The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) notified 22,195 Level-1 posts under CEN 09/2025, and the single biggest factor deciding who gets through is how well candidates understand the exam pattern before they start preparing.
The CBT for Group D is a compact paper — 100 questions in 90 minutes — with four sections carrying very different weightage. Knowing exactly where the marks lie helps you divide your study time the way the paper actually rewards it.
This article breaks down the official syllabus from the CEN 09/2025 notification: section-wise marks, the full topic list, qualifying marks, and the PET standards that follow the CBT.
RRB Group D 2026 Overview
| Organisation | Railway Recruitment Boards (MiRRB Group D Subject-wise Syllabus 2026The official notification lists the topics below. RRB notes that these are illustrative and not necessarily exhaustive, so build your preparation a little wider than this list. Mathematics (25 marks)
This is the most calculation-heavy section. Speed with short cuts and daily timed practice make the real difference here. General Intelligence & Reasoning (30 marks)
Reasoning carries the highest weightage in the paper, so it deserves the largest share of practice time. General Science (25 marks)General Science covers Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences at the Class 10 (CBSE) level. Questions typically come from motion and gravitation, sound, heat, light and electricity, atoms and molecules, chemical reactions, metals and non-metals, acids and bases, the human body, nutrition, plant and animal kingdoms, and environment-related topics. NCERT Class 9 and 10 science books remain the most reliable source for this section. General Awareness & Current Affairs (20 marks)
A mix of daily current affairs and static GK works best. Keep special attention on railway-related facts, since the paper is set by the railways themselves. Physical Efficiency Test (PET) 2026Candidates are called for PET at three times the number of vacancies, based on CBT merit. PET is mandatory and purely qualifying.
Each event gets one chance, and the weight must be carried without putting it down. PwBD candidates, ex-servicemen and Course Completed Act Apprentices are exempted from PET but must clear the medical examination. Selection Process
Ties in CBT marks are broken first by age (the older candidate ranks higher) and then by alphabetical order of the candidate’s given name. Eligibility & Application Details (CEN 09/2025)
Since the application window for CEN 09/2025 has closed, this post focuses on the syllabus and exam pattern for candidates preparing for the CBT. Exam city, date and admit card updates are announced on the regional RRB websites. Important Links
FAQsQ: What is the RRB Group D CBT exam pattern for 2026? A: The CBT has 100 objective questions for 100 marks to be solved in 90 minutes — Mathematics 25, Reasoning 30, General Science 25 and General Awareness 20, with 1/3 negative marking. Q: How many posts are there in RRB Group D CEN 09/2025? A: The official CEN 09/2025 notification announces 22,195 Level-1 posts across railway zones. Q: What are the qualifying marks for RRB Group D CBT? A: 40% for UR and EWS, 30% for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), SC and ST, with a 2% relaxation for PwBD candidates. Q: What is the PET standard for RRB Group D? A: Male candidates must carry 35 kg over 100 metres in 2 minutes and run 1000 metres in 4:15; female candidates carry 20 kg over the same distance and time and run 1000 metres in 5:40. nistry of Railways) | |||||||||
| Post name | Group D (Level-1 posts of 7th CPC Pay Matrix) | |||||||||
| Notification | CEN 09/2025 | |||||||||
| Total vacancies | 22,195 | |||||||||
| Initial pay | ₹18,000 (7th CPC Pay Matrix Level-1) | |||||||||
| Qualification | 10th pass / ITI / NAC | |||||||||
| Age limit | 18–33 years as on 01.01.2026 | |||||||||
| Selection process | CBT → PET → Document Verification → Medical |
RRB Group D Exam Pattern 2026 (CBT)
The CBT is a single-stage objective test with multiple-choice questions. Each question carries 1 mark.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| General Science | 25 | 25 |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
The paper runs for 90 minutes (120 minutes for candidates using a scribe). The section-wise split is indicative — the actual question paper may vary slightly.
Negative marking is steep, so attempt strategy matters: 1/3 mark is deducted for every wrong answer. There is no penalty for unattempted questions.
Minimum qualifying marks in the CBT: 40% for UR and EWS, 30% for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), SC and ST. PwBD candidates get a 2% relaxation. When the CBT runs in multiple shifts, normalised marks are used for shortlisting.
The question paper is available in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages — Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Candidates choose their medium while filling the application form.
