If you’ve been waiting to hear when the Railway Group D 2025 exam will finally take place, the wait is over. The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially announced that the Computer-Based Test (CBT) for Group D posts will begin on 27th November 2025 and continue till 16th January 2026. With over 1.08 crore applicants eyeing 32,438 vacancies, this is easily one of the biggest recruitment drives in India.
Let’s break down the latest updates, from exam schedule and shift timings to pattern, centres, and admit card info.
Schedule
The RRB Group D exam is set to be held over nearly two months, with three shifts each day to accommodate the massive number of applicants. Here’s a quick overview of the schedule:
RRB Group D 2025 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Exam Date Announcement | 18 November 2025 |
| City Intimation Release | 18 November 2025 Onwards |
| Admit Card Download Begins | 23 November 2025 Onwards |
| CBT Exam Dates | 27 November 2025 – 16 Jan 2026 |
The city intimation slip will be available 10 days before your exam date. Your admit card (e-call letter) will be downloadable 4 days before your shift.
Shifts
The CBT will be conducted in three daily shifts. Planning to reach just in time? Don’t! The gates will close before the exam starts. Here’s how the shift-wise schedule looks:
RRB Group D 2025 Shift Timings
| Shift | Reporting Time | Gate Closure | Exam Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shift 1 | 7:30 am | 8:30 am | 9:00 am – 10:30 am |
| Shift 2 | 11:15 am | 12:15 pm | 12:45 pm – 2:15 pm |
| Shift 3 | 3:00 pm | 4:00 pm | 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm |
Be on time, or you might miss your chance.
Pattern
The RRB Group D CBT will be an objective-type exam consisting of 100 questions spread across four sections. The total time duration is 90 minutes (120 minutes for PwBD candidates using a scribe).
RRB Group D 2025 Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 | |
| Reasoning | 30 | 30 | |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 | 90 mins (General) |
| General Science | 25 | 25 | 120 mins (PwBD) |
There will be negative marking — 1/3rd of a mark deducted for each wrong answer. So, guessing randomly could hurt your score.
Vacancies
The total number of vacancies stands at 32,438, covering a range of positions from track maintainers to assistants in various departments.
Post-wise RRB Group D 2025 Vacancy Details
| Post Name | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Track Maintainer Gr. IV | 13,187 |
| Pointsman-B | 5,058 |
| Assistant (Workshop – Mech.) | 3,077 |
| Assistant (C&W) | 2,587 |
| Assistant (S&T) | 2,012 |
| Assistant TL & AC | 1,041 |
| Assistant TRD | 1,381 |
| Assistant Loco Shed (Electrical) | 950 |
| Assistant (Bridge) | 301 |
| Others | Remaining |
These are Level 1 positions under the 7th CPC pay matrix, offering stability, allowances, and long-term career benefits.
Centres
The exam will be held across all states and union territories, including Tier-1 cities, district towns, and even remote locations. Candidates can expect their centre to be in or near their home state.
Here’s a small sample of the major exam centres:
- Uttar Pradesh: Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Gorakhpur
- Maharashtra: Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik
- Tamil Nadu: Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore
- West Bengal: Kolkata, Siliguri, Durgapur
- Bihar: Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gaya
- Andhra Pradesh: Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati
The exact centre address will be mentioned on your admit card.
Preparation
With less than a week before the admit cards are released, it’s the perfect time to revise smartly. Here’s what you should focus on:
- General Science: NCERT-based questions on Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
- Current Affairs: Last 6 months’ major events, awards, policies, and sports
- Reasoning: Series, analogies, puzzles, syllogisms
- Maths: Simplification, profit-loss, time-speed-distance, percentages
Also, make use of mock tests available online — especially the ones simulating actual CBT format.
With the exam around the corner, time management, smart revision, and knowing the exam format are your keys to cracking this massive competition. More than a crore candidates are chasing limited seats — stand out with focused efforts. Remember, this isn’t just an exam; it’s a ticket to a secure government job with Indian Railways.
Good luck, and don’t forget to download your admit card on time!
FAQs
When will RRB Group D 2025 exam start?
The RRB Group D exam starts on 27 November 2025.
How many vacancies are in RRB Group D 2025?
There are 32,438 vacancies across various posts.
How many shifts will the exam have daily?
The exam will be held in three shifts daily.
Is there negative marking in Group D CBT?
Yes, one-third marks are deducted for wrong answers.
How can I download RRB Group D admit card?
Admit cards will be available 4 days before the exam.
