RRB Technician Selection Process 2026: CBT, Document Verification & Medical Exam Explained

The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have outlined a clear, three-stage selection process for CEN No. 02/2026 (Technician Categories). With 6,557 vacancies on offer, understanding exactly how candidates will be shortlisted and selected is critical for anyone preparing for RRB Technician Recruitment 2026. Here’s a complete, stage-wise breakdown of the RRB Technician Selection Process 2026.

RRB Technician Grade 1 & Grade 3 Syllabus 2026 & Exam Pattern – Free PDF

Understanding the RRB Technician selection process is crucial to score well in the CBT. To complement the detailed selection procedure, we have attached the official syllabus PDF for both Grade 1 and Grade 3 posts to ensure candidates are fully aware of the subjects, marks distribution, and exam pattern before the Computer Based Test.

RRB Technician Recruitment 2025 Notification (CEN 02/2026) – PDF

To fully understand the RRB Technician 2025 selection process, including exam pattern, syllabus, document verification, and medical standards, candidates are advised to read the official CEN 02/2025 notification. The detailed guidelines are available on the official RRB websites.

RRB Technician CEN 02/2026 – Notification Details

RRB Technician Selection Process 2026 – Stages 

The recruitment process for both Technician Grade-I Signal and Technician Grade-III comprises three stages:

1. Computer Based Test (CBT)
2. Document Verification (DV)
3. Medical Examination (ME)

There will be a separate CBT for each pay level — Technician Grade-I Signal (Pay Level 5) and Technician Grade-III (Pay Level 2) — since these are treated as distinct recruitment streams with separate applications and separate fees.

Computer Based Test (CBT) — RRB Technician Exam Pattern 2026

CBT Pattern for Technician Grade-1 Signal (Pay Level 5)

• Total Duration: 90 minutes
• Total Questions: 100
• Negative Marking: 1/3 mark deducted for every wrong answer
• Normalisation: Applied for CBTs conducted across multiple shifts

Subject-wise Question Distribution:

CBT Pattern for Technician Grade-3 (Pay Level 2)

• Total Duration: 90 minutes
• Total Questions: 100
• Negative Marking: 1/3 mark deducted for every wrong answer
• Normalisation: Applied for CBTs conducted across multiple shifts

Subject-wise Question Distribution:

Minimum Qualifying Marks for CBT (Both Pay Levels) – RRB Technician Exam 2026

• These percentages also apply to Ex-Servicemen candidates as per their respective community.
• PwBD candidates may get a relaxation of up to 2 marks in case of a shortage of PwBD candidates against reserved vacancies.
• Marks scored in CBT are used purely for shortlisting candidates for the next stage — Document Verification.

Medium of Examination – RRB Technician

CBT questions will be available in English, Hindi, and 13 regional languages — Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. Candidates must select their preferred medium while filling the application; the questions will then display in the chosen language alongside English.

RRB Technician 2026 Document Verification (DV)

Shortlisting Criteria

• Candidates are shortlisted for DV RRB-wise, at the rate of 1:1 of the notified vacancies for that RRB, purely based on CBT merit.
• In case of a tie in marks, merit is decided by:
  1. Age — older candidate ranked higher
  2. If age is also the same — alphabetical order (A to Z) of the given name (not surname)

What Happens at DV

• Candidates must produce all original documents along with two sets of self-attested photocopies.
• Scanned colour copies of Photo & Signature must be uploaded via the DV portal (oirms-ir.gov.in/rrbdv) before the DV date.
• Certificates for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/EBC/PwBD/ExSM) must be submitted in the prescribed format only — certificates in any other format will not be accepted.
• No additional time is given to candidates who fail to bring original documents on their DV date — such candidatures are liable to be cancelled.
• Candidates absent on the date of DV will have their candidature cancelled outright.
• All certificates must be in English or Hindi; others require a self-attested translated copy.

Important DV Notes

• If any claim made in the application (educational qualification, age, caste/category, etc.) is not substantiated by valid documents, candidature will be rejected.
• RRBs reserve the right to use candidates lower in the merit list (in case of shortfall in empanelment), based on merit and their preferences — though this confers no vested right to appointment.

RRB Technician 2026 Medical Examination (ME)

Medical Standards

Medical fitness is assessed against four standards — A-3, B-1, B-2, and C-1 — each post in the CEN is assigned one of these standards (see Annexure A of the official notification). Standards primarily test:

• Distance & Near Vision (with permissible power of lenses)
• Colour Vision, Binocular Vision, Night Vision, Mesopic Vision (for A-3 and B-1 standards)

Key Medical Rules

• Candidates who have undergone LASIK surgery or similar refractive correction procedures are not eligible for posts requiring Medical Standard A-3.
• Medical standards for Ex-Servicemen follow Para 534 of the Indian Railway Medical Manual (IRMM) Vol. I.
• Medical standards for PwBD candidates follow Para 511(7) of IRMM Vol. I.
• Medical Appeal Provision: If a candidate is found medically unfit and cannot be allotted any post in a pay level solely on medical grounds, they get one opportunity for a remedial Medical Appeal (on payment of prescribed charges). The appeal outcome is final and binding — no further appeals are permitted.
• If a candidate is unfit for a higher-preference post but fit for a lower-preference post (within the same pay level), allotment is made to the post they are medically fit for, subject to merit and vacancy availability.

RRB Technician Post-Selection: Empanelment & Appointment

• RRBs only recommend names of empanelled candidates — the actual Offer of Appointment is issued by the respective Zonal Railway Administration.
• Selection by RRB does not confer any automatic right to appointment; it remains subject to vacancy availability and final eligibility checks.
• Once a candidate is allotted a post/category within a pay level, they forfeit the right to be considered for any other post/category in that same pay level.
• Selected candidates may need to undergo training (with stipend only during training) and execute Security/Indemnity Bonds wherever required.

How to Apply Online for RRB Technician Recruitment 2026 – Complete Guide

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has announced RRB Technician Recruitment 2026 (CEN 02/2026). Candidates can apply only through official RRB websites—applications from any other source will be rejected. Follow this step-by-step application process to avoid mistakes.

Step 1: Read the Official Notification

• Go through the RRB Technician CEN 02/2026 notification carefully.
• Check eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, and required documents.

Step 2: Register / Login

• Use a valid mobile number and email ID for OTP verification.
• Candidates with existing RRB login can reuse their credentials.
• Aadhaar/DigiLocker verification is strongly recommended.
• Remember: The details entered at this stage cannot be modified later.

Step 3: Fill Out the Online Application Form

• Select one RRB per Pay Level and set your post preferences.
• Submit separate applications for different pay levels.
• Choose CBT language – English, Hindi, or 13 regional languages.
• Review carefully before submitting; no corrections allowed later.

Step 4: Upload Photo, Signature & Certificates

• Photo: Must be taken live via webcam or phone camera.
• Signature: In running handwriting, JPG/JPEG format, 30–49 KB only.
• SC/ST Certificate: Required only if claiming free train pass (PDF ≤ 400 KB).
• Signatures in block or capital letters will not be accepted.

Step 5: Pay the Application Fee Online

Payment is accepted only via Net Banking, UPI, Debit/Credit cards.

Fee Details:

• General Candidates: ₹500 (₹400 refunded after CBT)
• SC/ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, Minorities, EBC, Women & Transgender: ₹250 (fully refundable after CBT)
• Fee is separate for each pay level applied. Refunds apply only to candidates who appear in the CBT.

Key Points to Remember

• Apply only via official RRB portals.
• Wrong details, unclear photo, or mismatched signature = rejection.
• Same signature must match across all recruitment stages.
• Apply well before the last date to avoid last-minute technical glitches.

The RRB Technician Selection Process 2026 is transparent and merit-based, involving CBT, Document Verification, and Medical Examination. Candidates must prepare thoroughly, ensure accurate documentation, and meet medical standards to secure final appointment in Indian Railways.