Guwahati, Assam: The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has announced a significant recruitment drive for 6,557 Technician Grade 1 Signal and Technician Grade 3 posts under Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) 02/2026. Aspiring candidates across India, including those from Assam, must note that today, July 29, 2026, is the final day to submit online applications. This recruitment offers a substantial opportunity for individuals seeking technical roles within the Indian Railways.

Overview

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has released notification CEN 02/2026 for the recruitment of 6,557 Technician Grade 1 Signal and Technician Grade 3 positions. The online application window, which commenced on June 30, 2026, is closing today, July 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM. This nationwide recruitment drive aims to fill various technical roles across different Railway zones and production units, presenting a crucial career opportunity for eligible candidates.

Key Highlights

Particular Details
Organization Railway Recruitment Board (RRB)
Post Name Technician Grade 1 Signal & Technician Grade 3
Total Vacancies 6,557
Notification No. CEN 02/2026
Mode of Application Online
Application Start Date June 30, 2026
Last Date to Apply July 29, 2026 (11:59 PM)
Job Location Across various Railway zones in India
Official Website www.rrbapply.gov.in

About the Organization

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) operates under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, and is responsible for recruiting candidates for various Group C posts within the Indian Railways. Established in 1942 as the Railway Service Commission, it was renamed the Railway Recruitment Board in 1985. There are currently 21 RRBs located across different cities in India, coordinating and monitoring recruitment activities. The RRBs conduct examinations for positions such as Assistant Loco Pilot, Non-Technical Popular Category (NTPC), Junior Engineer, and various technical and non-technical roles. The board plays a crucial role in ensuring a merit-based selection process for a wide array of technical and administrative positions essential for the functioning of the Indian Railways.

Vacancy Details

A total of 6,557 vacancies have been announced under CEN 02/2026 for Technician posts. These vacancies are distributed across two main categories: Technician Grade 1 Signal and Technician Grade 3.

Post Name No. of Vacancies Category-wise Reservation (Tentative)
Technician Grade 1 Signal 323 UR: 120, SC: 50, ST: 37, OBC: 84, EWS: 32
Technician Grade 3 6,234 (Some sources state 6,242) UR: 2,608, SC: 959 (Partial data, full details in official notification)
Total 6,557

The detailed post-wise and RRB-wise breakdown, including comprehensive category-wise reservations (UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PwBD/ExSM), is available in the full CEN 02/2026 notification PDF.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria regarding educational qualification, age limit, and nationality as of July 1, 2026, to be considered for these posts.

Educational Qualification

  • For Technician Grade 1 Signal: Candidates must hold a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Physics, Electronics, Computer Science, Information Technology, or Instrumentation. Alternatively, a three-year diploma in Engineering or a Degree in Engineering in these relevant streams from a recognized institution is also acceptable.
  • For Technician Grade 3: Candidates generally require Matriculation (10th pass) or SSLC along with an ITI certificate from NCVT/SCVT in the relevant trade. Completion of an Act Apprenticeship in the concerned trade is also accepted. For Technician Grade 3 (S&T trades), 10+2 with Physics & Mathematics is required.

Candidates awaiting their final results are not eligible to apply.

Age Limit

The age limits are calculated as on July 1, 2026.

  • Technician Grade 1 Signal: 18 to 33 years
  • Technician Grade 3: 18 to 30 years

Age Relaxation

Age relaxation in the upper age limit is applicable as per Government of India rules:

  • SC/ST candidates: 5 years
  • OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates: 3 years
  • Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 years (UR/EWS), 13 years (OBC-NCL), 15 years (SC/ST)
  • Ex-Servicemen: 3 years (UR/EWS), 6 years (OBC-NCL), 8 years (SC/ST) after deduction of length of service from actual age.
  • Candidates serving Group C and erstwhile Group D Railway Staff with minimum 3 years’ service: Up to 40 years (UR & EWS), 43 years (OBC-NCL), 45 years (SC & ST).
  • Female candidates who are widowed, divorced or judicially separated from husband but not remarried: Up to 35 years (UR & EWS), 38 years (OBC-NCL), 40 years (SC & ST).

Nationality

Candidates must be citizens of India. Valid proof of Indian citizenship, such as an Aadhaar card, Voter ID, or Passport, is required.

Salary & Pay Scale

Selected candidates for Technician posts will receive an attractive salary package as per the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) pay matrix.

  • Technician Grade 1 Signal: Initial Pay of ₹29,200/- in Pay Level 5.
  • Technician Grade 3: Initial Pay of ₹19,900/- in Pay Level 2.

In addition to the basic pay, employees are entitled to various allowances and benefits, including Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), Medical Facilities, Educational Allowance, Railway Duty Pass, Festival Bonus, and City Compensatory Allowance (CCA), making the overall pay package competitive.

Application Fee

The application fee varies by category, with provisions for partial or full refunds after appearing in the Computer Based Test (CBT).

Category Application Fee Refund Policy (After appearing in CBT)
General / OBC / EWS (Male) ₹500/- ₹400/- refunded
SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / PwBD / Female / Transgender / Minorities / Economically Backward Classes ₹250/- Complete ₹250/- refunded

The fee can be paid through Cast at E Challan or Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking.

Selection Process

The selection process for RRB Technician posts generally comprises three main stages, based purely on merit:

  1. Computer Based Test (CBT): This is a single-stage objective-type test. It typically consists of 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 90 minutes. There is a negative marking of 1/3rd mark for each wrong answer. Minimum qualifying marks are 40% for UR/EWS, 30% for OBC-NCL/SC, and 25% for ST categories.
  2. Document Verification (DV): Candidates are shortlisted for Document Verification in a 1:1 ratio against the vacancies based on their merit in the CBT. Original documents, including academic certificates, age proof, and caste certificates, must be produced.
  3. Medical Examination (ME): Candidates who successfully clear Document Verification undergo a medical fitness test conducted by Railway Medical Authorities. The medical standards (A3, B1, B2, or C1) are prescribed for the specific post.

There is no interview or skill test for these posts.

How to Apply

Candidates interested in applying for the RRB Technician posts must submit their applications online through the official RRB application portal. The application window closes today, July 29, 2026.

  1. Visit the official RRB application portal: www.rrbapply.gov.in.
  2. Click on the link for “CEN-02/2026 (Technician)” for Grade 1 Signal and Technician Grade 3 posts.
  3. First-time applicants must click “Create an Account” and provide basic details such as Name, Date of Birth, Parent’s Name, Gender, Email ID, and Mobile Number. Candidates who have previously created an account for any CEN by RRB should log in using their existing credentials.
  4. Fill out the online application form with all required personal, educational, and other relevant details. Ensure all details, especially Aadhaar information, match Class 10 records to avoid verification issues.
  5. Upload scanned copies of necessary documents, including photograph, signature, and other proofs, as per the specifications mentioned in the official notification.
  6. Pay the application fee online through the available payment modes (Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or E-Challan).
  7. Review the application form carefully before final submission.
  8. Submit the application form. A confirmation page will be generated upon successful payment and submission.
  9. Take a printout of the final submitted application form for future reference.

Candidates are advised to apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Important Dates

Event Date
Short Notification Released May 18, 2026
Full Detailed Notification (CEN 02/2026) Released June 29, 2026
Online Application Opens June 30, 2026
Last Date to Submit Application (with fee payment) July 29, 2026 (11:59 PM)
Last Date for Fee Payment July 29, 2026 (Some sources indicate July 31, 2026)
Application Correction Window August 1 to August 10, 2026
CBT Exam Date To be Announced

Official Notification Reference

Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 02/2026 for Recruitment of Technicians (Technician Grade-I Signal & Technician Grade-III) (Source: Railway Recruitment Board)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last date to apply for RRB Technician Recruitment 2026?

The last date to submit online applications for RRB Technician Recruitment 2026 is today, July 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Candidates are advised to complete their applications promptly.

How many vacancies are announced in RRB Technician CEN 02/2026?

A total of 6,557 vacancies have been announced under CEN 02/2026. This includes 323 posts for Technician Grade 1 Signal and 6,234 posts for Technician Grade 3.

What are the educational qualifications required for Technician Grade 1 Signal?

For Technician Grade 1 Signal, candidates need a B.Sc. degree in Physics, Electronics, Computer Science, Information Technology, or Instrumentation, or a three-year Diploma/Degree in Engineering in relevant disciplines.

Is there any age relaxation for reserved categories?

Yes, age relaxation is provided as per Government of India rules. SC/ST candidates receive 5 years, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates receive 3 years, and PwBD candidates receive 10 to 15 years relaxation in the upper age limit.

What is the application fee for RRB Technician posts?

The application fee is ₹500/- for General/OBC/EWS candidates, with ₹400/- refundable after appearing in the CBT. For SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/PwBD/Female/Transgender/Minorities/EBC candidates, the fee is ₹250/-, which is fully refundable after appearing in the CBT.

What is the selection process for RRB Technician recruitment?

The selection process consists of three stages: a Computer Based Test (CBT), followed by Document Verification (DV), and then a Medical Examination (ME). There is no interview.

Can I apply for both Technician Grade 1 Signal and Technician Grade 3 posts?

Yes, candidates can apply for both Grade 1 Signal and Grade 3 posts if they meet the eligibility criteria for each. However, a separate application must be submitted for each Pay Level, as separate CBTs will be conducted.