The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has released the detailed Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 03/2026 for recruitment to the post of Section Controller across various Zonal Railways of Indian Railways. A total of 119 vacancies have been notified under the Ministerial and Isolated Categories, offering a stable Pay Level 6 career for graduate candidates.
Eligible candidates aged between 20 and 33 years can apply online through the official RRB portal from 15 July 2026 to 14 August 2026. Section Controllers play a critical role in monitoring and coordinating train movement, making this a responsibility-driven, operationally important position within Indian Railways. Here is a complete, detailed breakdown of the notification — vacancy details, eligibility, exam pattern, salary, fee, and the full application process.
1. RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Recruitment Component | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), Ministry of Railways |
| Notification Number | CEN No. 03/2026 |
| Short Notice Released | 23 June 2026 |
| Detailed Notification Released | 14 July 2026 |
| Post Name | Section Controller |
| Post Category | Ministerial and Isolated Categories |
| Pay Level | Level 6 (7th CPC) |
| Total Vacancies | 119 |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Official Application Portal | www.rrbapply.gov.in |
2. RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Short Notice Release | 23 June 2026 |
| Detailed CEN 03/2026 Notification Release | 14 July 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 15 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 14 August 2026 (23:59 Hrs) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 16 August 2026 |
| Age Reckoning Date | 1 July 2026 |
| CBT Exam Date | To be announced separately on official RRB websites |
Candidates should note that this recruitment gives another opportunity to graduate candidates, including those who may not have qualified in a previous Section Controller exam cycle, since RRB periodically reopens vacancies for this post based on organisational requirements.
3. RRB Section Controller Vacancy Details 2026
A total of 119 vacancies have been notified for the Section Controller post across various Zonal Railways and their respective RRBs. Based on the detailed notification, the vacancy distribution across a few of the major RRB zones is as follows:
| RRB / Zonal Railway | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| RRB Ahmedabad (Western Railway) | 11 |
| RRB Chennai (Southern Railway) | 9 |
| RRB Ranchi (East Central Railway) | 8 |
| Other Participating RRBs | Remaining vacancies distributed across the balance zones |
| Total | 119 |
Category-Wise Vacancy Distribution:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 50 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 29 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 19 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 12 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 9 |
| Total | 119 |
Candidates should refer to the complete zone-wise vacancy annexure in the detailed CEN 03/2026 notification (available on each participating RRB’s official website, including RRB Ranchi) to check the exact number of seats and category-wise split for their preferred zone before applying, since RRB reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of notified vacancies.
4. RRB Section Controller Eligibility Criteria 2026
Age Limit (as on 1 July 2026)
Candidates must be between 20 and 33 years of age.
Age Relaxation applicable as per Government of India norms:
- SC/ST candidates: 5 years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 years
- Ex-Servicemen: As per applicable Railway rules
Important: No age relaxation is allowed to SC/ST or OBC-NCL candidates applying against Unreserved (UR) vacancies. If a candidate is eligible for relaxation on multiple grounds, only the single highest applicable relaxation will be granted, not a cumulative combination of all applicable relaxations.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a Graduate Degree in any discipline from a university recognised by the Government of India, or an equivalent qualification.
Nationality
Candidates must be citizens of India, or subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, or persons of Indian origin who have migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, and certain other specified countries with the clear intention of permanently settling in India, subject to the necessary eligibility certification where applicable.
Medical Standard
The post of Section Controller requires candidates to meet the A-2 medical standard, which includes:
- Distant vision of 6/9, 6/9 (without glasses)
- Near vision of Sn 0.6, 0.6 (without glasses)
- Normal colour vision, binocular vision, night vision, and myopic vision
Important: Candidates who have undergone LASIK surgery or any other corrective eye surgery are not eligible to apply for this post, given the stringent unaided-vision requirement.
5. RRB Section Controller Selection Process 2026
Selection to the Section Controller post is conducted through a comprehensive, multi-stage process:
| Stage | Nature | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Single Stage Computer Based Test (CBT) | Objective, 100 questions, 120 minutes | Screens candidates and determines shortlisting for the CBAT |
| Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) | Psychometric/aptitude-based test battery | Assesses candidates’ suitability for the operationally sensitive Section Controller role |
| Document Verification (DV) | Verification of original educational, age, and category certificates | Confirms authenticity and eligibility |
| Medical Examination | A-2 medical standard fitness check | Confirms candidates meet the required vision and physical fitness standards |
Candidates equal to 8 times the number of notified vacancies (RRB-wise) will be shortlisted for the CBAT, based on their merit in the CBT. Candidates must secure a minimum T-Score of 42 marks in each test battery of the CBAT to qualify for the next stage. The final panel is prepared based on successful clearance of all stages, in order of merit.
6. RRB Section Controller Exam Pattern 2026
Single Stage CBT
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Subjects Covered | Analytical and Mathematical Capability, Logical Capability, and Mental Reasoning |
| Negative Marking | 1/3rd mark deducted for each wrong answer |
Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Nature | Psychometric/aptitude test battery |
| Qualifying Criteria | Minimum T-Score of 42 in each test battery |
| Negative Marking | None |
7. RRB Section Controller Salary & Pay Scale 2026
Selected candidates will be placed in Pay Level 6 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (7th CPC), with an initial basic pay of Rs. 35,400 per month. In addition to the basic pay, selected candidates will be entitled to Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, and other allowances applicable to Railway employees, along with standard government service benefits such as medical facilities, pension under the National Pension System, and other perquisites.
8. RRB Section Controller Application Fee 2026
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (All other candidates not listed below) | Rs. 500 (Rs. 400 refunded, after deducting bank charges, once the candidate appears for the CBT) |
| SC / ST / Female / Transgender / Ex-Servicemen / Minority Community / Economically Backward Class (EBC) / PwBD | Rs. 250 (refunded, after deducting bank charges, once the candidate appears for the CBT) |
Fee payment must be made online only, through Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI, by the deadline of 16 August 2026. As per standard RRB policy, the bulk of the fee is refunded directly to the candidate’s bank account after they appear for the CBT, so candidates must ensure their bank account details entered in the application are accurate to receive the refund.
9. How to Apply Online for RRB Section Controller 2026
Follow these steps to complete your application on the official RRB portal:
- Visit the official website: Go to the official website of your chosen RRB zone (such as RRB Ranchi, RRB Ahmedabad, RRB Chennai, etc.) or the centralised portal www.rrbapply.gov.in.
- Locate the notification: Click on the link for “CEN No. 03/2026 – Section Controller Recruitment” under the latest notifications section.
- Create an account: Click “Create an Account” and enter your name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID. Note that these details, including your mobile number and email ID, cannot be modified once submitted.
- Authenticate your identity: It is recommended to authenticate your identity using DigiLocker or Aadhaar at the account creation stage.
- Log in and fill the form: Use your generated registration ID and password to log in, and fill in the detailed application form with your personal, educational, and category details.
- Capture a live photograph: Take a live photograph through your webcam or mobile camera as per the specified format; pre-existing/uploaded photographs are not accepted.
- Upload your signature: Upload a scanned signature in JPG/JPEG format, with a file size between 30 KB and 49 KB.
- Pay the application fee: Complete the fee payment online through Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI.
- Review and submit: Carefully review all entered details before final submission, and download/print the confirmation page for future reference.
10. Documents Required for RRB Section Controller Application
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Graduation Degree Certificate and Marksheets | Core educational qualification proof |
| Valid Original Photo ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, Driving Licence, PAN, Passport, Employer ID, or Student ID) | Identity verification |
| Category Certificate | For SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates claiming reservation |
| PwBD Certificate | For candidates claiming disability-based reservation/relaxation |
| Ex-Servicemen Discharge Certificate | For Ex-Servicemen candidates claiming reservation/relaxation |
| Live Photograph and Scanned Signature | Application form requirement |
11. Official Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| RRB Ranchi CEN 03/2026 Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Centralised Application Portal | https://www.rrbapply.gov.in |
| RRB Ranchi Official Website | https://rrbranchi.gov.in |
12. RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How many vacancies have been announced under RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2026?
A total of 119 vacancies have been announced under CEN No. 03/2026, comprising 50 Unreserved, 29 OBC, 19 SC, 12 ST, and 9 EWS posts.
Q2: What is the last date to apply for RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2026?
The online application window is open from 15 July 2026 to 14 August 2026 (23:59 Hrs), with the fee payment deadline on 16 August 2026.
Q3: What is the educational qualification required?
Candidates must hold a Graduate Degree in any discipline from a recognised university or its equivalent.
Q4: What is the age limit for this recruitment?
Candidates must be between 20 and 33 years of age as on 1 July 2026, with age relaxation applicable for SC/ST, OBC-NCL, Ex-Servicemen, and PwBD candidates as per government norms.
Q5: What is the selection process for RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2026? Selection involves a Single Stage Computer Based Test (CBT), a Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), Document Verification, and a Medical Examination.
Q6: Is there negative marking in the CBT?
Yes, a deduction of 1/3rd mark applies for each wrong answer in the CBT. There is no negative marking in the CBAT.
Q7: What is the salary for Section Controller?
Selected candidates will be placed in Pay Level 6 (7th CPC) with an initial basic pay of Rs. 35,400 per month, along with applicable allowances.
Q8: Which RRB has the highest number of vacancies?
Based on the detailed notification, RRB Ahmedabad (Western Railway) has the highest allocation with 11 vacancies, followed by RRB Chennai (Southern Railway) with 9 and RRB Ranchi (East Central Railway) with 8.
Q9: What is the application fee for RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2026?
The fee is Rs. 500 for General/OBC/EWS candidates (of which Rs. 400 is refunded after CBT appearance) and Rs. 250 for SC/ST/Female/Transgender/Ex-Servicemen/Minority Community/EBC/PwBD candidates (fully refunded after CBT appearance), minus applicable bank charges in both cases.
Q10: Are candidates who underwent LASIK surgery eligible to apply?
No. Candidates who have undergone LASIK or any other corrective eye surgery are not eligible for this post, since it requires the A-2 medical standard with specific unaided vision criteria.
Q11: When will the CBT exam be conducted?
The exact CBT exam date has not been announced in the detailed notification and will be intimated separately through the official RRB websites in due course.
Disclaimer: All dates, vacancy figures, and other details mentioned in this article are based on the official detailed notification (CEN No. 03/2026) issued by the Railway Recruitment Board. Candidates are strongly advised to download and read the complete notification from their respective RRB’s official website, including RRB Ranchi, before applying, and to verify all details directly from the source.
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