RRB Releases CEN-09/26 Notice; Apply Online from November 5
In a major development for government job aspirants seeking specialized roles within the Indian Railways, the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially rolled out a short employment notification for its prestigious Isolated and Ministerial Categories under Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) number CEN-09/26. The centralized recruitment drive aims to fill 195 vacant positions spanning diverse operational, administrative, and teaching wings across various railway zones nationwide. According to the board’s timeline, the digital registration window will formally open for all qualified candidates on November 5, 2026, with the online application process concluding on December 4, 2026.
Tiered Eligibility and Pay Matrix: Vacancies Open from 12th Pass to Postgraduates Across Level 2 to Level 7
The 195 positions listed under CEN-09/26 accommodate a wide academic spectrum, requiring qualifications ranging from intermediate (Class 12) completion to bachelor's degrees and postgraduate credentials, depending strictly on the technical nature of each post. The base entry age stands at 18 years, while the upper age threshold ranges across 30, 32, 33, 35, or 40 years relative to individual designations, with candidate age cutoffs benchmarked firmly as of January 1, 2027. Category-specific relaxations for SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, and other reserved classifications will apply as per standard government directives. Successful recruits will be onboarded across a lucrative salary structure spanning 7th CPC Pay Level 2 through Pay Level 7, along with standard central government allowances and benefits.
Multi-Phase Selection Framework and Application Fee Refund Protocol on Official Portal
Candidates seeking selection must qualify through an initial Computer-Based Test (CBT), with those meeting category cutoffs advancing to position-specific practical rounds, including the Stenography Skill Test, Performance Test, or Teaching Skill Assessment, followed by document scrutiny and railway medical fitness checks. All registrations must be processed strictly through the central web portal at rrbapply.gov.in, as no hard-copy submissions will be entertained. The application fee is set at ₹500 for General, OBC, and standard applicants, with a reduced fee of ₹250 prescribed for SC, ST, and exempted categories. Following appearance in CBT 1, the Railway Recruitment Board will refund ₹400 to eligible General, OBC, and EWS candidates, while applicants paying the ₹250 concession fee will receive a full 100% reimbursement directly to their registered bank accounts.
