The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) under the Ministry of Railways have officially announced the Computer Based Test (CBT) Stage-1 examination dates for the Junior Engineer (JE) and other posts recruitment (CEN No. 05/2025). The CBT Stage-1 is scheduled to be conducted in two shifts on 19 February 2026, 20 February 2026, and 03 March 2026. Lakhs of candidates who have applied for 2585+ vacancies must now begin their final stage of preparation. The official admit card download link will be activated on the respective RRB websites soon.
Welcome to Rojgar Jobalerts (rojgarjobalerts.com), your premier destination for verified government job alerts. The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have released the crucial examination schedule for the Computer Based Test (CBT) Stage-1 for the recruitment of Junior Engineer (JE), Junior Engineer (Information Technology), Depot Material Superintendent (DMS), Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA), and other associated posts. This announcement marks a critical phase in one of India's largest engineering recruitment drives for the year 2025-26.
The online application process for CEN 05/2025 concluded in December 2025, and now all eligible candidates are set to appear for the first stage of the selection process. The CBT Stage-1 is a screening examination, and qualifying it is mandatory to proceed to CBT Stage-2. With the exam dates now confirmed, focused and strategic preparation is the key to success.
The official notice regarding the CBT Stage-1 exam date was published on RRB websites (example: RRB Ranchi) in early January 2026. Below is a consolidated table of all critical dates for the RRB JE Recruitment 2025-26 cycle, verified from the official advertisement and the latest exam date release.
| Event / Activity | Important Date | Remarks / Status |
|---|---|---|
| Official Advertisement Release (CEN 05/2025) | 31 October 2025 | Recruitment Notified |
| Online Application Start Date | 31 October 2025 | Application Window Opened |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 10 December 2025 | Extended from 30 Nov 2025 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 12 December 2025 | Application Window Closed |
| Application Form Correction Window | 13 - 22 December 2025 | Completed |
| CBT STAGE-1 EXAM DATE | 19, 20 February & 03 March 2026 | NEWLY ANNOUNCED |
| CBT Stage-1 Admit Card Release | Before Exam | To be released on respective RRB websites |
| CBT Stage-2 Exam Date | Not Announced Yet | Will be scheduled after CBT-1 |
| Document Verification & Medical Exam | Not Announced Yet | Final stages of selection |
Note: The exact release date for the CBT Stage-1 Admit Card, detailed city intimation slip, and dates for subsequent stages (CBT-2, DV) are Not Mentioned in the Official Exam Date PDF. Candidates must regularly check their respective RRB's official website for updates.
As per the official examination program PDF released by RRB (example: RRB Ranchi), the CBT Stage-1 Examination will be held as follows:
| Exam Day | Date | Shift / Session | Reporting Time | Exam Timing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Thursday, 19 February 2026 | First Shift | 09:00 AM | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Second Shift | 01:00 PM | 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM | ||
| Day 2 | Friday, 20 February 2026 | First Shift | 09:00 AM | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Second Shift | 01:00 PM | 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM | ||
| Day 3 | Tuesday, 03 March 2026 | First Shift | 09:00 AM | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Second Shift | 01:00 PM | 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM |
Candidates will be allotted a specific date and shift as per the RRB's scheduling. The exam duration for CBT Stage-1 is 2 hours (120 minutes).
The total number of vacancies announced under this centralized notification is 2585 for various posts. The category-wise breakup for the major post, Junior Engineer (JE), is as follows:
| Post Name | General | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Engineer (JE) | 1096 | 246 | 620 | 411 | 212 | 2585 |
Other Posts Included: This CEN also includes vacancies for Junior Engineer (Information Technology) - JE(IT), Depot Material Superintendent (DMS), and Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA). The exact vacancy count for these posts is available in the detailed official notification.
RRB Zones: The recruitment is conducted by 21 Railway Recruitment Boards across India. Candidates applied to a specific RRB based on their educational institution location or other criteria. The exam date is common, but admit cards will be issued by the respective RRB.
- RRB Ahmedabad
- RRB Bangalore
- RRB Bhopal
- RRB Bhubaneswar
- RRB Bilaspur
- RRB Chandigarh
- RRB Chennai
- RRB Gorakhpur
- RRB Guwahati
- RRB Jammu & Srinagar
- RRB Kolkata
- RRB Malda
- RRB Mumbai
- RRB Muzaffarpur
- RRB Patna
- RRB Ranchi
- RRB Secunderabad
- RRB Siliguri
- RRB Thiruvananthapuram
- For Junior Engineer (JE) Posts: Candidates must possess a Diploma / Degree in Engineering in the relevant discipline (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, etc.) from a recognized university/institute.
- For Junior Engineer (Information Technology) [JE(IT)]: Candidates must possess a Diploma / Degree in Engineering in relevant discipline (Computer Science, IT, etc.) OR PGDCA OR B.Sc. (Computer Science) etc., as specified in the notification.
- For Depot Material Superintendent (DMS): Diploma/Degree in Engineering in any discipline.
- For Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA): Degree in Science with Chemistry and at least one subject from Mathematics/Physics/Statistics.
Important: The detailed and post-specific educational qualifications, including required subjects and recognized institutes, are Not Mentioned in the Official Exam Date PDF. Candidates must refer to the original detailed advertisement (CEN 05/2025) available on the RRB websites for exact and complete eligibility criteria.
- Minimum Age: 18 Years
- Maximum Age for UR: 33 Years
Age Relaxation is applicable as per Government of India rules for SC/ST, OBC, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, and other categories. The exact details of relaxation are provided in the original notification.
- For General / OBC / EWS Candidates: ₹ 500/-
- For SC / ST / EBC / Female / Transgender / Minorities / Ex-Servicemen Candidates: ₹ 250/-
- PwBD Candidates: ₹ 250/-
Fee Refund Policy: A part of the fee will be refunded after appearing in the CBT Stage-1 Exam. For General/OBC candidates, ₹ 400 will be refunded. For other categories (SC/ST/EBC/Female/etc.), the full fee of ₹ 250 will be refunded. The refund will be credited to the candidate's original bank account.
Payment Mode: Online via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or other prescribed modes.
The selection for RRB JE posts is a multi-stage process:
- Computer Based Test (CBT) Stage-1: First screening exam. Qualifying in nature for certain posts; for others, marks may be normalized and carried forward.
- Computer Based Test (CBT) Stage-2: Main examination for shortlisting candidates for Document Verification.
- Document Verification (DV): Verification of original certificates, eligibility, and community status.
- Medical Examination: Final stage to assess medical fitness as per railway standards.
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | 90 Minutes (120 Minutes for PwBD) |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 25 | |
| General Awareness | 20 | 20 | |
| General Science | 25 | 25 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 90/120 Min |
Note: The above exam pattern is indicative and based on previous RRB JE notifications. The final and official exam pattern, marking scheme (negative marking details), and syllabus for CBT Stage-1 are Not Mentioned in the Official Exam Date PDF. Candidates should wait for the final exam instruction PDF from RRB or refer to the original advertisement for 100% accurate details.
Follow these steps to download your admit card once it is activated on your respective RRB portal:
- Visit the official website of the RRB you applied to (e.g., RRB Mumbai, RRB Chennai) or the common portal: https://www.rrbapply.gov.in.
- Look for the link titled "Download CBT Stage-1 Admit Card for CEN 05/2025" or similar in the 'Latest Updates' section.
- Click on the link. You will be redirected to a login page.
- Enter your Application Registration Number and Password/Date of Birth as required.
- Submit the details. Your RRB JE CBT Stage-1 Admit Card 2026 and City Intimation Slip will be displayed.
- Verify all details carefully: Name, Photo, Exam Date, Time, Venue (City & Centre), and Important Instructions.
- Download the admit card and take 2-3 clear printouts. You must carry it to the exam centre along with a valid photo ID proof (Aadhar, PAN, Driving License, etc.).
Pro Tip from Rojgar Jobalerts: Download the admit card as soon as it is released. Check the exam city and centre location on Google Maps to plan your travel and accommodation well in advance. Arrive at the centre at least 60-90 minutes before the reporting time.
Clearing the RRB JE examination opens the door to a prestigious, secure, and rewarding career in Indian Railways, one of the world's largest employers. As a Junior Engineer, you will be at the forefront of maintaining and developing India's vast railway infrastructure. The role offers unparalleled benefits:
- Job Security & Government Perks: A permanent position under the Central Government with all associated benefits like pension (NPS), medical facilities, and housing allowances.
- Excellent Salary Package: The post falls under the 7th Pay Commission with a pay scale of Level-6 (₹35,400 - ₹1,12,400), plus grade pay, dearness allowance (DA), house rent allowance (HRA), transport allowance, and other allowances leading to a handsome in-hand salary.
- Nationwide Exposure & Pride: Contribute directly to a national asset and work on diverse projects across the country.
- Strong Career Progression: Clear and structured promotion avenues to higher grades like Senior Section Engineer (SSE), Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM), and beyond.
- Work-Life Balance & Social Status: Railway jobs are known for a balanced work schedule and high respect in society.
Get instant answers to the most common queries about the Railway Junior Engineer CBT Stage-1 Examination 2026.
Answer: The RRB JE CBT Stage-1 Examination 2026 will be conducted on 19 February 2026, 20 February 2026, and 03 March 2026 in two shifts each day (10:00 AM-12:00 PM & 02:00 PM-04:00 PM).
Answer: You can download the official PDF from your respective RRB's website. For a direct sample link (RRB Ranchi), use: Official Exam Date PDF (RRB Ranchi).
Answer: The exact release date for the CBT Stage-1 Admit Card is Not Mentioned in the Official Exam Date PDF. It is typically released 4-10 days before the exam. Keep checking Rojgar Jobalerts and your RRB's official website.
Answer: There are a total of 2585 vacancies for Junior Engineer (JE) and other associated posts under CEN No. 05/2025.
Answer: The selection process consists of four stages: 1) Computer Based Test (CBT) Stage-1, 2) CBT Stage-2, 3) Document Verification (DV), and 4) Medical Examination.
Answer: The marking scheme, including details of negative marking, is Not Mentioned in the Official Exam Date PDF. As per previous notifications, there is usually a penalty of 1/3 mark for each wrong answer. Confirm from the final exam instructions.
Answer: No. The exam date, shift, and centre are allotted by the RRB based on administrative convenience and cannot be changed by the candidate.
Answer: For the fastest and most reliable updates on admit card, result, and exam changes, join the official Rojgar Jobalerts WhatsApp Channel and regularly visit rojgarjobalerts.com.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page of Rojgar Jobalerts (rojgarjobalerts.com) is compiled from official sources for informational purposes. We strive for accuracy by sourcing details directly from the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) notification PDF for exam dates. However, we do not guarantee 100% accuracy. Candidates must always verify critical information like exam pattern, syllabus, and admit card details from the primary official sources: the respective RRB website or https://www.rrbapply.gov.in. We are not affiliated with RRB or Indian Railways.