Railway Exams 2026-27 | RRB NTPC, Group D, ALP Dates, Eligibility & Courses
Last Updated: 10 October 2026 | Reviewed by: Team DigiDisha (Railway Mentors – Maths, Reasoning, GK + PET Trainers, Ghaziabad)
Official Sources: rrbcdg.gov.in (central) | Regional RRB sites (Prayagraj, Chandigarh, etc.) | rrbapply.gov.in (applications)
Railway Exams 2026-27 are Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) exams for 10th-pass to graduate posts – NTPC (Clerk, ASM, Goods Guard, TC), Group D Level-1 (Track Maintainer, Assistant, Porter), ALP + Technician (Loco Pilot, ITI posts), JE (engineers) and RPF (police). As per the official RRB Annual Calendar 2026: ALP notification Feb 2026, NTPC Aug 2026, next Group D Oct 2026. Group D CBT (22,195 posts) was held 3–25 Aug 2026 with result expected Oct/Nov 2026. Selection = CBT + PET/Skill + Document Verification + Medical. DigiDisha.com offers affordable online railway coaching in Hindi & English.
Overview: Which Railway Exam is For YOU? – Honest Explanation
Let’s be honest. In UP and Bihar, “Railway” is an emotion – “Beta, railway me lag gaya” still gets the biggest smile in the village. Indian Railways is the world’s largest government employer, and every RRB notification brings 1–2 CRORE applications. That also makes it India’s most fraud-hit exam sector – fake “railway agents” have looted crores from poor families.
So first, the confusion-clearing DigiDisha map – four doors, pick ONE by qualification:
Door 1 – After 10th: RRB Group D (Level-1) – Track Maintainer, Assistant Pointsman, Porter – basic pay ₹18,000 + allowances. Biggest vacancy machine (22,195 posts in 2026 cycle). PET physical after CBT.
Door 2 – After 12th: RRB NTPC-Undergraduate – Commercial Clerk, Ticket Collector (TC), Trains Clerk – office + station jobs, no field labour. Golden for 12th-pass girls and boys.
Door 3 – After Graduation: RRB NTPC-Graduate – ASM (Station Master), Goods Guard, Senior Clerk, CA – the famous “Station Master” dream. CBT-1 + CBT-2 + aptitude/typing as per post.
Door 4 – ITI / Diploma / B.Tech: ALP + Technician + JE – Assistant Loco Pilot (train driver – highest craze + allowances), Technicians (ITI trades), Junior Engineer (diploma/B.Tech). Technical + non-technical papers.
Our Promise: One student = one railway door (by qualification + age + physical ability). No “fill all 5 forms” loot. Written (Maths/Reasoning/GK/Science) + PET running charts + medical pre-check + honest fraud warnings. If railway PET/medical blocks you, we shift you to SSC/Bank the same week – no fee waste.
Who Should Prepare for Railway Exams?
- 10th pass (18–33) → Group D – India’s biggest 10th-pass central job; PET needs 3-month running prep
- 12th pass → NTPC-UG (Clerk/TC) – best office-job option without graduation
- Graduates → NTPC-Graduate (ASM/Goods Guard) – combine with SSC CGL prep (70% common)
- ITI holders → ALP + Technician – your trade certificate is the entry ticket; highest salary-per-qualification
- Diploma/B.Tech → JE + ALP – technical paper advantage
- Girls → NTPC clerical + Group D (women-friendly posts + relaxations) – railway gives hostel + safe postings
Highlights Table: Railway Exams 2026-27 at a Glance
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) – 21 regional boards, Ministry of Railways |
| Official Websites | rrbcdg.gov.in + regional RRB sites + rrbapply.gov.in |
| Exams Covered | NTPC (Grad/UG), Group D Level-1, ALP, Technician, JE, RPF, Paramedical, Ministerial |
| Qualification | 10th (Group D) / 12th (NTPC-UG) / Graduate (NTPC-Grad) / ITI-Diploma-B.Tech (ALP/Tech/JE) |
| Age Limit | Generally 18–30/33 (post-wise + SC/ST/OBC relaxation as per CEN) |
| Application Mode | Online only – ONE application per CEN (multiple = rejection) |
| Application Fee | ~₹500 (Gen/OBC/EWS – ₹400 refundable on CBT appearance) / ₹250 (SC/ST/Women/Minority/EWS-PwBD – refundable) approx. – check CEN |
| Selection Process | CBT → CBT-2/CBAT/Typing/PET (post-wise) → Document Verification → Medical |
| Salary | Level-1 ₹18,000 basic / NTPC ₹19,900–35,400 basic / ALP ~₹19,900 + running allowance / JE ~₹35,400 |
| Job Perks | Free/discounted rail passes, quarters, DA/HRA, NPS pension, medical (hospital) for family |
| DigiDisha Mode | Online Live + Recorded + Hindi-English notes + Mocks + PET charts + Medical checklist |
RRB Calendar 2026-27 – Official Schedule + Live Status (10 Oct 2026)
Railway Ministry’s official Annual Calendar 2026 (circular dated 05.12.2025) fixed notification months: ALP – February 2026, NTPC – August 2026, Group D – October 2026, with nodal RRBs Jammu (ALP), Prayagraj/Ahmedabad (NTPC Grad/UG), Chandigarh (Level-1).
| Exam | Notification | Application | Exam / Stage Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRB Group D 2026 (CEN 09/2025) | 30 Jan 2026 – 22,195 posts | 31 Jan – 9 Mar 2026 (closed) | CBT 3–25 Aug 2026 DONE; answer key 7 Sept; Result + scorecard expected Oct/Nov 2026 – ANY DAY |
| RRB Group D PET 2026 | – | – | After result – start running NOW, don’t wait for result (35kg/20kg weight + 1000m race) |
| RRB ALP 2026 cycle | Feb 2026 | Closed | CBT-2 held 28 July 2026; CBAT 30 Oct 2026; DV + Medical Nov 2026 |
| RRB NTPC 2026 (Grad + UG) | Aug 2026 (as per calendar) | Check rrbcdg.gov.in NOW | Notification window active – verify + apply immediately if open |
| RRB Technician / JE | Cycles as notified | Check regional RRB | CBT + DV stages per CEN – track admit cards |
| Next Group D (Level-1) | Oct 2026 (as per calendar) | Expected this quarter | Fresh 10th-pass candidates – keep documents ready |
| RPF Constable/SI | As notified | – | Track rpf.indianrailways.gov.in for next CEN |
October Triple Alert: (1) Group D result Oct/Nov 2026 – PET training must START TODAY (result-to-PET gap is short). (2) NTPC notification per calendar Aug 2026 – if you haven’t checked rrbcdg.gov.in this week, check TODAY. (3) Next Group D CEN expected Oct 2026 – 10th-pass freshers, keep Aadhaar + certificates + photo ready. DigiDisha posts free Hindi alerts for every RRB notice.
Exam-Wise Detail – Pattern, Eligibility, Salary
1. RRB NTPC – Graduate + Undergraduate (Clerk, ASM, TC, Goods Guard) – FLAGSHIP DREAM
Posts: NTPC-UG (12th): Commercial-cum-Ticket Clerk, Trains Clerk, TC | NTPC-Grad: ASM/Station Master, Goods Guard, Senior Commercial Clerk, Sr. Time Keeper
Eligibility: 12th pass (UG posts) / Any graduate (Grad posts); age generally 18–30/33 post-wise + relaxations
Pattern: CBT-1 (Maths + Reasoning + GK – screening) → CBT-2 (same, harder) → Aptitude test (ASM) / Typing (Clerk) → DV + Medical. Negative marking 1/3rd.
Salary: Basic ₹19,900–₹35,400 + DA/HRA + rail pass + quarters. Station Master = gazetted-feel posting + uniform respect.
2026 Status: Notification per calendar Aug 2026 – nodal RRB Prayagraj (Grad) / Ahmedabad (UG). Verify live status on rrbcdg.gov.in.
2. RRB Group D Level-1 – 10th Pass (Track Maintainer, Assistant, Porter) – BIGGEST VACANCY
2026 Cycle: CEN 09/2025, 22,195 posts, age 18–33, qualification 10th/ITI/NAC/Diploma – CBT 3–25 Aug 2026 done, result Oct/Nov 2026.
Pattern: CBT (Maths + Reasoning + GK + General Science – 10th level, bilingual) → PET (Male: 35kg weight 100m in 2 min + 1000m run in 4:15 | Female: 20kg in 2 min + 1000m in 5:40) → DV + Medical (vision + fitness standards).
Salary: Basic ₹18,000 + DA/HRA + pass + quarters + hospital – in-hand ~₹28,000–32,000 + overtime in field posts.
Next CEN: Expected Oct 2026 per calendar (nodal RRB Chandigarh) – freshers prepare now.
3. RRB ALP + Technician – ITI/Diploma (Loco Pilot Dream + Trade Posts)
Posts: Assistant Loco Pilot (train driver – running allowance makes it the highest-paid non-gazetted railway job) + Technicians (Electrician, Fitter, Welder, etc. – ITI trade-wise)
Eligibility: 10th + ITI (relevant trade) / Diploma / B.Tech as per post; age generally 18–30 + relaxations
Pattern: CBT-1 → CBT-2 (Part A: Maths/Reasoning/Science + Part B: trade/technical qualifying) → CBAT aptitude (ALP only – 30 Oct 2026 for current cycle) → DV + strict vision medical (6/6, no colour blindness for running posts).
Salary: ALP basic ~₹19,900 + running allowance (often doubles effective pay) + night-duty allowances.
4. RRB JE (Junior Engineer) + RPF + Paramedical/Ministerial – Specialist Doors
JE: Diploma/B.Tech – CBT-1 + CBT-2 (technical) – basic ~₹35,400. Best for engineers wanting gazetted-track career without GATE.
RPF Constable/SI: 10th/12th/Graduate + PET/PMT + uniform – railway’s own police force; track rpf.indianrailways.gov.in.
Paramedical/Section Controller/Ministerial: Nurses, pharmacists, controllers, stenographers – qualification-wise CENs through the year.
Selection + Admission Process – How Railway Selection Works
Part A: Official RRB Selection Stages (All CENs – Same Logic)
Stage 1: Online Application – ONE Form Only
Apply on rrbapply.gov.in / regional RRB within window. Create account with OWN mobile + email. Choose RRB zone + post preferences carefully (zone once chosen can’t change; cutoffs differ by zone!). Upload photo/signature per specs, pay fee (~₹500 Gen – ₹400 REFUNDED after appearing in CBT-1; ~₹250 reserved – fully refunded – so appearing = almost free). Multiple applications = ALL rejected.
Stage 2: CBT-1 (Screening – 90% Elimination Here)
Maths + General Intelligence/Reasoning + GK/Current + General Science – 100 Qs, 90 min (Group D/NTPC pattern league), 1/3rd negative. Normalisation across shifts – attempt with accuracy, not blind guesses. DigiDisha mock system trains shift-proof scoring.
Stage 3: CBT-2 / CBAT / Typing / PET (Post-Wise Filter)
NTPC: CBT-2 + aptitude/typing | ALP: CBT-2 (tech) + CBAT | Group D/RPF: PET race + weight + measurements. PET failures are heartbreaking – fit-looking students failing the 1000m by 10 seconds. Our 12-week progressive chart prevents exactly this.
Stage 4: Document Verification + Medical (Silent Rejections)
DV: 10th certificate (DOB!), caste/OBC (fresh central format – state OBC ≠ central OBC!), EWS, ITI/degree, Aadhaar. Medical: vision (running posts strictest), hearing, flat foot, BMI, tattoos, chronic disease. Pre-medical checkup BEFORE the exam cycle.
Part B: Admission in DigiDisha Railway Courses (2 Minutes)
Step 1: Free Door-Matching – WhatsApp qualification + age + ITI trade (if any) → we assign your ONE right railway door.
Step 2: 2-Day Free Demo – Live Maths/Reasoning class + 1 free RRB-pattern mock + PET chart sample. Judge before paying.
Step 3: Enroll Online – UPI/Card on DigiDisha.com, GST receipt, batch + material + PET plan within 1 hour.
Step 4: Written + PET Together – Evening live classes + morning ground chart + weekly mocks + monthly mentor call till DV.
Trust Tip: Railways NEVER sells jobs. “Railway me lagwa dunga – ₹2–5 lakh”, fake appointment letters on WhatsApp, money for “medical clear / DV setting / zone change”, Telegram “RRB paper leak” groups = 100% fraud. Real selection = CBT merit + PET + medical, all on record. Railway touts are criminals – report with proof: cybercrime.gov.in + your RRB office.
DigiDisha.com is a private coaching & guidance platform. We are NOT Indian Railways, RRB or any government body.
FAQs – Railway Exams 2026-27 (Direct Answers)
1. What is RRB Group D 2026 result date?
Result + scorecard expected October/November 2026 on regional RRB sites (CBT held 3–25 Aug, answer key out 7 Sept 2026). Qualified candidates go to PET – start running NOW; the result-to-PET gap is short and PET has no second chance.
2. When is RRB NTPC 2026 notification?
Per the official RRB Annual Calendar 2026, NTPC (Graduate + UG) notification month is August 2026 (nodal RRBs Prayagraj/Ahmedabad). Check rrbcdg.gov.in + your regional RRB immediately – if open, apply in week 1 (server jams later).
3. When is next RRB Group D vacancy (2026-27)?
Per the official calendar, the next Level-1 (Group D) CEN is slated for October 2026 (nodal RRB Chandigarh). 10th-pass freshers: keep Aadhaar, 10th certificate, caste/OBC-central, photo ready now.
4. What is the RRB ALP 2026 schedule?
Notification Feb 2026 cycle → CBT-2 held 28 July 2026 → CBAT aptitude 30 Oct 2026 → DV + Medical Nov 2026. ALP aspirants: CBAT + vision medical are the next gates – practise aptitude daily.
5. What is Group D PET – race, weight, timing?
Male: 35 kg weight carry 100 m in 2 min + 1000 m run in 4 min 15 sec. Female: 20 kg in 2 min + 1000 m in 5 min 40 sec. One attempt, qualifying nature – train 12 weeks progressively, never crash-run.
6. NTPC vs Group D vs SSC GD – which is better after 10th/12th?
12th pass wanting office work → NTPC-UG (TC/Clerk). 10th pass, physically strong → Group D (biggest vacancy). Uniform + fastest joining → SSC GD. All three writtens overlap 70% – prepare once.
7. Can girls apply for Group D / ALP?
Yes – women apply for all RRB posts with PET relaxations (20 kg + 5:40 run) and safe postings (workshop/office options). NTPC clerical is the most-applied women’s railway door; ALP/Tech running posts need strict vision standards.