RRB Group D Syllabus 2026: Quick Answer
The RRB Group D syllabus 2026 has four subjects: Mathematics (25 questions), General Intelligence and Reasoning (30), General Science (25) and General Awareness and Current Affairs (20), asked in one Computer Based Test (CBT) of 100 questions in 90 minutes. Every question carries 1 mark and 1/3 mark is deducted for each wrong answer, as per the official CEN No. 09/2025 (Para 14.1).
Key takeaway (official): General Science is set at Class 10 (CBSE) level covering Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences. To be shortlisted you need at least 40% (UR and EWS) or 30% (OBC-NCL, SC and ST) in the CBT, and then you must pass the Physical Efficiency Test (PET).
Official source: CEN No. 09/2025 detailed notice (PDF), hosted on RRB Chandigarh's website. This notification covers 22,195 Level 1 posts with an initial pay of ₹18,000.
RRB Group D Exam Pattern 2026 (CBT)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 |
| General Science | 25 | 25 |
| General Awareness and Current Affairs | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
| Pattern detail | As per CEN 09/2025 |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer Based Test, objective multiple choice |
| Duration | 90 minutes (120 minutes for candidates eligible for a scribe) |
| Marks per question | 1 |
| Negative marking | 1/3 mark for each wrong answer |
| Sectional time limit | None mentioned in the CEN |
| Normalisation | Yes, when the CBT is held in multiple shifts |
The CEN says the section-wise split is only indicative and the actual paper may vary slightly. It also allows Railways to hold the CBT in more than one stage if needed; in that case the first stage can be treated as a qualifying test.
RRB Group D Minimum Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum % for shortlisting | Marks out of 100 |
|---|---|---|
| UR | 40% | 40 |
| EWS | 40% | 40 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 30% | 30 |
| SC | 30% | 30 |
| ST | 30% | 30 |
For PwBD candidates, these percentages may be relaxed by 2 marks if there is a shortage of PwBD candidates against reserved vacancies. Qualifying marks only make you eligible; the final list is drawn on CBT merit, Railway-wise and category-wise.
RRB Group D Maths Syllabus 2026
The official topic list for Mathematics (25 questions):
| Topic group | Topics named in CEN 09/2025 | BookOfExams notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic basics | Number system, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM, HCF, Square root | Number system, LCM and HCF tricks, simplification |
| Ratio and percentage | Ratio and Proportion, Percentages | Percentage tricks, ratio and proportion |
| Commercial maths | Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss | Profit and loss tricks |
| Time-based | Time and Work, Time and Distance, Pipes and Cistern | Time and work, speed, time and distance, pipe and cistern |
| Advanced | Mensuration, Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics | Mensuration formulas, statistics formulas |
| Miscellaneous | Age Calculations, Calendar and Clock | Calendar odd days trick |
Tip: Group D maths is mostly Class 10 level. Speed in percentage, ratio, SI/CI and time-and-work wins more marks than deep geometry.
RRB Group D Reasoning Syllabus 2026
General Intelligence and Reasoning carries the most questions (30). The CEN lists:
- Analogies, Similarities and Differences, Classification
- Alphabetical and Number Series
- Coding and Decoding
- Mathematical operations
- Relationships (blood relations)
- Syllogism
- Jumbling
- Venn Diagram
- Data Interpretation and Sufficiency
- Conclusions and Decision making
- Analytical Reasoning
- Directions
- Statement – Arguments and Assumptions
Practise these with our RRB Group D reasoning questions note, then coding-decoding tricks and Venn diagram questions.
RRB Group D General Science Syllabus 2026
The CEN states that General Science covers Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences of 10th standard level (CBSE). It does not list chapters, so use the Class 9 and 10 NCERT science books as the base.
| Part | What to cover (Class 9-10 level) | Revise with |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Motion, force, work and energy, gravitation, sound, light, electricity, magnetism | Physics for RRB Group D |
| Chemistry | Matter, atoms and molecules, chemical reactions, acids, bases and salts, metals and non-metals, carbon compounds, periodic classification | Chemistry for RRB Group D |
| Life Sciences | Cell, tissues, life processes, human body, heredity, our environment | Biology for RRB Group D |
The chapter column follows the CBSE Class 9-10 science syllabus that the CEN points to; it is our study map, not a list printed in the CEN.
RRB Group D General Awareness Syllabus 2026
The CEN asks for general awareness on current affairs in:
- Science and Technology
- Sports
- Culture
- Personalities
- Economics
- Politics
- "Any other subject of importance"
The notice adds that all listed topics are illustrative, not exhaustive. Static GK on Indian Railways is worth revising too: start with Indian Railway zones and headquarters and Vande Bharat Express train list.
RRB Group D PET 2026 (After the CBT)
Candidates are called for PET at about three times the community-wise vacancies, based on CBT merit. PET is qualifying.
| Test | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight carrying | 35 kg for 100 m in 2 minutes, one chance, without putting it down | 20 kg for 100 m in 2 minutes, one chance, without putting it down |
| Running | 1,000 m in 4 minutes 15 seconds, one chance | 1,000 m in 5 minutes 40 seconds, one chance |
Weight carrying is done first; failing it means elimination. PwBD candidates, Ex-Servicemen and Course Completed Act Apprentices are exempt from PET (Para 14.2).
RRB Group D selection process
- Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
- Document Verification (DV), shortlisted at 1:1 with vacancies
- Medical Examination
Age, qualification and medical standards are explained in RRB Group D eligibility and age limit 2026, and pay in RRB Group D salary 2026.
How to Use the RRB Group D Syllabus to Plan Your Preparation
| Subject | Questions | Suggested share of study time | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 30 | 30% | Largest section; most topics are pattern-based and quick to master |
| General Science | 25 | 25-30% | Fixed Class 10 base; NCERT revision gives steady marks |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25% | Arithmetic-heavy; speed matters with 1/3 negative marking |
| General Awareness | 20 | 15-20% | Wide scope; daily current affairs plus railway GK |
The time split is a BookOfExams suggestion, not an RRB rule. With 1/3 negative marking, three wrong guesses cancel one correct answer, so attempt only questions you can narrow to two options.
RRB Group D Syllabus FAQs
How many questions are asked in RRB Group D 2026?
100 questions for 100 marks in 90 minutes: Reasoning 30, Mathematics 25, General Science 25 and General Awareness and Current Affairs 20.
RRB Group D me negative marking kitni hai?
Har galat answer par 1/3 mark kata jata hai. Sahi answer par 1 mark milta hai, aur unattempted question par koi marks nahi katte.
What is the level of General Science in RRB Group D?
Class 10 (CBSE) level Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences, as stated in CEN 09/2025.
What are the qualifying marks for RRB Group D CBT?
40% for UR and EWS, and 30% for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), SC and ST. PwBD candidates may get a relaxation of 2 marks if there is a shortage.
RRB Group D syllabus mein kaun-kaun se subject hain?
Chaar subject hain: Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Science, aur General Awareness and Current Affairs.
Is there a sectional time limit in RRB Group D?
CEN 09/2025 gives one total duration of 90 minutes and does not mention any sectional timer, so you can move between sections.
Practice Next for RRB Group D
- Full tests on the new pattern: RRB Group D 2026 Mock Test (New Pattern) 01 and RRB Group D Full Mock Test 01.
- Real paper: RRB Group D 2025 question paper, 27 November Shift 1.
- Sectional practice: Mathematics sectional mock test 01, Reasoning sectional mock test 01 and Physics sectional mock test 01.
- Hub pages: RRB Group D, free RRB Group D mock tests and the RRB Group D marks calculator.
- Related notes: RRB NTPC syllabus 2026 and RRB ALP syllabus 2026.
- Browse all study notes.