RRB Group D 2026: Syllabus, Physical Test, Salary & Preparation Guide

RRB Group D 2026: The Largest Railway Recruitment

RRB Group D, conducted by the Railway Recruitment Boards, is one of the biggest government recruitments in India, offering lakhs of vacancies for Level 1 posts such as Track Maintainer Grade IV, Helper/Assistant, Pointsman, and Assistant (various departments). With just a 10th-pass requirement, it draws over a crore applicants.

Eligibility

• Education: 10th pass OR ITI/equivalent from a recognised institution.
• Age: 18 to 36 years (with category relaxations).

Check whether you qualify using our free Eligibility Checker.

Selection Process

1. Computer Based Test (CBT)
2. Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
3. Document Verification & Medical Examination

CBT Exam Pattern

| Section | Questions | Marks | |---------|-----------|-------| | General Science | 25 | 25 | | Mathematics | 25 | 25 | | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | | General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 |

Total: 100 questions, 100 marks, 90 minutes. Negative marking of 1/3 mark per wrong answer.

Physical Efficiency Test (PET)

• Male: Lift and carry 35 kg for 100 m in 2 minutes (one chance), and run 1000 m in 4 min 15 sec.
• Female: Lift and carry 20 kg for 100 m in 2 minutes, and run 1000 m in 5 min 40 sec.

RRB Group D Salary

Group D posts are at Pay Level 1 (₹18,000 basic). With DA, HRA, and transport allowance, the in-hand salary is approximately ₹22,000–₹27,000 per month, plus railway travel passes, medical facilities, and pension.

Syllabus Highlights

• General Science: Physics, Chemistry, and Life Sciences up to Class 10 level.
• Mathematics: Number system, BODMAS, percentages, ratio, mensuration, time & work, profit & loss.
• Reasoning: Analogies, coding-decoding, series, syllogism, classification.
• General Awareness: Current affairs, sports, polity, economy, and static GK.

Preparation Strategy

1. Prioritise Reasoning and Maths — together they carry 55 marks.
2. Revise Class 10 General Science thoroughly — it's high-scoring.
3. Train physically for the PET well in advance.
4. Practise mock tests and stay current with our Current Affairs.

How Group D Compares to Other Level 1 Posts

RRB Group D covers several different roles under one recruitment — Track Maintainer, Helper/Assistant in Electrical/Mechanical/S&T departments, Pointsman, and Level 1 posts across production units. The exam pattern and salary are identical across posts (₹18,000 basic pay, Pay Level 1), so your zone and post preference during application matters more than which specific post you eventually target — pick zones with historically higher vacancy counts in your state if you have flexibility, since RRB conducts recruitment zone-wise and your final posting is tied to the zone you apply under.

Common Questions About RRB Group D

Is there a minimum height/physical requirement besides the PET? Yes — most zones require a minimum height of 152 cm (men) and 152 cm (women), with a minimum chest expansion of 5 cm for male candidates. Check your specific zone's notification for exact standards, as they can vary slightly.

How many attempts are allowed? There's no cap on attempts — you can apply every recruitment cycle as long as you're within the age limit (18-33 years, with category relaxations).

Does the CBT have a normalization process? Yes. Since RRB conducts the CBT across multiple shifts with different question sets, scores are normalized using a standard formula to ensure fairness across shifts before the final merit list is prepared.

Start Preparing

RRB Group D rewards steady practice and physical readiness. Prepare both together for the best shot.

👉 Explore all Railways exams and compare RRB NTPC with Group D to choose the right fit.