The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have officially announced a significant revision to the examination schedule for the much-anticipated Group D recruitment drive. This move impacts over 1.08 crore applicants vying for more than 32,000 vacancies in the Indian Railways.
New Exam Dates for Computer-Based Test
In an official notice released, the RRBs have rescheduled the Computer-Based Test (CBT) for Level-1 posts under the 7th CPC pay matrix (CEN 08/2024). The examination, which was originally planned to be held from January 1 to 16, 2026, will now take place on a new set of dates.
The revised CBT will be conducted on January 8 and 9, 2026, followed by another phase from February 2 to 6, and February 9 and 10, 2026. This change provides candidates with updated timelines to plan their final preparations and travel arrangements.
Key Steps for Candidates: City Slip and Admit Card
The recruitment process follows a standard protocol for intimation and hall ticket distribution. Candidates must keep a close watch on the official RRB websites for their region.
Approximately 10 days before the assigned exam date, the link to view the exam city and date details will be activated. This 'city intimation slip' is crucial as it informs candidates of their designated test centre. For applicants belonging to the SC and ST categories, this portal will also facilitate the download of the travel authority for the journey.
Subsequently, the all-important e-call letter, or admit card, will be released for download. As per standard procedure, admit cards will be available four days before the specific exam date mentioned on the city intimation slip. Candidates must carry this document to the examination hall along with a valid photo ID proof.
High Stakes and Regional Application Trends
The scale of this recruitment drive is massive. The RRBs had earlier notified a total of 32,438 vacancies for these Group D positions, attracting an overwhelming 1.08 crore (10.8 million) applications from across the country.
An interesting regional breakdown reveals that the Mumbai RRB region received the highest number of applications, with a staggering 15.59 lakh (1.559 million) candidates registering for the exam. This highlights the intense competition for railway jobs in certain zones.
Official Advisory and Caution
The RRBs have issued a clear advisory to all aspirants. They are urged to regularly check only the official RRB websites or their respective regional portals for the latest updates and authentic information. Relying on unverified sources or social media rumours should be strictly avoided.
Furthermore, a strong warning has been issued against touts and agents making false promises. The selection process is strictly merit-based, depending solely on the candidate's performance in the Computer-Based Test. Any claims of guaranteed selection for a fee are fraudulent.
With the new dates set, candidates are now in the final leg of their preparation journey for one of the largest public sector recruitment exercises of the year.
