Railway Exam Calendar 2026-27: Candidates aspiring for railway jobs are advised to refer to the exam calendar carefully to track all critical events. The calendar covers a wide range of recruitment exams including Computer Based Tests (CBTs), document verification, medical examinations, and empanelment schedules.
Aspirants should plan their preparation well in advance and keep all necessary documents ready for document verification and medical stages. As per the latest update from the Ministry of Railways, Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw has reviewed the RRB recruitment process and emphasized the need for more transparency, accuracy, and faster completion of recruitments. Check the complete Railway Exam Calendar 2026-27, upcoming exam dates, and other details here.
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Railway Exam Calendar 2026-27
The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) conduct large-scale examinations across multiple cities, languages, and shifts every year. The Railway Exam Calendar 2026-27 provides a structured schedule for all ongoing and upcoming recruitments under Indian Railways. Candidates preparing for various RRB posts can check the complete schedule below and plan their preparation accordingly.
In FY 2025-26, Indian Railways successfully recruited 43,781 candidates across 47,084 vacancies in six major categories — Assistant Loco Pilots (18,799), Technicians (14,298), Sub-Inspectors (452), Constables (4,208), Junior Engineers/DMS/CMA (7,951), and Paramedical staff (1,376). The annual recruitment calendar coupled with quarterly vacancy notifications has been widely appreciated by candidates for bringing greater predictability to the recruitment process.
Exams Held & Results Declared (RRB 2026)
| Name of Exam | CEN No. | Vacancies | 1st Stage CBT | 2nd Stage CBT/PET | 3rd Stage | DV & ME | Empanelment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NTPC – Graduate Level | CEN 05/2024 | 8,113 | 05–24 Jun 2025 | 13 Oct 2025 | 28 Dec 2025 & 11 Feb 2026 | May 2026 onwards* | July 2026 onwards |
| NTPC – Under-Graduate Level | CEN 06/2024 | 3,445 | 7 Aug – 9 Sep 2025 | 20 Dec 2025 | 13 Feb 2026 | June 2026* | Aug 2026 |
| Ministerial & Isolated Categories | CEN 07/2024 | 1,036 | 10–13 Sep 2025 | 28 Dec 2025 | NA | June 2026** | July 2026 |
| Technicians | CEN 02/2025 | 6,238 | 6–13 Mar 2026 | NA | NA | June 2026 | Aug 2026 |
| Paramedical Categories | CEN 03/2025 | 434 | 11–13 Mar 2026 | NA | NA | June 2026 | Aug 2026 |
*DV for Non-Typing/Non-Teaching categories has commenced; results of Typing/Teaching categories expected shortly.
Railway Exam Calendar 2026-27: Final Selection Expected in Next 6 Months to 1 Year
| Name of Exam | CEN No. | Vacancies | 1st Stage CBT | 2nd Stage CBT/PET | 3rd Stage | DV & ME |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level-1 | CEN 08/2024 | 32,438 | 27 Nov 2025 – 10 Feb 2026 | NA | — | — |
| Assistant Loco Pilots (ALPs) | CEN 01/2025 | 10,970 | 13 Feb – 11 Mar 2026 | 28 Jul 2026 (1,50,000) | *30 Oct 2026 (90,000) | Nov 2026 |
| Section Controller | CEN 04/2025 | 368 | 11–12 Feb 2026 | NA | 06 Jun 2026 (3,000) | Aug 2026 |
| Junior Engineer (JE)/DMS/CMA | CEN 05/2025 | 2,585 | 19, 20 & 25 Feb 2026 | 02 Jul 2026 (38,860) | NA | Sep 2026 |
| NTPC – Graduate Level | CEN 06/2025 | 5,810 | 16–27 Mar 2026 | 10 Jul 2026 | *30 Sep 2026 | Dec 2026 |
| NTPC – Under-Graduate Level | CEN 07/2025 | 3,058 | 7–9 May 2026 & 13–20 Jun 2026 | *17 Sep 2026 | *04 Dec 2026 | Mar 2027 |
*Tentative dates
Railway Exam Calendar 2026-27 Important Points
Candidates should keep in mind the following key highlights of the Railway Exam Calendar 2026-27:
- The annual recruitment calendar brings greater predictability and helps aspirants plan their preparation more effectively.
- All departmental examinations are now conducted through Computer Based Test (CBT) mode for greater transparency and efficiency.
- Indian Railways is expanding tablet-based testing wherever feasible to make the recruitment process faster and more user-friendly.
- Examinations are conducted in 15 languages across multiple cities and shifts to ensure wider accessibility for candidates from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
- Railway Recruitment Boards have been directed to strengthen communication with candidates and counter misinformation promptly with accurate updates.
- Candidates appearing for Document Verification (DV) are advised to keep all original documents ready as per the schedule.
FAQs
Q1. Has the Railway Exam Calendar 2026-27 been released?
Yes, the Railway Recruitment Board has released the exam schedule for 2026-27 covering upcoming CBT dates, DV schedules, and empanelment timelines for various posts.
Q2. How many candidates were recruited by Indian Railways in FY 2025-26?
Indian Railways recruited 43,781 candidates in FY 2025-26 across 47,084 vacancies in six major categories including ALPs, Technicians, Sub-Inspectors, Constables, Junior Engineers, and Paramedical staff.
Q3. When is the 2nd Stage CBT for RRB ALP CEN 01/2025?
The 2nd Stage CBT for Assistant Loco Pilots (CEN 01/2025) is scheduled for 28 July 2026 for 1,50,000 candidates, with a subsequent round tentatively on 30 October 2026 for 90,000 candidates.
Q4. When is the RRB NTPC Under-Graduate Level (CEN 07/2025) 2nd Stage CBT?
The 2nd Stage CBT for NTPC Under-Graduate Level (CEN 07/2025) is tentatively scheduled for 17 September 2026.
Q5. In how many languages are RRB exams conducted?
RRB examinations are conducted in 15 languages to ensure accessibility for candidates from diverse linguistic backgrounds across India.
Q6. Where can candidates check the Railway Exam Calendar 2026-27?
Candidates can check the complete Railway Exam Calendar 2026-27 on the official RRB regional websites and through official notifications issued by the Ministry of Railways / Press Information Bureau (PIB).
