Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Reviews RRB Recruitment Process
More Transparency, Accuracy and Faster Completion of Recruitment Processes Emphasized
All Departmental Examinations Now Conducted Through CBT; Railways to Expand Tablet-Based Testing: Ashwini Vaishnaw
43,781 Candidates Given Railway Employment in FY 2025-26 as Indian Railways Accelerates Recruitment Through Structured and Technology-Driven Process
18,799 Assistant Loco Pilots, 14,298 Technicians and 1,376 Paramedical Staff Recruited by Railways in Last Fiscal
Vacancy Notifications Under Annual Recruitment Calendar Well Received by Candidates: Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw today held a high-level review meeting with senior officials of Indian Railways on the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) recruitment process. He underlined the need for a more transparent, accurate and technology-driven system.
Indian Railways has recruited 43,781 candidates in FY 2025-26 through completed recruitment cycles covering 47,084 vacancies across six major categories, reflecting the ongoing acceleration of its recruitment process. These include 18,799 vacancies for Assistant Loco Pilots, 14,298 for Technicians, 452 for Sub-Inspectors, 4,208 for Constables, 7,951 for Junior Engineers (JE)/DMS/CMA, and 1,376 for Paramedical categories.
| Completed Recruitments | ||||
| Posts | CEN No. | Vac notified | Vac notified | Empanelled (Recruited) till date |
| Assistant Loco Pilots (ALPs) | CEN 01/2024 | 18799 | Dec’25 | 17193 |
| Technicians | CEN 02/2024 | 14298 | July’25 | 13416 |
| Sub-Inspectors | CEN RPF 01/2024 | 452 | Jan’26 | 450 |
| Constables | CEN RPF 02/2024 | 4208 | Mar’26 | 4205 |
| Junior Engineer (JE)/DMS/CMA | CEN 03/2024 | 7951 | Oct’25 | 7333 |
| Paramedical categories | CEN 04/2024 | 1376 | Oct’25 | 1184 |
Indian Railways remains firmly committed to strengthening its workforce through continuous and timely recruitment initiatives. With a clear focus on enhancing transparency, efficiency, and the use of advanced technology in the recruitment process, the organization aims to attract and onboard talented individuals across various categories.
| Exams Held & Results Declared | |||||||
| Name of Exam | CENNo. | Vac notified | 1st Stage CBT | Second Stage CBT/PET | 3rd Stage CBAT/TST/CBTST etc. | DV & ME (onwards) | Empanelments (onwards) |
| NTPC –Graduate level | CEN05/2024 | 8113 | 05.06.25to 24.06.25 | 13.10.2025 | 28.12.2025& 11.02.2026 | May’26onwards* | July’26onwards |
| NTPC –Under-Graduatelevel | CEN06/2024 | 3445 | 7.08.2025to 09.09.2025 (19 days; 57 shifts) | 20.12.2025 | 13.02.2026 | June’26* | Aug26 |
| Ministerial & Isolated Categories | CEN07/2024 | 1036 | 10.09.2025to 13.09.2025 | 28.12.2025 | NA | June’26** | July’26 |
| Technicians | CEN02/2025 | 6238 | 06.03.2026to 13.03.2026 | NA | NA | June’26 | Aug26 |
| Paramedical categories | CEN03/2025 | 434 | 11.03.2026 to 13.03.2026 | NA | NA | June’26 | Aug26 |
NTPC: Non Technical Popular Categories
* DV for Non-Typing categories have commenced; Results of Typing categories is expected shortly
** DV for Non-Teaching categories have commenced; Results of Teaching categories is expected shortly
The recruitment process of the Railway Recruitment Boards is inherently complex and large-scale, with examinations conducted across multiple cities and centres nationwide. These Computer Based Tests are held in multiple shifts to accommodate the large volume of candidates and are conducted in as many as 15 languages to ensure accessibility for aspirants from diverse linguistic backgrounds. This multi-city, multi-shift and multilingual framework requires extensive coordination and robust technological systems to ensure fairness, standardisation and transparency across the entire recruitment process.
| Examinations with Final Selection Expected in Next 6 months to 1 year | |||||||
| Name of Exam | CEN No. | Vac notified | 1st Stage CBT | Second Stage CBT/PET | 3rd Stage CBAT/ TST/CBTST etc. | DV & ME (onwards) | Empanelments (onwards) |
| Level-1 | CEN08/2024 | 32438 | 27.11.2025 to 10.02.2026 | NA | |||
| Assistant LocoPilots (ALPs) | CEN 01/2025 | 10970 | 13.02.26 to11.03.26 | 28.07.2026(1,50,000) | *30th Oct’26(90,000) | Nov’26 | Dec’26 |
| Section Controller | CEN04/2025 | 368 | 11.02.26 &12.02.26 | NA | 06.06.2026(3000) | Aug’26 | Sep’26 |
| Junior Engineer (JE)/DMS/CMA | CEN05/2025 | 2585 | 19.02.26,20.02.26 &25.02.26 | 02.07.2026(38860) | NA | Sep’26 | Oct’26 |
| NTPC –Graduate level | CEN06/2025 | 5810 | 16.03.26 to27.03.26 | 10.07.2026 | *30.09.2026 | Dec’26 | Jan’27 |
| NTPC –Under-Graduatelevel | CEN07/2025 | 3058 | 07.05.2026 to 09.05.2026 and 13.06.2026 to 20.06.2026 (exam duefor 25 lakhscandidates) | *17.09.2026 | *04.12.2026 | Mar’27 | Apr’27 |
* Tentative dates of Exams
The Railway Minister noted that the annual recruitment calendar, coupled with quarterly notifications of vacancies, has been well received by candidates. He said the calendar-based recruitment framework has enabled aspirants to plan their preparation more effectively. It brings greater predictability to the recruitment process. Emphasizing the need for continuous improvement, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the Railway recruitment system must keep evolving through the use of technology, faster processes and greater accountability.
Shri Vaishnaw further reviewed the progress made in shifting departmental examinations to Computer Based Test (CBT) mode and stressed that more and more tablet-based examinations should be introduced wherever feasible, so that recruitment becomes faster, more efficient and user-friendly.
Multi-language support in examinations was also highlighted, with the examinations already being conducted in multiple languages across various cities and multiple shifts, ensuring wider accessibility for candidates from diverse linguistic backgrounds across the country and enabling fair and equal participation in the recruitment process without language becoming a barrier.
The Union Minister also directed Railway Recruitment Boards to strengthen communication with candidates and stakeholders. He further underlined that misinformation must be countered promptly with correct information, so that candidates receive accurate updates and confidence in the recruitment process remains strong.
Indian Railways remains committed to a fair, transparent and merit-based recruitment system, supported by technology, structured planning and continuous reforms for the benefit of young aspirants across the country.
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