RRB Annual Recruitment Calendar 2026 Released: Check Notification Dates for ALP, NTPC, JE, and Level 1
Date: December 13, 2025
Category: Railway Jobs / Central Govt Jobs
The Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) has officially released the Annual Calendar for RRB Recruitments for the year 2026. This advance notice is a massive opportunity for railway aspirants to plan their preparation strategy well ahead of time. The official circular (No. 2024/E(RRB)/25/38) outlines the schedule for major exams including ALP, Technicians, NTPC, Junior Engineers, and Level 1 (Group D).
Here is the complete breakdown of the 2026 Railway Recruitment schedule.
RRB Recruitment 2026: Important Timeline
According to the official notification dated 05.12.2025, the recruitment cycle will be divided into four periods throughout the year. Below is the schedule for the release of draft Centralized Employment Notifications (CEN).
1. January – March 2026
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Post Name: Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)
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Vacancy Assessment Upto: 30.06.2027
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Expected Notification (Draft CEN): February 2026
2. April – June 2026
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Post Name: Technicians
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Expected Notification: March 2026
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Post Name: Section Controller
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Expected Notification: April 2026
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3. July – September 2026
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Post Names:
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Junior Engineers (JE)
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Depot Material Superintendent (DMS)
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Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA)
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Paramedical Categories
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Expected Notification: July 2026
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Post Names:
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Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) – Graduate (Level 4, 5 & 6)
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Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) – Under Graduate (Level 2 & 3)
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Expected Notification: August 2026
4. October – December 2026
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Post Name: Ministerial & Isolated Categories
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Expected Notification: September 2026
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Post Name: Level 1 (Group D)
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Expected Notification: October 2026
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List of Nodal RRBs for 2026
The Railway Board has nominated specific Railway Recruitment Boards (Nodal RRBs) to handle the recruitment process for specific categories.
Key Highlights from the Notification
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Vacancy Calculation: The vacancies for these posts are being assessed well into the future (up to June 2027 or September 2027 depending on the category), ensuring a good number of seats.
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Section Controller: A specific mention of “Section Controller” as a separate category with a notification in April 2026 is a notable update.
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Vacancies Adjustment: Zonal Railways have been instructed to deduct vacancies that were already indented in the 2025 recruitment year if that process hasn’t been completed yet.
Important Links
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Official Website:https://indianrailways.gov.in/
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Download Official Calendar PDF: Click Here
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