🚂 Railway Recruitment Exams (RRB) Complete Guide (2025)
Indian Railways duniya ka 4th largest railway network hai aur India me sabse bada government employer bhi hai. Har saal lakhon students apna career secure karne ke liye RRB exams dete hain.
RRB (Railway Recruitment Board) ke under 21+ regional boards ka network hai jo different posts ke liye recruitment conduct karte hain. Is article me hum eligibility, age limit, reservation, exam pattern, syllabus, vacancies, aur career opportunities sab deeply cover karenge.
1. RRB Exams ke Major Categories
Railway jobs multiple levels par hoti hain. Sabse popular categories:
1.1 RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories)
- Posts: Clerk, Goods Guard, Station Master, Traffic Assistant, Commercial Apprentice, etc.
- Educational Qualification: 12th Pass (UG Level) aur Graduation (Graduate Level)
- Age Limit:
- 12th level posts: 18–30 years
- Graduate level posts: 18–33 years
- Selection Process:
- CBT-1 (Screening)
- CBT-2 (Main)
- Skill Test (Typing/Computer Aptitude for select posts)
- Document Verification & Medical
1.2 RRB ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot) & Technician
- Posts: Assistant Loco Pilot, Technician Grade-III (Electrical, Mechanical, Electronics, IT).
- Educational Qualification: ITI / Diploma / Engineering in relevant trade.
- Age Limit: 18–28 years.
- Selection Process:
- CBT-1 (Objective)
- CBT-2 (Technical + Science + Maths)
- Computer Based Aptitude Test (for ALP)
- Document & Medical
1.3 RRB JE (Junior Engineer) & DMS/CMA
- Posts: Junior Engineer (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, IT), Depot Material Superintendent, Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant.
- Educational Qualification: Engineering Diploma / B.Tech / B.Sc (for CMA).
- Age Limit: 18–33 years.
- Selection Process: CBT-1 + CBT-2 + Document + Medical.
1.4 RRB Group D (Level-1)
- Posts: Track Maintainer, Helper, Assistant Pointsman, Hospital Attendant.
- Educational Qualification: Class 10th Pass / ITI.
- Age Limit: 18–33 years.
- Selection Process:
- CBT
- PET (Physical Efficiency Test)
- Medical & Document Verification.
1.5 Ministerial & Isolated Categories
- Posts: Stenographer, Translator, Cook, Junior Instructor, PGT/TGT Teachers in railway schools, Law Assistant, etc.
- Educational Qualification: Varies — 12th, Graduation, Post-Graduation.
- Age Limit: 18–45 years (varies by post).
- Selection Process: CBT + Skill Test + Document Verification.
2. Eligibility & Age Limit (Category-wise Relaxation)
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | No relaxation |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | +3 years |
| SC / ST | +5 years |
| PwD (General) | +10 years |
| PwD (OBC) | +13 years |
| PwD (SC/ST) | +15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Service years + 3 years |
| Railway Staff (serving) | Up to 40 years (varies) |
👉 Example: Agar RRB NTPC graduate post ke liye upper age 33 years hai, to SC/ST aspirant ka upper limit 38 years hoga.
3. Exam Pattern (Stage by Stage)
3.1 CBT-1 (Prelims)
- Objective test, 100 questions
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Subjects:
- General Awareness (40 Q)
- Maths (30 Q)
- Reasoning (30 Q)
3.2 CBT-2 (Mains)
- 120 questions, 90 minutes
- Subjects:
- General Awareness (50 Q)
- Maths (35 Q)
- Reasoning (35 Q)
3.3 Skill Test / Aptitude / PET
- Typing test (30 wpm English / 25 wpm Hindi)
- Computer Aptitude (for Station Master, Traffic Assistant)
- Physical Test (Group D) – Running, Lifting, etc.
3.4 Medical & Document Verification
- Vision standards (especially ALP, JE)
- Original certificates check
4. Detailed Syllabus
General Awareness
- Current Affairs (National, International)
- Indian Geography, Polity, Economy
- Railway related facts & history
- General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology basics)
Mathematics
- Arithmetic (Percentage, Profit/Loss, SI/CI, Time & Work, Speed/Distance)
- Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry basics
- Statistics, Data Interpretation
Reasoning
- Series, Puzzles, Coding-Decoding
- Venn Diagram, Blood Relations
- Syllogism, Direction, Seating Arrangement
Technical (ALP/JE only)
- Engineering discipline subjects
- Basic Science & Electronics
5. Reservation System in Railways
Indian Railways strictly follow Govt. of India reservation rules:
- OBC-NCL: 27%
- SC: 15%
- ST: 7.5%
- EWS: 10%
- PwBD: 4% horizontal
- Ex-Servicemen & Women Quota also available.
6. Vacancy Trend (Last 10 Years)
Approximate major recruitment notifications data:
| Year | NTPC | Group D | ALP & Technician | JE | Ministerial/Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ~18,000 | 0 | 26,502 | 0 | Few hundred |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 400+ |
| 2017 | 0 | 62,907 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 64,371 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 35,208 | 103,769 | 0 | 13,487 | 1,665 |
| 2020 | (COVID) | – | – | – | – |
| 2021 | Ongoing from 2019 NTPC/Group D | – | – | – | – |
| 2022 | 0 | Pending | – | – | – |
| 2023 | Small recruitments | – | – | – | – |
| 2024 | CEN-02/2024: ALP+Tech ~56,000 | – | – | – | ~1000 |
| 2025 | NTPC/Group D expected (11,500+) | ~1,00,000 (expected) | ALP ongoing | JE notification | Ministerial 1036 |
👉 Clear hai ki Railway recruitments massive vacancies nikalte hain — especially NTPC & Group D (lakhon seats).
7. Career Opportunities in Railways
- Job Security: Central Govt. permanent posts
- Salary (7th CPC):
- Group D: ₹18,000–₹22,000 basic + allowances
- NTPC Clerical: ₹25,000–₹35,000
- Station Master/Goods Guard: ₹35,000–₹45,000
- JE: ₹42,000–₹50,000
- ALP: ₹19,900–₹35,000
- Perks & Allowances: DA, HRA, Travel concessions, medical for family
- Growth: Promotions → higher pay levels → gazetted posts possible
- Pension & retirement benefits
8. FAQs on RRB Exams
Q1. Kya RRB exam ke liye coaching compulsory hai?
👉 Nahi, syllabus structured hai, self-study + previous papers se preparation ho sakti hai.
Q2. Kya General category ke liye vacancies kam hoti hain?
👉 General ke liye seats hoti hain, lekin reserved quotas ke baad bachi hui seats UR candidates ko milti hain.
Q3. Best post in RRB?
👉 Station Master, JE, ALP, Goods Guard — growth + salary dono accha.
Q4. RRB ka syllabus UPSC/SSC se kitna different hai?
👉 Mathematics & Reasoning almost similar hai, lekin Railway-specific GK + Technical subjects (for JE/ALP) alag hote hain.
⚠️ Disclaimer
Yeh article sirf educational purpose ke liye hai. Official notification (CEN) ke liye hamesha apne RRB regional website ya indianrailways.gov.in visit karein.