Official Notification Summary: The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have officially issued the tentative examination schedule for the recruitment of 6,557 Technician Grade I (Signal) and Technician Grade III posts under Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 02/2026. The nationwide Computer Based Test (CBT) will be organized from 6th October to 9th October 2026 across designated centers in 3 daily shifts. The Exam City and Date Intimation Slip along with the travel authority for eligible SC/ST candidates will be made available online 10 days prior to the examination (starting 27th September 2026). Candidates can download their official e-Call Letter (Admit Card) exactly 4 days before their scheduled exam date from the official portal at rrbapply.gov.in. Check below for post-wise exam patterns, shift schedules, gate closure timings, and Aadhaar biometric rules.
| RRB Technician Recruitment 2026: Key Overview | |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways, Govt. of India |
| Centralised Employment Notice | CEN No. 02/2026 (Technician Grade I Signal & Grade III) |
| Posts & Pay Levels | • Technician Grade I (Signal) – Level 5 (Basic Pay ₹29,200/-) • Technician Grade III (Various Trades) – Level 2 (Basic Pay ₹19,900/-) |
| Total Vacancies | 6,557 Posts (Grade I Signal: 323 | Grade III: 6,234) |
| Current Examination Stage | Single-Stage Computer Based Test (CBT) – Objective MCQs |
| CBT Examination Dates | 6th October 2026 to 9th October 2026 |
| City Intimation Slip Live Date | 27th September 2026 (10 Days Prior to Exam) |
| e-Call Letter (Admit Card) Release | 2nd October 2026 onwards (4 Days Before Exam Date) |
| Exam Duration & Shifts | 90 Minutes (1.5 Hours) | 3 Shifts Daily |
| Total Questions & Marks | 100 Questions – 100 Marks (1 Mark each) |
| Negative Marking Policy | 1/3rd (0.33 Mark) deducted per wrong answer |
| Mandatory Biometrics | Aadhaar Biometric Authentication at Exam Centre |
| Official Recruitment Portal | rrbapply.gov.in |
| Indian Railways Official Portal | rrb.indianrailways.gov.in |
1. RRB Technician Exam Pattern 2026: Post-Wise Marks Distribution
As detailed in CEN 02/2026, the examination structure differs between Technician Grade I (Signal) and Technician Grade III. Both examinations comprise 100 objective multiple-choice questions carrying 100 marks for a duration of 90 minutes (120 minutes for eligible PwBD candidates using a scribe), with a 1/3rd negative marking penalty for each wrong response:
A. Technician Grade I (Signal) – Exam Pattern (Level 5)
| Section / Subject | Total Questions | Maximum Marks | Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 10 | 10 | +1 Mark | -1/3rd penalty |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 15 | 15 | +1 Mark | -1/3rd penalty |
| Basics of Computers and Applications | 20 | 20 | +1 Mark | -1/3rd penalty |
| Mathematics | 20 | 20 | +1 Mark | -1/3rd penalty |
| Basic Science and Engineering | 35 | 35 | +1 Mark | -1/3rd penalty |
| Total (Technician Grade I Signal) | 100 Questions | 100 Marks | Duration: 90 Minutes |
B. Technician Grade III – Exam Pattern (Level 2)
| Section / Subject | Total Questions | Maximum Marks | Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 | +1 Mark | -1/3rd penalty |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 25 | +1 Mark | -1/3rd penalty |
| General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) | 40 | 40 | +1 Mark | -1/3rd penalty |
| General Awareness on Current Affairs | 10 | 10 | +1 Mark | -1/3rd penalty |
| Total (Technician Grade III Paper) | 100 Questions | 100 Marks | Duration: 90 Minutes |
2. RRB Technician CBT Shift Timings & Reporting Schedule (6 Oct to 9 Oct 2026)
The Computer Based Test for RRB Technician posts is organized in 3 daily shifts across testing centers nationwide. Due to detailed biometric scanning, candidates must reach their designated venue at the reporting time. Late arrivals after gate closure will not be allowed inside under any circumstances:
| Exam Shift | Candidate Reporting Time | Strict Gate Closing Time | Exam Timing & Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shift 1 (Morning Shift) | 07:30 AM | 08:30 AM | 09:00 AM – 10:30 AM (90 Mins) |
| Shift 2 (Afternoon Shift) | 11:30 AM | 12:30 PM | 01:00 PM – 02:30 PM (90 Mins) |
| Shift 3 (Evening Shift) | 03:30 PM | 04:30 PM | 05:00 PM – 06:30 PM (90 Mins) |
3. Exam City Intimation Slip & Free Rail Travel Authority (SC/ST)
The Railway Recruitment Boards provide candidates advance information to plan their test journey conveniently:
- Release Date: The official link to check your Exam City and Date will be activated on 27th September 2026 (strictly 10 days prior to the first exam day).
- Contents of the Slip: The city slip informs you of the assigned exam city, state, shift number, and reporting schedule. Please note that the City Intimation slip is not an admit card and cannot be used to gain entry to the exam hall.
- SC/ST Free Travel Authority: Eligible SC/ST applicants who opted for free rail travel during the registration process can download their official Sleeper Class Travel Pass alongside the city slip. Make sure to carry the printed travel pass and original community certificate while traveling on Indian Railways.
4. Step-by-Step Guide to Download RRB Technician CBT Admit Card 2026
The e-Call Letters for CEN 02/2026 will be released for download 4 days before your individual test date (from 2nd October 2026 onwards). Follow these direct steps:
Step 1: Visit the Official RRB Portal
Navigate to the official centralized RRB recruitment portal at www.rrbapply.gov.in or visit your respective regional RRB website.
Step 2: Access Candidate Login
Click on the "Login" button situated at the upper-right corner of the homepage.
Step 3: Enter Your Credentials
Enter your Registered Mobile Number / Email ID and your secret Password, solve the visual security Captcha, and click "Login".
Step 4: Download and Print e-Call Letter
Click on the link reading "Download e-Call Letter – CEN 02/2026 Technicians". Save the PDF file to your phone or computer, and take at least 2 clear printouts on A4 paper.
5. Mandatory Aadhaar Biometric Verification & Exam Hall Rules
RRB examinations operate with tight security protocols and automated identity validation. Ensure you follow every instruction carefully:
Biometric fingerprint capture will take place before you are admitted to your computer console. If you have locked your biometrics through UIDAI or the mAadhaar app, you must unlock it at least 24 hours before your exam day. If the scanner cannot authenticate your fingerprint due to a lock, you will not be permitted to take the test.
- Original printed RRB Technician CBT e-Call Letter (Admit Card).
- Original Valid Photo Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, e-Aadhaar print with QR code, Voter ID, Driving License, PAN Card, or Passport). Xerox copies or mobile pictures are strictly prohibited.
- Two recent colored passport photographs identical to the one submitted in the online application.
- Original SC/ST certificate and travel pass printout (for eligible travel pass holders).
Mobile phones, Bluetooth accessories, digital or smart watches, calculators, health bands, pens, loose sheets, metal ornaments, belts, and bags are strictly forbidden. There are no safe-keeping lockers provided at testing venues.
6. RRB Technician Selection Process & Category Qualifying Marks
Unlike ALP posts, recruitment for RRB Technicians (CEN 02/2026) is finalized through a streamlined single-stage CBT followed directly by Document Verification and Medical Examination:
| Selection Stage | Testing Parameter | Merit Weightage | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: Online CBT | 100 Questions – 100 Marks (90 Mins) | 100% Merit Basis | Determines final merit rank for Document Verification |
| Stage 2: Document Verification (DV) | Scrutiny of original certificates & eligibility | Qualifying | Equal to 1:1 ratio of notified vacancies |
| Stage 3: Medical Examination (DME) | Medical fitness test according to trade standard (A-3 to B-2) | Mandatory Clearance | Conducted at Railway Hospitals |
| Minimum Qualifying Percentage in CBT: UR & EWS: 40% | OBC (NCL): 30% | SC: 30% | ST: 25% (2% relaxation for PwBD in case of shortage) | |||
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – RRB Technician CBT 2026
Access RRB Technician CEN 02/2026 Portal
Login to check your application status, city intimation slip, and download e-call letters.
Visit Official RRB Portal