So, before opting for railway coaching in 2026, a candidate should first know three basic things. Who can apply? How many vacancies are there? And what is the current stage of the exam process?
Here is a simple list of the main RRB exams candidates should know.
RRB NTPC
RRB NTPC means Non-Technical Popular Categories. This exam is for candidates who want non-technical railway posts.
NTPC has two levels. Graduate-level posts are for candidates who have completed their graduation. Undergraduate posts are generally for candidates who have passed Class 12.
The RRB NTPC 2026 cycle will have a total of 8,868 vacancies, out of which 5,810 vacancies are for the Graduate level and 3,058 vacancies are for the Undergraduate level. The application period is now closed. The Undergraduate CBT 1 exam will be held between 7 May and 21 June 2026. Exam dates: 7, 8, 9 May and 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 June 2026.
A good option for students comfortable with math, reasoning, general awareness, and non-technical work.
RRB Group D
RRB Group D is also called Level 1 recruitment. It is one of the most common railway exams because its eligibility criteria are broader than those for many other RRB posts.
Group D posts usually include Track Maintainer, Pointsman, Assistant, and other basic-level railway jobs. The eligibility is mostly Class 10 or ITI, as stated in the official notification.
For 2026, the confirmed figure is 22,195 vacancies under CEN 09/2025 across 21 RRB regions. The application window is already closed. So, students should not treat it as an upcoming application. The next focus should be CBT preparation, exam date notice, city intimation, and admit card updates.
RRB ALP
RRB ALP means Assistant Loco Pilot. This exam is for candidates who want to work in train operations. Since this is a technical post, the eligibility criteria differ from those of NTPC or Group D.
As a candidate, you are expected to have completed Class 10 with an ITI in a relevant trade or an equivalent technical diploma. Preparation for ALP includes maths, reasoning, technical topics, and exam-stage preparation.
The present cycle RRB ALP vacancies under CEN 01/2025 are 9,970. CBT 1 was held on 13, 16, 17, and 18 February 2026. A re-exam was held on 11 March 2026. The answer key was released on 20 March 2026, and the objection window was open from 20 to 26 March 2026.
ALP candidates can now note the updates on the results, CBT 2, CBAT, document verification, and medical examination.
RRB JE
RRB JE is short for Junior Engineer. This exam is for those who have an engineering diploma or degree. It is usually suitable for students from Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, and related branches.
Posts may include Junior Engineer, Depot Material Superintendent, Chemical Supervisor, and Metallurgical Assistant. Selection Process: The selection process will involve CBT stages, document verification, and medical examination.
RRB JE has released 2,585 vacancies for JE, DMS, Chemical Supervisor, and Metallurgical Assistant posts for the 2026 cycle under CEN 05/2025. Some reports also mention around 2,588 vacancies, so candidates should check the latest regional RRB notice before relying on a single figure.
The application stage is closed. At this stage, candidates should focus on CBT preparation, technical revision, and past year questions.
RRB Technician
RRB Technician recruitment is for technical posts, but it is different from ALP and JE. It is generally for candidates having ITI, trade-based, or technical qualifications.
Technician posts may include Grade 1 Signal and Grade 3 roles, depending on the notification. The exact eligibility depends on the post. Since the recruitment process has already moved forward, candidates should now check the CBT, answer key, result, and next-stage updates on their regional RRB websites.
RRB Paramedical
RRB Paramedical recruitment is for healthcare jobs in Indian Railways. It is meant for candidates from nursing, pharmacy, lab, radiography, and other medical support fields.
The eligibility is different for each post. A pharmacist and a lab assistant will not have the same qualification rules. So, candidates should always check the post-wise details carefully.
For this category, candidates should follow updates on CBT, answer key, result, document verification, and medical examination on the official RRB websites.
Ministerial and Isolated Categories
Ministerial and Isolated Categories are for special posts. These may include teachers, translators, law-related posts, welfare inspectors, publicity roles, and other specific jobs.
This is not a common exam for every railway aspirant. It is only useful for candidates whose qualifications match the post. Candidates should also check whether their selected post is at the CBT, result, document verification, or qualification update stage.
Conclusion
The RRB exam list for 2026 helps candidates choose the right path instead of preparing blindly. NTPC has 8,868 vacancies. Group D has 22,195 confirmed Level 1 vacancies under CEN 09/2025. ALP has released 9,970 vacancies under CEN 01/2025. JE has approximately 2,585 vacancies under CEN 05/2025.
George School of Competitive Exam (GSCE) offers railway coaching for exams like RRB NTPC, Level 1, or Group D. GSCE can help students who want a more structured start by understanding the syllabus, eligibility criteria, exam stages and subject planning in an organised way. Sign up now!
