Check RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria 2026 including age limit (18–36 years), educational qualification, nationality, PET, medical standards, age relaxation, required documents, post parameters, attempts, and complete eligibility details for 22,195 vacancies.
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has prescribed the RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria 2026 for candidates applying to 22,195 Level-1 vacancies under CEN 09/2025. Applicants must satisfy the prescribed age limit, educational qualification, nationality, physical efficiency, and medical standards before applying. Candidates should be between 18 and 36 years of age and possess a Class 10 pass certificate, ITI, or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC), as applicable. They must also qualify the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and meet the required medical standards for the allotted post. Candidates who do not fulfill any of the eligibility conditions at any stage of the recruitment process will have their candidature cancelled.
The table below provides a quick overview of the RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria 2026, including the age limit, educational qualification, nationality, and other important eligibility requirements for candidates applying for Level-1 posts in Indian Railways.
| Particulars | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | RRB Group D 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) |
| Age Limit | 18 to 36 Years |
| Nationality | Indian (and other eligible categories as per RRB rules) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Minimum Educational Qualification | Class 10 Pass / ITI / National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) issued by NCVT |
| Work Experience | Not Required |
| Number of Attempts | No Fixed Limit (Subject to Eligibility Criteria) |
The RRB Group D Age Limit 2026 is the same for both male and female candidates. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and should not exceed 36 years of age as on the cut-off date specified in the official notification. There is no separate age criterion based on gender. However, candidates belonging to reserved categories are eligible for upper age relaxation as per Government of India and Railway Recruitment Board rules.
| Criteria | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 Years |
| Maximum Age | 36 Years |
| Category | Upper Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| SC / ST | 5 Years |
| PwBD | 10 to 15 Years (as applicable) |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | As per Government Rules |
| Other Eligible Categories | As per RRB/Government of India Rules |
Yes, 12th pass candidates are eligible to apply for RRB Group D 2026, provided they have already passed Class 10 (Matriculation), which is the minimum educational qualification prescribed by the Railway Recruitment Board. Candidates who possess an ITI or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) issued by NCVT are also eligible. While having a 12th qualification does not provide any additional eligibility benefit, candidates can apply because they have already fulfilled the mandatory Class 10 qualification requirement.
| Qualification | Eligibility Status |
|---|---|
| Class 10 (Matriculation) | Eligible |
| ITI / National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) | Eligible |
| 12th Pass | Eligible (as candidates have already passed Class 10) |
| 12th Pass without Class 10 | Not Applicable |
No, an ITI qualification is not mandatory for RRB Group D 2026. Candidates are eligible if they have passed Class 10 (Matriculation), possess an ITI certificate, or hold a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) issued by NCVT. This means candidates who have only passed Class 10 can also apply, while those with ITI or NAC qualifications are equally eligible. Therefore, ITI is an optional qualification and not a compulsory requirement for RRB Group D recruitment.
| Educational Qualification | Eligibility Status |
|---|---|
| Class 10 (Matriculation) | Eligible |
| ITI Certificate | Eligible |
| National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) from NCVT | Eligible |
| ITI Mandatory? | No |
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has specified important eligibility conditions for candidates applying under trade qualifications. Only Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) trained in Railway establishments and holding a valid National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) issued by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) are eligible under this category. Candidates must provide accurate apprenticeship details, certificate information, training duration, and marks while filling out the online application form. Applicants awaiting their NCVT results should mention the date of their last examination as instructed in the official notification.
| Trade Notice | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligible Candidates | CCAAs trained in Railway establishments |
| Required Certificate | National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) issued by NCVT |
| Other Certificates | Not Accepted |
| Application Details | Training duration, certificate details, and marks must be entered correctly |
| Result Awaiting Candidates | Enter the date of the last NCVT examination in the application form |
The RRB Group D Age Limit 2026 is one of the most important eligibility conditions prescribed by the Railway Recruitment Board. Candidates must be between 18 and 36 years of age as on the cut-off date mentioned in the official notification. To determine eligibility, RRB has also specified the upper and lower date of birth limits for different categories.
| Age Group | UR / EWS (Date of Birth Not Earlier Than) | OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | SC / ST | Lower Date of Birth (All Categories) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 to 36 Years | 02.01.1989 | 02.01.1986 | 02.01.1984 | 01.01.2007 |
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) provides upper age relaxation to candidates belonging to reserved and special categories as per Government of India rules. The applicable relaxation varies depending on the candidate's category and service status. The detailed age relaxation for RRB Group D 2026 is provided below.
| Category | Age Relaxation / Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Length of Defence Service + 3 Years |
| PwBD (UR) | 10 Years |
| PwBD (OBC-NCL) | 13 Years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 Years |
| Candidates domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir (01.01.1980 to 31.12.1989) | 5 Years |
| Railway Group 'C' / Erstwhile Group 'D' Staff (UR) | Upper Age Limit: 40 Years |
| Railway Group 'C' / Erstwhile Group 'D' Staff (OBC-NCL) | Upper Age Limit: 43 Years |
| Railway Group 'C' / Erstwhile Group 'D' Staff (SC/ST) | Upper Age Limit: 45 Years |
| Employees of Railway Quasi-Administrative Offices | Length of Service Rendered or 5 Years (Whichever is Lower) |
| Widowed / Divorced / Judicially Separated Women (UR) | Upper Age Limit: 35 Years |
| Widowed / Divorced / Judicially Separated Women (OBC-NCL) | Upper Age Limit: 38 Years |
| Widowed / Divorced / Judicially Separated Women (SC/ST) | Upper Age Limit: 40 Years |
| Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAA) for ITI/Apprenticeship Posts | Relaxation Equal to Apprentice Training Period under the Apprentices Act, 1961 |
| CCAA Candidates (UR) | Upper Age Limit: 35 Years |
| CCAA Candidates (OBC-NCL) | Upper Age Limit: 38 Years |
| CCAA Candidates (SC/ST) | Upper Age Limit: 40 Years |
Candidates applying for RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 must possess the prescribed educational qualification on or before the closing date of the online application. The minimum qualification required is Class 10 (Matriculation) from a recognized board, an ITI certificate from a recognized institution, or a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) issued by NCVT. Candidates awaiting the results of their qualifying examination are not eligible to apply.
| Qualification | Eligibility Status |
|---|---|
| Class 10 (Matriculation) | Eligible |
| ITI (Industrial Training Institute) | Eligible |
| National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) issued by NCVT | Eligible |
To be eligible for RRB Group D Recruitment 2026, candidates must satisfy the nationality requirements prescribed by the Railway Recruitment Board. Indian citizens are eligible to apply. In addition, certain categories of foreign nationals and migrants are also eligible, subject to fulfilling the conditions specified in the official notification and producing the required eligibility certificates wherever applicable.
| Nationality Category | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Citizen of India | Eligible |
| Citizen of Nepal | Eligible |
| Citizen of Bhutan | Eligible |
| Tibetan Refugee (who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement) | Eligible |
| Persons of Indian Origin who have migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), and East African countries with the intention of permanently settling in India | Eligible (subject to Government of India eligibility conditions) |
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) does not require any prior work experience for RRB Group D Recruitment 2026. Both freshers and experienced candidates are eligible to apply, provided they meet the prescribed age limit, educational qualification, nationality, physical efficiency, and medical standards. Candidates who fulfill all the eligibility conditions and successfully qualify the Computer-Based Test (CBT), Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Document Verification (DV), and Medical Examination can be considered for final appointment to Group D posts.
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has not prescribed any fixed limit on the number of attempts for the RRB Group D Examination 2026. Candidates can apply for the examination multiple times, provided they continue to satisfy all the eligibility conditions, including the prescribed age limit, educational qualification, nationality, and other requirements mentioned in the official notification.
Candidates applying for RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 must qualify the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) after clearing the Computer-Based Test (CBT). The PET is qualifying in nature and consists of weight-lifting and running tasks. The physical standards are different for male and female candidates. Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are exempted from appearing in the PET but must qualify the prescribed medical examination.
| Category | Physical Eligibility Requirements |
|---|---|
| Male Candidates | Lift and carry 35 kg for 100 metres within 2 minutes in one attempt without putting the weight down, and run 1000 metres in 4 minutes 15 seconds in one attempt. |
| Female Candidates | Lift and carry 20 kg for 100 metres within 2 minutes in one attempt without putting the weight down, and run 1000 metres in 5 minutes 40 seconds in one attempt. |
| PwBD Candidates | Exempted from the Physical Efficiency Test (PET). However, they must qualify the prescribed medical examination applicable to Persons with Benchmark Disabilities. |
Candidates selected for RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 must satisfy the prescribed medical standards before final appointment. The Railway Administration conducts a medical examination to assess a candidate's overall physical fitness and visual acuity. The required medical standard varies depending on the post allotted. Candidates who fail to meet the prescribed medical requirements will not be considered eligible for appointment.
| Medical Standard | General Fitness | Visual Acuity |
|---|---|---|
| A-2 | Physically fit in all respects | Distant Vision: 6/9, 6/9 without glasses (No fogging test). Near Vision: Sn. 0.6, 0.6 without glasses. Must pass Colour Vision, Binocular Vision, Night Vision and Mesopic Vision tests. |
| A-3 | Physically fit in all respects | Distant Vision: 6/9, 6/9 with or without glasses (lens power not exceeding 2D). Near Vision: Sn. 0.6, 0.6 with or without glasses. Must pass Colour Vision, Binocular Vision, Night Vision and related vision tests. |
| B-1 | Physically fit in all respects | Distant Vision: 6/9, 6/12 with or without glasses (lens power not exceeding 4D). Near Vision: Sn. 0.6, 0.6 with or without glasses. Must pass Colour Vision, Binocular Vision, Night Vision and Mesopic Vision tests. |
| B-2 | Physically fit in all respects | Distant Vision: 6/9, 6/12 with or without glasses (lens power not exceeding 4D). Near Vision: Sn. 0.6, 0.6 with or without glasses. Must pass Binocular Vision test. |
| C-1 | Physically fit in all respects | Distant Vision: 6/12, 6/18 with or without glasses. Near Vision: Sn. 0.6, 0.6 with or without glasses. |
| C-2 | Physically fit in all respects | Distant Vision: 6/12, Nil with or without glasses. Near Vision: Sn. 0.6 (combined) with or without glasses for reading or close work. |
Candidates applying for RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 must produce the required original documents along with self-attested photocopies during the Document Verification (DV) stage. These documents are used to verify the candidate's identity, educational qualification, category, age, and other eligibility conditions. Failure to produce the required documents may result in cancellation of candidature.
| Sl. No. | Required Document |
|---|---|
| 1 | SCVT/NCVT Certificate (where applicable) |
| 2 | Aadhaar Card (Original and Photocopy) |
| 3 | Income Certificate (Family Income, if applicable) |
| 4 | OBC-NCL Certificate (if applicable) |
| 5 | Certificate for Transgender Candidates (if applicable) |
| 6 | Decree of Divorce / Judicial Separation (if applicable) |
| 7 | Class 10 (Matriculation) Certificate |
| 8 | Non-Creamy Layer Declaration (for OBC-NCL candidates) |
| 9 | Medical Certificate for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), if applicable |
| 10 | Jammu & Kashmir Domicile Certificate (if applicable) |
| 11 | Any other document prescribed in the official RRB Group D Notification 2026 |
Apart from fulfilling the general eligibility criteria, candidates must also satisfy the post-specific medical standards and benchmark disability (PwBD) suitability prescribed by the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB). The required medical standard and suitability vary depending on the post and department. Candidates can check the detailed post parameters below.
| Designation | Department | Medical Standard | VI | HI | LD | MD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant (Workshop) | Mechanical | C1 | B, LV | D, HH | OL, LC, DW, AAV | Yes |
| Assistant Bridge | Engineering | B1 | No | No | No | No |
| Assistant C & W | Mechanical | B1 | No | D, HH | OL, LC, DW, AAV | Yes |
| Assistant Depot (Stores) | Stores | C1 | LV | HH | OL, OA | Yes |
| Assistant Loco Shed (Diesel) | Mechanical | B1 | LV | D, HH | OL, LC, DW, AAV | Yes |
| Assistant Loco Shed (Electrical) | Electrical | B1 | LV | D, HH | OL, LC, DW, AAV | Yes |
| Assistant Operations (Electrical) | Electrical | B1 | LV | D, HH | OL, LC, DW, AAV | Yes |
| Pointsman | Traffic | A2 | No | No | No | No |
| Assistant Signal & Telecom | S&T | B1 | LV | D, HH | OL, LC, DW, AAV | Yes |
| Assistant Track Machine | Engineering | A3 | No | D, HH | OL, LC, DW, AAV | Yes |
| Assistant TL & AC | Electrical | B1 | LV | D, HH | OL, LC, DW, AAV | Yes |
| Assistant TL & AC (Workshop) | Electrical | C1 | B, LV | D, HH | OL, LC, DW, AAV | Yes |
| Assistant TRD | Electrical | B1 | No | D, HH | OL, LC, DW, AAV | Yes |
| Assistant Works | Engineering | C1 | B, LV | D, HH | OL, LC, DW, AAV | Yes |
| Assistant Works (Workshop) | Engineering | C1 | B, LV | D, HH | OL, LC, DW, AAV | Yes |
| Hospital Assistant | Medical | C1 | B, LV | D, HH | OL, LC, DW, AAV | Yes |
| Track Maintainer Grade IV | Engineering | B1 | No | No | No | No |
Candidates must ensure that all details submitted in the RRB Group D 2026 application form are accurate and comply with the instructions mentioned in the official notification. Any incorrect information, invalid documents, or violation of the application guidelines may lead to rejection of the application or debarment from the recruitment process.
| Reason | Possible Consequence |
|---|---|
| Uploading an invalid photograph (black & white photo, cap, goggles, covered head, blurred or disfigured image, etc.) | Application Rejection |
| Uploading signature in capital letters, block letters, or disjointed letters | Application Rejection |
| Not possessing the prescribed educational qualification | Disqualification |
| Submitting multiple applications for the same or different RRBs/RRCs | Cancellation of all applications and debarment from future RRB/RRC examinations |
| Providing an incorrect Date of Birth (DOB) | Disqualification |
| Furnishing incorrect or false information in the application form | Application Rejection or Debarment |