- The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have released the Computer Based Test (CBT) e-Call Letter / Admit Card and updated the examination schedules for the CEN Level-1 (Group D) Recruitment 2026.
What You Will Find Here
This recruitment drive fills thousands of technical, operational, and maintenance vacancies across all Indian Railway zones. Positions include Track Maintainer Grade-IV, Assistant Pointsman, Workshop Helper, Hospital Attendant, Electrical/Mechanical Helpers, and Carriage & Wagon Attendants.
- Candidates who registered and reviewed their online Exam City Intimation Slips can now access their final admit cards. Access requires logging in with a registered Registration Number and Date of Birth on their respective regional RRB recruitment portals.
Below is an exhaustive operational manual detailing the computer-based exam pattern, marking metrics, normalization systems, Physical Efficiency Test (PET) parameters, document verification protocols, regional download links, and practical RK Advice tips for exam day.

RRB Group D Level-1 CBT 2026: Fast Overview
| Recruitment Parameter | Official Specification Details |
| Recruitment Authority | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways, Government of India |
| Notification Identifier | Centralized Employment Notice (CEN) Level-1 Group D |
| Target Designations | Track Maintainer Gr-IV, Assistant Pointsman, Workshop Helper, Attendant, etc. |
| Pay Matrix Scale | Level-1 of 7th CPC Pay Matrix (₹18,000 – ₹56,900) + Allowances |
| Selection Stage | Stage-1 Computer Based Written Examination (CBT) |
| Admit Card Status | Released & Active for Download Online |
| Exam City Slip Release | Activated 10 Days Prior to the Candidate’s Shift Date |
| Final Admit Card Download | 4 Days Prior to Candidate Examination Date |
| Biometric Verification | Mandatory Biometric Fingerprint Authentication at Entrance |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 (0.33) Mark deducted per incorrect response |
| Official Centralized Website | rrbcdg.gov.in & 21 Regional RRB Portals |
Critical Examination Schedule & Timelines
The nationwide CBT is held across designated examination centers in multiple shifts:
| Milestone / Recruitment Event | Scheduled Timeline | Current Operational Status |
| Official Notification Publication | Central Railway Recruitment Cell / RRB | Published |
| Online Application & Fee Payment | Concluded per notification | Closed |
| Application Scrutiny Status Review | Region-Wise Portal Links | Completed |
| City Intimation & Travel Authority Slip | Released 10 Days Before Scheduled Shift | Active Online |
| CBT e-Call Letter / Admit Card Release | 4 Days Before Examination Date | Live / Active |
| CBT Examination Phase Window | Multi-Shift Schedule Nationwide | Active / Underway |
| Provisional Answer Key & Challenge Window | Expected within 5 to 7 Days Post Exam | Upcoming |
| CBT Results & PET Shortlist Declaration | Post Percentile Normalization | Upcoming |
Shift Timings and Center Reporting Schedule
The CBT runs across three distinct daily shifts. Candidates must strictly observe the reporting schedule printed on their hall tickets:
| Examination Shift | Candidate Reporting Time | Gate Closure Time | Exam Start Time | Exam Concluding Time |
| Shift 1 (Morning) | 07:30 AM | 08:30 AM | 09:00 AM | 10:30 AM |
| Shift 2 (Afternoon) | 11:15 AM | 12:15 PM | 12:45 PM | 02:15 PM |
| Shift 3 (Evening) | 03:00 PM | 04:00 PM | 04:30 PM | 06:00 PM |
(Note: Gates close 30 minutes before the exam starts to complete digital photography, identity checks, and biometric data recording. Candidates arriving after gate closure are strictly denied entry).
Comprehensive CBT Examination Pattern & Section-Wise Marks
The Stage-1 CBT consists of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions across four core subjects, with an allotted test duration of 90 Minutes (1 Hour and 30 Minutes):
| Subject / Examination Domain | Question Count | Maximum Marks | Allotted Test Duration | Medium of Test |
| General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences) | 25 Questions | 25 Marks | Composite Time: | Multi-Lingual: |
| Mathematics (Arithmetic & Advanced Algebra) | 25 Questions | 25 Marks | 90 Minutes | Available in |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 Questions | 30 Marks | (120 Minutes for | 15 Regional Languages |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 Questions | 20 Marks | eligible PwBD candidates) | including English & Hindi |
| Consolidated Examination Scheme | 100 Questions | 100 Marks | 90 Minutes | — |
┌──────────────────────────────────────┐
│ RRB Group D CBT: 100 Q / 100 Marks │
└──────────────────┬───────────────────┘
│
┌──────────────────┬───────────────┴───────────────┬──────────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
General Science Mathematics General Intelligence General Awareness
(25 Q / 25 Marks) (25 Q / 25 Marks) & Reasoning (30 Q/30 M) (20 Q / 20 Marks)
Core Operational Rules:
- No Sectional Time Limit: Candidates can freely navigate between sections during the 90-minute window.
- Negative Marking Deduction: Each incorrect response incurs a deduction of 1/3 mark (0.33). Unattempted questions carry no penalty (0.00 marks).
$$\text{Total Raw Score} = (\text{Total Correct Answers} \times 1) – \left(\text{Total Incorrect Attempts} \times \frac{1}{3}\right)$$
- Language Customization: Candidates can view questions in their selected regional language (Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu) alongside the standard English display.
Detailed Subject-Wise Syllabus Breakdown
1. General Science (25 Questions / 25 Marks)
Follows the CBSE 10th Standard syllabus, focusing on applied and experimental concepts:
- Physics: Units and dimensions, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Work, Power, Energy, Gravitation, Archimedes’ Principle, Sound (wave motion, velocity, echo), Light (reflection, refraction, lenses, mirrors, Snell’s law), Heat and Thermodynamics, Electricity (Ohm’s Law, series-parallel resistance, heating effect), Magnetic effects of electric current, and Sources of Energy.
- Chemistry: Chemical reactions and equations, Acids, Bases, and Salts, Metals and Non-Metals, Periodic Table classifications and trends, Carbon and its compounds, Metallurgy principles, and Daily Chemistry (baking soda, bleaching powder, plaster of Paris).
- Life Sciences (Biology): Cell biology, Plant and Animal tissues, Human anatomy systems (Digestive, Circulatory, Respiratory, Nervous, Excretory, Endocrine), Genetics, Evolution basics, Plant physiology (Photosynthesis, Transpiration), Vitamins and deficiency diseases, Environmental Ecology, and Natural Resource Management.
2. Mathematics (25 Questions / 25 Marks)
Tests computational speed and conceptual accuracy across elementary topics:
- Number system, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM and HCF.
- Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Mensuration (Area, Perimeter, Surface Area, Volume of 2D & 3D figures).
- Time and Work, Pipes and Cisterns, Time and Distance, Speed calculations, Problems on Trains.
- Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership.
- Elementary Algebra, Polynomials, Linear equations in two variables.
- Geometry (Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals, Coordinate Geometry), Trigonometric ratios, Heights and Distances.
- Elementary Statistics: Mean, Median, Mode, Standard Deviation, and Variance.
3. General Intelligence & Reasoning (30 Questions / 30 Marks)
Assesses logical reasoning and analytical abilities:
- Analogies (Alphabetical, Numerical, Conceptual), Alphabetical and Number Series, Coding and Decoding.
- Mathematical Operations, Syllogisms, Jumbling, Venn Diagrams.
- Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency, Conclusions and Decision Making.
- Direction and Distance Sense, Blood Relations.
- Similarities and Differences, Analytical Reasoning, Classification.
- Statement – Arguments and Assumptions, Mirror and Water Images, Pattern Folding and Completion.
4. General Awareness on Current Affairs (20 Questions / 20 Marks)
Evaluates knowledge of contemporary national and international developments:
- Science & Technology innovations, Space missions (ISRO/DRDO).
- Sports tournaments, Olympics, Asian Games, National Awards.
- Culture, Indian History, National Freedom Movement, Indian Geography.
- Economic developments, Union Budget, Government flagship schemes.
- Indian Polity and Constitution, Important Personalities, Books and Authors.
All 21 Regional RRB Portals for Admit Card Download
Candidates must download their admit card from the specific regional RRB portal where their application was originally submitted:
| RRB Zone / Region | Jurisdictional Coverage | Official Portal Link |
| RRB Chandigarh | Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, J&K | rrbcdg.gov.in |
| RRB Mumbai | Maharashtra, parts of Gujarat & Madhya Pradesh | rrbmumbai.gov.in |
| RRB Prayagraj (Allahabad) | Uttar Pradesh (NCR & Central) | rrbald.gov.in |
| RRB Patna | Bihar (East Central Railway) | rrbpatna.gov.in |
| RRB Kolkata | West Bengal (Eastern Railway & South Eastern Railway) | rrbkolkata.gov.in |
| RRB Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh (West Central Railway) | rrbbhopal.gov.in |
| RRB Secunderabad | Telangana, Andhra Pradesh (South Central Railway) | rrbsecunderabad.nic.in |
| RRB Chennai | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry (Southern Railway) | rrbchennai.gov.in |
| RRB Ahmedabad | Gujarat (Western Railway) | rrbahmedabad.gov.in |
| RRB Ajmer | Rajasthan (North Western Railway) | rrbajmer.gov.in |
| RRB Bangalore | Karnataka (South Western Railway) | rrbbnc.gov.in |
| RRB Bhubaneswar | Odisha (East Coast Railway) | rrbbbs.gov.in |
| RRB Bilaspur | Chhattisgarh (South East Central Railway) | rrbbilaspur.gov.in |
| RRB Gorakhpur | Uttar Pradesh (North Eastern Railway) | rrbgkp.gov.in |
| RRB Guwahati | Assam & North Eastern States (Northeast Frontier) | rrbguwahati.gov.in |
| RRB Jammu-Srinagar | Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh | rrbjammu.nic.in |
| RRB Malda | West Bengal (Eastern & NF Railway) | rrbmalda.gov.in |
| RRB Muzaffarpur | Bihar (East Central Railway) | rrbmuzaffarpur.gov.in |
| RRB Ranchi | Jharkhand (South Eastern Railway) | rrbranchi.gov.in |
| RRB Siliguri | North Bengal & Sikkim (Northeast Frontier) | rrbsiliguri.gov.in |
| RRB Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala, Lakshadweep (Southern Railway) | rrbthiruvananthapuram.gov.in |
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Download RRB Group D Admit Card 2026
- Visit your regional Railway Recruitment Board portal or open the central nodal hub at rrbcdg.gov.in.
- Locate and click on the banner: “CEN Level-1 Posts: Download e-Call Letter, City Intimation Slip & Free Travel Pass”.
- You will be redirected to the centralized railway candidate login gateway.
- Input your Registration Number in the first field.
- Enter your Password, which is your Date of Birth in DD-MM-YYYY format (e.g., if born on 12 July 1998, enter
12071998or select via the date-picker calendar). - Enter the alphanumeric Captcha displayed on the screen.
- Click the “Login” button to open your candidate dashboard.
- Navigate to the “e-Call Letter” tab.
- Select your exam shift to generate the official admit card PDF.
- Print the admit card on clean white A4 paper. Printing a color copy is recommended to ensure barcodes and photos are clearly legible.
Understanding the Percentile-Based Normalization Formula
Railway exams take place across numerous shifts with varying difficulty levels. To maintain fairness, raw marks are converted into Percentile Scores:
[Raw Score Calculation] ────► [Percentile Normalization Across Shifts] ────► [Final Merit Rank Roster]
$$\text{Percentile Score} = \frac{R}{N} \times 100$$
Where:
- $R$ = Number of candidates who appeared in the session with raw marks equal to or less than the candidate.
- $N$ = Total number of candidates who appeared in that specific examination session.
The percentile score reflects the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or lower than that candidate in the same shift. Merits from multiple sessions are merged based on these normalized percentile scores rather than unadjusted raw marks.
Category-Wise Expected Cut-Off Marks (Normalized Percentile Range)
Cut-off percentiles vary depending on the chosen railway zone and vacancy distributions. Below are the anticipated competitive thresholds based on historical examination trends:
| Candidate Category | Minimum Qualifying Standard (%) | Expected CBT Cut-Off (Percentile Score Range) |
| Unreserved (General / UR) | 40.0% | 68.00 – 76.50 Percentile |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) | 30.0% | 62.50 – 70.00 Percentile |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 30.0% | 58.00 – 66.50 Percentile |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 30.0% | 52.00 – 60.50 Percentile |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 30.0% | 46.00 – 55.00 Percentile |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 30.0% | 38.00 – 45.00 Percentile |
| Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAA) | 30.0% | 35.00 – 42.00 Percentile (with NCVT weightage) |
(Note: Course Completed Act Apprentices trained in railway workshops receive preferential one-third marks weightage based on their NCVT certificate scores).
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Standards & Benchmarks
Candidates shortlisted from the CBT move on to the physical screening stage. The Physical Efficiency Test is strictly qualifying in nature:
| Category / Gender | Weight Carrying Test | Endurance Running Test |
| Male Candidates | Carry 35 kg weight over a distance of 100 meters in 2 minutes in one chance without setting the weight down. | Run 1,000 meters in 4 minutes and 15 seconds in a single attempt. |
| Female Candidates | Carry 20 kg weight over a distance of 100 meters in 2 minutes in one chance without setting the weight down. | Run 1,000 meters in 5 minutes and 40 seconds in a single attempt. |
Important PET Execution Directives:
- The Weight Test: Sandbags are picked up from a platform. Once lifted, you must complete the 100-meter course within 2 minutes. If the sandbag touches the ground before crossing the finish line, the attempt is marked as failed.
- Electronic RFID Timing: Running events are tracked via RFID transponders strapped to the candidate’s ankle. Time begins only when the ankle chip crosses the starting sensor mat.
- Medical Fitness (Post-PET): Cleared candidates proceed to document verification and railway medical examinations to evaluate physical condition and visual standards (A2, B1, B2, or C1 categories based on assigned post).
Mandatory Checklist for Examination Center Entry
Security screening at designated testing facilities is strict. Candidates must present the following items at the entrance gate:
- Printed e-Call Letter: A clear, full-page printout of the CBT admit card.
- Original Government-Issued Identification Document: The physical identification card must be presented for mandatory biometric authentication. If this ID card is unavailable, an original Voter ID, PAN Card, Driving License, or Passport will be accepted.
- Passport-Size Color Photographs: Two recent color photographs matching the image uploaded during application submission.
- SC/ST Travel Authority Certificate: For eligible SC/ST candidates claiming travel concessions, bring the original travel pass slip alongside the original caste certificate.
- Writing Utility: A transparent blue or black ballpoint pen for signing attendance sheets and rough work.
- Prohibited Items: Smart watches, wristwatches, Bluetooth devices, earphones, calculators, belts, metallic jewelry, wallets, and bags are prohibited inside the testing facility.
💡 RK Advice: 5 Essential Tips for RRB Group D Aspirants
- Verify Your Identification Document Beforehand: Ensure your identification card is in good condition for biometric matching. If finger skin is peeling, dry, or marked with ink or henna, clean your hands thoroughly prior to arrival so the sensor can complete fingerprint verification smoothly.
- Manage Negative Marking Penalties: A penalty of 1/3 mark (0.33) is deducted for every incorrect answer. Indiscriminate guessing can significantly lower your normalized score. If you cannot eliminate at least two answer options, move to the next question.
- Target Science and Reasoning First: The 30-mark Reasoning and 25-mark Science sections can often be completed efficiently. Plan to address these 55 questions in about 45 to 50 minutes. This preserves roughly 40 minutes to work through numerical problems and calculations in Mathematics without rushing.
- Arrive Well Ahead of Gate Closure: Railway centers enforce strict gate closing times to accommodate biometric collection, iris scanning, and photo validation. Arrive at the venue at least 60 minutes before the scheduled gate closure time.
- Begin PET Preparation Early: Many candidates who clear the written CBT struggle with the endurance run or the 35 kg sandbag carry because they postpone training until after the results are declared. Begin light cardio, jogging, and basic functional training now to build the stamina required for the PET.
🔗 Important Links & Quick Action
| Resource / Official Portal | (Direct Action) |
| 📄 Download RRB Group D CBT Admit Card | Admit Card Download Link ➔ |
| 🏛️ RRB Official Main Portal | RRB Official Website ➔ |
| 💬 Join Official WhatsApp Channel | (Instant Alerts) ➔ |
| 🏠 Latest Railway Updates & Admit Cards | RK Job Alert 24 ➔ |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Where can I download the official RRB Group D Admit Card?
Ans: The admit card can be downloaded from the respective regional RRB website where you submitted your application, or via the central nodal portal at rrbcdg.gov.in, by logging in with your Registration Number and Date of Birth.
Q2: What should I do if I forget my RRB Group D Registration Number?
Ans: Open the login page on your regional RRB portal and click the “Forgot Registration Number” link. Enter your registered email address, mobile number, and Date of Birth to receive your registration credentials via SMS and email.
Q3: Is there negative marking in the RRB Group D CBT examination?
Ans: Yes. An incorrect answer will result in a deduction of 1/3 mark (0.33) from your score. Questions left unanswered carry no penalty.
Q4: Are the marks scored in the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) added to the final merit list?
Ans: No. The PET is strictly qualifying in nature. Final merit rankings and job allocations are determined by normalized percentile scores achieved in the Stage-1 CBT, subject to passing the document verification and medical examinations.