The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially announced the examination schedule for the first stage Computer Based Test (CBT-I) under the crucial CEN 05/2025 recruitment drive. This notification finalizes the test dates for thousands of aspirants aiming for positions such as Junior Engineer, Depot Material Superintendent, and Chemical and Metallurgical Assistant across India's railway zones.
Official CBT-I Schedule and Vacancy Details
According to a formal notification issued by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, the CBT-I will be conducted for a total of 2,570 notified vacancies. The examination will be held in multiple sessions spread across several days in February and March 2026.
The board has specified that candidates who registered under CEN 05/2025 will sit for the first stage CBT on February 19, 2026, February 20, 2026, and March 3, 2026. This recruitment cycle covers the highly sought-after technical posts within the Indian Railways, offering a monthly basic pay of Rs. 35,400 according to the 7th CPC Level-6.
Admit Card Release and Exam City Intimation
The Railway Recruitment Boards have outlined a clear timeline for crucial pre-exam procedures. Candidates will be able to view their allotted exam city and date, as well as download travel authority documents for SC/ST candidates, ten days prior to their respective exam date. This facility will be activated on the official RRB websites.
Furthermore, the all-important e-call letters (admit cards) will be available for download four days before the exam date mentioned in the candidate's city intimation link. Authorities have strongly advised applicants to rely only on official RRB portals for updates and to avoid unauthorized sources of information.
Mandatory Aadhaar Verification and Exam Day Protocol
In a significant update to examination day procedures, the RRB has mandated Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication at the test centre before entry into the examination hall. Every candidate must carry their original Aadhaar card or a printout of an e-verified Aadhaar for identity verification.
The boards have issued a critical advisory, urging all candidates—including those who completed Aadhaar verification during the application process—to ensure their Aadhaar remains unlocked in the UIDAI system before arriving at the exam centre. This step is essential to prevent any last-minute inconvenience during the registration and authentication process on the test day.
Recruitment Timeline and Key Reminders
The recruitment notification for RRB JE posts (CEN 05/2025) was initially released on September 29, 2025. The online application window was open from October 31, 2025, to December 10, 2025. With the exam schedule now public, the focus shifts to preparation and adherence to official guidelines.
Prospective candidates are reminded to regularly check the authorized RRB websites for any further announcements or changes. The selection process for these 2,570 technical posts is a significant opportunity for engineering graduates and diploma holders seeking a stable and prestigious career within the Indian Railways.
