RRB Technician Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility

Three stages

1. Computer Based Test, separate for each pay level
2. Document Verification, shortlisted at 1:1 of the vacancies
3. Medical Examination

There's no second CBT. One paper decides your merit, unlike JE or NTPC where a screening stage comes first.

Technician Grade I Signal (Level 5)

100 questions, 100 marks, 90 minutes.

Technician Grade III (Level 2)

100 questions, 100 marks, 90 minutes.

Grade I Signal has engineering and computing but no General Science. Grade III has 10th-standard General Science and neither of the others. Only reasoning and general awareness are shared, at different weights. The CEN calls both splits indicative.

Negative marking and the qualifying bar

1/3 mark is deducted for every wrong answer, in both papers.

PwBD candidates may be relaxed by 2 marks if reserved vacancies would otherwise go unfilled. Marks are normalised across shifts.

Ties: the older candidate ranks higher, then alphabetical order of given name.

Technician Grade I Signal (Level 5)

Basic Science and Engineering (35 marks, the largest section). Physics fundamentals: units, measurements, mass, weight, density, work, power and energy, speed and velocity, heat and temperature. Electricity and magnetism: electric charge, field and intensity; electric potential and potential difference; simple electric circuits; conductors and insulators; Ohm's law and its limitations; resistances in series and parallel and specific resistance; the relation between electric potential, energy and power; Ampere's law; magnetic force on a moving charged particle and on long straight conductors; electromagnetic induction, Faraday's law and electromagnetic flux; magnetic field and magnetic induction. Electronics and measurements: basic electronics, digital electronics, electronic devices and circuits, microcontroller, microprocessor, electronic measurements, measuring systems and principles, range extension methods, cathode ray oscilloscope, LCD and LED panels, transducers.

Basics of Computers and Applications (20 marks). Architecture of computers; input and output devices; storage devices; networking; operating systems such as Windows, Unix and Linux; MS Office; data representation; internet and email; websites and web browsers; computer virus.

Mathematics (20 marks). Number system, rational and irrational numbers, BODMAS, quadratic equations, arithmetic progression, similar triangles, Pythagoras' theorem, co-ordinate geometry, trigonometrical ratios, heights and distances, surface area and volume. Sets: representation, empty, finite and infinite sets, equal sets, subsets, subsets of the reals, universal set, Venn diagrams, union, intersection, difference, complement and its properties. Statistics: range, mean deviation, variance and standard deviation of grouped and ungrouped data. Probability: occurrence of events, exhaustive events, mutually exclusive events.

General Intelligence and Reasoning (15 marks). Analogies, alphabetical and number series, coding and decoding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogism, jumbling, Venn diagram, data interpretation and sufficiency, conclusions and decision making, similarities and differences, analytical reasoning, classification, directions, statements with arguments and assumptions.

General Awareness (10 marks). Current affairs, Indian geography, culture and history of India including the freedom struggle, Indian polity and constitution, Indian economy, environmental issues concerning India and the world, sports, general scientific and technological developments.

Technician Grade III (Level 2)

General Science (40 marks, the largest section). Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences at 10th standard level.

Mathematics (25 marks). Number system, BODMAS, decimals, fractions, LCM, HCF, ratio and proportion, percentages, mensuration, time and work, time and distance, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, elementary statistics, square root, age calculations, calendar and clock, pipes and cistern.

General Intelligence and Reasoning (25 marks). As for Grade I Signal.

General Awareness (10 marks). Current affairs in science and technology, sports, culture, personalities, economics, politics and other subjects of importance.

The CEN says both lists are illustrative and not necessarily exhaustive.

Technician Grade I Signal (Level 5)

A B.Sc. in Physics, Electronics, Computer Science, Information Technology or Instrumentation (or a combination of these), or a three-year engineering diploma in those streams, or an engineering degree in them.

Technician Grade III (Level 2)

Matriculation or SSLC plus an ITI (NCVT or SCVT) in the trade prescribed for the post, or Matriculation or SSLC plus a Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in that trade.

Trades differ by post. Track Machine accepts Fitter, Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, Instrument Mechanic, Mechanic Mechatronics, Mechanic Diesel, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Welder or Machinist; Blacksmith accepts Forger and Heat Treater, Foundryman, Pattern Maker or Moulder (Refractory); Bridge accepts Fitter, Fitter (Structural) or Welder. Read Annexure A of the CEN before choosing preferences.

Engineering graduates and Grade III

The CEN says a diploma or degree in engineering will NOT be accepted in lieu of an ITI or Course Completed Act Apprenticeship for Level 2 posts, unless stated otherwise. A Graduate Act apprentice doesn't count either. So an engineer without an ITI can apply for the 323 Grade I Signal posts but none of the 6,234 Grade III posts.

Age, as on 1 July 2026

Relaxations: 5 years for SC and ST; 3 years for OBC-NCL; 3, 6 or 8 years by category for ex-servicemen with six months' continuous service after attestation, after deducting service; 10, 13 or 15 years by category for PwBD; and higher limits for serving Railway Group C and former Group D staff and substitutes with three years' service.

You must hold the qualification by the closing date, 29 July 2026. If you're awaiting a final result, don't apply.

1. Computer Based Test, separate for each pay level, normalised across shifts. There's no second CBT.
2. Document Verification at 1:1 of the vacancies for that pay level, on CBT merit.
3. Medical Examination to the standard for the post.

Appointment also needs final document checks and verification of antecedents and character.

One RRB per pay level

Pick one RRB for each pay level and list zonal railways and posts within it. Apply to two RRBs for the same pay level and all those applications are rejected. You can choose different RRBs for Level 5 and Level 2, with separate applications and fees.

Preferences

You're only considered for posts you opt for; leaving one out counts as unwilling. Options are final once submitted.

Medical standards

The 25 post categories have different standards: A3 for Track Machine, B1 for most (including Grade I Signal), B2 for Crane Driver, C1 for the workshop trades. Check before ranking a post; failing the standard for a post you opted for doesn't get you another one.

That's about Rs 9,300 more basic pay at Level 5, which is why anyone eligible for both should sit both.

Dearness, House Rent and Transport Allowance are added at the rates for the posting, plus departmental allowances. These change with DA revisions and city class.

Fee, and how much comes back

Pay separately for each pay level. The refund goes only to those who sit the CBT.

EBC here is neither OBC nor EWS, and it isn't the Extremely Backward Class certificate some states issue. To claim the EBC concession you need, when you apply, an EBC certificate, a BPL card, an Izzat MST, or a Central Government poverty alleviation programme certificate, shown in original at Document Verification.

Two pay levels, two applications

Each pay level needs its own application, since each has its own CBT. One form doesn't cover both.

The 'Create an Account' details and your chosen RRB can never be changed. Other details could be changed in the paid modification window (dates below).

The CBT is held at computer-based test centres allotted to the candidate, and the examination schedule and venues are communicated through the RRB websites, SMS and email.

Where the CBT runs in multiple shifts, marks are normalised across them, so a raw score from a harder shift is not directly comparable with one from an easier shift.

CEN No. 02/2026 (Technician Categories), published on the RRB websites on 30 June 2026.

Applications for this cycle have closed. CBT dates, results and empanelment come out on each RRB's own website.

Vacancies: 6,557

The biggest trade is Fitter (PU and WS) with 1,109 posts, then Welder (PU and WS) with 584 and Carriage and Wagon with 501. The smallest is Crane Driver, with 13. The RRB-wise and zone-wise split in Annexure B is provisional and may change.

City and date intimation and the e-call letter are downloaded from the website of the RRB you applied to, and are notified by SMS and email to the registered mobile number and address.

Requests to postpone a stage, or to change the venue, date or shift, are not entertained under any circumstances.

Because there is a separate CBT for each pay level, a candidate who applied for both receives two call letters for two examinations on different dates.

CBT results, Document Verification lists and empanelment are published on the website of the RRB you applied to.

Merit comes from the single CBT, normalised across shifts. Ties go to the older candidate, then alphabetical order of given name.

If empanelment falls short, RRBs can go further down the merit list, by merit and options, though this gives no one a right to it.

RRBs recommend names; the Railway administration appoints, subject to the medical test and document and antecedent checks.

Clearing the qualifying percentage (under exam pattern) only makes your paper count. The real cut-off is set at 1:1 of the vacancies, per RRB, per community and per pay level, on normalised marks, so the same score can pass at one board and fail at another.

RRBs publish the actual cut-offs with their results on their own websites, after the CBT. None has been published for this CEN yet.

1. Prepare for your pay level's paper. Grade I Signal is 35 marks of engineering and 20 of computing; Grade III is 40 marks of 10th-standard General Science. There's no single "RRB Technician syllabus".
2. If you're eligible for both, sit both. They're separate exams on different dates, and most of the second fee comes back if you attend.
3. Grade III: General Science is 40 of 100 marks, only to 10th standard. It's the biggest and easiest section to build up.
4. Grade I Signal: Basic Science and Engineering is 35 marks, from mechanics through electricity and magnetism to microprocessors, transducers and the CRO. The electronics end is examined.
5. Grade I Signal: don't skip the 20-mark computer section. It's factual and worth twice General Awareness.
6. Mind the 1/3 penalty. Three wrong answers cancel one right one, and there's no later stage to recover in.
7. Match your ITI trade to Annexure A and check each post's medical standard before ranking preferences.
8. Choose your RRB with vacancies in mind. Shortlisting is RRB-wise at 1:1, and the choice is final.
9. Turn up even if under-prepared: the refund depends on it.

RRB portal (Indian Railways): rrb.indianrailways.gov.in

Application portal: rrbapply.gov.in

CEN No. 02/2026, the full notification (PDF): Technician Categories, English

FAQ on CEN 02/2026 (PDF): FAQ, English

Results, e-call letters and cut-offs appear on each RRB's own site, not centrally. Use the board you applied to.

Is there one Technician exam or two?

Two. Grade I Signal (Level 5) and Grade III (Level 2) each have their own CBT, application and fee.

I have a B.Tech. Can I apply for Technician Grade III?

Not on the degree. Without an ITI or Act Apprenticeship you can only apply for Grade I Signal.

Is a Graduate Act apprenticeship accepted?

No, not in place of a Course Completed Act Apprenticeship.

Is there a second-stage CBT?

No. One CBT, then Document Verification, then the medical.

Is there negative marking?

Yes, 1/3 of the question's marks.

How much is the fee, and is it refunded?

Rs 500 (Rs 400 back if you sit the CBT) or Rs 250 for concession categories (all back), per pay level.

What is the age limit?

18 to 33 for Grade I Signal and 18 to 30 for Grade III, as on 1 July 2026, plus relaxations.

What is the pay?

Rs 29,200 basic for Grade I Signal, Rs 19,900 for Grade III, plus allowances.

How many vacancies?

6,557: 323 Grade I Signal and 6,234 Grade III.

Can I apply to more than one RRB?

Not for the same pay level. You can pick a different RRB for each level.