The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Group D recruitment is one of the largest employment drives in India — offering posts of Track Maintainer Grade IV, Helper/Assistant in various technical departments (Electrical, Mechanical, Signal & Telecom, Engineering), and Point Man under the Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) across all Indian Railway zones.
With 32,438 vacancies notified in CEN RRC 01/2019 and a new cycle (CEN RRC 02/2024) underway, Railway Group D remains the most accessible entry-level central government job for candidates who have passed Class 10 (Matric) — with a competitive but manageable syllabus and no interview stage.
Understanding the exact syllabus, the CBT structure, and which topics carry the highest weightage is the single most important step before beginning preparation.
Railway Group D 2026 – Recruitment Overview
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs) under Indian Railways |
| Notification | CEN RRC 02/2024 |
| Posts | Track Maintainer IV, Helper/Assistant (Electrical, Mechanical, S&T, Engineering), Point Man, Hospital Attendant, etc. |
| Minimum Qualification | Class 10 pass + ITI (from NCVT/SCVT) OR Class 10 pass + National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) OR Class 12 pass |
| Age Limit | 18 to 36 years (relaxation for OBC, SC, ST, PwD, Ex-SM) |
| Selection Stages | CBT → PET → DV → Medical |
| Official Portal | indianrailways.gov.in + regional RRC websites |
Selection Process – Full Stage Overview
Railway Group D selection involves four sequential stages:
| Stage | Name | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Computer Based Test (CBT) | Merit-forming |
| Stage 2 | Physical Efficiency Test (PET) | Qualifying (pass/fail) |
| Stage 3 | Document Verification (DV) | Qualifying |
| Stage 4 | Medical Examination | Qualifying |
Unlike RRB NTPC, Railway Group D has only ONE CBT stage — there is no CBT 2. The CBT marks directly form the merit list from which PET candidates are shortlisted.
Railway Group D CBT – Exam Pattern 2026
The CBT is a Computer Based Test conducted at designated CBT centres across India.
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 | — |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | — |
| General Science | 25 | 25 | — |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 | — |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 90 Minutes |
Key exam rules:
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Negative marking: 1/3 mark (0.33 marks) deducted per wrong answer.
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Duration for PwD candidates: 120 minutes (30 additional minutes).
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Medium: English, Hindi, and 14 other regional languages — candidates choose their preferred language before the exam.
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Normalisation: Since CBT is conducted in multiple shifts, marks are normalised across shifts using a statistical formula to ensure fairness.
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Shortlisting for PET: Candidates shortlisted for PET are typically 3 times the number of vacancies from the merit list, category-wise.
Railway Group D CBT Syllabus – Subject by Subject
Subject 1: Mathematics (25 Questions, 25 Marks)
Railway Group D Mathematics is Class 6 to Class 10 level — it tests arithmetic and basic algebra rather than advanced mathematics.
Complete topic list with expected weightage:
| Topic | Expected Questions |
|---|---|
| Number System (LCM, HCF, fractions, decimals) | 2–3 |
| BODMAS and Simplification | 1–2 |
| Percentage | 2–3 |
| Ratio and Proportion | 1–2 |
| Average | 1–2 |
| Profit and Loss | 1–2 |
| Simple Interest and Compound Interest | 1–2 |
| Time and Work | 1–2 |
| Time, Speed and Distance | 1–2 |
| Algebra (basic equations, identities) | 1–2 |
| Geometry (angles, triangles, circles — basic) | 1–2 |
| Mensuration (area and perimeter — 2D shapes) | 1–2 |
| Elementary Statistics (mean, median, mode) | 1 |
| Trigonometry (basic values only) | 1 |
Topic priority: Percentage, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Time-Speed-Distance, and SI/CI together account for approximately 40–45% of all Maths questions in Railway Group D. These five topics must be mastered first.
Best resource: NCERT Class 6–10 Mathematics textbooks cover the entire Group D Maths syllabus. Solve every exercise from Class 8–10 chapters on the above topics.
Subject 2: General Intelligence & Reasoning (30 Questions, 30 Marks)
Reasoning is the highest-weightage section in Railway Group D — 30 questions out of 100. It is also the most consistently scorable section with regular practice.
Complete topic list:
| Topic | Type | Expected Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Analogy | Verbal + Non-verbal | 3–4 |
| Number Series | Numerical | 2–3 |
| Letter/Alphabet Series | Verbal | 2–3 |
| Coding-Decoding | Verbal | 2–3 |
| Blood Relations | Verbal | 1–2 |
| Direction Sense | Verbal | 1–2 |
| Odd One Out | Verbal + Non-verbal | 2–3 |
| Syllogism | Logical | 1–2 |
| Mathematical Operations | Mixed | 1–2 |
| Venn Diagrams | Logical | 1–2 |
| Mirror Image | Non-verbal | 1–2 |
| Figure Completion/Pattern | Non-verbal | 1–2 |
| Calendar and Clock | Mixed | 1 |
| Ranking and Arrangement | Verbal | 1 |
| Statement and Conclusion | Logical | 1 |
Key insight: Railway Group D Reasoning has a higher proportion of non-verbal reasoning (mirror image, figure completion, pattern) compared to SSC exams. Practice both verbal and non-verbal sub-sections equally.
Subject 3: General Science (25 Questions, 25 Marks)
This is the most distinctive section in Railway Group D compared to SSC exams — Science questions replace the “Quantitative Aptitude” emphasis and cover Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from Class 9 and 10 level.
Physics Topics (Approximately 8–10 Questions)
| Topic | Key Concepts |
|---|---|
| Units and Measurement | SI units, conversion, basic dimensions |
| Motion | Speed, velocity, acceleration, Newton’s Laws |
| Work, Energy, Power | Kinetic energy, potential energy, conservation of energy |
| Sound | Propagation, frequency, wavelength, reflection, echoes |
| Light | Reflection, refraction, lenses, mirrors, human eye |
| Electricity | Current, voltage, resistance, Ohm’s Law, circuits |
| Magnetism | Magnetic field, electromagnet, AC/DC |
| Heat and Temperature | Expansion, conduction, convection, radiation, specific heat |
| Force and Pressure | Archimedes’ principle, Pascal’s law, atmospheric pressure |
| Simple Machines | Lever, pulley, inclined plane — mechanical advantage |
Chemistry Topics (Approximately 8–9 Questions)
| Topic | Key Concepts |
|---|---|
| Matter and Its States | Solids, liquids, gases, changes of state |
| Atomic Structure | Atom, molecule, element, compound, mixture |
| Periodic Table | First 20 elements, groups and periods, valency |
| Chemical Reactions | Types — combination, decomposition, displacement, redox |
| Acids, Bases and Salts | pH scale, common acids and bases, neutralisation |
| Metals and Non-metals | Properties, reactivity series, alloys |
| Carbon and Its Compounds | Hydrocarbons, basic organic chemistry, soaps and detergents |
| Fuels | Types, calorific value, pollution |
| Chemical Bonding | Ionic and covalent bonds — basics |
Biology Topics (Approximately 7–8 Questions)
| Topic | Key Concepts |
|---|---|
| Cell Biology | Cell structure, organelles, cell division |
| Plant Physiology | Photosynthesis, respiration, transportation |
| Human Body Systems | Digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, nervous, reproductive |
| Nutrition | Vitamins, minerals, deficiency diseases |
| Diseases | Bacterial, viral, protozoan diseases — causes and prevention |
| Genetics | Basic heredity, DNA, chromosomes |
| Classification of Living Organisms | Kingdom, phylum, class basics |
| Environment | Ecosystem, food chain, biodiversity |
Preparation strategy for Science: NCERT Class 9 and 10 Science textbooks are the complete source. Read every chapter, pay attention to definitions and diagrams, and solve the in-text and end-of-chapter questions. Railway Group D Science questions are frequently direct NCERT fact recalls.
Subject 4: General Awareness & Current Affairs (20 Questions, 20 Marks)
This section tests both static General Knowledge and current affairs from the preceding 6–8 months.
Topic-wise breakdown:
| Topic | Expected Questions |
|---|---|
| Current Affairs (last 6–8 months) | 5–7 |
| History of India (ancient, medieval, modern, freedom struggle) | 2–3 |
| Geography (India — states, rivers, mountains, climate; World — continents, countries, capitals) | 2–3 |
| Indian Polity and Constitution (basic provisions, fundamental rights, important articles) | 1–2 |
| Indian Economy (basic terminology, government schemes, budget highlights) | 1–2 |
| Science & Technology in India (ISRO missions, defence developments, tech milestones) | 1–2 |
| Sports (national sports, awards, recent championships) | 1–2 |
| Awards and Honours (Bharat Ratna, Padma Awards, Nobel Prize winners) | 1 |
| Books and Authors (major Indian and international) | 1 |
| Important Days and Events | 1 |
Preparation strategy: Current Affairs carry the most questions in this section — follow a reliable monthly Current Affairs magazine (GK Today, Lucent GK monthly, etc.) for the 8 months preceding the exam. For static GK, Lucent’s General Knowledge is the most widely used and effective resource for Railway Group D level.
Previous Year Analysis – Most Important Topics Overall
Based on Railway Group D CBT question patterns from 2018, 2022, and 2023 exam cycles:
| Rank | Topic | Section | Why High Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non-verbal Reasoning (Mirror, Figure) | Reasoning | 4–6 questions consistently |
| 2 | Current Affairs (last 6 months) | GK | 5–7 questions, easy scoring |
| 3 | Analogy (verbal + non-verbal) | Reasoning | 3–5 questions consistently |
| 4 | Physics — Electricity and Magnetism | Science | 2–4 questions consistently |
| 5 | Percentage + Profit & Loss | Maths | 3–4 questions consistently |
| 6 | Chemistry — Acids, Bases, Salts | Science | 2–3 questions consistently |
| 7 | Biology — Human Body Systems | Science | 2–3 questions consistently |
| 8 | Series (Number + Letter) | Reasoning | 3–4 questions consistently |
| 9 | Coding-Decoding | Reasoning | 2–3 questions consistently |
| 10 | History of India — Freedom Struggle | GK | 1–2 questions consistently |
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) – Stage 2
Candidates shortlisted from CBT (3 times vacancies, category-wise) appear for PET. PET is qualifying — pass/fail only, no marks added to merit list.
| Task | Male Standard | Female Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Running | 1000 metres in 4 minutes 15 seconds | 1000 metres in 5 minutes 40 seconds |
| Lifting & Carrying | Carry 35 kg weight for 100 metres in 2 minutes | Carry 20 kg weight for 100 metres in 2 minutes |
PwD candidates (with specific disabilities) are exempt from PET — their appointment is subject to medical suitability for the post only.
Critical advice: Start running and stamina training as soon as you begin CBT preparation — do not wait for the CBT result. The gap between CBT result and PET date is typically only 3–4 weeks — insufficient to build running fitness from zero.
Document Verification (DV) – Stage 3
After PET, provisionally qualified candidates are called for DV in the order of their CBT merit list.
Documents required at DV:
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Class 10 certificate and marksheet (date of birth proof + educational qualification).
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ITI/NAC certificate (if the candidate qualified through ITI/apprenticeship route).
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Caste certificate — SC/ST/OBC NCL (central government format, current financial year for OBC NCL).
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EWS certificate (if applicable — from competent authority, current financial year).
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Domicile/Residence certificate (if applying for domicile-based vacancies).
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Aadhaar Card (identity proof).
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Discharge certificate (for Ex-Servicemen).
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Medical fitness certificate.
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Disability certificate (for PwD candidates).
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Passport-size photographs (6–8 copies).
Most common DV rejection reason: OBC NCL certificate in state format (not central government format) or expired OBC NCL certificate. Arrange all documents, especially caste certificates, well before the exam — they take 2–4 weeks to obtain.
Medical Examination – Stage 4
Railway medical standards are categorised into grades A1, A, B1, B2, C, D, and E based on post requirements:
Railway Group D (Track Maintainer, Point Man, Helper) typically requires Medical Grade B-1:
| Parameter | Standard |
|---|---|
| Distant vision | 6/9 in better eye, 6/12 in worse eye (with or without glasses) |
| Near vision | Sn:0.6 in better eye, Sn:0.8 in worse eye |
| Colour vision | Required for safety-related posts (Track Maintainer, Point Man) |
| Hearing | Normal in both ears |
| General health | No condition affecting safe performance of duties |
Colour vision deficiency is a disqualifying condition for Track Maintainer and Point Man posts — these roles involve reading colour-coded signals.
6-Month Preparation Plan for Railway Group D
| Month | Focus |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | NCERT Class 9–10 Science — complete all chapters. 15 Reasoning questions/day. |
| Month 2 | NCERT Class 6–10 Maths — complete Percentage, Profit/Loss, Time-Work, Speed-Distance chapters. |
| Month 3 | Static GK from Lucent’s GK. Current Affairs from monthly magazine. |
| Month 4 | Section-wise practice — 25 Science questions/day, 30 Reasoning questions/day. |
| Month 5 | Previous year Group D papers (2018, 2022, 2023) — full papers timed. |
| Month 6 | Daily full mock tests (100 questions, 90 minutes). Revise weak topics. Begin PET running training. |
Best Resources for Railway Group D Preparation
| Subject | Recommended Resource |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | NCERT Class 6–10 Maths + R.S. Aggarwal Arithmetic |
| Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning |
| Science | NCERT Class 9 and 10 Science (all chapters) |
| General Awareness | Lucent’s General Knowledge + Monthly Current Affairs magazine |
| Mock Tests | Previous year RRB Group D papers (2018, 2022, 2023) + online mock test series |
| Official Website | indianrailways.gov.in for notifications and official syllabus PDF |
FAQs
Q. Is there only one CBT in Railway Group D (no CBT 2)?
Yes. Railway Group D has only one CBT stage — unlike RRB NTPC which has CBT 1 and CBT 2. The single Group D CBT directly determines who is shortlisted for PET.
Q. What is the negative marking in Railway Group D CBT?
1/3 mark (0.33 marks) is deducted for every wrong answer. For every 3 wrong answers, you lose 1 mark of your correct answer score. Avoid random guessing.
Q. Which section has the most questions in Railway Group D CBT?
General Intelligence & Reasoning — with 30 questions out of 100 — is the largest section and deserves the highest daily practice time.
Q. Is ITI mandatory for Railway Group D?
ITI is one of the acceptable qualifications — you can also qualify with a Class 10 pass + National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC), or with a simple Class 10 pass for some posts. Check the specific notification for post-wise requirements.
Q. What is the qualifying score in Railway Group D CBT?
General/EWS: 40% (40/100). OBC: 30% (30/100). SC/ST: 25% (25/100). These are minimum qualifying marks — actual cut-offs in competitive zones are significantly higher (typically 60–75 for General category).
Q. Can a Class 12 pass student without ITI apply for Railway Group D?
Yes. Class 12 (10+2) pass is an acceptable qualification for Railway Group D — ITI is not mandatory if the candidate has passed Class 12 from a recognised board.
Q. What happens after Medical Examination in Railway Group D?
After a successful Medical Examination, the candidate is issued an appointment letter and posted to a Railway zone/division based on the merit list and vacancies. Training follows before assuming regular duties.