Updated 2026
RRB Group D Syllabus 2026 — Complete Subject-Wise CBT Topics
CEN 09/2025 | 22,195 Level-1 Posts | Exam Pattern + Preparation Strategy
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has published the official syllabus for the RRB Group D Level-1 Exam 2026 as part of CEN 09/2025, which announces 22,195 vacancies for posts including Track Maintainer Grade IV, Pointsman, Assistant Loco Shed, Assistant Operations, and Assistant TL & AC across 16 Railway Zones. The Computer Based Test (CBT) covers four subjects — Mathematics (25Q), General Intelligence & Reasoning (30Q), General Science (25Q), and General Awareness & Current Affairs (20Q) — for a total of 100 marks in 90 minutes with 1/3 negative marking. This article covers every topic, preparation tip, PET criteria, cut-off details, and selection process stage in one place.
🚂 Indian Railways (RRB/RRC)
📋 CEN: 09/2025
👥 Vacancies: 22,195
✍️ CBT: 100Q / 100M / 90 Min
⚠️ Negative: 1/3 per wrong
📚 Level: Class 10 / CBSE
💵 Pay: ₹18,000 Basic
📅 Apply: 31 Jan – 09 Mar 2026
📋
100
Total Questions
🏆
100
Total Marks
⏱️
90
Minutes
⚠️
1/3
Negative Mark
📚
4
Subjects
👥
22,195
Vacancies
01
Recruitment Overview — Key Details
| Conducting Body | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) / Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) |
| Notification No. | CEN No. 09/2025 |
| Post Level | Level-1 of 7th CPC Pay Matrix (Group D) |
| Total Vacancies | 22,195 across 16 Railway Zones (Revised) |
| Posts Covered | Track Maintainer Gr. IV, Pointsman, Asst. Loco Shed, Asst. Operations, Asst. TL & AC |
| Application Period | 31 January 2026 to 09 March 2026 (Extended) @ rrbapply.gov.in |
| Application Fee | ₹500 (Gen/OBC) | ₹250 (SC/ST/Female/ExSM/PwBD/Minority/EBC) — partially refundable on appearing in CBT |
| Qualification | 10th Pass (Matriculation) OR ITI (NCVT/SCVT) OR National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) |
| Age Limit | 18–33 years as on 01.01.2026 | OBC: +3 yrs | SC/ST: +5 yrs | PwBD: +10–15 yrs | ExSM: +3–8 yrs |
| Selection Stages | CBT → Physical Efficiency Test (PET) → Document Verification → Medical Examination |
| CBT Mode | Computer Based Test — Objective Type, Multiple Choice (MCQ) |
| CBT Duration | 90 minutes (120 minutes for eligible PwBD with scribe) |
| Total Questions / Marks | 100 Questions / 100 Marks |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark deducted per wrong answer |
| Syllabus Standard | Class 10 / CBSE level (General Science based on Class 9–10 NCERT) |
| Languages Available | 15 languages including Hindi, English, and regional languages |
| Basic Pay | ₹18,000 per month (Level-1, 7th CPC) |
| Total Monthly Salary | ₹22,500 – ₹25,380 per month (approx. with allowances) |
| Official Website | rrbcdg.gov.in | rrbapply.gov.in |
02
RRB Group D Exam Pattern 2026 — CBT Structure
The RRB Group D CBT 2026 is a single-stage Computer Based Test with 100 objective type (MCQ) questions for 100 marks to be completed in 90 minutes. There is no sectional time limit — candidates can attempt questions in any order within the 90-minute window. The exam is conducted in 15 languages including Hindi, English, and regional languages. Candidates must score minimum qualifying marks in the CBT to proceed to the Physical Efficiency Test (PET).
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Weightage | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | 30% | Easy to Moderate |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 | 25% | Easy to Moderate |
| General Science | 25 | 25 | 25% | Moderate (Class 10 NCERT) |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 | 20% | Easy to Moderate |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 100% | 90 Minutes |
📌 Key Exam Pattern Rules — Official (CEN 09/2025)
- Question Type: All 100 questions are objective type with 4 options each — candidates must select 1 correct answer. No descriptive or subjective questions.
- Negative Marking: 1/3 mark (0.33 marks) is deducted for every wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty — do not guess blindly.
- No Sectional Time Limit: Candidates can move between sections freely within the 90-minute total duration. Strategically, attempt high-confidence sections first.
- Medium of Examination: The exam is available in 15 languages. Candidates select their preferred language while filling the application form. English/Hindi remain the default options for most candidates.
- PwBD Candidates: Eligible PwBD candidates with scribes receive 120 minutes (30 minutes extra) to complete the CBT.
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: UR/EWS candidates must score at least 40% in CBT. OBC (NCL), SC, and ST candidates must score at least 30%. Ex-Servicemen qualifying marks are as per category. Simply qualifying is not enough — actual shortlisting cutoff is much higher due to competition.
- PET Shortlisting Ratio: Candidates are shortlisted for PET at 3 times the community-wise vacancy count. The Railway Board may adjust this ratio if needed.
⚠️ Important Strategy: Reasoning has the highest weightage (30Q). Do NOT skip unattempted questions — negative marking of 1/3 means 3 wrong answers wipe out 1 correct answer's mark. Accuracy over speed.
03
RRB Group D Syllabus 2026 — Complete Subject-Wise Topics
All questions in the RRB Group D CBT are set at Class 10 / CBSE standard — General Science is explicitly based on Class 9–10 NCERT books. The topics below are drawn from the official notification (CEN 09/2025). Tags marked High Weight appear frequently in previous years; tags marked Moderate appear occasionally.
🧠
General Intelligence & Reasoning
🔢
Mathematics
🔬
General Science
⚛️ Physics
🧪 Chemistry
🧬 Biology
🌍
General Awareness & Current Affairs
✅ Key Syllabus Points — Official Rules (CEN 09/2025)
- The entire syllabus is set at Class 10 standard (CBSE). Questions are never from graduate or post-graduate level topics — this is intentional to ensure 10th-pass candidates can qualify.
- The General Science section explicitly covers Physics, Chemistry, and Biology at Class 9–10 NCERT level. The best preparation source is NCERT Science books for both classes — read the theory chapters, not just solve MCQs.
- Reasoning has the highest weightage at 30 marks (30%) — it is also considered the fastest section to score in if practiced well. Candidates should target 25+ out of 30 in Reasoning.
- General Awareness is the easiest to boost quickly — 20 marks, mostly static GK + last 1 year current affairs. Daily 15-minute news reading for 2 months can secure 15–17 marks here.
- There is no syllabus change in CEN 09/2025 compared to previous Group D cycles — the same four subjects and topic coverage apply.
04
Selection Process — All 4 Stages Explained
1
Stage I — Computer Based Test (CBT)
The CBT is the primary and most competitive stage of the recruitment. It consists of 100 MCQ questions across 4 subjects for 100 marks in 90 minutes with 1/3 negative marking. The exam is conducted online at designated exam centres. All questions are at Class 10 / CBSE level. Minimum qualifying marks: 40% for UR/EWS and 30% for OBC/SC/ST. Based on CBT merit, candidates are shortlisted for PET at the rate of 3 times the community-wise vacancy count. The Railway Board may conduct the CBT in single or multi-stage (multi-shift) mode with normalization applied.
2
Stage II — Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — Qualifying Only
PET is qualifying in nature — it does not add marks to the merit score. Only CBT merit determines the final ranking. Candidates who fail PET are eliminated regardless of their CBT score. The PET evaluates basic physical fitness through tasks that differ by gender. All PET criteria are specifically designed for the physical demands of Level-1 railway maintenance posts. (See PET criteria table in the next section for exact benchmarks.)
3
Stage III — Document Verification (DV)
Candidates who qualify both CBT and PET are shortlisted for Document Verification at a 1:1 ratio of vacancies (i.e., only as many candidates as there are vacancies are called per community). All original educational, category, age-proof, and other certificates must be produced. NOC from employer is mandatory for government employees — failure to produce NOC leads to cancellation. Candidates' signatures on all documents must be identical (either in English or Hindi).
4
Stage IV — Medical Examination
Every candidate shortlisted after DV must pass a Medical Fitness Test as per Indian Railway Medical Standards. Different posts under Group D have different vision, hearing, and physical fitness standards. Vision requirements vary between posts — for example, Track Maintainer Grade IV requires different eye standards than Pointsman. Candidates with corrective glasses or lenses must declare this in the application. Final appointment as a Level-1 railway employee is issued only after passing the Medical Examination.
CBT (100Q/90Min)
→
PET (Qualifying)
→
Document Verification
→
Medical Exam
→
Appointment
📌 Tie-Breaking Rule (Official)
- If two candidates score identical marks in CBT and qualify PET, the older candidate is ranked higher in the merit list.
- If both date of birth and CBT marks are identical, candidates are ranked in alphabetical order of name (A to Z).
- RRB/RRC only recommends candidates — the actual appointment order is issued by the respective Railway Administration, not the Recruitment Board.
05
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — Criteria for Male & Female
The PET is qualifying only — passing it is essential but it does not contribute marks to the final merit ranking. All PET tasks must be completed in a single attempt within the prescribed time limits. Candidates failing to meet even one criterion will be eliminated from the recruitment process.
| Task | Male Candidates | Female Candidates | Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running | 1000 metres in 4 minutes 15 seconds | 1000 metres in 5 minutes 40 seconds | 1 chance only |
| Weight Lifting & Carry | Carry 35 kg weight for 100 metres in 2 minutes (without putting it down) | Carry 20 kg weight for 100 metres in 2 minutes (without putting it down) | 1 chance only |
✗ PET Exemptions & Special Cases
- PwBD candidates are exempted from PET for posts identified as suitable for PwBD, as per the PwBD suitability criteria in CEN 09/2025 Annexure-A. Check the official notification to verify which posts are PwBD-PET exempt.
- There is no second chance for PET — candidates who fail the running or weight-lifting task in their single attempt are immediately disqualified from the recruitment cycle.
- Pregnant female candidates or those with medical conditions must meet the PET criteria on the scheduled date — there are no exemptions for pregnancy during PET unless specifically notified.
- Medical certificates or prior fitness claims are not accepted as substitutes for PET performance on the day.
⚠️ PET preparation must begin alongside CBT preparation. A candidate who scores 90/100 in CBT but fails PET is entirely eliminated. Train for the 1 km run and weight carry from day one of your preparation.
06
Cut-Off Marks — CBT Qualifying & Previous Year Trends
| Category | CBT Min. Qualifying Marks | Out of | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR / General | 40 marks | 100 | 40% |
| EWS | 40 marks | 100 | 40% |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 30 marks | 100 | 30% |
| SC | 30 marks | 100 | 30% |
| ST | 30 marks | 100 | 30% |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per category base | 100 | Category norm |
📊 Previous Year Cut-Off Reference (RRB Group D 2022 — PET Shortlisting)
- UR Male: Cut-offs across RRB zones ranged approximately between 56–72 marks (out of 100) — significantly above the 40% minimum qualifying mark.
- OBC Male: Typically 4–8 marks lower than UR cut-off in the same zone.
- SC Male: Typically 10–15 marks lower than UR cut-off in the same zone.
- ST Male: Typically the lowest cut-off among all categories, sometimes 15–20 marks below UR.
- Female candidates: Cut-offs are generally 5–12 marks lower than male cut-offs within the same category.
- Exact zone-wise cut-offs varied significantly — RRB Patna, Gorakhpur, and Allahabad (Prayagraj) zones typically had higher cut-offs than northeast or less competitive zones.
⚠️ The 2026 cut-off will be determined after the CBT, based on competition, difficulty level, and normalization across exam shifts. Minimum qualifying marks (40% / 30%) are only the floor — candidates should target 70+ marks for competitive shortlisting in high-competition zones.
07
Salary & Pay Structure — RRB Group D Level-1 Posts
Basic Pay
₹18,000
Per month (7th CPC Level-1)
Monthly Salary
₹22,500+
Approx. in-hand with allowances
Max Monthly
₹25,380
Including HRA + DA + TA
Pay Level
Level 1
7th CPC Pay Matrix
✅ Complete Benefits Package for RRB Group D Posts
- Dearness Allowance (DA): Revised periodically as per central government orders
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): Varies by city classification — X, Y, Z class cities get different HRA percentages
- Transport Allowance (TA): Monthly transport support for official commute
- Night Duty Allowance: Additional pay for night shift duties
- Overtime Allowance: For work beyond prescribed duty hours
- Medical Facilities: Free railway medical treatment for self and dependents
- Pass Facility: Free / concessional travel passes on Indian Railways for employee and family — a highly valued perk
- Pension (NPS): National Pension Scheme contribution as per central government norms
- Quarters: Railway accommodation may be available at posting location (subject to availability)
- Career Growth: Promotion to Level-2 and higher through departmental competitive exams (GDCE) and seniority-based advancement
08
Subject-Wise Preparation Strategy — How to Score 75+
🧠
Reasoning — Target: 25/30
Reasoning is the highest-scoring and most predictable section — topics rarely change year to year. Focus heavily on Analogies, Series (alphabetical + number), Coding-Decoding, and Mathematical Operations as these appear in every exam. Solve at least 30 reasoning practice sets timed at 18 minutes — you should aim to finish 30 Qs in under 20 minutes in the exam. Use R.S. Aggarwal's Reasoning book as the primary reference. The key is speed and accuracy — most reasoning questions have direct, unambiguous answers.
🔢
Mathematics — Target: 18/25
Master the 9 high-frequency topics first: Number System, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Simple Interest, Compound Interest, Profit & Loss, and Mensuration. These typically contribute 18–20 of the 25 questions. Use shortcut formulas and cross-multiplication techniques to solve arithmetic quickly — at Group D level, speed matters more than deep algebraic knowledge. Solve previous year RRB Group D maths questions (2018, 2019, 2022 cycles) — the question style is very consistent. Target 15+ correct with near-zero wrong answers rather than attempting all 25.
🔬
General Science — Target: 18/25
Read NCERT Class 9 & 10 Science books cover-to-cover — this is the single most effective preparation method. Focus on Physics chapters (Laws of Motion, Electricity, Light) and Biology chapters (Human systems, Diseases) as they contribute the most questions historically. Chemistry topics like Acids/Bases/Salts, Metals/Non-Metals, and Chemical Reactions are also very important. Make a single-page formula and fact sheet for each chapter and revise it daily. Do NOT rely on random GS notes from coaching sites — NCERT is the official source and questions are directly traceable to NCERT theory.
🌍
General Awareness — Target: 15/20
Split this section into two parts: Static GK (Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economy — study once and revise) and Current Affairs (last 12 months before exam date — read daily). For static GK, Lucent's General Knowledge book covers everything needed. For current affairs, read one trusted daily affairs summary for 10–15 minutes every day from now. Focus specifically on Railway-related news, Sports championships, Government schemes, Science & Tech updates, and National awards — these appear most frequently in RRB exams. Prepare a monthly current affairs capsule.
🏆 Ideal Study Plan — Subject-Wise Daily Time Allocation
- Reasoning (30Q): 45–60 min/day — practice sets, timed attempts, error analysis
- Mathematics (25Q): 45–60 min/day — topic-wise theory → formula practice → timed sets
- General Science (25Q): 30–40 min/day — NCERT reading + MCQ practice
- General Awareness (20Q): 20–30 min/day — static GK revision + daily current affairs
- Mock Tests: 1 full mock test (100Q/90Min) every weekend — analyze mistakes, not just scores
- PET Training: 30–45 min/day physical training — 1 km timed run + weight carry practice — start immediately, do not leave this for last month
09
Best Books for RRB Group D 2026 Preparation
| Subject | Recommended Book | Why Useful |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | R.S. Aggarwal — Quantitative Aptitude | Comprehensive topic coverage with shortcut methods suitable for Group D level |
| Mathematics | Rakesh Yadav — Class Notes Arithmetic | Focuses on speed techniques and previous year question patterns |
| Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal — A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | Industry standard for reasoning — covers all Group D topic types with practice sets |
| General Science | NCERT Science — Class 9 & Class 10 | Official source — Group D science questions are directly from NCERT chapters |
| General Science | Lucent's General Science | Compact MCQ-based revision reference for quick topic review |
| General Awareness | Lucent's General Knowledge | Covers complete static GK — History, Geography, Polity, Economy |
| Current Affairs | Monthly Current Affairs Capsule (GK Today / AffairsCloud) | Monthly digest of important national and international events for GK section |
| Previous Year Papers | RRB Group D Previous Year Papers 2018 & 2022 (Any Standard Publisher) | Understanding actual question style, difficulty level, and topic distribution |
📌 Most important resource: NCERT Class 9 & 10 Science books — free to download at ncert.nic.in. Study these before any coaching material for the General Science section.
🔗 Official Links — RRB Group D 2026
Online Application Portal — rrbapply.gov.in (Apply for CEN 09/2025 — Last Date Extended to 09 March 2026)
Official RRB Central Website — rrbcdg.gov.in (Notification, Syllabus PDF, Updates)
NCERT Official Website — ncert.nic.in (Download Class 9 & 10 Science PDFs Free)
10
Frequently Asked Questions — RRB Group D Syllabus 2026
Q1
What is the RRB Group D syllabus 2026 for the CBT exam?
+
The RRB Group D CBT 2026 covers four subjects: (1) General Intelligence & Reasoning — 30 questions covering analogies, series, coding-decoding, syllogism, Venn diagrams, blood relations, and directions; (2) Mathematics — 25 questions covering number system, percentage, ratio, time & work, profit & loss, simple/compound interest, and mensuration; (3) General Science — 25 questions covering Physics, Chemistry, and Biology at Class 9–10 NCERT level; (4) General Awareness & Current Affairs — 20 questions covering Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economy, and last 12-month current affairs. Total: 100 questions, 100 marks, 90 minutes, with 1/3 negative marking.
Q2
How many vacancies are there in RRB Group D 2026 and which posts are included?
+
The Railway Recruitment Board has announced 22,195 vacancies (revised) for Level-1 posts under CEN No. 09/2025. Posts included are: Track Maintainer Grade IV (largest vacancy count), Assistant Pointsman, Assistant Loco Shed, Assistant Operations, and Assistant TL & AC. Vacancies are distributed across 16 Railway Zones including Northern Railway (3,537 vacancies — highest), Western Railway (3,148), Central Railway (1,979), and others. Applications are submitted zone-wise — candidates must choose one RRB region, and this choice cannot be changed after account creation.
Q3
Is there negative marking in RRB Group D CBT 2026?
+
Yes. The RRB Group D CBT 2026 carries a penalty of 1/3 mark (0.33 marks) for every wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty. This means if you answer 3 questions incorrectly, you lose 1 full mark. The recommended strategy is to attempt only questions you are confident about — avoid random guessing. For questions where you can eliminate 2 options, the risk-reward ratio may justify attempting. For questions with no idea, skip. Accuracy-first approach is more effective than attempting all 100 questions.
Q4
What is the PET (Physical Efficiency Test) criteria for RRB Group D 2026?
+
The PET is qualifying in nature — passing it is mandatory but it does not add marks to merit. The criteria are: Male candidates: (1) Run 1000 metres in 4 minutes 15 seconds AND (2) Carry 35 kg weight for 100 metres in 2 minutes without putting it down. Female candidates: (1) Run 1000 metres in 5 minutes 40 seconds AND (2) Carry 20 kg weight for 100 metres in 2 minutes without putting it down. Both tasks must be completed. There is only one attempt per task. PwBD candidates are exempted from PET for posts identified as PwBD-suitable in CEN 09/2025 Annexure-A. Candidates should train for PET from day one of preparation — failing PET eliminates even top CBT scorers.
Q5
What is the salary and total monthly pay for RRB Group D posts?
+
The basic pay for all RRB Group D Level-1 posts is ₹18,000 per month under Level-1 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. The total monthly salary including Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA based on city classification), Transport Allowance (TA), and other applicable allowances ranges from ₹22,500 to ₹25,380 per month. Additional perks include free/concessional railway travel passes for the employee and family, free medical facilities, night duty allowance, overtime allowance, and railway accommodation (where available). Pension under the National Pension Scheme (NPS) applies as per central government rules.
Q6
What is the educational qualification required for RRB Group D 2026?
+
Candidates must hold any one of the following qualifications as on the application closing date (09 March 2026): (1) Passed Class 10 / Matriculation from any recognized Board or Institution; OR (2) ITI from institutions recognized by NCVT (National Council for Vocational Training) or SCVT (State Council for Vocational Training); OR (3) National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT; OR (4) Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAA) from any trade under the Apprentice Act. Candidates who are awaiting their final results are NOT eligible to apply — only those who have already received their qualifying certificate are considered.
Q7
Which subject has the highest weightage in RRB Group D CBT and what strategy should I follow?
+
General Intelligence & Reasoning has the highest weightage at 30 questions (30 marks) — making it the most important section in terms of marks contribution. It is also considered the most predictable and practice-friendly section. Ideal section-wise targets for a competitive score of 75+: Reasoning: 25/30 | Mathematics: 18/25 | General Science: 18/25 | General Awareness: 15/20. Spend 45–60 minutes daily on Reasoning and Mathematics practice sets. Read NCERT Class 9 & 10 Science for General Science. For General Awareness, combine Lucent's GK with daily 15-minute current affairs reading. Attempt one full mock test every week timed at exactly 90 minutes.
Q8
What is the last date to apply for RRB Group D 2026 and how to apply?
+
The last date to apply for RRB Group D 2026 under CEN 09/2025 is 09 March 2026 (extended from the original 02 March 2026 deadline via Corrigendum No. 4 dated 02 March 2026). The application modification window is open from 12 March to 21 March 2026. To apply: Visit rrbapply.gov.in → Click on "Apply Online for CEN 09/2025" → Create an account using mobile number and email → Authenticate via Aadhaar/DigiLocker → Fill personal and educational details → Select your preferred RRB Zone (cannot be changed later) → Upload live photograph and signature → Pay application fee (₹500 Gen/OBC, ₹250 SC/ST/Female/ExSM/PwBD) → Submit. Application fee payment last date: 11 March 2026.
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