RRB Group D CEN 09/2025 Zone-Wise Application Data OUT: 52.39 Lakh Applications for 22,195 Vacancies

The latest RRB Group D CEN 09/2025 zone-wise application data has been released for candidates preparing for the Railway Level-1 recruitment examination.

According to the latest RRB-wise figures, a total of 52,39,760 applications have been received across 16 Railway Recruitment Boards for recruitment to 22,195 Level-1 vacancies.

This means that, at an all-India level, there are approximately:

236 applicants for every vacancy

However, competition varies sharply from one RRB to another because the number of vacancies and applications is different in each zone.

RRB Group D CEN 09/2025: Overview

Particular

Details

Recruitment Authority

Railway Recruitment Boards

Recruitment

Various Level-1 Posts

Popular Name

RRB Group D Recruitment 2026

CEN Number

CEN 09/2025

Total Vacancies

22,195

Total Applications

52,39,760

Number of RRBs

16

Overall Applications per Vacancy

Around 236

Pay Level

Level 1, 7th CPC

Initial Pay

₹18,000

Age Limit

18–33 years

Selection Process

CBT → PET → Document Verification → Medical Examination

CBT Date

To be notified by RRB

The official CEN confirms 22,195 vacancies, Level-1 pay with an initial basic pay of ₹18,000, and an age range of 18–33 years as on 1 January 2026.

RRB Group D Zone-Wise Application Data 2026

The RRB-wise number of applications is as follows:

RRB

Applications

RRB Ahmedabad

3,18,548

RRB Ajmer

2,38,429

RRB Bengaluru

1,27,186

RRB Bhopal

2,34,611

RRB Bhubaneswar

1,21,258

RRB Bilaspur

2,48,815

RRB Chandigarh

6,40,717

RRB Chennai

3,33,714

RRB Gorakhpur

3,09,145

RRB Guwahati

5,23,318

RRB Kolkata

4,20,491

RRB Mumbai

5,32,016

RRB Patna

1,80,773

RRB Prayagraj

3,87,311

RRB Ranchi

1,69,216

RRB Secunderabad

4,54,212

Total

52,39,760

The figures above are the latest reported RRB-wise application totals for CEN 09/2025.

Which RRB Received the Highest Number of Applications?

1. RRB Chandigarh — 6,40,717

RRB Chandigarh received the highest number of applications among all RRBs.

It is followed by:

1. RRB Mumbai — 5,32,016

2. RRB Guwahati — 5,23,318

3. RRB Secunderabad — 4,54,212

4. RRB Kolkata — 4,20,491

Therefore, Chandigarh, Mumbai and Guwahati account for some of the largest candidate pools in the recruitment.

Which RRB Received the Lowest Number of Applications?

The lowest application totals are seen in:

RRB

Applications

Bhubaneswar

1,21,258

Bengaluru

1,27,186

Ranchi

1,69,216

Patna

1,80,773

However, candidates should not assume that fewer applications automatically mean lower competition.

The number of vacancies available in that RRB is equally important.

For example, Bengaluru received only around 1.27 lakh applications—but it has just 90 vacancies, making its applicants-per-seat ratio exceptionally high.

RRB Group D Applications vs Vacancies: Zone-Wise Competition

A more useful way to understand competition is to compare the application count with the number of vacancies.

RRB

Vacancies

Applications

Approx. Applicants per Vacancy

Ahmedabad

3,148

3,18,548

101

Ajmer

974

2,38,429

245

Bengaluru

90

1,27,186

1,413

Bhopal

1,147

2,34,611

205

Bhubaneswar

803

1,21,258

151

Bilaspur

1,199

2,48,815

208

Chandigarh

3,537

6,40,717

181

Chennai

1,036

3,33,714

322

Gorakhpur

1,196

3,09,145

258

Guwahati

1,776

5,23,318

295

Kolkata

1,173

4,20,491

358

Mumbai

1,979

5,32,016

269

Patna

993

1,80,773

182

Prayagraj

1,183

3,87,311

327

Ranchi

949

1,69,216

178

Secunderabad

1,012

4,54,212

449

Overall

22,195

52,39,760

~236

The vacancy figures are based on the revised CEN 09/2025 vacancy structure, while the application figures are the latest RRB-wise totals.

Which RRB Has the Highest Competition?

Based purely on applications divided by total vacancies, the highest competition appears in:

1. Bengaluru

Applications: 1,27,186

Vacancies: 90

Approx. competition: 1,413 candidates per vacancy

This is dramatically higher than every other RRB because South Western Railway has comparatively few vacancies.

1. Secunderabad

Applications: 4,54,212

Vacancies: 1,012

Approx. competition: 449 per vacancy

1. Kolkata

Applications: 4,20,491

Vacancies: 1,173

Approx. competition: 358 per vacancy

1. Prayagraj

Applications: 3,87,311

Vacancies: 1,183

Approx. competition: 327 per vacancy

1. Chennai

Applications: 3,33,714

Vacancies: 1,036

Approx. competition: 322 per vacancy

These figures are useful for understanding application pressure, but they cannot predict the final cut-off on their own.

Which RRB Has the Lowest Applicants-per-Vacancy Ratio?

Based on total applications against total vacancies:

Ahmedabad

Applications: 3,18,548

Vacancies: 3,148

Around 101 applications per vacancy

This is the lowest overall raw applications-per-vacancy ratio among the listed RRBs.

It is followed by:

Bhubaneswar — around 151 per vacancy

Ranchi — around 178

Chandigarh — around 181

Patna — around 182

Again, this does not mean selection will be easy in these zones.

Actual cut-offs depend on several other factors.

Does Applicants-per-Vacancy Ratio Predict the Cut-Off?

No.

The ratio is useful for understanding the scale of competition, but it does not directly determine the CBT cut-off.

Final or qualifying cut-offs can be affected by:

Number of candidates who actually appear for CBT

Category-wise vacancies

Candidate category

Difficulty level of the examination

Normalisation of marks

Overall candidate performance

Railway/post preferences

PET qualification

Document Verification

Medical fitness requirements

For example, 300 applications per vacancy does not mean exactly 299 candidates will be eliminated before the next stage.

A significant proportion of registered applicants may not appear for the CBT.

Important Point: Applications Are Not Equal to Exam Attendance

Candidates should understand the difference between:

Applications received and candidates actually appearing for the examination.

The figure of 52,39,760 represents applications received.

The actual number of candidates who sit for the CBT may be lower because some registered candidates may:

Be absent

Decide not to appear

Face eligibility/application issues

Skip the examination for personal reasons

Have other recruitment priorities

Therefore, the final effective competition will depend on attendance as well.

RRB Group D CEN 09/2025 Vacancy Details

The official notification provides:

22,195 Level-1 vacancies

These posts are distributed across different Railway Zones and departments.

Some of the Level-1 posts included under the recruitment are related to:

Track Maintenance

Engineering

Electrical

Mechanical

Signal & Telecommunications

Operations

Workshops

Loco Sheds

Carriage & Wagon

Pointsman-related duties

Other Level-1 Railway functions

Exact post availability differs between Railway Zones.

RRB Group D Salary 2026

Candidates selected under CEN 09/2025 will be appointed to posts in:

7th CPC Pay Level 1

The notified initial basic pay is:

₹18,000 per month

In addition to basic pay, eligible employees receive allowances according to applicable Railway and Central Government rules.

Actual monthly in-hand salary varies depending on:

Posting location

Dearness Allowance

House Rent Allowance

Transport Allowance

Applicable deductions

Other Railway benefits

The ₹18,000 figure refers to the notified initial basic pay, not final take-home salary.

RRB Group D Application Dates

The online application process began on 31 January 2026.

The original closing date was 2 March 2026, but RRB later extended it through Corrigendum No. 4.

Revised Important Dates

Event

Revised Date

Application Start

31 January 2026

Last Date to Apply

9 March 2026, 11:59 PM

Last Date for Fee Payment

11 March 2026

Modification Window

12–21 March 2026

Scribe Details Window

22–26 March 2026

These revised dates were officially notified by RRB on 2 March 2026.

RRB Group D Selection Process 2026

The recruitment process broadly consists of:

Stage 1: Computer Based Test – CBT

Eligible candidates first appear for the online computer-based examination.

Stage 2: Physical Efficiency Test – PET

Candidates shortlisted from CBT are required to qualify the prescribed Physical Efficiency Test.

Stage 3: Document Verification – DV

Shortlisted candidates must produce valid original documents supporting:

Age

Educational qualification

Category

Identity

Reservation claims

Other eligibility conditions

Stage 4: Medical Examination

Candidates must satisfy the medical standards applicable to the post for which they are being considered.

Final appointment depends on fulfilling all recruitment conditions.

RRB Group D CBT Exam Date 2026

Candidates should be careful about unofficial exam-date claims.

The original CEN clearly states that dates for CBT and other recruitment stages will be notified separately through official RRB websites.

Therefore:

Do not treat a CBT date as confirmed unless RRB publishes an official notice.

Candidates should regularly monitor their chosen RRB website.

RRB Group D CBT: What Should Candidates Do Now?

With more than 52 lakh applications, candidates should not wait for the exam-date notice to begin serious preparation.

A practical preparation approach is:

Mathematics

Focus on:

Number System

Percentage

Ratio & Proportion

Profit & Loss

Simple and Compound Interest

Time & Work

Time, Speed & Distance

Average

Mensuration

LCM & HCF

Basic Algebra

General Intelligence & Reasoning

Prepare:

Analogy

Classification

Series

Coding-Decoding

Direction

Blood Relation

Venn Diagram

Syllogism

Mathematical Operations

Puzzle-based questions

General Science

Revise Class 10-level:

Physics

Chemistry

Biology

Conceptual clarity is more useful than memorising isolated facts.

General Awareness & Current Affairs

Focus on:

National current affairs

Important government schemes

Sports

Awards

Science and technology

Indian Railways

Economy

Important appointments

Static GK

What Does 52.39 Lakh Applications Mean for Aspirants?

The application volume confirms that RRB Group D remains one of India's largest competitive recruitment examinations.

But candidates should not become discouraged by the headline number.

You are not directly competing equally with all 52.39 lakh applicants.

Your actual competition is influenced by:

Your selected RRB

Your category

Railway vacancies

Post preferences

Actual CBT attendance

Marks obtained

Normalisation

PET performance

Eligibility and medical standards

So the correct strategy is not to worry about the raw application number—it is to maximise your CBT score.

Kolkata RRB Application Data

For candidates from West Bengal, the Kolkata numbers are particularly important.

RRB Kolkata

Applications: 4,20,491

Vacancies: approximately 1,173

Raw applications per vacancy: approximately 358

This indicates substantial competition in the Kolkata region.

Candidates should therefore target a strong score rather than preparing only to achieve the minimum qualifying marks.

Chandigarh Has the Highest Applications—but Not the Highest Ratio

This is an important distinction.

RRB Chandigarh received:

6,40,717 applications

the highest of all RRBs.

However, it also has:

3,537 vacancies

Therefore, its approximate applications-per-vacancy ratio is around:

181:1

By comparison, Bengaluru received far fewer applications—1,27,186—but because it has only 90 vacancies, its raw competition ratio is around 1,413:1.

This is why candidates should compare applications and vacancies together, not applications alone.

Important Instructions for Candidates

Candidates should:

Follow only official Railway Recruitment Board websites.

Do not trust fake examination schedules.

Keep their registered mobile number and email active.

Preserve application details and registration credentials.

Keep Aadhaar/identity documents ready.

Start CBT preparation immediately.

Prepare for PET alongside written-exam preparation.

Keep category and educational certificates updated.

Do not pay agents claiming to guarantee Railway jobs.

RRB specifically warns candidates against touts and job racketeers and states that recruitment is computerised and merit-based.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many applications were received for RRB Group D CEN 09/2025?

A total of 52,39,760 applications have been reported across the 16 RRBs.

How many RRB Group D vacancies are there?

CEN 09/2025 contains 22,195 Level-1 vacancies.

What is the average competition per vacancy?

Based on 52,39,760 applications and 22,195 vacancies, the overall ratio is approximately 236 applications per vacancy.

Which RRB received the highest number of applications?

RRB Chandigarh, with approximately 6,40,717 applications.

Which RRB received the second-highest applications?

RRB Mumbai received approximately 5,32,016 applications.

How many applications did RRB Kolkata receive?

RRB Kolkata received approximately 4,20,491 applications.

Which RRB has the highest applicants-per-vacancy ratio?

Based on total applications versus total notified vacancies, RRB Bengaluru is the highest at roughly 1,413 applications per vacancy because it has only 90 vacancies.

Does a higher application count mean a higher cut-off?

Not necessarily. Cut-offs depend on vacancies, category, exam difficulty, normalisation, attendance and candidate performance.

Is the RRB Group D CBT date announced?

Candidates should consider the CBT date confirmed only after an official RRB notice is published. The original CEN states that examination dates will be notified separately.

What is the salary for RRB Group D Level-1 posts?

The notified initial basic pay is ₹18,000 under Level 1 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix.

Conclusion

The RRB Group D CEN 09/2025 zone-wise application data shows the enormous scale of this recruitment.

A total of:

52,39,760 applications

have been received for:

22,195 Level-1 vacancies

which works out to an overall average of roughly 236 applications per vacancy.

RRB Chandigarh has received the highest number of applications, while Bengaluru has the highest raw applications-per-vacancy ratio because of its very limited vacancy count.

Candidates should use this data only as a broad competition indicator. It does not predict the final cut-off or selection probability.

The most useful response to the numbers is simple: focus on CBT score, accuracy, speed, PET readiness and official RRB updates instead of worrying about the total number of applicants.

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