The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially released the schedule for the RRB Group D Exam 2025, one of the largest railway recruitment drives in India. The computer-based test (CBT) will begin on 17 November 2025 and continue till the end of December. Through this examination, recruitment will take place for 32,438 Group D posts across various zones of Indian Railways.
The announcement has brought clarity for millions of aspirants preparing for the exam. Candidates can now plan their final preparation while keeping exam dates, admit card release, and exam city details in mind.
Exam City and Admit Card Release
According to the official notice, exam city and exam date details will be released 10 days before the examination. Along with this, travel authority passes for candidates belonging to SC and ST categories will also be issued.
The RRB Group D Admit Card will be released four days before each candidate’s exam date. Candidates can download their admit cards and exam city slips from the official regional RRB websites by logging in with their credentials.
For example, candidates scheduled to appear on 17 November will be able to download their admit cards on 13 or 14 November. Similarly, exam city details are expected to be released around 7 or 8 November 2025.
Biometric Verification at Exam Centers
The board has introduced Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication at all exam centers. Candidates will need to carry their original Aadhaar card or a verified Aadhaar printout to the center.
Those who have not yet completed Aadhaar verification are advised to log in at rrbapply.gov.in using their registered credentials and complete the process before exam day. Candidates who already verified Aadhaar during the application process must ensure their Aadhaar remains unlocked in the UIDAI system to avoid inconvenience at the exam center.
This step has been introduced to maintain fairness and transparency in the recruitment process, preventing impersonation and malpractices.
Posts Covered Under RRB Group D Recruitment 2025
The 32,438 vacancies are spread across multiple Group D posts in different railway departments. The recruitment covers positions such as:
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Assistant (S&T)
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Assistant (Workshop)
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Assistant Bridge
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Assistant Carriage and Wagon
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Assistant Loco Shed (Diesel)
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Assistant Loco Shed (Electrical)
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Assistant Operations (Electrical)
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Assistant P-Way
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Assistant TL & AC (Workshop)
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Assistant TL & AC
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Assistant Track Machine
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Assistant TRD
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Pointsman B
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Track Maintainer Grade-IV
Each of these roles is essential to railway operations, and the large number of posts reflects the Indian Railways’ need for workforce expansion and modernization.
Zone-Wise Vacancy Distribution
The vacancies are distributed across different zones of Indian Railways. Some of the key figures include:
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Northern Railway (Delhi): 4785 posts
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Western Railway (Mumbai): 4672 posts
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Central Railway (Mumbai): 3244 posts
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Southern Railway (Chennai): 2694 posts
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North Eastern Railway (Gorakhpur): 1370 posts
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North Central Railway (Prayagraj): 2020 posts
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North Western Railway (Jaipur): 1433 posts
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Eastern Railway (Kolkata): 1817 posts
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East Central Railway (Hajipur): 1251 posts
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South Central Railway (Secunderabad): 1642 posts
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South Eastern Railway (Kolkata): 1044 posts
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East Coast Railway (Bhubaneswar): 964 posts
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South East Central Railway (Bilaspur): 1337 posts
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West Central Railway (Jabalpur): 1614 posts
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Northeast Frontier Railway: 2048 posts
This distribution ensures that recruitment reaches every part of the country, offering opportunities to candidates across all regions.
RRB Group D Exam Pattern 2025
The Computer-Based Test (CBT) will be of 90 minutes duration with a total of 100 questions. The exam pattern is as follows:
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General Science: 25 questions
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Mathematics: 25 questions
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General Intelligence and Reasoning: 30 questions
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General Awareness and Current Affairs: 20 questions
Each correct answer carries one mark, and for every wrong answer, one-third mark will be deducted. To ensure fairness across different shifts, the normalization method will be applied to marks.
Candidates equal to three times the total vacancies will be shortlisted for the Physical Efficiency Test (PET).
Minimum Qualifying Marks
The minimum qualifying marks vary for different categories:
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UR (General): 40%
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EWS: 40%
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OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 30%
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SC: 30%
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ST: 30%
These cut-offs are mandatory to be eligible for the PET round.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Details
Candidates clearing the CBT will move to the Physical Efficiency Test (PET). The requirements differ for men and women:
For Male Candidates:
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Lift and carry 35 kg weight for 100 meters within 2 minutes.
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Run 1000 meters in 4 minutes 15 seconds in a single attempt.
For Female Candidates:
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Lift and carry 20 kg weight for 100 meters within 2 minutes.
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Run 1000 meters in 5 minutes 40 seconds in a single attempt.
These standards are designed to assess the physical fitness of candidates, as many Group D roles require fieldwork and physical endurance.
Final Selection Process
The RRB Group D Selection Process 2025 will follow three major stages:
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Computer-Based Test (CBT) – Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks.
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Physical Efficiency Test (PET) – Shortlisted candidates must meet physical standards.
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Document Verification and Medical Examination – Only those passing CBT and PET will be called for final verification.
The recruitment process is transparent and strictly merit-based, ensuring that only qualified candidates move forward.
Importance of RRB Group D Recruitment
The RRB Group D recruitment is not only the largest railway hiring drive but also one of the most important government job opportunities in India. With 32,438 vacancies, it opens doors for lakhs of aspirants aiming for stable and secure government jobs.
These posts play a vital role in railway infrastructure and daily operations. From track maintenance to workshop support and loco shed assistance, Group D employees are the backbone of Indian Railways.
Candidate Preparation Strategy
With the exam scheduled for November, candidates have around two months to fine-tune preparation. Aspirants should:
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Focus on revising Mathematics and General Science concepts.
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Practice reasoning questions to improve speed and accuracy.
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Stay updated with current affairs for the General Awareness section.
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Attempt previous year papers and mock tests regularly.
Physical preparation is equally important. Candidates must begin regular exercise, running, and weight training to meet PET standards.
RRB’s Emphasis on Fair Recruitment
The Railway Recruitment Board has stressed transparency in the process. Aadhaar-based biometric verification, strict admit card protocols, and normalized scoring methods all ensure fairness.
Candidates are advised not to fall for rumors of malpractices. The board has implemented multiple safeguards to maintain integrity.
The release of the RRB Group D Exam Dates 2025 marks the beginning of the final phase of preparation for lakhs of aspirants. With exams starting from 17 November 2025, candidates must now focus on revision and physical fitness.
Admit cards will be available four days before the exam, while exam city and date details will be released ten days earlier. Biometric verification will be mandatory, making Aadhaar authentication essential.
With 32,438 vacancies across multiple zones, the recruitment offers a golden opportunity for candidates to join Indian Railways. By preparing strategically and meeting both academic and physical standards, aspirants can secure their future in one of India’s most prestigious government organizations.
