RRB Group D Recruitment: 53 Lakh Applications Received For 22,915 Posts; 238 Candidates Per Vacancy | Education and Career News
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RRB Group D Recruitment 2026: Bihar is expected to record one of the highest participation rates in the country, with more than 10 lakh candidates likely to appear for the exam.
While the minimum eligibility remains Class 10 or ITI, a significant number of graduates and postgraduates have also applied. (File Photo)
The race for a Railway job is set to be more competitive than ever. The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has received more than 53 lakh applications for 22,915 Group D Level-1 vacancies, translating to an average of 238 candidates competing for every post. Although the applicant-to-vacancy ratio is lower than the 2019 recruitment drive, when around 1.15 crore candidates applied, the level of competition remains exceptionally high.
Bihar has emerged as one of the biggest contributors to the applicant pool, with over 10 lakh candidates registering for the examination. Aspirants across the country are now preparing for the Computer Based Test (CBT), which is scheduled to begin in August.
Graduates and Postgraduates Add to Competition
RRB officials say the recruitment has attracted candidates from a wide range of educational backgrounds. While the minimum eligibility remains Class 10 or ITI, a significant number of graduates and postgraduates have also applied. The growing demand for secure government jobs, coupled with limited vacancies, has prompted even highly qualified candidates to compete for Group D positions, making the selection process even more challenging.
Bihar Sees Massive Participation
Bihar is expected to record one of the highest participation rates in the country, with more than 10 lakh candidates likely to appear for the examination. The state continues to contribute a substantial share of applicants across multiple RRB zones.
CBT Scheduled From August 3
The Railway Recruitment Board will conduct the Computer Based Test (CBT) from August 3 to August 21, 2026. Around 10 days before their exam, candidates will be able to download details such as their exam date, city, and admit card information from the official RRB website.
Aadhaar-Based Biometric Verification Mandatory
To enhance security and ensure transparency, RRB has made Aadhaar-linked biometric verification compulsory at examination centres. Candidates must carry either their original Aadhaar card or a printed copy of their e-Aadhaar for verification before entering the exam hall.
Maximum Vacancies for Track Maintainer Grade-IV
Among the 22,915 vacancies, the highest number of posts has been announced for Track Maintainer Grade-IV, with 11,032 vacancies. Other major openings include:
Track Maintainer Grade-IV: 11,032 posts
Pointsman B: 5,053 posts
Assistant Signal & Telecom: 1,509 posts
Additional vacancies across various railway departments
Under the RRB Prayagraj zone alone, 1,183 vacancies will be filled, nearly 600 of them for Track Maintainer Grade-IV.
Selection Process
The recruitment process will be conducted in multiple stages:
Computer Based Test (CBT)
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Document Verification
Medical Examination
Candidates who qualify the CBT will be shortlisted for the Physical Efficiency Test before proceeding to the final stages of selection.
Exam Pattern Remains Unchanged
The exam pattern remains the same as previous recruitment cycles. The CBT will be held for 90 minutes and consist of 100 objective-type questions, distributed as follows:
Mathematics – 25 questions
General Science – 25 questions
General Intelligence and Reasoning – 30 questions
General Awareness and Current Affairs – 20 questions
Negative Marking and Qualifying Marks
The examination will carry negative marking, with 0.25 marks deducted for every incorrect answer. Candidates are therefore advised to answer only those questions they are reasonably confident about.
The minimum qualifying marks are:
General (UR): 40%
EWS: 40%
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 30%
SC/ST: 30%
However, securing the minimum qualifying marks does not guarantee selection. Final selection will depend on the cutoff and merit list.
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