Railway Recruitment Process
Railway Recruitment Process
Overview
Indian Railways, the 4th largest railway network in the world, recruits over 1.2 lakh employees every year through 21 Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and 16 Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs). The entire process—from notification to final allotment—is 100 % online, merit-based and monitored by the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board).
Key Facts & Figures
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1. Total workforce | ≈ 12.3 lakh (2025) |
| 2. Annual vacancies notified | 1.2 – 1.6 lakh |
| 3. RRBs in operation | 21 (from 2020 merger) |
| 4. RRCs (for Group-D & casual staff) | 16 (one per zone) |
| 5. Main recruiting exams | NTPC, Group-D, JE, ALP, Paramedical, Ministerial & Isolated categories |
| 6. Exam conducting agency | RRBs (under Railway Board) |
| 7. Selection stages | CBT-1 → CBT-2 → CBAT/Typing/Document Verification → Medical → Empanelment |
| 8. Normalisation formula | Mean + standard deviation method (applicable since 2019) |
| 9. Reservation as per GoI | SC-15 %, ST-7.5 %, OBC-27 %, EWS-10 %, PwBD 4 % horizontal |
| 10. Upper age relaxations | OBC-3 yrs, SC/ST-5 yrs, PwBD-10 yrs, Ex-SM as per DoPT |
| 11. Fee concession | SC/ST/Ex-SM/Female/Transgender/EWS: ₹ 0; others ₹ 500 (refundable on appearing) |
| 12. Medical standards for technical posts | A-1, A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, C-1 (Vision 6/6 & 6/9 without aid for A-1) |
| 13. Training academies | 7 Centralised Training Institutes (CTIs) + 55 Zonal schools |
| 14. Bond/penalty for JE/ALP | ₹ 2 lakh if resignation within 5 yrs (w.e.f. 2022) |
| 15. Promotion channel | LDCE (30 %) + GDCE (70 %) for non-gazetted to gazetted |
| 16. Language of CBT | 15 languages (including English, Hindi & regional) |
| 17. Average cycle time | 10–14 months (from notification to appointment) |
| 18. Grievance portal | rrbcdg.gov.in → “Candidate Grievance” (reply within 30 days) |
| 19. Digital signature on e-offer | PKI-based DSC; no physical offer letter since 2021 |
| 20. Highest zone-wise intake (2024) | Northern Railway (≈ 22 000 posts) |
Important Points
- RRB NTPC (Graduate & UG) is the single-largest exam (> 35 lakh applicants per cycle).
- 1st CBT is qualifying only; marks normalised, but no sectional cut-off since 2022.
- Negative marking: ⅓ rd for every wrong answer (except CBAT & Stenography skill test).
- CBAT (Computer-Based Aptitude Test) is mandatory for Station Master & Traffic Assistant.
- Typing test for Ministerial posts: 30 wpm (English) / 25 wpm (Hindi) on MS-Office 2016 keyboard.
- Document Verification is common for all categories; original certificates + self-attested copies.
- Empanelment is zone-specific; candidates can opt for one home zone + 3 other zones.
- Railways follow “Own Merit” rule—no weightage to academic %; only CBT marks count.
- EWS certificate must be of the same financial year (01 Apr–31 Mar) in which notification is issued.
- Railways do not conduct interviews for Group-B (non-gazetted) & below; 100 % CBT-based.
- PwBD reservation is horizontal—first adjusted in respective vertical category.
- Ex-Servicemen get age + service relaxation, but must discharge 3 yrs before DV.
- Railways follow single vacancy list—no wait-list after 2020 reforms.
- Transfer policy: 30 % compulsory transfer every 5 yrs for safety categories.
- Railway Board can cancel any stage result if malpractices are detected even after appointment.
Frequently Asked in Exams
- How many RRBs are functional after 2020 rationalisation?
- Which medical standard is required for Loco Pilot (ALP)?
- What is the upper-age relaxation for OBC in Railway recruitment?
- Name the seven Centralised Training Institutes (CTIs) of Indian Railways.
- Which two stages of RRB exams carry negative marking?
BETA
