Indian Railways Recruitment 2025: Career Opportunities in Non-Technical Popular Categories
The Ministry of Railways, Government of India, through its Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), has released a detailed centralized employment notification (CEN No. 06/2025) for various graduate posts in Non-Technical Popular Categories. This notification invites eligible Indian citizens to apply for diverse roles across different Railway Zones and Production Units, contributing to the nation's railway network.
Important Points for Railway Jobs
Organization: Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India
Posts: Various Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate)
Total Vacancies: 5810 across all RRBs
Application Mode: Online only
Selection Process: Computer Based Tests (CBTs), Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) / Computer Based Typing Skill Test (CBTST), Document Verification (DV), and Medical Examination (ME).
Educational Qualifications: Candidates must possess the prescribed graduate qualifications from a recognized Institute/University.
Medical Standards: Post-wise medical fitness standards are applicable for all candidates.
Application Dates for Railway Recruitment 2025
The key dates for this recruitment drive are as follows:
Opening date of Online application: 21.10.2025
Closing date for Submission of Online Application: 20.11.2025 (23:59 hours)
Last Date for Application fee payment for submitted applications: 22.11.2025
Dates for Modification window for corrections in application form: 23.11.2025 to 02.12.2025
Dates for eligible scribe candidates to provide scribe details: 03.12.2025 to 07.12.2025
Application Fee & Refund for Railway Vacancy
Candidates are required to pay an examination fee based on their category:
For all candidates (except those mentioned below): ₹500/-. An amount of ₹400/- will be refunded upon appearing in the 1st stage CBT.
For SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, PwBD, Female, Transgender, Minorities or Economically Backward Class (EBC): ₹250/-. This entire fee will be refunded upon appearing in the 1st stage CBT.
Fees can only be paid online through internet banking, debit/credit cards, or UPI. Incorrect or incomplete bank details for refund will not be entertained.
Age Limit & Relaxation for Railway Jobs 2025
The age limit is reckoned as on 01.01.2026.
Lower Age Limit: Not born after 01.01.2008 (for all communities/categories).
Upper Age Limit:
UR/EWS: Not born earlier than 02.01.1993 (18-33 years)
OBC-NCL: Not born earlier than 02.01.1990 (18-36 years, 3 years relaxation)
SC/ST: Not born earlier than 02.01.1988 (18-38 years, 5 years relaxation)
Age relaxation is also provided for:
Ex-servicemen (based on length of service deduction).
Persons With Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) (10, 13, 15 years depending on category).
Serving Group C & erstwhile Group D Railway Staff and Substitutes (40, 43, 45 years depending on category).
Female candidates who are widowed, divorced or judicially separated but not remarried (35, 38, 40 years depending on category).
Educational Qualifications for Railway Career
Candidates must possess the minimum educational qualifications prescribed for each post as on the closing date of online application. Those awaiting final results of their qualifying examination are not eligible to apply. Specific post-wise parameters are detailed in Annexure A of the notification.
Nationality / Citizenship for Railway Recruitment 2025
A candidate must be either:
A citizen of India, or
A citizen of Nepal, or
A subject of Bhutan, or
A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 01.01.1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
A person of Indian origin who has migrated from specific countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Reservation in Railway Vacancy 2025
The notification includes provisions for vertical reservation for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Class (Non-Creamy Layer) (OBC-NCL), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). Horizontal reservation is provided for Ex-Servicemen (ExSM) and Persons With Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). Candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and possess the requisite certificates for claiming reservation benefits.
Medical Fitness Standards for Railway Jobs
Candidates called for Document Verification (DV) must pass the required medical fitness test(s) conducted by the Railway Administration. Visual Acuity Standard is crucial, with different standards for various medical categories (A2, B2, C2) outlined in the notification. Candidates who have undergone LASIK surgery are generally not eligible for posts requiring Medical Standard A-2.
Recruitment Process for Railway Career 2025
The recruitment process involves several stages:
1st Stage Computer Based Test (CBT): Common for all notified posts, screening in nature.
2nd Stage Computer Based Test (CBT): Shortlisted candidates from 1st Stage CBT.
Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT): For Station Master / Traffic Assistant posts.
Computer Based Typing Skill Test (CBTST): For Senior Clerk Cum Typist and Junior Accounts Assistant Cum Typist posts.
Document Verification (DV): Verification of original documents.
Medical Examination (ME): Medical fitness assessment.
Selection is strictly based on merit and performance in these stages.
Examination Pattern (1st Stage CBT) for Railway Vacancy
The 1st Stage CBT is common for all posts.
Duration: 90 minutes (120 minutes for eligible scribes)
Total Questions: 100
Sections:
General Awareness: 40 questions
Mathematics: 30 questions
General Intelligence and Reasoning: 30 questions
Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark for every wrong answer.
Minimum Qualifying Marks: UR/EWS - 40%, OBC (NCL) - 30%, SC - 30%, ST - 25% (2% relaxation for PwBD in case of shortage).
Examination Pattern (2nd Stage CBT) for Railway Career
The 2nd Stage CBT is for shortlisted candidates.
Duration: 90 minutes (120 minutes for eligible scribes)
Total Questions: 120
Sections:
General Awareness: 50 questions
Mathematics: 35 questions
General Intelligence and Reasoning: 35 questions
Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark for every wrong answer.
Minimum Qualifying Marks: UR/EWS - 40%, OBC (NCL) - 30%, SC - 30%, ST - 25% (2% relaxation for PwBD in case of shortage).
Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) for Railway Jobs
CBAT is conducted for Station Master and Traffic Assistant posts after qualifying the 2nd Stage CBT.
Qualifying Nature: Candidates must secure a minimum T-Score of 42 marks in each test battery, irrespective of community or category (no relaxation).
Weightage: Merit list for these posts is drawn with 70% weightage from 2nd Stage CBT marks and 30% from CBAT marks.
Language: Questions and answers only in English and Hindi.
Negative Marking: No negative marking in CBAT.
Computer Based Typing Skill Test (CBTST) for Railway Vacancy 2025
CBTST is of qualifying nature for Senior Clerk Cum Typist and Junior Accounts Assistant Cum Typist posts.
Requirements: 30 Words Per Minute (WPM) in English or 25 WPM in Hindi on a Personal Computer without editing tools and spell check facility.
Exemption: Permanently disabled PwBD candidates (with not less than 40% disability) due to Blindness/Low Vision, Cerebral Palsy & Loco Motor Disability may be exempted.
Merit: Merit is drawn only for candidates who qualify in CBTST (or are exempted) based on their 2nd Stage CBT performance.
How to Apply for Railway Career 2025
Candidates must apply online through the official RRB websites.
Account Creation: Candidates must first create an account on rrbapply.gov.in. Existing users from previous RRB CENs can use their login. No changes are allowed in account creation details (mobile number, email ID).
Identity Authentication: Candidates are strongly advised to authenticate their identity using DigiLocker or Aadhaar for smoother verification.
Live Photo Capturing: A live photograph of the candidate will be captured during the application process using a webcam or front camera. No pre-existing photographs are to be uploaded. Ensure non-white clothing, dark colors, and neutral expression.
Scanned Documents: Candidates need to upload a scanned copy of their signature in JPG/JPEG format (140x60 pixels, 30-49KB) and, for SC/ST candidates requesting free travel pass, their SC/ST certificate in PDF format (less than 400KB).
RRB and Post Preference: Candidates can choose only one RRB and indicate their preferences for Railway Zones/Production Units and posts/categories within that chosen RRB. Multiple applications will lead to rejection of all applications.
Scribe Assistance for Railway Recruitment 2025
Scribe assistance is available for eligible Persons With Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
Eligibility: PwBD in categories of Blindness, Locomotor Disability (Both Arms Affected - BA), Cerebral Palsy, or other benchmark disabilities with a certificate of physical limitation to write. PwBD with less than 40% disability but difficulty in writing can also avail.
Arrangement: Candidates must arrange their own scribe at their own cost.
Scribe Registration: Scribes must register on rrbapply.gov.in and obtain an One-Time Registration (OTR) number.
Conditions: Scribe's educational qualification must be one step below the candidate's. A scribe cannot assist more than one candidate in the same CEN.
Important Notes on Railway Application
Candidates are advised to read the Detailed CEN thoroughly before applying.
Any false information or unfair practices will lead to disqualification and debarment from future examinations.
All communication regarding the selection process will be advised through official RRB websites, SMS, and email.
Candidates are advised to apply well before the closing date to avoid last-minute rush.
RRB Websites for Railway Vacancy 2025
Candidates are advised to visit the following official RRB websites frequently for updates:
Ahmedabad: www.rrbahmedabad.gov.in
Ajmer: www.rrbajmer.gov.in
Bengaluru: www.rrbbnc.gov.in
Bhopal: www.rrbbhopal.gov.in
Bhubaneswar: www.rrbbbs.gov.in
Bilaspur: www.rrbbilaspur.gov.in
Chandigarh: www.rrbcdg.gov.in
Chennai: www.rrbchennai.gov.in
Gorakhpur: www.rrbgkp.gov.in
Guwahati: www.rrbguwahati.gov.in
Jammu-Srinagar: www.rrbjammu.nic.in
Kolkata: www.rrbkolkata.gov.in
Malda: www.rrbmalda.gov.in
Mumbai: www.rrbmumbai.gov.in
Muzaffarpur: www.rrbmuzaffarpur.gov.in
Patna: www.rrbpatna.gov.in
Prayagraj: www.rrbpryj.gov.in
Ranchi: www.rrbranchi.gov.in
Secunderabad: www.rrbsecunderabad.gov.in
Siliguri: www.rrbsiliguri.gov.in
Thiruvananthapuram: www.rrbthiruvananthapuram.gov.in
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I apply for multiple posts or RRBs? A: No, candidates can choose only one RRB, and multiple applications will lead to rejection of all applications.
Q: Is there an application fee refund for candidates? A: Yes, a portion or the full amount of the application fee is refunded if the candidate appears for the 1st Stage CBT.
Q: Are there any medical fitness standards for these posts? A: Yes, candidates must pass post-specific medical fitness tests conducted by the Railway Administration.
Q: What is the negative marking scheme in the CBTs? A: There will be a deduction of 1/3rd mark for every wrong answer in the CBTs.
Q: Is a live photograph required for the application? A: Yes, the application module is designed to capture a live photograph of the candidate during the application process.
Q: What documents are required for online application? A: A scanned copy of the candidate's signature and, for SC/ST candidates requesting free travel pass, their SC/ST certificate.
Q: What is the age limit for general category candidates? A: The age limit for UR/EWS candidates is 18-33 years as on 01.01.2026.
Q: Are candidates awaiting final results of their graduation eligible to apply? A: No, candidates must possess the prescribed educational qualifications on or before the closing date for submission of the application.
Q: Can I modify my application details after submission? A: Yes, a modification window is provided for corrections with a fee, but details filled during 'Create an Account' and the chosen RRB cannot be modified.
Q: Are scribes allowed for PwBD candidates? A: Yes, scribes are allowed for eligible PwBD candidates, who must arrange their own scribe and ensure the scribe is registered with RRBs.