2026 RRB notification, General male candidates have to pay ₹ 500 as an application fee, which is refunded after the candidate appears for the first stage CBT.
Question:04 Which of the following is NOT a medical standard for technical posts?
A) A-3
B) B-2
C) C-1
D) D-1
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Medical standards for technical posts in Indian Railways are classified as A-3, B-2, and C-1. D-1 is not a recognized medical standard for these positions.
Question:05 The maximum horizontal reservation for PwBD in Railway recruitment is
A) 1 %
B) 2 %
C) 3 %
D) 4 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: As per the extant Government of India guidelines for 2026, a horizontal reservation of 4 % of the total vacancies is earmarked for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) in all Railway recruitments.
Question:06 The training of newly appointed Junior Engineers is conducted at
A) Zonal Railway Training Schools
B) CTI (Centralised Training Institute)
C) Divisional Training Centres
D) Railway Staff College
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Newly appointed Junior Engineers undergo their foundational training at the Centralised Training Institute (CTI), which is the dedicated apex training body for this cadre in Indian Railways.
Question:07 Which zone notified the highest number of vacancies in RRB Group-D 2024?
A) Southern Railway
B) Western Railway
C) Northern Railway
D) Eastern Railway
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Northern Railway announced the maximum vacancies in the RRB Group-D 2024 notification.
Question:08 What is the minimum typing speed required for Hindi in the Ministerial typing test?
A) 20 wpm
B) 25 wpm
C) 30 wpm
D) 35 wpm
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: As per the 2026 Ministerial cadre notification, candidates must achieve at least 25 words per minute in Hindi typing to qualify.
Question:09 Promotion from Group-C to Group-B in Indian Railways is primarily through
A) Direct Recruitment & Interview
B) LDCE & GDCE
C) Seniority-cum-Merit & Interview
D) Departmental Examination & Viva-voce
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Promotion from Group-C to Group-B posts in Indian Railways is mainly effected through Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) and General Departmental Competitive Examination (GDCE).
Question:10 The entire Railway recruitment process is monitored by
A) Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs)
B) Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
C) Railway Board (Ministry of Railways)
D) Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Railway Board, functioning under the Ministry of Railways, is the apex body that oversees and monitors the entire Railway recruitment process in India.
BETA
