Last Updated: December 17, 2025

Category: Central Government Jobs / Railway Recruitment

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially released its highly anticipated Annual Exam Calendar for the year 2026. This is a major update for millions of government job aspirants across India who have been eagerly waiting to plan their preparation strategy for the upcoming fiscal year.

The new calendar provides a tentative schedule for the release of notifications for major exams including Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP), Technicians, Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC), Junior Engineer (JE), Group D (Level 1), and Paramedical categories.

With the official timeline now public, candidates can align their study plans accordingly. In this comprehensive guide, we break down the month-wise schedule, eligibility criteria, and the strategic importance of this calendar for your career in the Indian Railways.

 

Railway RRB Annual Calendar 2026: An Overview

The Indian Railways is one of the largest employers in the world. To streamline the recruitment process and provide clarity to aspirants, the RRB now releases an annual calendar, similar to bodies like SSC and UPSC.

This move ensures transparency and allows candidates to focus on specific exams rather than waiting in uncertainty. The 2026 Calendar covers recruitment cycles for technical, non-technical, and safety category posts.

Feature	Details
Recruiting Body	Railway Recruitment Board (RRB)
Exam Year	2026-2027 Cycle
Major Posts	ALP, Technician, NTPC, JE, Group D, Paramedical
Notification Release Date	December 12, 2025
Total Vacancies	To be announced post-wise
Application Mode	Online (rrbapply.gov.in)
Official Website	indianrailways.gov.in / rrbapply.gov.in

 

Month-Wise RRB Exam Schedule 2026

The RRB has categorized the recruitment drive into four quarters. This systematic approach ensures that exams are conducted year-round without overlapping.

January – March 2026: The Technical Kickoff

The year begins with opportunities for technical candidates, specifically those with ITI, Diploma, and Engineering backgrounds.

• RRB ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot)

• Notification Release: February 2026

• Eligibility: Matriculation + ITI/Diploma/Degree in Engineering.

• Role: Driving and piloting trains; a high-responsibility safety category job.

• RRB Technicians

• Notification Release: March 2026

• Eligibility: Matriculation + ITI in relevant trade.

• Role: Maintenance and repair of railway assets (Signal, Telecommunication, Track machines, etc.).

• Section Controller

• Notification Release: April 2026

• Note: This is a specialized post often requiring specific operational experience or qualifications.

April – June 2026: Engineering & Specialized Roles

The second quarter focuses on higher-level technical posts and specialized engineering roles.

• RRB Junior Engineer (JE)

• Notification Release: July 2026 (Process starts May-June)

• Eligibility: Diploma or Degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, etc.).

• Also Includes: Depot Material Superintendent (DMS) and Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA).

July – September 2026: The Mass Recruitments (NTPC & Paramedical)

This is the most critical period for general graduates and medical professionals.

• RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories)

• Notification Release: August 2026

• Eligibility:

• Undergraduate Level: 12th Pass (Positions: Junior Clerk, Train Clerk).

• Graduate Level: Bachelor’s Degree (Positions: Station Master, Goods Guard, Commercial Apprentice).

• Importance: This is usually the most popular exam with the highest number of applicants.

• RRB Paramedical Categories

• Notification Release: July 2026

• Posts: Staff Nurse, Health & Malaria Inspector, Pharmacist, Lab Technician.

• Eligibility: Degree/Diploma in Nursing/Pharmacy/Medical Lab Technology.

• RRB Ministerial & Isolated Categories

• Notification Release: September 2026

• Posts: Stenographers, Chief Law Assistants, Junior Translators.

October – December 2026: Level 1 (Group D)

The year concludes with the massive recruitment for Level 1 posts.

• RRB Group D (Level 1)

• Notification Release: October 2026

• Eligibility: 10th Pass or ITI (National Council for Vocational Training).

• Role: Track Maintainer, Pointsman, Assistant in various technical departments

RRB Recruitment 2026: Proposed Timeline (Official Data)

The notification provides a structured “Indenting of Vacancies” timeline. This internal process is crucial because it confirms when the exact vacancy numbers will be finalized by the railway zones.

Recruitment Period	Category / Posts	Vacancy Assessment Date	Notification Month
Jan – Mar	Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)	Vacancies up to June 2027	Feb 2026
	Technicians	Vacancies up to June 2027	Mar 2026
Apr – Jun	Section Controller	Vacancies up to June 2027	Apr 2026
	Junior Engineer (JE)	Vacancies up to Sept 2027	July 2026
Jul – Sep	Paramedical Categories	—	July 2026
	NTPC (Graduate & UG)	Vacancies up to Sept 2027	Aug 2026
	Ministerial & Isolated	Vacancies up to Dec 2026	Sep 2026
Oct – Dec	Level 1 (Group D)	—	Oct 2026

 

Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?

While specific details will be in the individual notifications, the general criteria remain consistent.

1. Age Limit (Expected as of 01.07.2026)

• ALP: 18 to 30 Years

• Technician: 18 to 33 Years

• JE: 18 to 33 Years

• NTPC (Graduate): 18 to 33 Years

• NTPC (Undergraduate): 18 to 30 Years

• Group D: 18 to 33 Years

• Relaxation: OBC (3 years), SC/ST (5 years), and PwBD candidates are eligible for age relaxation as per GoI rules.

2. Educational Qualification

• For ALP: Matriculation + ITI/Act Apprentice OR Diploma/Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering.

• For NTPC: 12th Pass for Undergraduate posts; Graduation in any stream for Graduate posts.

• For Group D: 10th Pass is the minimum requirement (ITI is preferred/mandatory for certain technical track roles).

 

Application Fee

The fee structure for RRB exams is generally uniform across all notifications.

• General / OBC / EWS: ₹500/-

• Refund: ₹400 is refunded after appearing in the CBT (Computer Based Test).

• SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / PwBD / Female / Minorities / EBC: ₹250/-

• Refund: The full amount (₹250) is refunded after appearing in the CBT.

Note: The refund is only applicable if the candidate actually sits for the exam. Absent candidates forfeit the entire fee.

 

Selection Process

The Railway recruitment process is multi-staged and rigorous to handle the sheer volume of applicants.

• CBT 1 (Computer Based Test): A screening test common for most exams. It tests General Awareness, Mathematics, and Reasoning.

• CBT 2: A merit-deciding exam. For ALP/Technicians, this includes a technical subject paper.

• CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test): Applicable only for ALP and Station Master posts. This is a psychometric test.

• Typing Skill Test: For posts like Junior Clerk, Senior Clerk, etc., in NTPC.

• Document Verification (DV): Checking original certificates.

• Medical Examination: This is strictly conducted.

• A1 Standard: Required for ALP and Station Masters (Perfect 6/6 vision).

• B1/C1 Standards: For other posts.

 

How to Download the RRB 2026 Exam Calendar?

Candidates should download the official PDF to keep a track of dates.

• Visit Official Portal: Go to rrbapply.gov.in or the website of your regional RRB (e.g., RRB Mumbai, RRB Patna, RRB Chennai).

• Find the Notice: Look for the “Notices” or “Circulars” section on the homepage.

• Click the Link: Find the link titled “Annual Calendar of RRB Recruitments for 2026”.

• Download PDF: Save the file to your mobile or computer.

• Print: It is advisable to print the calendar and paste it near your study table to stay motivated.

 

Preparation Strategy for 2026

With the calendar out, you have a clear “Target Date.”

• For ALP Aspirants: Start focusing on Basic Science and Engineering (BSE) immediately, as this is the game-changer in CBT 2.

• For NTPC Aspirants: Master General Awareness and Current Affairs. The competition is highest here.

• Mock Tests: Since RRB exams are computer-based, practicing online mock tests is non-negotiable to build speed and accuracy.

 

Conclusion

The release of the RRB Exam Calendar 2026 is a positive step towards a systematic recruitment process. Whether you are an engineer, a simple graduate, or a 10th-pass candidate, the Railways has a spot for you this year.

The first notification for ALP drops in February 2026, which is just around the corner. Do not wait for the official notification to start your studies. Use this calendar as your roadmap and begin your preparation today.