RRB Junior Translator Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility

Para 13.11 of the CEN sets this paper. It isn't the Professional Ability 50, General Awareness 15, Reasoning 15, Maths 10, Science 10 paper the other seven posts sit. The language parts are pitched at Class 12 (+2) level.

Translation test

Ten times the vacancies are called on CBT merit, taking reservation into account. It's qualifying only at 60 per cent. Fail it and you're out; do brilliantly and your rank doesn't change. With 202 vacancies, that's roughly 2,020 candidates.

Pass marks in the CBT

These can drop by 2 marks for PwBD candidates if there aren't enough to fill their reserved posts.

The RRBs can add another CBT stage if they decide to, and treat the first as qualifying.

Annexure-VII of the CEN says exactly how many questions come from each language topic.

The general 50

The CEN only names the areas: General Knowledge, General Intelligence, Simple Arithmetic and basics of computer. The general syllabus it gives for the other posts is the best guide to level:

• Maths: number systems, BODMAS, decimals, fractions, LCM and HCF, ratio, percentage, mensuration, time and work, time and distance, interest, profit and loss, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, elementary statistics, square roots, ages, calendar and clock, pipes and cisterns.
• Reasoning: analogies, series, coding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogism, jumbling, Venn diagrams, data interpretation and sufficiency, conclusions and decision making, classification, directions, statements and assumptions.
• General awareness: current affairs, Indian geography, history and culture including the freedom movement, polity, economy, environment, sports, science and technology.
• General science: physics, chemistry and life sciences up to Class 10 CBSE.

There's no published syllabus for the translation test. It tests translation both ways, Hindi to English and English to Hindi.

Qualification: both (A) and (B), held on 29 January 2026

(A) A Master's degree from a recognised university, by one of these routes:

1. In Hindi or English, with the other as a compulsory or elective subject, or as the exam medium, at degree level; or
2. In any other subject, in Hindi or English medium, with the other language as a compulsory or elective subject or exam medium at degree level; or
3. In any other subject, with Hindi and English both as compulsory or elective subjects at degree level, or one as the medium and the other as a subject.

(B) Either a recognised diploma or certificate in Hindi-English translation, or two years' Hindi-English translation work in Central or State Government offices, including Government of India undertakings.

A Master's in Hindi alone isn't enough. If your final result comes after the closing date, don't apply. If your certificate is dated after it, bring proof at DV of when the result was declared.

Age on 1 January 2026: 18 to 33

SC, ST and OBC candidates applying against unreserved posts get no relaxation. If you qualify on more than one ground, you get the highest single relaxation, not the sum. Your date of birth must match your Class 10 certificate exactly.

Disability

This is the most widely open post in the notice. It's identified for visual impairment (B, LV), hearing impairment (D, HH), most locomotor disabilities (OA, OL, BL, OAL, CP, LC, DW, AAV, MDy, and SD or SI without neurological or limb dysfunction), ASD(M), SLD, MI, and multiple disabilities including these.

Reservation

Vertical for EWS, SC, ST and OBC-NCL; horizontal for ex-servicemen and PwBD, counted within the total. Backlog PwBD vacancies are listed separately. Every category claim is judged on 29 January 2026, with original certificates in the Annexure I to III formats at DV.

1. CBT: the only stage that counts for merit.
2. Translation test: ten times the vacancies, pass at 60 per cent.
3. Document Verification: as many candidates as vacancies, by merit and options.
4. Medical, standard C2.

Ties go to the older candidate, then alphabetical order of the given name (not surname).

At DV you must prove any category claim or lose your candidature. A false claim gets you debarred from all RRB and RRC exams.

The RRBs only recommend names. The zonal railway or production unit makes the appointment, after the medical, certificate checks and character and antecedent verification, and subject to vacancies.

The Boards warn against touts promising jobs for money. Selection is on the CBT only.

Level-6 of the 7th Pay Commission matrix, starting at ₹35,400. On top come Dearness Allowance, HRA by city, Transport Allowance and railway allowances; NPS and health scheme contributions come off.

You'd work in a Zonal Railway or Production Unit.

Apply online at rrbapply.gov.in. You can apply to only one RRB, with one form listing the posts you want in order. The Board choice is final, and applying to two RRBs gets all your applications rejected.

• The mobile number and email in your account can't be changed, and everything comes by SMS and email. If you made an account for a 2024 or 2025 CEN, use it again.
• Authenticate with DigiLocker or Aadhaar when creating the account. Aadhaar biometrics are checked at the exam centre.
• Choose your Board using the RRB-wise and zone-wise vacancy table in Annexure-B of the CEN. Northern Railway has the biggest share of Junior Translator posts.

Pay online. No fee means rejection. The refund goes to the bank account you give, so get it right.

• Minorities: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Parsis, with a declaration affidavit on stamp paper at DV.
• Economically Backward Class: family income under ₹50,000 a year, shown by income certificate, BPL card or Izzat MST. It gives a fee concession only, not reservation, and is separate from EWS and OBC.

Scribe users must enter scribe details in a separate window after the modification window (11 to 15 February in this cycle).

The employer is Indian Railways. The Railway Recruitment Boards run the exam for posts across the Zonal Railways and Production Units. All eight posts and their vacancies are in the pay table under salary.

The CEN says vacancies can go up, down or to zero, and the railways can cancel them. If they do, the fee isn't refunded.

Every RRB posts the notices on its site, linked from rrb.indianrailways.gov.in.

All eight posts in the notice sit the CBT on the same two days, 14 and 15 July 2026, per the schedule notice of 29 June 2026.

• The exam city and date, and SC and ST travel authority, are released 10 days before.
• The e-call letter comes 4 days before.
• A mock test on the real interface goes up on the RRB websites.

Bring your original Aadhaar or an e-verified printout, keep it unlocked in the UIDAI system, and check its name, date of birth (as on your Class 10 certificate), photo, address and father's name are up to date.

No requests to postpone or change venue, date or shift are accepted, for any stage.

Age is counted on 1 January 2026; qualification and category claims on 29 January 2026. The account details and chosen RRB couldn't be changed in the modification window.

The e-call letter is downloaded from the RRB websites 4 days before the exam, after the city slip 10 days before. Nothing is posted.

For Document Verification bring originals of:

• your Master's degree, plus the translation diploma or certificate or proof of two years' government translation work;
• proof of result date if a certificate is dated after 29 January 2026;
• your Class 10 certificate for date of birth;
• category certificates in the CEN's formats, the minority affidavit or EBC proof if you took the fee concession.

Results and shortlists are posted on the RRB websites linked from rrb.indianrailways.gov.in, and sent by SMS and email.

The merit list is the CBT score alone. You need the pass mark for your community, then a place in the translation test shortlist, a 60 per cent pass in it, and a place within the vacancies for DV.

Everyone is considered for unreserved posts if they meet UR conditions. Unfilled PwBD posts are carried forward as backlog.

No cut-off exists yet: the CBT for this cycle was scheduled for 14 and 15 July 2026. Figures for earlier Junior Translator recruitments came from different notices, sometimes with a different paper.

The published floors are UR and EWS 40 per cent, OBC-NCL and SC 30, ST 25 (2 marks lower for PwBD if needed). The real bar is a place in the top ten times the vacancies in your category, then 60 per cent in the translation test.

1. Learn the twenty language topics. That's 50 marks named in advance. Synonyms, antonyms, prefixes, suffixes, idioms and correction appear on both sides, so prepare them together.
2. Prepare school grammar, fast and accurate. The language level is Class 12, and a well-qualified field will score high.
3. Don't guess blindly. A third of a mark goes for each wrong answer, and you have 54 seconds a question.
4. Cover the general 50 at the level of the CEN's general syllabus, plus basic computer knowledge.
5. Practise translation both ways until 60 per cent is comfortable. The test can only knock you out.
6. Use the official mock test before the day, and build practice sets with the same topic counts.
7. Check part (B) of the qualification before you apply. It's where most candidates fall at DV.

No previous papers have been published for this post, and the CEN has no answer key or objection window.

For CEN 08/2025 the RRBs posted a mock test on the real CBT interface on 4 July 2026, ten days before the exam. Look for the Mock Test Link heading on your Board's site via rrb.indianrailways.gov.in about ten days before each exam.

• Railway Recruitment Boards: rrb.indianrailways.gov.in
• Application portal: rrbapply.gov.in
• Detailed notice: CEN 08/2025 (Isolated Categories), 29 December 2025
• CBT schedule notice of 29 June 2026

What qualification do I need?

A Master's degree involving Hindi and English, plus a translation diploma or certificate or two years' government translation work.

What is the age limit?

18 to 33 on 1 January 2026, with relaxations.

Is the paper the same as for the other posts in the notice?

No. Junior Translator has 30 Hindi, 20 English and 50 general questions.

Is there negative marking?

Yes, a third of a mark.

Are the language questions translated?

No. Hindi questions are only in Hindi and English only in English.

Does the translation test affect my rank?

No. You must pass it at 60 per cent, but merit is the CBT alone.

Can I apply to more than one RRB?

No. Applying to two gets all your applications rejected.

What is the fee?

₹500 (₹400 back if you sit the CBT), or ₹250 for concession categories (all back).

When is the exam?

Tentatively 14 and 15 July 2026.