RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria 2026 includes the age limit, educational qualification, nationality, physical efficiency requirements and medical standards that candidates must meet for Level 1 posts in Indian Railways.
Candidates must generally be between 18 and 36 years of age and possess the prescribed educational qualification, such as Class 10, ITI or a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT, as applicable under the notification. Reserved categories and certain other eligible groups may receive age relaxation.
Before applying, candidates should check the eligibility conditions for their preferred post, as medical standards and physical requirements can vary.
RRB Group D Eligibility Overview
For those aspiring to join the Indian Railways, it is crucial to understand the key requirements. Below, we present the essential highlights of the eligibility criteria to help you navigate through the application process with clarity and confidence.
| RRB Group D Eligibility Overview |
| Particulars |
Eligibility Criteria |
| Name of the Exam |
RRB Group D |
| Conducting Body |
Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) |
| Age Limit |
18 to 36 years |
| Nationality |
Indian |
| Exam Level |
National |
| Minimum Required Qualification |
Class 10 or ITI or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT |
| Experience |
Not mandatory |
| Number of Attempts |
Not Fixed |
RRB Group D Age Limit 2026
The RRB Group D age limit is 18 to 36 years, subject to the age calculation date and conditions specified in the applicable recruitment notification.
Candidates must meet the minimum and maximum age requirements on the prescribed date. The applicable age relaxation must also be considered when checking eligibility.
RRB Group D Age Limit for Male and Female Candidates
The general age limit is the same for male and female candidates. However, specific relaxations may apply to eligible categories, including certain widowed, divorced or judicially separated women who have not remarried.
Candidates should check the relevant category and conditions before determining their eligibility.
RRB Group D Age Relaxation 2026
RRB provides age relaxation to eligible candidates belonging to specified categories. The principal relaxations are summarised below.
|
Category
|
Age Relaxation
|
|
OBC-NCL
|
3 years
|
|
SC/ST
|
5 years
|
|
PwBD candidates in the UR category
|
10 years
|
|
PwBD candidates in the OBC-NCL category
|
13 years
|
|
PwBD candidates in the SC/ST category
|
15 years
|
Additional relaxations may apply to eligible ex-servicemen, railway employees, course-completed act apprentices and other specified categories.
These relaxations are subject to the conditions, service requirements and documentation prescribed in the official notification. Candidates should not assume that multiple relaxations can automatically be combined.
RRB Group D Age Limit for General and OBC Candidates
Candidates belonging to the UR/General category must meet the prescribed upper age limit. Eligible OBC-NCL candidates may receive three years of age relaxation, while eligible SC/ST candidates may receive five years.
The applicable age must be calculated using the date and date-of-birth limits specified in the recruitment notification.
RRB Group D Educational Qualification 2026
Candidates must possess the educational qualification prescribed for the recruitment. The accepted qualification routes include:
-
Class 10 pass or matriculation.
-
ITI or an equivalent qualification, as accepted under the notification.
-
National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT.
Candidates must ensure that their qualification and certificate meet the applicable requirements. A certificate from an institution or awarding body that is not recognised under the recruitment rules may not be accepted.
Can 12th Pass Candidates Apply for RRB Group D 2026?
Yes, candidates who have passed Class 12 can apply if they meet the prescribed educational qualification and all other eligibility conditions.
Candidates who have passed Class 12 generally also possess a Class 10 qualification. However, they must satisfy the specific qualification requirements mentioned in the notification.
Is ITI Mandatory for RRB Group D 2026?
ITI is not mandatory for every candidate if they meet another accepted educational qualification route specified in the notification.
Candidates should check whether their Class 10, ITI or NAC qualification is accepted for the recruitment. They should also verify any additional conditions applicable to their certificate or apprenticeship category.
RRB Group D ITI, NAC and CCAA Requirements
Candidates applying through an ITI or apprenticeship-related qualification must meet the relevant certificate requirements.
-
NAC certificates must meet the prescribed NCVT requirements.
-
Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) must satisfy the applicable apprenticeship conditions.
-
Candidates must enter their certificate details, training information and marks accurately in the application, wherever required.
Candidates whose results or certificates are pending should follow the instructions provided in the official notification rather than assume that an incomplete qualification will be accepted.
RRB Group D Nationality Criteria
The RRB Group D exam eligibility criteria comprises various essential aspects that candidates must meet to be considered for this national-level examination. One of the key factors is the candidate's nationality, which holds utmost significance in this selection process. To be eligible for the RRB Group D exam, the candidates must fall under one of the following categories with respect to nationality:
- Indian Citizens
- Subjects of Nepal/Bhutan
- Tibetan Refugees
- Migrants from Specific Countries: Individuals who have permanently migrated to India from countries such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, and East African Countries are permitted to appear for the RRB Group D exam.
Candidates in categories other than Indian citizenship should check the specific conditions and documentation required under the official notification.
RRB Group D Physical Eligibility 2026
Candidates shortlisted for the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) must meet the prescribed running and weight-carrying requirements.
The standard PET requirements are given below.
|
Physical Test
|
Male Candidates
|
Female Candidates
|
|
Weight carrying
|
Lift and carry 35 kg for 100 metres within 2 minutes, without putting the weight down
|
Lift and carry 20 kg for 100 metres within 2 minutes, without putting the weight down
|
|
Running
|
Run 1,000 metres within 4 minutes 15 seconds
|
Run 1,000 metres within 5 minutes 40 seconds
|
Candidates must complete both tasks within the prescribed limits.
PwBD candidates: Candidates with benchmark disabilities may be exempt from PET under the applicable rules. Such candidates must meet the relevant medical and post-suitability requirements specified in the notification.
Candidates should check the official PET instructions for any applicable exemptions before appearing for the test.
RRB Group D Medical Standards 2026
Candidates must meet the medical fitness and vision standards prescribed for their allotted post. The applicable medical category depends on the duties and requirements of the post.
The main medical standards listed for Group D posts include A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, C-1 and C-2.
|
Medical Standard
|
General Vision Requirements
|
|
A-2
|
Distant vision of 6/9 and 6/9 without glasses; additional vision tests apply
|
|
A-3
|
Distant vision of 6/9 and 6/9, with or without glasses subject to the prescribed lens-power limit
|
|
B-1
|
Distant vision of 6/9 and 6/12, with or without glasses subject to the prescribed lens-power limit
|
|
B-2
|
Distant vision of 6/9 and 6/12, with or without glasses subject to the prescribed lens-power limit
|
|
C-1
|
Distant vision of 6/12 and 6/18, with or without glasses
|
|
C-2
|
Distant vision of 6/12 in one eye and the prescribed standard for the other eye, as specified in the medical rules
|
Near vision and other tests, including colour vision, binocular vision and night vision, may also be required depending on the medical category.
The table is a general summary. Candidates must check the complete vision requirements and the medical category prescribed for their particular post.
Post-Wise Medical Standards for RRB Group D
Medical requirements vary by post. Examples of the standards listed in the recruitment information include:
|
Post
|
Department
|
Medical Standard
|
|
Pointsman
|
Traffic
|
A-2
|
|
Track Maintainer Grade IV
|
Engineering
|
B-1
|
|
Assistant Track Machine
|
Engineering
|
A-3
|
|
Assistant Bridge
|
Engineering
|
B-1
|
|
Assistant Operations (Electrical)
|
Electrical
|
B-1
|
|
Assistant Works
|
Engineering
|
C-1
|
|
Assistant Depot (Stores)
|
Stores
|
C-1
|
|
Hospital Assistant
|
Medical
|
C-1
|
Candidates should consult the official post-wise medical standards and disability-suitability information before selecting their preferences.
RRB Group D Experience Required
Unlike other competitive examinations, the RRB Group D exam does not impose any requirements regarding previous work experience. This means that candidates are not obligated to possess any specific work background to be eligible for the examination. As long as candidates fulfill these requirements and successfully clear the written test, as well as the physical and medical standards, they stand a chance to be recruited under RRB for the Group D positions.
RRB Group D Attempts Allowed
In regards to the RRB Group D eligibility criteria, there are no explicit restrictions mentioned regarding the number of attempts a candidate can make. As per the guidelines set by the RRB, candidates are required to meet certain eligibility criteria and fall within the prescribed age limit to be considered eligible for the examination.
Documents Required to Prove RRB Group D Eligibility
Candidates should keep the relevant documents ready for verification. The documents required may vary according to their qualification, category and eligibility claims.
Commonly relevant documents include:
-
Class 10 certificate or other accepted educational qualification certificate.
-
ITI or NAC certificate, where applicable.
-
Date-of-birth proof, as required.
-
SC/ST certificate, where applicable.
-
OBC-NCL certificate, where applicable.
-
PwBD certificate, where applicable.
-
Ex-servicemen or service-related documents, where applicable.
-
Apprenticeship certificate and training details, where applicable.
-
Nationality or eligibility certificates for other permitted categories, where required.
Candidates should follow the document format, validity and submission instructions given in the official notification and subsequent verification notices.
RRB Group D Post Parameters
Candidates must meet the following post-specific requirements in addition to the RRB Group eligibility requirements listed above to be considered for the Group D positions:
| RRB Group D Post Parameters |
| Designation |
Dept |
Medical Standard |
Suitability for persons with Benchmark Disability |
| VI |
HI |
LD |
MD |
| Assistant (workshop) |
Mechanical |
C1 |
B,LV |
D,HH |
OL,LC,DW,AAV |
YES |
| Assistant bridge |
Engineering |
B1 |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
| Assistant c & w |
Mechanical |
B1 |
NO |
D,HH |
OL,LC,DW,AAV |
YES |
| Assistant depot (store) |
Stores |
C1 |
LV |
HH |
OL,OA |
YES |
| Assistant loco shed (diesel) |
Mechanical |
B1 |
LV |
D,HH |
OL,LC,DW,AAV |
YES |
| Assistant loco shed (electrical) |
Electrical |
B1 |
LV |
D,HH |
OL,LC,DW,AAV |
YES |
| Assistant operations (electrical) |
Electrical |
B1 |
LV |
D,HH |
OL,LC,DW,AAV |
YES |
| Pointsman |
Traffic |
A2 |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
| Assistant signal and telecom |
S and T |
B1 |
LV |
D,HH |
OL,LC,DW,AAV |
YES |
| Assistant track machine |
Engineering |
A3 |
NO |
D,HH |
OL,LC,DW,AAV |
YES |
| Assistant tl and ac |
Electrical |
B1 |
LV |
D,HH |
OL,LC,DW,AAV |
YES |
| Assistant tl and ac (workshop) |
Electrical |
C1 |
B,LV |
D,HH |
OL,LC,DW,AAV |
YES |
| Assistant TRD |
Electrical |
B1 |
NO |
D,HH |
OL,LC,DW,AAV |
YES |
| Assistant Works |
Engineering |
C1 |
B,LV |
D,HH |
OL,LC,DW,AAV |
YES |
| Assistant Works (workshop) |
Engineering |
C1 |
B,LV |
D,HH |
OL,LC,DW,AAV |
YES |
| Hospital Assistant |
Medical |
C1 |
B,LV |
D,HH |
OL,LC,DW,AAV |
YES |
| Track Maintainer Grade IV |
Engineering |
B1 |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
RRB Group D Eligibility: Reasons for Rejection
An application or candidature may be rejected if a candidate does not meet the prescribed eligibility conditions or violates the recruitment rules.
Common reasons include:
-
Providing incorrect personal or date-of-birth details.
-
Not possessing the required educational qualification.
-
Submitting invalid or incorrect category certificates.
-
Providing incorrect information or documents.
-
Submitting multiple applications in violation of the recruitment rules.
-
Failing to meet the applicable medical or post-suitability requirements.
Candidates should review their application carefully and ensure that all information and documents are accurate.
