The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have announced 4,029 vacancies for Junior Engineer (JE), Depot Material Superintendent (DMS), and Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA) positions under CEN No. 04/2026. Applications are open from 14 August to 13 September 2026 on rrbapply.gov.in. Candidates with relevant diploma/degree qualifications can apply online for direct recruitment through a two-stage CBT process.
Summary of (RRB) JE/DMS/CMA 2026 Job
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) |
| Notification No. | CEN No. 04/2026 (JE/DMS/CMA) |
| Total Vacancies | 4,029 (3,993 original + 36 via Corrigendum-1) |
| Posts | Junior Engineer (37 categories), Depot Material Superintendent, Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant |
| Pay Level | Level 6 (Initial: ₹35,400/month) |
| Application Mode | Online only (rrbapply.gov.in) |
| Start Date | 14 August 2026 |
| Last Date | 13 September 2026 (23:59 hrs) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (2-stage CBT) |
| Official Website | rrb.indianrailways.gov.in |
Vacancy Breakdown by RRB
| RRB | Original | Corrigendum-1 Addition | Revised Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | 143 | — | 143 |
| Ajmer | 252 | — | 252 |
| Bengaluru | 298 | +1 (CMA) | 299 |
| Bhopal | 113 | +7 (CMA) | 120 |
| Bhubaneswar | 86 | — | 86 |
| Bilaspur | 124 | — | 124 |
| Chandigarh | 183 | — | 183 |
| Chennai | 362 | +15 (CMA) | 377 |
| Gorakhpur | 198 | — | 198 |
| Guwahati | 329 | +4 (CMA) | 333 |
| Jammu-Srinagar | 152 | — | 152 |
| Kolkata | 457 | — | 457 |
| Malda | 30 | — | 30 |
| Mumbai | 411 | — | 411 |
| Muzaffarpur | 17 | — | 17 |
| Patna | 73 | +7 (CMA) | 80 |
| Prayagraj | 340 | +1 (CMA) | 341 |
| Ranchi | 122 | — | 122 |
| Secunderabad | 110 | +1 (JE/Elec/TRS) | 111 |
| Siliguri | 92 | — | 92 |
| Thiruvananthapuram | 101 | — | 101 |
| Grand Total | 3,993 | +36 | 4,029 |
Category-wise Vacancy Breakdown
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 1,699 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 624 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 363 |
| Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) | 913 |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 394 |
| Total | 3,993 |
| Ex-Servicemen (Horizontal Reserve) | 387 |
Eligibility Criteria
Junior Engineer (JE)
Three-year Diploma in Engineering or equivalent B.E./B.Tech. in the relevant discipline:
- Mechanical & Allied: Mechanical, Production, Automobile, Manufacturing, Mechatronics, Industrial Engineering
- Electrical & Allied: Electrical Engineering (all sub-streams)
- Electronics & Allied: Electronics, Instrumentation & Control, Communication, CSE, IT
- Civil & Allied: Civil Engineering or B.Sc. in Civil Engineering (3-year)
Depot Material Superintendent (DMS)
Three-year Diploma in Engineering in any discipline from a recognized institution.
Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA) – Added via Corrigendum-1
B.Sc. degree with Physics and Chemistry (minimum 45% marks) in any of these combinations:
- B.Sc. with Physics (major/honours) and Chemistry as subject
- B.Sc. with Chemistry (major/honours) and Physics as subject
- B.Sc. with any other Science subject as major/honours, with both Physics and Chemistry as subjects
Important: Qualifications must be held by the closing date (13 September 2026).
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Opens | 14 August 2026 |
| Online Application Closes | 13 September 2026 (23:59 hrs) |
| Application Fee Payment Deadline | 15 September 2026 |
| Modification Window (with fee) | 16–25 September 2026 |
| Scribe Details Submission | 26–30 September 2026 |
| CBT-I / CBT-II / Document Verification / Medical Exam | To be notified separately |
Age Limit
| Category | Age Limit | Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| All Candidates | 18–33 years* | — |
| SC/ST | — | +5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | — | +3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (UR/EWS) | — | +3 years (after deducting service) |
| Ex-Servicemen (OBC-NCL) | — | +6 years (after deducting service) |
| Ex-Servicemen (SC/ST) | — | +8 years (after deducting service) |
| PwBD (UR/EWS) | — | +10 years |
| PwBD (OBC-NCL) | — | +13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | — | +15 years |
| Serving Railway Staff (≥3 years) | Up to 40/43/45 years | — |
| Widowed/Divorced Women (not remarried) | Up to 35/38/40 years | — |
*Age reckoned as of 01.01.2027
Pay Scale & Salary
| Post | Pay Level | Initial Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Engineer | Level 6 (7th CPC) | ₹35,400 |
| Depot Material Superintendent | Level 6 (7th CPC) | ₹35,400 |
| Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant | Level 6 (7th CPC) | ₹35,400 |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee | Refund Policy |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS / Unreserved (UR) | ₹500 | ₹400 refunded on appearing CBT-I |
| SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / PwBD / Female / Transgender / Minority / EBC | ₹250 | Fully refunded on appearing CBT-I |
Selection Process – Two-Stage CBT
1st Stage CBT (Screening) – 90 Minutes, 100 Marks
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| General Awareness | 15 | 15 |
| General Science | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
2nd Stage CBT (Discipline-Specific) – 120 Minutes, 150 Marks
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 15 | 15 |
| Physics & Chemistry | 15 | 15 |
| Basics of Computers & Applications | 10 | 10 |
| Basics of Environment & Pollution Control | 10 | 10 |
| Technical Abilities (post/exam group specific) | 100 | 100 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
CBT Details:
- Negative Marking: ⅓ mark deducted for each wrong answer
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: UR/EWS 40%, OBC-NCL 30%, SC/ST 25% (2-mark relaxation for PwBD where vacancies unfilled)
- CBT-II Shortlisting: 15 times the community-wise vacancy per RRB based on CBT-I merit
- Document Verification Shortlist: Equal to vacancies based on CBT-II normalized merit
- Medical Fitness Standards: As per prescribed Medical Standard (A-3/B-1/B-2/C-1)
How to Apply
- Visit rrbapply.gov.in or official RRB website
- Create Account (Mobile number & Email ID – cannot be changed later)
- Log in, select CEN No. 04/2026 (JE/DMS/CMA)
- Choose one RRB only (final – cannot be modified)
- Indicate zone and post preferences in order
- Fill personal, educational, and category details
- Live Photo Capture (webcam/camera as per guidelines)
- Upload Signature (JPG/JPEG, 30–49 KB)
- Upload SC/ST Certificate (PDF, <400 KB, if opting for free travel)
- Pay examination fee online (internet banking/debit-credit card/UPI)
- Submit and note Registration Number
Modification Window: 16–25 September 2026 (₹250 per modification, if needed)
Documents Required for Application & Verification
- Educational qualification certificates (diploma/degree relevant to post)
- Matriculation/10th certificate (for name, DOB, father’s/mother’s name)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/EBC) in prescribed format
- Ex-Servicemen declaration/employment certificate (if applicable)
- PwBD certificate and UDID (if applicable)
- Valid original photo ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, Passport, Driving License)
- Recent colour passport-size photograph
- Running-handwriting signature
- NOC from present employer (for Government/PSU employees, if applicable)
500-Word Comprehensive Summary
The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, have released a comprehensive recruitment notification (CEN No. 04/2026) offering 4,029 vacancies across multiple disciplines and zones. This is a significant opportunity for engineering diploma holders and degree recipients seeking stable government employment in the Indian Railways.
Scope and Posts: The notification originally covered Junior Engineer (JE) and Depot Material Superintendent (DMS) positions. However, with Corrigendum-1 issued on 18 August 2026, a new post—Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA)—was added, along with 36 additional vacancies. The JE category itself spans 37 subcategories covering Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, and Civil Engineering disciplines, allowing candidates to align their applications with their specific qualifications.
Vacancy Distribution and Zones: Vacancies are spread across 21 Railway Recruitment Boards, ensuring nationwide recruitment. RRBs like Kolkata (457 vacancies), Mumbai (411), and Secunderabad (111) have the highest openings, while smaller zones like Malda (30) and Muzaffarpur (17) offer limited but still significant opportunities. The corrigendum-1 additions were strategically distributed among zones like Chennai (+15 CMA), Bhopal (+7 CMA), and Patna (+7 CMA), reflecting regional demand.
Educational Requirements: Applicants need a three-year diploma in the relevant engineering discipline (or equivalent B.E./B.Tech). DMS candidates have flexibility, being able to apply from any engineering discipline. The newly added CMA position targets B.Sc. graduates with Physics and Chemistry (minimum 45% marks), diversifying opportunities for science graduates.
Age and Reservations: The age limit is 18–33 years (reckoned as 01.01.2027), with substantial relaxations for SC/ST (5 years), OBC-NCL (3 years), Ex-Servicemen (3–8 years depending on category), and PwBD candidates (10–15 years). Category-wise reservations follow statutory guidelines: UR 1,699, SC 624, ST 363, OBC-NCL 913, and EWS 394 vacancies. Horizontal reservations for Ex-Servicemen (387), PwBD-Hearing Impaired (47), and PwBD-Locomotor Disability (135) further broaden inclusion.
Compensation Package: All three posts are at Pay Level 6 (7th CPC), with an initial monthly salary of ₹35,400. This competitive remuneration, combined with railway service benefits (pension, medical, gratuity), makes these positions highly sought after by engineering graduates.
Selection Mechanism: The two-stage CBT model ensures merit-based selection. CBT-I (100 marks, 90 minutes) assesses core competencies in Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, and General Science. CBT-II (150 marks, 120 minutes) delves into discipline-specific technical abilities and environmental awareness. Candidates shortlisted via CBT-II proceed to Document Verification (DV) and Medical Examination (ME). Negative marking (⅓ mark per wrong answer) incentivizes accuracy. Minimum qualifying marks are UR/EWS 40%, OBC-NCL 30%, SC/ST 25%, with reasonable relaxations for PwBD candidates.
Application Process: The online portal (rrbapply.gov.in) ensures transparency and accessibility. Crucially, candidates can apply to only one RRB; multiple applications lead to rejection and debarment. The modification window (16–25 September 2026) allows corrections at ₹250 per modification. Application fees of ₹500 (general) or ₹250 (reserved/PwBD) are partially or fully refundable upon appearing for CBT-I.
Timeline: Applications opened on 14 August 2026 and close on 13 September 2026, giving a one-month application window. The CBT-I/CBT-II dates, along with DV and ME schedules, will be notified separately on RRB websites, typically allowing candidates 3–4 weeks between major stages.
Why This Opportunity Matters: For engineering diploma and degree holders, especially in smaller towns, RRB recruitment offers one of the most coveted pathways to secure public-sector employment with job stability, good compensation, and career progression. The 4,029 vacancies represent the largest recruitment under this CEN in recent years.
Important Conditions
- Single Application Rule: Only one application per candidate is permitted. Multiple applications to different RRBs or duplicate submissions to the same RRB will result in rejection of all applications and lifetime debarment from RRB/RRC exams.
- RRB Choice: Once an RRB is selected during application, it cannot be modified at any stage, including the modification window.
- Qualification Holding: Candidates must have held the prescribed qualification on or before the application closing date (13 September 2026). Candidates awaiting final results are not eligible.
- Medical Fitness: Medical examination is mandatory. Candidates must pass the prescribed Medical Standard (A-3, B-1, B-2, or C-1 as applicable to the post). No alternative appointment is provided if found unfit.
- Category Allotment: Once a category/post/RRB is allotted after selection, candidates forfeit the right to be considered for any other post/category in the same pay level.
- Multiple Qualifications: A candidate with qualifications spanning multiple exam groups may choose only one Exam Group and will be eligible only for posts mapped to that group.
- Unfair Means: Use of unfair means, impersonation, submitting false information, or misconduct leads to lifetime debarment from RRB/RRC exams and possible legal action under applicable laws.
Disclaimer
This article is based on research and information compiled from the official RRB notification (CEN No. 04/2026) and Corrigendum-1, published on official RRB websites and rrbapply.gov.in as of 28 August 2026. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, candidates are strongly advised to verify all details, eligibility criteria, vacancy counts, important dates, selection procedures, and other information directly from the official RRB notification PDF and rrbapply.gov.in before submitting applications. Changes, amendments, or additional corrigendums may be issued; candidates must regularly check the official portal for updates. The Railway Recruitment Boards retain the right to modify, amend, or cancel any part of the recruitment process. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute official recruitment guidance.
Reputable Official Resources & Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official RRB Apply Portal | rrbapply.gov.in |
| Official RRB Website | rrb.indianrailways.gov.in |
| Official Notification PDF (CEN 04/2026) | RRB Official Notification |
| Corrigendum-1 (CMA Post Added) | Corrigendum-1 PDF |
Last Updated: 28 August 2026
Next Update: Post-notification changes, if any
