RRB Group D jobs come with specific eligibility requirements that every candidate must fulfill before applying.
Candidates looking for complete details about vacancies, notification, selection process, syllabus, and application process can also check the detailed RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 article.
As per the official RRB Group D CEN 09/2025 notification, candidates must have passed 10th class, ITI, equivalent qualification, or hold a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT.
Apart from educational qualification, the notification also includes important conditions related to age limit, nationality, medical standards, and category-wise age relaxation.
Candidates who do not meet these eligibility conditions may face rejection during the recruitment process or Document Verification (DV).
In this article, we have explained the complete RRB Group D Eligibility 2026 criteria in simple and easy language after carefully studying the official CEN, so that aspirants can clearly understand all the important rules before applying.
RRB Group D Eligibility 2026 Overview
| Parameter | Details |
| Educational Qualification | Candidates must have passed 10th (Matriculation) OR ITI OR equivalent OR possess National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT. Qualification must be completed on or before 02 March 2026. |
| Age Limit | Minimum Age: 18 Years • Maximum Age: 33 Years (as on 01 January 2026) |
| Date of Birth Range | UR/EWS: Born between 02 Jan 1993 to 01 Jan 2008 • OBC-NCL: Born between 02 Jan 1990 to 01 Jan 2008 • SC/ST: Born between 02 Jan 1988 to 01 Jan 2008 |
| Nationality | The candidate must be: 1. A citizen of India, OR 2. A citizen of Nepal, OR 3. A subject of Bhutan, OR 4. A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 01 Jan 1962 for permanent settlement, OR 5. A person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam for permanent settlement in India. |
| Medical Standards | Candidates must pass the Railway medical fitness test. Main medical categories for RRB Group D posts are A-2, A-3, B-1, and C-1. Vision and physical fitness standards are checked during medical examination. |
| Age Relaxation | OBC-NCL: 3 Years • SC/ST: 5 Years • PwBD: Up to 15 Years • Ex-Servicemen and other reserved categories get additional relaxation as per Railway rules. |
RRB Group D Educational Qualification Requirement
| Qualification Requirement | Details |
| Required Qualification | Candidates must have passed 10th (Matriculation) OR possess ITI OR equivalent qualification OR National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT. |
| Qualification Deadline | The required educational/technical qualification must be completed on or before 02 March 2026. |
| Recognized Board/Institute | Qualification must be obtained from a recognized Board, Institute, or University. |
| Candidates Waiting for Results | Candidates whose final exam results are still awaited are not eligible to apply for RRB Group D 2026. |
| Engineering Diploma/Degree Rule | Diploma or Degree in Engineering will not be accepted instead of ITI or Course Completed Act Apprenticeship (CCAA) for Level-1 posts unless specifically mentioned. |
| Graduate Apprentice Rule | Graduate Act Apprentices are not accepted in place of Course Completed Act Apprenticeship (CCAA). |
| Documents Required During DV | Candidates must produce valid educational certificates during Document Verification (DV). If the final certificate is issued after the application closing date, candidates may need to submit mark sheets or proof of result declaration date. |
RRB Group D Age Limit 2026
| Category | Age Limit | Date of Birth Range |
| UR / EWS | 18 to 33 Years | 02 January 1993 to 01 January 2008 |
| OBC-NCL | 18 to 33 Years + 3 Years Relaxation | 02 January 1990 to 01 January 2008 |
| SC/ST | 18 to 33 Years + 5 Years Relaxation | 02 January 1988 to 01 January 2008 |
Age Calculation Date
RRB will calculate age as on 01 January 2026.
This means:
- Candidates must be at least 18 years old by 01 January 2026.
- The maximum age limit will also be checked on this date only.
Age Relaxation
The following table shows category-wise age relaxation available for RRB Group D 2026 candidates as per official Railway rules.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| OBC-NCL | 3 Years |
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen – UR/EWS* | 3 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen-OBC-NCL | 6 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen – SC/ST | 8 Years |
| PwBD (UR/EWS) | 10 Years |
| PwBD (OBC-NCL) | 13 Years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 Years |
| Railway Staff with minimum 3 years service | Up to 5 Years |
| Staff of Quasi-Administrative offices of Indian Railways | Upto 5 years or Up to the length of service, whichever is less |
* with at least 6 months service after attestation
NCL-Non creamy layer. EWS- Economic Weaker Section, PwBD-Person with benchmark disability.
RRB also provides separate upper age limit relaxation for widowed, divorced, and judicially separated women candidates who are not remarried.
| Category | Maximum Upper Age Allowed |
| Widowed/Divorced Women (UR/EWS) | Up to 35 Years of Age |
| Widowed/Divorced Women (OBC-NCL) | Up to 38 Years of Age |
| Widowed/Divorced Women (SC/ST) | Up to 40 Years of Age |
| Course Completed Act Apprentices (UR/EWS) | Up to 3 Years |
| Course Completed Act Apprentices (OBC-NCL) | Up to 6 Years |
| Course Completed Act Apprentices (SC/ST) | Up to 8 Years |
Candidates who started Act Apprenticeship before attaining 25 years of age are eligible for the following maximum upper age limits.
| Candidates Who Started Act Apprenticeship Before 25 Years of Age | Maximum Age Allowed |
| UR / EWS | 35 Years |
| OBC-NCL | 38 Years |
| SC/ST | 40 Years |
The following maximum upper age limits apply to serving Railway Group ‘C’, former Group ‘D’ staff, and substitutes with minimum 3 years of service.
| Railway Group ‘C’, Former Group ‘D’ Staff and Substitutes with Minimum 3 Years of Service | Maximum Age Allowed |
| UR / EWS | 40 Years |
| OBC-NCL | 43 Years |
| SC/ST | 45 Years |
Course Completed Act Apprentices trained in Railway establishments are eligible for age relaxation equal to their apprenticeship training period, subject to the following limits.
| Course Completed Act Apprentices Trained in Railway Establishments | Age Relaxation |
| UR / EWS | Relaxation equal to apprenticeship training period (Maximum 3 Years) |
| OBC-NCL | Relaxation equal to apprenticeship training period (Maximum 6 Years including OBC relaxation) |
| SC/ST | Relaxation equal to apprenticeship training period (Maximum 8 Years including SC/ST relaxation) |
Medical Standards
RRB Group D posts have different medical standards based on the nature of the job.
Candidates must meet the required eyesight and physical fitness criteria for the post they apply for.
| Medical Standard | Requirement |
| A-2 | Physically fit in all respects with strict vision standards. |
| A-3 | Physically fit in all respects with good vision standards. |
| B-1 | Physically fit with prescribed eyesight standards. |
| C-1 | Physically fit with basic vision requirements. |
Vision Requirements
- A-2: 6/9 distant vision without glasses, Sn. 0.6 near vision without glasses, no fogging test.
- A-3: 6/9 distant vision with or without glasses, Sn. 0.6 near vision.
- B-1: 6/9 and 6/12 distant vision with or without glasses, Sn. 0.6 near vision.
- C-1: 6/12 and 6/18 distant vision with or without glasses, Sn. 0.6 near vision.
Important Points
- Candidates must pass the Railway medical test during DV.
- Colour vision, binocular vision, and night vision tests may also be conducted.
- LASIK or similar eye surgery candidates are not eligible for A-2 and A-3 posts.
- Candidates failing the medical test will not get an appointment.
Nationality Criteria
| Eligible Candidates |
| Citizen of India |
| Citizen of Nepal |
| Subject of Bhutan |
| Tibetan refugee who came to India before 01 January 1962 for permanent settlement |
| Person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam for permanent settlement in India |
Important Points
- Candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugee category, and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) must have a valid eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.
- Such candidates may be allowed to appear provisionally, but the certificate must be produced during Document Verification (DV).
Required Documents for Eligibility Verification
Candidates shortlisted for Document Verification (DV) must carry valid original documents supporting their eligibility, reservation claim, qualification, identity, and other details submitted in the online application form.
The important documents required during DV are listed below.
| Document Required | Who Needs It / Purpose |
| 10th/Matriculation Certificate | Proof of date of birth, name, and basic qualification |
| ITI Certificate / NAC Certificate | Required for candidates claiming ITI/NAC qualification |
| Educational Mark Sheets / Provisional Certificate | Proof of educational qualification |
| Valid Photo ID Proof | Identity verification |
| SC/ST Certificate | Candidates claiming SC/ST reservation |
| OBC-NCL Certificate | Candidates claiming OBC reservation or age relaxation |
| OBC Self-Declaration (Annexure-IIA) | Required from OBC-NCL candidates |
| EWS Certificate | Candidates claiming EWS reservation |
| PwBD Certificate | Candidates claiming PwBD reservation/benefits |
| Ex-Servicemen Certificate | Candidates claiming ExSM benefits |
| EBC Certificate / BPL Card / Izzat MST | Candidates claiming examination fee concession under EBC |
| Minority Community Affidavit | Minority candidates claiming fee concession |
| Gazette Notification / Legal Name Change Proof | Candidates whose name differs from 10th certificate |
| Certificate of Eligibility | Candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugee, or PIO categories |
| LASIK Self-Declaration (Annexure-VII) | Candidates applying for A2/A3 medical standard posts |
| Passport Size Photographs | Verification during Document Verification (DV) |
Who Is Not Eligible to Apply For RRB Group D 2026?
Candidates who do not fulfill the eligibility conditions mentioned in the official RRB Group D notification may face rejection during the application process, Document Verification (DV), or medical examination stage.
The following candidates are generally considered not eligible for RRB Group D 2026 recruitment.
| Candidates Not Eligible | Reason |
| Candidates below 18 years or above the allowed age limit | Does not meet age criteria as on 01 January 2026 |
| Candidates awaiting final exam results | Required qualification must be completed before 02 March 2026 |
| Candidates with incomplete ITI/technical qualification | Final qualification must be fully completed |
| Candidates having invalid or incorrect caste certificate | Reservation benefits will be rejected |
| OBC candidates with wrong certificate format or Creamy Layer status | Not eligible for OBC-NCL reservation |
| Candidates providing false information or fake documents | Candidature can be cancelled at any stage |
| Candidates applying with multiple applications | All applications may be rejected |
| Candidates not meeting required medical standards | Medically unfit candidates will not get appointment |
| Candidates with LASIK surgery applying for A-2/A-3 posts | Not eligible for these medical categories |
| Candidates debarred by RRB/RRC | Not eligible to apply |
| Candidates dismissed from Government service | Not eligible as per CEN rules |
| Candidates whose application details do not match certificates | Candidature may be rejected during DV |
FAQs on RRB Group D Eligibility 2026
1. What is the minimum qualification required for RRB Group D 2026?
Candidates must have passed 10th (Matriculation) OR possess ITI OR equivalent qualification OR National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT.
2. What is the age limit for RRB Group D 2026?
The minimum age is 18 years and the maximum age is 33 years as on 01 January 2026. Reserved categories are eligible for age relaxation as per Railway rules.
3. Can final year students apply for RRB Group D 2026?
No. Candidates awaiting final exam results are not eligible. The required qualification must be completed on or before 02 March 2026.
4. Are Diploma or Engineering Degree holders eligible for RRB Group D?
Diploma or Degree in Engineering alone is not accepted in place of ITI or Course Completed Act Apprenticeship (CCAA) for Level-1 posts unless specifically mentioned in the notification.
5. Is LASIK eye surgery allowed for RRB Group D posts?
Candidates who have undergone LASIK or similar eye surgery are not eligible for A-2 and A-3 medical standard posts.
However, they may be eligible for B-1 and C-1 posts as per Railway rules.