RPF SI Eligibility Criteria 2026: If you want to become a Sub Inspector (SI) in the Railway Protection Force (RPF), you must first meet the eligibility conditions for age, education, nationality, physical standards and medical fitness. Even a small gap, such as being 1 cm short in height or failing the 1,600-metre run, can end your selection.
The RPF SI 2026 notification has not been released yet, and there is no official vacancy count. Reports suggest that future RPF recruitment may be conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), but candidates should rely only on an official notice. Until the new notification comes, the best guide is the last official notice, CEN RPF 01/2024, which recruited 452 Sub Inspectors (384 male and 68 female).
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RPF SI Eligibility 2026 at a Glance
In this article, we explain the complete RPF SI eligibility criteria 2026, based on the last notification, including the age limit and relaxation, educational qualification, height and chest standards, Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and medical standards.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Railway Protection Force (RPF), Ministry of Railways |
| Post | Sub Inspector (Executive) |
| Nationality | Indian citizen |
| Age Limit | 20 to 25 years (normal); 20 to 28 years in the 2024 cycle due to one-time relaxation |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university |
| Height (Male, UR/OBC) | 165 cm |
| Height (Female, UR/OBC) | 157 cm |
| Chest (Male, UR/OBC) | 80 cm unexpanded, 85 cm expanded |
| PET (Male) | 1,600 m in 6 min 30 sec, long jump 12 ft, high jump 3 ft 9 in |
| PET (Female) | 800 m in 4 min, long jump 9 ft, high jump 3 ft |
| Medical Standard | B-1 (Indian Railway Medical Manual) |
| Pay Level | Level 6 (Rs. 35,400 basic) |
| 2026 Notification | Not yet released |
| Official Website | rpf.indianrailways.gov.in |
RPF SI Nationality
Only Indian citizens can apply for the RPF Sub Inspector post. Candidates must give correct details in the application and produce valid proof during document verification. Wrong or fake documents will lead to cancellation of candidature at any stage.
RPF SI Age Limit 2026
| Particulars | Age |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 20 years |
| Maximum age (normal rule) | 25 years |
| Maximum age allowed in CEN RPF 01/2024 | 28 years (one-time relaxation of 3 years) |
In the 2024 cycle, age was counted as on 1 July 2024, and a one-time 3-year relaxation raised the upper limit to 28 years. Whether this extra relaxation continues in the 2026 notification will be known only when it is released.
Category-wise Age Relaxation
| Category | Age Relaxation (upper limit) |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (6+ months’ service after attestation) | UR/EWS: 3 years; OBC-NCL: 6 years; SC/ST: 8 years, after deducting length of service |
| Widowed, divorced or judicially separated women (not remarried) | UR/EWS: 2 years; OBC-NCL: 5 years; SC/ST: 7 years |
| Central Government employees (3+ years’ regular service, other than Ex-Servicemen) | UR/EWS: 5 years; OBC-NCL: 8 years; SC/ST: 10 years |
Example: In the 2024 cycle, an SC candidate could apply up to the age of 33 years (28 + 5), and an OBC-NCL candidate up to 31 years (28 + 3).
RPF SI Educational Qualification
- Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
- There is no minimum percentage required in graduation.
- The same qualification applies to all categories, with no relaxation.
- In the 2024 cycle, final-year students were allowed to apply, provided they had the degree by the cut-off date set in the notification. Check the 2026 notice for the exact rule.
RPF SI Physical Measurement Test (PMT)
The PMT checks your height (and chest, for men). It is qualifying only, and no marks are given. If you fall short of the minimum height or chest measurement, you will be declared failed in the PMT.
Physical Standards for Male and Female Candidates
| Category | Height – Male | Height – Female | Chest – Male (Unexpanded) | Chest – Male (Expanded) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UR / EWS / OBC | 165 cm | 157 cm | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| SC / ST | 160 cm | 152 cm | 76.2 cm | 81.2 cm |
| Garhwalis, Gorkhas, Marathas, Dogras, Kumaonese and other notified categories | 163 cm | 155 cm | 80 cm | 85 cm |
Key points:
- Chest is measured only for male candidates. Female candidates are checked for height only.
- The chest must expand by at least 5 cm.
- If a male candidate’s unexpanded chest is below the limit, the expanded chest is not measured, and he is disqualified.
- The PMT is mainly based on height and chest. Some websites also mention a minimum weight of 50 kg for SC and 48 kg for ST male candidates, so check the 2026 notification for any weight standard. Your weight should in any case be in proportion to your height for the medical test.
Note: Some websites show the UR chest as 85 cm unexpanded. The correct figure, as per the official 2024 notification, is 80 cm unexpanded and 85 cm expanded.
RPF SI Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
The PET tests your stamina and fitness. Like the PMT, it is qualifying only.
| Event | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Race | 1,600 m in 6 min 30 sec | 800 m in 4 min |
| Long Jump | 12 feet | 9 feet |
| High Jump | 3 feet 9 inches | 3 feet |
How the PET works:
- The race is held first. Only those who finish within the time move on to the long jump and high jump.
- Candidates usually get multiple chances for the long jump and high jump, as per the notification.
- After the PET, height (and chest for men) is measured under the PMT.
- Candidates must pass every event to qualify.
Tip: Train for at least 3 months. Aim to finish the 1,600 m run in about 6 minutes in practice, so you have a safety margin on the test day.
RPF SI Medical Standards
Candidates called for document verification also go through a medical test by the Railway administration. They must meet medical category B-1 of the Indian Railway Medical Manual.
Candidates with the following conditions are not eligible:
- Wearing spectacles
- Colour blindness
- Squint eyes
- Flat feet
- Knock knees
- Other physical deformities that affect the duties of the post
Being called for the medical test does not guarantee appointment.
RPF SI Selection Process
Based on the 2024 cycle, selection has three stages:
| Stage | Details | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Computer Based Test (CBT) | 120 questions, 90 minutes; General Awareness, Arithmetic, and General Intelligence & Reasoning; 1/3 negative marking | Merit decides selection |
| 2. PET and PMT | Race, long jump, high jump, height and chest | Qualifying |
| 3. Document Verification and Medical | Original documents and B-1 medical test | Qualifying |
If RPF SI recruitment moves to SSC, the exam pattern may change. Check the 2026 notification.
Also Read: CISF Constable Driver Exam Date 2026 Out: Check Schedule and Exam Pattern
FAQs
What is the age limit for RPF SI 2026?
The normal age limit is 20 to 25 years. In the 2024 cycle, a one-time relaxation raised it to 28 years. The final limit for 2026 will be confirmed in the notification.
What qualification is needed for RPF SI?
A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
Is there a minimum percentage in graduation for RPF SI?
No. There is no minimum percentage required.
What is the height required for RPF SI for males?
165 cm for UR/EWS/OBC, 160 cm for SC/ST, and 163 cm for Garhwalis, Gorkhas, Marathas, Dogras, Kumaonese and other notified categories.
What is the RPF SI height for female candidates?
157 cm for UR/EWS/OBC, 152 cm for SC/ST, and 155 cm for notified hill categories.
What is the chest measurement for RPF SI?
For UR/EWS/OBC men: 80 cm unexpanded and 85 cm expanded. For SC/ST men: 76.2 cm and 81.2 cm. There is no chest test for women.
What is the running time for the RPF SI PET?
Men must run 1,600 metres in 6 minutes 30 seconds. Women must run 800 metres in 4 minutes.
Can candidates with spectacles apply for RPF SI?
They can apply, but candidates who wear spectacles are not fit under the B-1 medical standard required for appointment.
How much age relaxation do OBC candidates get?
3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates. SC/ST candidates get 5 years.
Has the RPF SI 2026 notification been released?
No. As of October 2026, the notification has not been released. Keep checking rpf.indianrailways.gov.in and ssc.gov.in.
