The RRB Group D eligibility criteria decide who can apply for Level 1 posts in Indian Railways, such as Track Maintainer, Pointsman, Assistant and Helper. To be eligible, you must meet the age limit, educational qualification and nationality rules, and later clear the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and the medical exam for your post. This article explains the complete RRB Group D eligibility 2026 under CEN 09/2025, including age relaxation, qualification for 10th, ITI, 12th pass and graduates, PET standards, medical categories and special rules for PwBD and Ex-Servicemen.

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RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria 2026

The Railway Recruitment Boards released CEN 09/2025 for 22,195 Level 1 vacancies, and online applications ran from 31 January to 9 March 2026. Remember that passing Class 10 alone is not enough: age, PET and medical fitness for your preferred post also decide your eligibility. Here is a quick overview of the RRB Group D eligibility 2026 for the RRB Group D exam.

The post-wise and zone-wise break-up of the 22,195 posts is available in the RRB Group D vacancy details.

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RRB Group D Age Limit 2026

The RRB Group D age limit 2026 is 18 to 33 years as on 1 January 2026. Reserved categories get relaxation in the upper age limit.

RRB Group D Age Relaxation

The RRB Group D age relaxation applies to the upper age limit, provided you submit valid certificates at document verification.

RRB Group D Educational Qualification 2026

The RRB Group D educational qualification 2026 is any one of the following, obtained from a recognised board or institute on or before the closing date (9 March 2026):

• Class 10 (Matriculation) pass, or
• ITI from an NCVT/SCVT-recognised institute, or
• National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT

Candidates whose results were awaited on the closing date are not eligible. An engineering diploma or degree is not accepted in place of ITI. Since the CBT tests Class 10-level Maths, Reasoning, General Science and General Awareness, all candidates take the same paper whatever their qualification; the full topic list is in the RRB Group D syllabus and exam pattern.

RRB Group D Eligibility for 10th Pass

The RRB Group D eligibility criteria for 10th pass candidates are simple: if you have passed Class 10 from a recognised board, you can apply for all Level 1 posts. You do not need an ITI. You must have passed by the closing date; appearing candidates or those waiting for results are not eligible.

The same applies to 12th pass candidates and graduates. There is no upper qualification limit for RRB Group D, so you can apply on the basis of your Class 10 pass certificate even if you hold a higher degree.

RRB Group D Eligibility for ITI Candidates

ITI is not mandatory for RRB Group D. It is an alternative to the Class 10 qualification, not an extra requirement. Candidates with an ITI from an NCVT/SCVT institute, or a NAC from NCVT, can apply for Level 1 posts. Keep your ITI or NAC certificate ready for document verification.

RRB Group D Nationality Criteria

To meet the RRB Group D nationality criteria, you must be one of the following:

• A citizen of India
• A subject of Nepal or Bhutan
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 to settle permanently
• A person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka or certain East African countries to settle permanently in India

Candidates in all categories other than Indian citizens must have an eligibility certificate from the Government of India.

RRB Group D Physical Eligibility

RRB Group D physical eligibility does not include any height, weight or chest measurement. Instead, your physical fitness is tested in two separate stages: the Physical Efficiency Test (PET), which checks strength and stamina, and the medical examination, which checks vision and general fitness for your post. You must clear both.

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RRB Group D PET Eligibility Criteria

Candidates shortlisted on the basis of their CBT marks are called for the PET. The PET is qualifying: you must clear it to move to document verification, but its marks are not added to the merit list. Shortlisting for PET depends on your CBT score and the RRB Group D cut-off for your category. Each event is allowed only one chance.

RRB Group D PET for Male Candidates

RRB Group D PET for Female Candidates

You must clear both events. PwBD candidates and Ex-Servicemen are exempt from the PET.

RRB Group D Medical Standards

Candidates who clear the PET and document verification must pass the medical examination conducted by Railway doctors. Each post has a fixed medical category, and you must meet that category's vision and fitness standards. If you are not fit for your preferred post, you may be considered for another post that matches your medical category, depending on vacancies.

RRB Group D Medical Standards for Different Posts

For example, Pointsman requires A-2, while Track Maintainer Grade IV requires B-1. Check the medical category of each post before filling in your post preferences.

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RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria for PwBD Candidates

PwBD candidates can apply only for posts identified as suitable for their category of disability (visual, hearing, locomotor or other benchmark disabilities). The key provisions are:

• Upper age relaxation of 10 years (UR/EWS), 13 years (OBC-NCL) and 15 years (SC/ST)
• Exemption from the PET
• A separate medical examination to confirm the disability and fitness for the identified post
• A valid disability certificate issued by the competent authority

RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria for Ex-Servicemen

Ex-Servicemen with at least 6 months of service after attestation can apply for RRB Group D. After deducting their length of military service from their actual age, they get an upper age relaxation of 3 years (UR/EWS), 6 years (OBC-NCL) or 8 years (SC/ST). Ex-Servicemen are exempt from the PET, but they must clear the CBT, document verification and the medical exam.

RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria PDF

The complete RRB Group D eligibility criteria PDF is the official CEN 09/2025 notification, available on the websites of all regional RRBs. It covers age, qualification, nationality, age relaxation, PET, medical standards, PwBD-identified posts and Ex-Servicemen rules. The CBT for CEN 09/2025 was held in August 2026, and the latest schedule is on the RRB Group D exam date page.

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How to Check RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria?

• Visit the official website of your regional RRB (or rrbapply.gov.in).
• Open the CEN 09/2025 (Level 1) notification PDF.
• Check the age limit as on 01.01.2026 and the relaxation for your category.
• Confirm that you hold the 10th, ITI or NAC qualification.
• Check the PET standards for your gender.
• Check the medical category of the posts you want to opt for.
• PwBD and Ex-Servicemen candidates should read their special provisions.

Once you are sure you are eligible, focus on preparation. Practising RRB Group D previous year papers and taking the RRB Group D mock test series will help you score above the cut-off.

RRB Group D Eligibility Criteria FAQs

Q1. What is the RRB Group D eligibility criteria 2026?

You must be 18–33 years old as on 1 January 2026 (with relaxation for reserved categories), have passed Class 10 or hold an ITI/NAC, be an Indian citizen or meet the other nationality conditions, and clear the PET and the medical exam for your post.

Q2. What is the age limit for RRB Group D 2026?

The age limit is 18 to 33 years as on 1 January 2026. It is 36 years for OBC-NCL and 38 years for SC/ST after relaxation.

Q3. What is the educational qualification for RRB Group D?

You need a Class 10 pass, or an ITI from an NCVT/SCVT institute, or a NAC from NCVT, on or before the closing date.

Q4. Can 10th-pass candidates apply for RRB Group D?

Yes. A Class 10 pass is enough to apply for all RRB Group D posts. ITI is not required.

Q5. Is ITI mandatory for RRB Group D?

No. ITI is an alternative to Class 10, not a compulsory qualification. Candidates with only a Class 10 pass can apply.

Q6. Can 12th-pass candidates apply for RRB Group D?

Yes. 12th-pass candidates and graduates can apply on the basis of their Class 10 pass. There is no upper qualification limit.

Q7. Is there any age relaxation in RRB Group D?

Yes. SC/ST get 5 years, OBC-NCL get 3 years, and PwBD get 10–15 years. Ex-Servicemen, serving railway staff, widows/divorced women and Act Apprentices also get relaxation.

Q8. What are the RRB Group D PET requirements?

Men must carry 35 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes and run 1,000 metres in 4 minutes 15 seconds. Women must carry 20 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes and run 1,000 metres in 5 minutes 40 seconds.

Q9. What are the medical standards for RRB Group D?

Each post has a medical category: A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, C-1 or C-2. A-2 is the strictest (6/9 vision without glasses), while C-1 allows 6/12 and 6/18 with glasses.

Q10. Can female candidates apply for RRB Group D?

Yes. The age, qualification and medical rules are the same for women. Only the PET is different: women carry 20 kg and have 5 minutes 40 seconds for the 1,000 m run.

Q11. Can PwBD candidates apply for RRB Group D?

Yes, for posts identified as suitable for their disability. They get 10–15 years of age relaxation and are exempt from the PET, but must clear a separate medical exam.

Q12. What is the nationality requirement for RRB Group D?

You must be an Indian citizen, a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, a Tibetan refugee who came before 1 January 1962, or a person of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries. All except Indian citizens need a Government of India eligibility certificate.