What is RRB Group D?
RRB Group D is the common name for recruitment to Level 1 posts of the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix in Indian Railways. These include posts such as Track Maintainer Grade IV, Pointsman and Assistant posts in the engineering, mechanical, electrical and signal and telecom departments. The recruitment is run by the Railway Recruitment Boards through a Centralised Employment Notice; the most recent one most readers ask about is CEN 08/2024.
Older Level 1 recruitments were notified by the Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs), for example RRC 01/2019. That is why many people still search for an "RRC Group D" exam. In the recent cycles, the RRBs handle the notice, the exam and the call letters.
Eligibility basics
- Education: Class 10 pass, or ITI or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) as listed for each post in the notice.
- Age: the minimum and maximum age are printed in the CEN, with relaxation for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, PwBD, ex-servicemen and other notified groups. For CEN 08/2024, age was counted as on 01.01.2025.
- Medical fitness: each post has a medical standard. Check it before you choose post preferences.
Exam stages
- Computer Based Test (CBT): a single objective test. The notice allows RRBs to hold it in one or more stages if needed.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET): a qualifying test of lifting and carrying weight over a distance and running, with separate standards for men and women. Only CBT-qualified candidates are called.
- Document verification: certificates and identity are checked against your application.
- Medical examination: as per the standard of the post allotted.
| CBT section | Questions |
|---|---|
| General Science | 25 |
| Mathematics | 25 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 |
| General Awareness and Current Affairs | 20 |
| Total | 100 questions in 90 minutes |
Each wrong answer costs one-third of a mark. As per CEN 08/2024, the minimum qualifying marks in the CBT were 40 percent for UR and EWS and 30 percent for OBC-NCL, SC and ST candidates. PET is qualifying only; the final merit is drawn from CBT marks.
How to prepare for the CBT and PET
- General science: questions on physics, chemistry and life science are of Class 10 level, so NCERT Class 9 and 10 science books are the best base.
- Mathematics: number system, BODMAS, decimals and fractions, LCM and HCF, ratio and proportion, percentages, mensuration, time and work, time and distance, interest, profit and loss, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, elementary statistics, square roots, ages, calendar and clock, and pipes and cisterns.
- Reasoning: analogies, series, coding and decoding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogism, Venn diagrams, data interpretation, statements and conclusions, decision making, classification and directions.
- General awareness: current affairs in science and technology, sports, culture, personalities, economics and politics.
- PET: begin running and weight-carrying practice early, since the physical test follows the CBT result and cannot be crammed.
Group D guides on HindiScope
- For the city slip, e-call letter, PET call letter and common login fixes, open the RRB Group D admit card guide .
- All hall ticket explainers for other exams are on our admit card section .
Related exams
Class 12 pass candidates can move up to the RRB NTPC exam for clerical and commercial posts. If you are also fit for a physical test, the SSC GD Constable exam is another 10th pass route, and the SSC MTS exam covers multi-tasking posts in central offices.
HindiScope is not an official site; confirm all details in the CEN on your RRB regional website.