RRB Station Master Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting organization | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Railways, Government of India |
| Notification number | CEN No. 08/2026 |
| Post name | Station Master |
| Advertisement date in Employment News | October 24, 2026 |
| Total vacancies | 1,215 as stated in the notification summary |
| Pay level | Level 6, 7th CPC |
| Initial basic pay | ₹35,400 per month |
| Educational qualification | Graduate degree from a recognized university or equivalent |
| Age limit | 20–33 years, subject to applicable relaxations |
| Application mode | Online |
| Application start date | October 27, 2026 |
| Last date to apply | November 25, 2026 |
| Last date for fee payment | November 27, 2026 |
| Selection process | CBT, CBAT, DV and Medical Examination |
| Official application portal | https://www.rrbapply.gov.in/ |
| Official RRB website | https://rrb.indianrailways.gov.in/ |
Important Dates for RRB Station Master Recruitment 2026
Candidates should keep track of the following dates to avoid missing any stage of the application process.
| Event | Important Date |
|---|---|
| Indicative notice in Employment News | October 24, 2026 |
| Online application begins | October 27, 2026 |
| Last date to submit the online application | November 25, 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Last date for payment of application fee | November 27, 2026 |
| Application correction window opens | November 28, 2026 |
| Last date for application corrections | December 7, 2026 |
| CBT examination date | To be announced |
| CBAT examination date | To be announced |
| Document Verification | To be announced |
| Final result | To be announced |
Note: The correction window permits modifications to eligible application details upon payment of the prescribed fee. Details entered during account creation, including the registered mobile number and email address, and the selected RRB cannot be changed.
Important Links for RRB Station Master Recruitment 2026
Candidates should use the official websites listed below to access the notification, submit applications and check recruitment updates.
- Official Recruitment Notification : Read the complete CEN No. 08/2026 PDF attached with this article.
- Online Application Portal : Apply Online
- Unified Official RRB Website : Visit RRB Official Website
- CBAT Information : Visit RDSO
Vacancy Details: RRB and Railway Zone-Wise
Annexure B of the notification provides the vacancy distribution by Railway Recruitment Board and railway zone. The table below reproduces the figures given in the attached document.
| RRB | Railway Zone | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | WR | 13 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 31 |
| Ajmer | NWR | 23 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 15 | 49 |
| Ajmer | WCR | 6 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 12 |
| Prayagraj | NCR | 44 | 15 | 7 | 28 | 10 | 104 |
| Prayagraj | NR | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| Bengaluru | SWR | 52 | 12 | 10 | 22 | 6 | 102 |
| Bhopal | WCR | 21 | 8 | 2 | 13 | 5 | 49 |
| Bhopal | WR | 5 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 13 |
| Bhubaneshwar | ECoR | 9 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
| Bilaspur | CR | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
| Bilaspur | SECR | 23 | 7 | 4 | 13 | 5 | 52 |
| Chandigarh | NR | 19 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 28 |
| Chennai | SR | 47 | 19 | 8 | 32 | 13 | 119 |
| Gorakhpur | NER | 1 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 18 |
| Guwahati | NFR | 16 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 37 |
| Jammu-Srinagar | NR | 50 | 18 | 9 | 33 | 12 | 122 |
| Kolkata | ER | 11 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 32 |
| Kolkata | SER | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Malda | ER | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Mumbai | CR | 54 | 18 | 11 | 32 | 10 | 125 |
| Mumbai | SCR | 19 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 28 |
| Mumbai | WR | 10 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 24 |
| Muzaffarpur | ECR | 5 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 14 |
| Patna | ECR | 5 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 17 |
| Ranchi | ECR | 6 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 15 |
| Ranchi | SER | 4 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 |
| Secunderabad | SCR | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Secunderabad | SCoR | 32 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 65 |
| Siliguri | NFR | 10 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 26 |
| Thiruvananthapuram | SR | 42 | 17 | 9 | 32 | 14 | 114 |
UR stands for Unreserved, SC for Scheduled Caste, ST for Scheduled Tribe, OBC for Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer), and EWS for Economically Weaker Sections.
The number of vacancies available to each category and zone may change according to Railway Administration requirements. Candidates should consult Annexure B and select their RRB and zone preferences carefully.
Educational Qualification
According to Annexure A, candidates must possess a graduate degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification to be eligible for the Station Master post.
Important conditions include:
- The required qualification must have been obtained by the last date of online application submission, November 25, 2026.
- Candidates awaiting the final results of their prescribed qualification are not eligible to apply.
- Applicants must provide accurate educational details and produce the relevant original certificates during Document Verification.
- Candidates employed in government departments, Railways or public-sector undertakings may apply, but must inform their employer and produce a No Objection Certificate when required.
Age Limit and Relaxation
The normal age limit for the Station Master post is 20 to 33 years as of January 1, 2027. The notification prescribes category-specific relaxation for eligible candidates.
| Category | Applicable age limit or relaxation |
|---|---|
| UR and EWS | 20–33 years |
| OBC-NCL | 3 years' upper-age relaxation |
| SC/ST | 5 years' upper-age relaxation |
| Eligible Ex-Servicemen | Relaxation as specified in the notification, after deduction of qualifying service |
| Eligible serving Railway staff | Special upper-age limits, subject to prescribed service conditions |
| Eligible widowed, divorced or judicially separated women who have not remarried | Special upper-age limits according to category |
For the general age calculation, the notification specifies the following date-of-birth limits:
| Category | Date of birth must not be earlier than | Date of birth must not be later than |
|---|---|---|
| UR/EWS | January 2, 1994 | January 1, 2007 |
| OBC-NCL | January 2, 1991 | January 1, 2007 |
| SC/ST | January 2, 1989 | January 1, 2007 |
Candidates eligible for more than one age-relaxation provision will receive the highest applicable relaxation rather than cumulative relaxation. SC/ST/OBC-NCL candidates applying against unreserved vacancies cannot claim community-based age relaxation.
Application Fee
The examination fee varies according to the candidate's category. The notification also provides for a refund, subject to applicable bank charges, when the candidate appears in the CBT.
| Candidate category | Fee payable | Refund after appearing in CBT |
|---|---|---|
| All candidates other than the concession categories listed below | ₹500 | ₹400 |
| Female and transgender candidates | ₹250 | ₹250, less applicable bank charges |
| Ex-Servicemen | ₹250 | ₹250, less applicable bank charges |
| SC/ST candidates | ₹250 | ₹250, less applicable bank charges |
| Minority community candidates | ₹250 | ₹250, less applicable bank charges |
| Economically Backward Class (EBC) candidates | ₹250 | ₹250, less applicable bank charges |
Payment must be completed online using the permitted methods, including internet banking, debit or credit cards, and UPI.
Important distinction: EBC, EWS and OBC are three separate categories. EBC eligibility provides an examination-fee concession under the prescribed conditions; it does not, by itself, provide reservation in recruitment. Candidates claiming a concession must possess the relevant supporting documents.
The fee refund is not available for rejected or incomplete applications or candidates who do not meet the refund conditions. Refunds are subject to the Aadhaar-linked bank account requirements set out in the notification.
RRB Station Master Exam Pattern 2026
The recruitment process comprises four stages:
- Single-stage Computer Based Test (CBT).
- Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT).
- Document Verification (DV).
- Medical Examination.
The CBT is a screening examination. Candidates shortlisted on the basis of their CBT performance will proceed to the aptitude test. Final merit is prepared using the prescribed CBT and CBAT weightage, subject to qualifying in all required stages.
CBT exam pattern
| Subject or section | Marks |
|---|---|
| Basic Science, Mathematics and Analytical Capability | 60 |
| Logical Capability | 20 |
| Mental Reasoning | 20 |
| Examination duration | 120 minutes |
| Negative marking | 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer |
The notification specifies that the section-wise distribution is indicative and may vary in the actual question paper.
CBT syllabus
1. Basic Science, Mathematics and Analytical Capability — 60 marks
The syllabus includes two broad areas:
- Basic Science and Mathematics: number systems, ratios, averages, percentages, profit and loss, time, speed and distance, work and power, algebra, linear equations, arithmetic progression, LCM, HCF, geometry, trigonometry, area and volume, basic probability and statistics, units and measurements, density, energy, friction, heat, temperature, electricity, levers and simple machines.
- Data Analysis and Interpretation: analysis of textual, tabular and graphical information, charts, graphs, scatter plots, pie charts, statistical distributions, Venn diagrams, data sufficiency and data arrangement.
2. Logical Capability — 20 marks
Topics include binary logic, syllogisms, clocks and calendars, assumptions, blood relations, family trees and logic-based puzzles. Reading comprehension passages may cover history, society, literature, science, the environment, technology, culture and other subjects.
3. Mental Reasoning — 20 marks
This section covers analogy, series completion, coding-decoding, ranking and arrangement-based problems. The detailed notification states that the syllabus topics are illustrative rather than exhaustive.
Minimum qualifying marks in CBT
| Category | Minimum qualifying percentage |
|---|---|
| UR | 40% |
| EWS | 40% |
| OBC-NCL | 30% |
| SC | 30% |
| ST | 25% |
The prescribed qualifying percentages also apply to Ex-Servicemen according to their respective community category. Qualifying marks do not guarantee selection; candidates must also meet the shortlisting and merit requirements.
Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
The CBAT is a crucial stage for the Station Master recruitment. Candidates will be shortlisted for the aptitude test based on their CBT performance.
Key provisions include:
- Candidates up to eight times the number of vacancies, RRB-wise, will be shortlisted for the CBAT, subject to the notification's provisions.
- The aptitude test will contain questions and answer options in English and Hindi only.
- Candidates must achieve a minimum T-score of 42 in each test battery.
- The minimum T-score requirement applies equally to all categories, without relaxation.
- There is no negative marking in the CBAT.
- Candidates must produce the prescribed original vision certificate at the aptitude test; otherwise, they will not be permitted to appear.
The final merit calculation gives 70% weightage to CBT marks and 30% weightage to CBAT marks. Only candidates who qualify in the CBAT will be considered for the final merit list.
Candidates can also consult the Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO) official website for aptitude-test information.
Medical Standards for Station Master
The post carries the A-2 medical standard, which requires candidates to meet the prescribed physical fitness and visual acuity requirements.
The notification specifies the following visual standards:
| Vision Requirement | Prescribed Standard |
|---|---|
| Distant vision | 6/9 and 6/9 without glasses |
| Near vision | Sn 0.6 and 0.6 without glasses |
| Additional tests | Colour vision, binocular vision, night vision and myopic vision |
Important: The notification states that candidates who have undergone LASIK surgery or another surgical procedure to correct refractive error are not eligible for the Station Master post. Candidates should carefully review the complete medical provisions and applicable annexures before applying.
Candidates who fail the prescribed medical fitness test will not be considered suitable for appointment to this post, and an alternative appointment will not be provided under this recruitment.
Document Verification
Candidates shortlisted following the aptitude test will be called for Document Verification according to merit, vacancy availability and their Railway zone preferences.
Applicants should keep the following documents ready, as applicable:
- Matriculation or Class 10 certificate showing name and date of birth.
- Graduation degree or equivalent qualification certificate and relevant marksheets.
- Valid photo identification.
- Recent caste or category certificates for candidates claiming applicable reservation.
- EWS Income and Asset Certificate, where applicable.
- OBC-NCL certificate and prescribed self-declaration, where applicable.
- EBC fee-concession documents, if claimed.
- Ex-Servicemen documents, where applicable.
- Employer's NOC, where required.
- Other declarations and medical certificates specified in the notification.
Original documents must be produced when requested. Any mismatch between the application and supporting documents, or failure to satisfy the eligibility conditions, may result in rejection of candidature.
How to Apply for RRB Station Master Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates can follow these steps to complete the online application:
- Visit the official RRB website.
- Open the recruitment application link for CEN No. 08/2026.
- Proceed to the RRB Apply portal.
- Create an account if you have not already done so for an earlier RRB recruitment. Candidates with an existing eligible account should use their existing credentials.
- Enter the required personal, educational and other application details.
- Select only one Railway Recruitment Board and provide the required Railway zone preferences.
- Choose the examination language and complete identity verification as instructed.
- Capture the live photograph and upload the signature and other required documents in the prescribed formats.
- Pay the applicable examination fee online.
- Review the details and submit the application. Save the confirmation and payment receipt for future reference.
Candidates should exercise particular care when creating their account because the registered mobile number, email address and selected RRB cannot subsequently be modified.
The notification permits a modification window from November 28 to December 7, 2026, with a non-refundable modification fee of ₹250 per occasion for eligible corrections. It does not permit changes to account-creation details or the selected RRB.
Important Instructions for Applicants
Before applying, candidates should remember the following points:
- Only one application may be submitted to one selected RRB under this notification. Multiple applications can lead to rejection and debarment.
- All eligibility conditions must be met by November 25, 2026.
- Keep the registered mobile number and email address active throughout the recruitment process.
- Check the official RRB websites regularly for examination dates, city information, e-call letters and results.
- The examination city, date and shift cannot be changed on request.
- Candidates should not carry prohibited electronic devices or other banned items to the examination Centre
- No agent or coaching Centre has been appointed by the RRB to guarantee selection. Recruitment is based on merit.
- Selection is provisional until eligibility, original documents, medical fitness and other prescribed requirements are verified.
For application-related assistance, the notification lists the following helpline details:
- Email: rrb.help@csc.gov.in
- Phone: 9592001188 / 01725653333
- Helpline hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on working days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the last date to apply for RRB Station Master Recruitment 2026 ?
The last date for online application submission is November 25, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
2. How many vacancies are available ?
The summary on page 3 states 1,215 vacancies. However, Annexure B totals 1,265 vacancies. Candidates should check the official RRB website for clarification of this discrepancy.
3. What is the educational qualification required ?
Candidates must have a graduate degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification by the application closing date.
4. What is the starting salary for a Station Master ?
The initial basic pay is ₹35,400 per month under Level 6 of the 7th CPC. Other admissible allowances and benefits are subject to applicable Railway rules.
5. What is the age limit ?
The normal age range is 20–33 years as of January 1, 2027, with applicable category-based relaxations.
6. Is there negative marking ?
Yes. The CBT carries a deduction of one-third of the marks allotted to a question for each incorrect answer. The CBAT has no negative marking.
7. Is the CBAT compulsory ?
Yes. Candidates must qualify in the CBAT and achieve the required T-score in each test battery to be considered for Station Master selection.
8. Can candidates who have undergone LASIK surgery apply ?
The attached notification explicitly states that candidates who have undergone LASIK or another refractive-error correction procedure are not eligible for the Station Master post.
9. Where can candidates apply online ?
Applications are submitted through the official RRB Apply portal, accessed through the official RRB website.
Conclusion
RRB Station Master Recruitment 2026 provides an opportunity for eligible graduates seeking employment with Indian Railways. Candidates should review the complete CEN No. 08/2026 notification, verify their age and educational eligibility, pay close attention to the A-2 medical standards and prepare for both the CBT and CBAT.
The immediate priority is to submit the application before November 25, 2026, and complete the fee payment by November 27, 2026. Candidates should also verify the discrepancy between the headline vacancy figure and Annexure B before making decisions based on the total number of posts.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the supplied notification. Candidates should refer to official RRB announcements and any subsequent corrigenda for final and updated recruitment information.
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