Railway Exams in India (2026-27)
Explore complete notifications, eligibility, exam patterns, and free test series for all RRB, RPF, and UPSC Railway recruitment examinations.
Indian Railways is one of the biggest employers in the country, and it hires through many different exams. Which one is right for you depends on your qualification. This page explains every railway exam in simple terms: who conducts it, who can apply, how the selection works and what is open right now.
Most railway jobs are filled through the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs). The main exams are NTPC, Group D (Level 1), ALP, Technician, JE, Section Controller, Paramedical and Ministerial & Isolated Categories. Railway Protection Force (RPF) posts are now handled by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). Top officer posts come through UPSC.
Railway Recruitment: What Is Open Right Now?
| Exam | Status | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| NTPC Graduate (CEN 06/2026) | Open | Apply 8 Oct to 6 Nov 2026. About 3,500 posts (reports vary). |
| NTPC Undergraduate (CEN 07/2026) | Notice due 14 Oct | Applications expected from 15 Oct 2026. About 1,688 posts per the short notice. |
| Group D / Level 1 | Expected | The calendar points to a draft notification around October 2026. Not confirmed. |
| RPF SI and Constable | Awaited | Now handled by SSC. Watch the SSC calendar. |
| RRB Station Master | Awaited | The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) announced a major policy restructuring for the post of Station Master. Following the recruitment guidelines issued on 7 October 2026. |
| Other exams | Check notice | Dates for ALP, Technician, JE and others change often. Check the RRB site. |
Which Bodies Conduct Railway Exams?
Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs)
Run most exams for Group C posts (NTPC, ALP, Technician, JE, Section Controller, Paramedical, Ministerial & Isolated). There are about 21 RRBs. The Ministry gives each exam to one “nodal” RRB.
Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs)
Handle Level 1 (Group D) hiring and Act Apprentice recruitment in zonal railways and production units.
Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Now responsible for RPF Constable and Sub-Inspector recruitment.
UPSC
Selects Group A officers through the Civil Services, Engineering Services and Combined Medical Services exams.
List of All Railway Exams at a Glance
Ages and pay are indicative. The latest notice decides.
| Exam | Typical posts | Minimum qualification | Selection stages | Starting pay level* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NTPC Graduate | Station Master, Goods Guard, Traffic Assistant, Senior Clerk | Graduation | CBT 1, CBT 2, typing test or CBAT, documents, medical | Level 5 and 6 |
| NTPC Undergraduate | Clerk, Accounts Clerk, Train Clerk | 12th pass | CBT 1, CBT 2, typing test, documents, medical | Level 2 and 3 |
| Group D (Level 1) | Track Maintainer, Pointsman, Helper, Assistant | 10th pass or ITI | CBT, physical test, documents, medical | Level 1 |
| ALP | Assistant Loco Pilot | 10th + ITI or diploma | CBT 1, CBT 2, CBAT, documents, medical | Level 2 |
| Technician | Technician Grade I Signal and Grade III | 10th + ITI (Grade III); diploma or degree for Grade I | CBT, documents, medical | Level 5 (Gr I), Level 2 (Gr III) |
| JE / DMS / CMA | Junior Engineer, Depot Material Superintendent, Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant | Diploma or engineering degree | CBT 1, CBT 2, documents, medical | Level 6 |
| Section Controller | Train traffic control | Graduation | CBT, aptitude test, documents, medical | Level 6 |
| Paramedical | Staff Nurse, Pharmacist, Lab staff and others | Relevant diploma or degree | CBT, documents, medical | Varies by post |
| Ministerial & Isolated | Translator, Stenographer, Teacher, Law Assistant | Varies (graduation to postgraduation) | CBT, skill test where needed, documents | Varies by post |
| RPF Constable | Security force constable | 10th pass | CBT, physical tests, documents (via SSC) | Level 3 |
| RPF SI | Sub-Inspector | Graduation | CBT, physical tests, documents (via SSC) | Level 6 |
| UPSC railway services | IRTS, IRSE, IRSEE and others | Graduation or engineering degree | UPSC exam stages | Group A |
| Act Apprentice | Trainee in trades | 10th + ITI | Merit list, no written exam | Stipend |
Which Railway Exam Can I Apply For?
Select your education level to see eligible recruitment exams.
10th Pass
RPF Constable (via SSC), Group D if the notice allows 10th, Act Apprentice (with ITI).
10th + ITI
Group D, ALP, Technician Grade III, Act Apprentice.
12th Pass
NTPC Undergraduate posts.
Diploma or Engineering Degree
JE, DMS, CMA, Technician Grade I Signal, ALP (diploma route), SSE when announced.
Any Graduate
NTPC Graduate, Section Controller, RPF SI, Ministerial & Isolated posts.
Medical or Nursing Qualification
RRB Paramedical Categories.
Exam-Wise Railway Guides
Detailed breakdown of eligibility, exam stages, pattern, and current status for each railway exam.
1. RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories)
NTPC fills clerical, commercial and operating posts and is the most applied-for railway exam. It has two levels. The graduate level covers posts such as Station Master and Goods Guard. The undergraduate level covers Clerk and Train Clerk posts.
- Stages: CBT 1 (100 questions, 90 minutes), CBT 2 (120 questions, 90 minutes), then a typing test or aptitude test depending on the post, followed by document check and medical.
- Subjects: General Awareness, Mathematics, Reasoning.
- Marking: One-third mark is cut for each wrong answer.
- Status: Graduate applications are open until 6 November 2026.
2. RRB Group D (Level 1)
Group D recruits for entry-level field and maintenance work such as Track Maintainer, Pointsman and Helper. It is the exam with the highest number of posts, so competition is large.
- Stages: One CBT of 100 questions in 90 minutes, a physical efficiency test, then documents and medical.
- Subjects: Mathematics, Reasoning, General Science, General Awareness.
- Status: A new notification is expected around October 2026. Not confirmed.
3. RRB ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot)
ALPs assist the loco pilot who drives the train. The path leads to Loco Pilot over time.
- Stages: CBT 1 (75 questions, 60 minutes), CBT 2 Part A (100 questions, 90 minutes), CBT 2 Part B (trade subject, 75 questions, 60 minutes), then a Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), documents and a strict medical.
- Note: The CBAT checks things like memory, perception and attention. It is a pass/fail stage.
4. RRB Technician
Technicians maintain signals, electrical systems and mechanical equipment. Grade III suits ITI holders. Grade I Signal needs a diploma or degree or a relevant 12th-level qualification.
- Stages: CBT 1 (shared with ALP), CBT 2 Part A and trade-based questions, then documents and medical.
- Status: A 2026 notice for Grade I and Grade III was reported earlier this year. Check the RRB site for current dates.
7.5 RRB JE, DMS and CMA
These engineering posts need a diploma or degree in a related branch (civil, mechanical, electrical, electronics, IT and others).
- Stages: CBT 1 (100 questions), CBT 2 (150 questions with technical subjects), then documents and medical.
- Subjects (CBT 1): Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, Reasoning, General Awareness, Computer basics.
6. RRB Section Controller
Section Controllers manage train movement in a section and need quick decisions under pressure. The role has a graduation requirement and a CBT followed by an aptitude test. Check the notice for the exact test pattern.
7. RRB Paramedical Categories
These posts serve the railway hospital network: Staff Nurse, Pharmacist, Lab Assistant, Radiographer and similar roles. Qualification depends on the post, and a valid registration is needed for clinical roles.
- Stages: A single CBT (around 100 questions with general and professional sections), then documents and medical.
8. RRB Ministerial and Isolated Categories
This covers support and specialist posts such as Junior Translator, Stenographer, Chief Law Assistant, Teacher (PGT, TGT, PRT) and Public Prosecutor roles. It follows a CBT and, for some posts, a skill test.
9. RPF: Constable and Sub-Inspector
The Railway Protection Force guards railway property and passengers. From the 2025 cycle, SSC runs the recruitment, and the Minister said it will be held every year. Physical standards are tested after the written exam.
- Constable: 10th pass, Level 3.
- Sub-Inspector: Graduation, Level 6.
- Status: The next notification is awaited. Watch ssc.gov.in.
10. Railway Jobs Through UPSC
Top officer cadres in Indian Railways are recruited annually through national-level exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC):
- Civil Services Exam: Recruits officers for IRTS, IRAS and IRPS.
- Engineering Services Exam: Recruits technical officers for IRSE, IRSEE, IRSME, IRSSE and IRSS (engineering degree needed).
- Combined Medical Services: Recruits doctors for the Railway Medical Service (MBBS needed).
11. Act Apprentice
Zonal railways and production units offer apprenticeship training for ITI-qualified candidates. Selection is by merit from marks, with no written exam. It is a way to enter the railway system, but it is not a regular job.
RRB Exam Calendar 2026–27: Planned Timeline
The Ministry released this plan in December 2025. Dates are for planning, and the real notices may come earlier or later.
| Period | Categories | Draft CEN proposal |
|---|---|---|
| Jan to Mar 2026 | Assistant Loco Pilot | February 2026 |
| Apr to Jun 2026 | Technicians | March 2026 |
| Apr to Jun 2026 | Section Controller | April 2026 |
| Jul to Sep 2026 | JE, DMS, CMA | July 2026 |
| Jul to Sep 2026 | NTPC Graduate and Undergraduate | August 2026 |
| Jul to Sep 2026 | Paramedical Categories | Not stated |
| Oct to Dec 2026 | Ministerial & Isolated Categories | September 2026 |
| Oct to Dec 2026 | Level 1 (Group D) | October 2026 |
What Do Railway Exams Test?
Most RRB exams share a core syllabus structure across general and technical subjects.
| Subject | Topics that appear often |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | Number system, percentage, ratio, time and work, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, mensuration, algebra |
| Reasoning | Analogy, series, coding-decoding, blood relations, syllogism, directions |
| General Awareness | Current affairs, history, geography, polity, economy, railway basics |
| General Science | Basic physics, chemistry and biology (mainly Group D, ALP, Technician) |
| Technical subjects | Trade or engineering subjects for ALP, Technician, JE and similar exams |
How to Start Your Railway Exam Preparation
Pick your exam by qualification (see Section 6).
Read the latest notice for age, syllabus and pattern.
Build basics in Maths, Reasoning and General Awareness first.
Solve previous papers to see which topics repeat.
Take timed mock tests at least once a week, since negative marking and speed both matter.
Revise notes and current affairs weekly.
Why Do People Want Railway Jobs?
Railway jobs offer a stable government salary under the 7th Pay Commission, along with allowances, railway quarters or house rent allowance, medical care and travel passes. Promotions follow clear steps. For example, an Assistant Loco Pilot can move up to Loco Pilot, and a Junior Engineer can progress to Senior Section Engineer.
- ✔ 7th Pay Commission Structure: Stable pay scale with Regular Dearness Allowance (DA) and HRA.
- ✔ Perks & Allowances: Free railway pass for family, medical facilities across Railway Hospitals, and quarters.
- ✔ Defined Career Progression: Time-bound and exam-based departmental promotional avenues.
* Pay depends on the post and the level. Check the official notification for the exact figures.
How to Apply for a Railway Exam
Read the Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) fully.
Register on the official RRB application portal.
Fill in details, upload photo and signature, and pay the fee.
Submit and keep a printout.
Practice for Railway Exams on Exampatra
Download subject-wise PDFs and full-length mock tests for Maths, Reasoning and General Awareness. Start with a free test and track your weak topics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many railway exams are there in India?
There is no fixed number. The main ones are NTPC, Group D, ALP, Technician, JE, Section Controller, Paramedical and Ministerial & Isolated through RRBs, plus RPF through SSC and Group A posts through UPSC.
Which railway exam can I apply for after 10th?
You can look at Group D, RPF Constable and apprenticeships. ALP and Technician Grade III also need an ITI or diploma.
Which railway exam is best for graduates?
NTPC Graduate, Section Controller and RPF SI are the common choices. The best one depends on your interest and the posts announced.
Who conducts railway exams?
RRBs conduct most exams, RRCs handle Level 1 and apprentices, SSC conducts RPF recruitment now, and UPSC selects Group A officers.
Is there negative marking in railway exams?
Yes. In most RRB CBTs, one-third of a mark is cut for each wrong answer. Check your notice for details.
Is the NTPC 2026 application open?
The Graduate application is open from 8 October to 6 November 2026. The Undergraduate notice is due on 14 October, with applications from 15 October.
Does RRB still conduct RPF exams?
No. SSC conducts RPF Constable and SI recruitment from the 2025 cycle.
What is the difference between RRB and RRC?
RRBs run central exams for most Group C posts. RRCs work at the zonal level for posts like Level 1 and apprentices.
Can I apply for more than one railway exam?
Yes, if you meet each exam’s eligibility. Check the notice for any restrictions.
Is the railway exam calendar final?
No. It gives planned timelines. The actual notification date can change.
Where do I find official railway notices?
On rrbapply.gov.in and rrb.indianrailways.gov.in for RRB exams, and ssc.gov.in for RPF.
Do railway jobs have a written exam for every post?
Most do. Act Apprentice selection is by merit only, and some posts also need skill, physical or aptitude tests.