Thousands of railway aspirants across the country will have to wait a few more days to begin their application process. The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially postponed the registration commencement for the RRB Group D (Level 1) 2026 recruitment. Originally expected to open earlier this week, the portal will now accept applications starting from January 31, 2026.
This massive recruitment drive aims to fill approximately 22,000 vacancies across various tracks, departments, and workshops in the Indian Railways.
Why the Delay?
While the RRB has not cited a specific reason for the ten-day delay, sources suggest that the board is finalizing the integration of the new age-relaxation norms and updating the centralized portal to handle the anticipated surge in traffic. With millions of candidates expected to apply, the board is taking extra precautions to ensure a glitch-free experience during the initial registration phase.
Important Dates at a Glance
- Original Start Date: Mid-January 2026
- Revised Start Date: January 31, 2026
- Closing Date for Applications: Expected to be February 28, 2026
- CBT Exam Date: Tentatively scheduled for June–July 2026
Eligibility and Requirements
Before the portal opens on the 31st, candidates should ensure they meet the following criteria:
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed Class 10 (Matriculation) or hold an ITI (Industrial Training Institute) certificate from an institution recognized by NCVT/SCVT.
- Age Limit: The general age bracket is 18 to 33 years. However, following recent protests and government reviews, a 3-year age relaxation has been granted across all categories for the 2026 cycle to accommodate those who missed out during the pandemic years.
- Physical Standards: Since these are Level 1 posts (Track Maintainers, Assistants in various technical departments), candidates must meet specific medical standards, including vision requirements.
Application Process: What You Need
When the link goes live on January 31, you will need to register on your respective regional RRB website (e.g., RRB Bengaluru, RRB Mumbai, RRB Chennai). Keep the following ready:
- A valid mobile number and email ID.
- Scanned copies of your Class 10/ITI certificates.
- Recent passport-size photograph (plain background).
- Scanned signature.
Preparation Tip
With 22,000 posts but millions of applicants, the competition for RRB Group D is notoriously fierce. The Computer Based Test (CBT) will cover General Science, Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, and General Awareness/Current Affairs. Given that the current date is January 20, you have exactly 11 days before registration begins and roughly five months before the exams—making this the perfect time to sharpen your reasoning and math skills.
Stay tuned to the official regional RRB websites for the formal notification link on the 31st.
