RRB Group D 2025 Exam Pattern: Check Exam Duration & Marking Scheme
Railway Recruitment Board Group D 2025 ( RRB Group D )
Exam On - 17 Nov '25 - 31 Dec '25
RRB Group D Exam Pattern 2025 highlights the overall structure of the exam. The exam pattern of RRB Group D 2025 is such that it is divided into computer-based test, Physical Efficiency Test (PET), document verification, medical exam, and empanelling of candidates. Going through the RRB Group D exam pattern, candidates can know the marking scheme, different sections, total number of questions, etc. Candidates qualifying the CBT exam are called for PET/PST, Those who qualify the PET/PST are called for document verification and a medical exam. RRB Group D syllabus is framed as per the exam pattern.
RRB Group D Level 1 exam is conducted to recruit candidates for the 1,03,769 vacancies for the posts of Track Maintainer Grade-IV, Helper/Assistant, Assistant Pointsman, Level-I posts in Indian Railways. Here, we have explained in detail the RRB Group D exam pattern for different stages of recruitment.
- RRB Group D Exam Pattern 2025
- RRB Group D Marking Scheme
- RRB Group D Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs
RRB Group D Exam Pattern 2025
According to RRB Group D exam pattern, the CBT is divided into four sections: General Science, Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning and General Awareness and Current Affairs. The total marks allotted to CBT are 100. Candidates qualifying the CBT are called for PET. Candidates qualifying the PET are called for document verification. The final selection of candidates is done based on the performance in the CBT provided they qualify the PET. RRBs had removed the CBT 2 exam from the exam pattern of RRB Group D after facing backlash from the student communities. The railway boards conduct only single-stage CBT exam for RRB Group D.
RRB Group D Exam Pattern for CBT
RRB Group D exam pattern for CBT is divided into four sections: General Science, Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning and General Awareness and Current Affairs. The total duration of the test is 90 minutes (120 minutes for eligible PwBD candidates accompanied by the scribe). The test paper comprises a total of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions. The structure of RRB Group D pattern for CBT is given below.
| Sections |
Number of questions |
|---|---|
| General Science |
25 |
| Mathematics |
25 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning |
30 |
| General Awareness and Current Affairs |
20 |
| Total |
100 |
PET is conducted for candidates qualifying the CBT. The selection of candidates for this stage is done three times the number of vacancies. It is mandatory for candidates to pass the PET and it is qualifying in nature.
| Male candidates | Female candidates/Transgender candidates |
|---|---|
| Candidates should be able to lift and carry 35 kg of weight for a distance of 100 meters in two minutes without putting down the weight |
Female candidates should be able to lift and carry 20 kgs of weight for a distance of 100 meters in two minutes without putting down the weight |
| Candidates should be able to run for a distance of 1000 meters in four minutes and 15 seconds in one chance | Candidates should be able to run for a distance of 1000 meters in five minutes and 40 seconds in one chance |
Document Verification & Empanelling of Candidates
In 2022, the process of document verification was revised. Based on the performance of candidates in CBT 1 and subject to their qualifying in PET, candidates equal to the number of vacancies in the ratio 1.1 are called for document verification as per their merit and options. Earlier, it was based on the performance of candidates in CBT subject to their qualifying in PET, candidates 1.05 times (number of extra candidates to be called for Document Verification shall be five per cent beyond the number of notified vacancies) the number of vacancies were called for Document Verification as per their merit and options. Appointment of selected candidates is subject to their passing the requisite medical fitness by the railway administration, final verification of education, community certificates, and verification of antecedents/character certificates. Candidates successful in document verification are sent for medical examination. Visual acuity standard is one of the important criteria of the medical fitness of railway staff. The medical standard prescribed for different categories is given below:
| Medical Standard | Visual Acuity |
|---|---|
| A-2 | Distant Vision: 6/9, 6/9 without glasses (no fogging test) Near Vision: Sn. 0.6, 0.6 without glasses and must pass tests for colour vision, binocular vision, night vision, mesopic vision, etc. |
| A-3 | Distant Vision: 6/9, 6/9 with or without glasses (power of lenses not to exceed 2D) Near Vision: Sn: 0.6, 0.6 with or without glasses and must pass test for colour vision, binocular vision, night vision, myopic vision, etc. |
| B-1 | Distant Vision: 6/9, 6/12 with or without glasses (power of lenses not to exceed 4D) Near Vision: Sn. 0.6, 0.6 with or without glasses when reading or close work is required and must pass the test for colour vision, binocular vision, night vision, mesopic vision, etc. |
| B-2 | Distant Vision: 6/9, 6/12 with or without glasses (power of lenses not to exceed 4D) Near Vision: Sn. 0.6, 0.6 with or without glasses when reading or close work is required and must pass test for Binocular Vision, etc. |
| C-1 | Distant Vision: 6/12, 6/18 with or without glasses Near Vision: Sn. 0.6, 0.6 with or without glasses when reading or close work is required |
| C-2 | Distant Vision: 6/12, NIL with or without glasses Near Vision: Sn. 0.6 combined with or without glasses where reading or close work is required |
Commonly asked questions
Yes, there are qualifying marks in RRB Group D exam. The qualifying marks for your and EWS categories are 40 per cent and 30 per cent for SC, ST, and OBC.
Candidates must begin their RRB Group D preparation by going through the exam pattern as it is regarding the overall structure of the test. After going through the exam pattern, candidates should go through the topics given in the syllabus. Candidates should also go through the previous years' question papers to know the types of questions asked in the exam as well as the important topics. The exam pattern of RRB Group D comprises-CBT, Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Document Verification and Medical Exam. The total marks allotted to CBT are 100. The PET is qualifying in nature, however, it is mandatory to clear this stage. The medical exam is conducted to assess whether the candidates is physically fit to perform the job assigned to him. The final empanellment is done based on the performance in CBT provided candidates qualify PET, Document Verification and Medical Exam.
RRB Group D Marking Scheme
The marking scheme has been prescribed by the RRBs. The scores of candidates are calculated as per the marking scheme. The marking scheme of RRB Group D is given below:
- For each correct answer marked in the exam, candidates score one mark
- 1/3 marks are deducted for wrong answers in the exam
RRB Group D Qualifying Marks
o qualify the exam, candidates need to secure the qualifying marks as per their category. Besides, candidates are also required to secure RRB Group D cutoff marks. The category-wise qualifying marks are given below:
Category |
Qualifying marks (In per cent) |
|---|---|
| UR |
40 |
| EWS |
40 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) |
30 |
| SC |
30 |
| ST |
30 |
Note: The percentage of marks is relaxed by 2 per cent for PwBD candidates.
RRB Group D Percentile Based Calculation
Percentile scores are scores based on the relative performance of all those who appear for the examination. The marks obtained are transformed into a scale ranging from 100 to 0 for each shift of examinees. The percentile score is not the same as the percentage of marks obtained. The percentile score indicates the percentage of candidates that have scored equal to or below (same or lower raw scores) that particular percentile in that examination. Therefore, the topper (highest score) of each shift will get the same percentile of 100 which is desirable. The marks obtained in between the highest and lowest scores are also converted to appropriate percentiles. According to the revised marking scheme, the boards have decided to interpolate the raw marks into the base shift.
Formula for Percentile Score Based Normalisation
The percentile score is the normalized score for the examination (instead of the raw marks of the candidate) and is used for the preparation of the merit lists. The percentile score of a candidate for a particular shift is calculated below:
Percentile Score=Number of candidates appeared in the ‘Shift’ with raw score EQUAL TO OR LESS than the candidate/The total number of the candidates who appeared in the ’Shift’ X 1000
The percentile scores for the raw score of all the candidates for all the shifts are merged and called the RRC scores which then is used for the compilation of results and further processing for deciding the merit allocation. The Percentile Scores will be calculated up to 5 decimal places to avoid the bunching effect and reduce ties.
In case of two or more candidates secure same Normalized Percentile Score, their merit position will be determined by age criteria i.e., the older person will be placed at higher merit, and in case age being same, then alphabetical order (A to Z) of the name shall be taken into account to break the tie.
What is Base Shift?
‘Base Shift’ is a shift having the ‘Highest Mean’ (Average) among all the shifts of CBT with a condition that its ‘Present Candidate Count’ should be 70 per cent or more than the average of all shifts. In case the ‘Highest Mean’ of two shifts is the same then the shift having ‘Highest Individual Marks’ is considered as ‘Base Shift’.
In case both ‘Highest Mean’ and ‘Highest Individual Marks’ are the same then the shift having ‘Highest Present Candidate Count’ is considered as ‘Base Shift’ to break the tie.
Commonly asked questions
There is a negative marking in the RRB Group D exam. 1/3 of marks are deducted for wrong answers. Candidates for correct answers are awarded one mark. The total marks of candidates are calculated based on the number of correct and incorrect answers. RRB Group D marking scheme is given below.
Total Marks | 100 marks |
Marks Awarded for Correct Answer | 1 mark |
Marks Awarded for Incorrect Answer | 0.33 marks |
RRB Group D Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs
Candidates can check below RRB Group D exam pattern FAQs.
Commonly asked questions
The topic-wise distribution of questions in RRB Group D General Science section is given below.
Topics | Expected Weightage |
|---|---|
Physics | 7-8 |
Chemistry | 9-10 |
Biology | 6-7 |
General Science section of RRB Group D Exam covers the topics from Class 10 & Class 12 science books. The level of questions is of high school level. Following are the important topics for this section:
- Classification
- Life Processes
- Acid Bases and Salts
- Sources of Energy
- Reproduction
- Ecology
- Metals and Non-Metals
- Chemical Reactions
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Units and Measurement
- Heat
- Force
- Gravitation
The General Awareness section is set to evaluate the broad general knowledge capabilities of the candidate. Most of the questions in this section are based on current events in science, technology, sports, culture, people, economics, politics and other subjects.
RRB Group D General Science section covers Physics, Chemistry, and Life Sciences of Class 10 level (CBSE). This section tests candidates' knowledge of observation from everyday to scientific aspects. The tips and tricks to prepare for RRB Group D General Science section are given below:
- Candidates must learn the concepts of Class 9 and Class 10 Science thoroughly
- They should memorise the formulas and practice more formulas
- Candidates must revise the concepts given in the syllabus throughly
- Candidates must solve mock tests and previous years' question papers
The tips and tricks to prepare for RRB Group D General Awareness are given below.
- Candidates must stay updated with current events for this you should read the newspaper daily and keep an eye on daily current affairs.
- Candidates can watch our daily Current Affairs Class by Bhunesh Sir on our YouTube channel to keep themselves updated with the latest news and cases.
- Candidates should make notes of daily current affairs to recall anytime.
In RRB Group D exam, there are 25 questions each in General Science and Mathematics. There are 30 questions in the General Intelligence and Reasoning and 20 questions in General Awareness and Current Affairs. We have provided below the topic-wise weightage.
Maths
Topics | Expected weightage |
|---|---|
Number System | 1-2 |
BODMAS | 2-3 |
Decimals & Fractions | 1-2 |
Average | 1-2 |
LCM & HCF | 1-2 |
Ratio and Proportion | 2-3 |
Percentages | 2-3 |
Mensuration | 2 |
Time and Work | 3-4 |
Time and Distance | 2-3 |
Simple and Compound Interest | 1 |
Profit & Loss | 1-2 |
Algebra | 1 |
Geometry and Trigonometry | 1 |
Age Calculations | 2-3 |
Calendar & Clock | 1 |
Miscellaneous | 2-3 |
General Awareness
Topics | Expected Weightage |
|---|---|
Sports | 2-3 |
Economics | 1-2 |
CEO/Chairman/Appointments | 1-2 |
Current Affairs | 8-9 |
Geography | 2-3 |
History | 2-3 |
Miscellaneous | 4-5 |
General Intelligence and Reasoning
Topics | Expected Weightage |
|---|---|
Analogies | 2-3 |
Alphabetical and Number Series | 3-4 |
Coding and Decoding | 2-3 |
Mathematical Operations | 1-2 |
Syllogism | 1 |
Venn Diagram | 1-2 |
Data Interpretation and Sufficiency | 1-2 |
Conclusions and Decision Making | 1 |
Analytical Reasoning | 3-4 |
Classification | 2-3 |
Directions | 1-2 |
Statement-Arguments and Assumptions | 4-5 |
Miscellaneous | 2-3 |
General Science
Topics | Expected Weightage |
|---|---|
Physics | 7-8 |
Chemistry | 9-10 |
Biology | 6-7 |
The question paper of RRB Group D CBT is formulated in 15 languages Hindi English Urdu, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipur, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu. The RRB paper, or Railway Recruitment Board paper, can be in various languages depending on the region or the specific examination. However, the majority of RRB papers are in the official language of the state in which the examination is taking place. For example, if the examination is taking place in Tamil Nadu, the paper is likely to be in Tamil. Likewise, if the exam is taking place in Kolkata, the language of the question paper will be in Bengali. Candidates can opt to choose the exam language while filling the application form.
‘Base Shift’ is a shift having the ‘the highest Mean’ (Average) among all the shifts of CBT with a condition that its ‘Present Candidate Count’ should be 70 per cent or more than the average of all shifts. In case the ‘the highest Mean’ of two shifts is the same then the shift having ‘the highest Individual Marks’ is considered as ‘Base Shift’.
In case both ‘the highest Mean’ and ‘the highest Individual Marks’ are the same then the shift having ‘the highest Present Candidate Count’ is considered as ‘Base Shift’ to break the tie.
RRB Group D exam comprises Reasoning, Math, General Awareness, and General Science sections. With hard work and dedication candidates can crack RRB group d exam in three months. The section-wise tips to crack RRB Group D exam are given below:
RRB Group D Preparation Tips for Maths
- Candidates must make a realistic short-term objective and work towards achieving it
- Candidates must make a plan that improves the weak areas as well as strengthens the fundamentals
- Candidates must solve previous years' questions papers
RRB Group D Preparation Tips for Reasoning
- Candidates must separate their weak and strong areas
- It is important to create a strategy that focuses on the weak areas
- Candidates must attempt mock tests to gain thorough understanding of the General Intelligence and Reasoning
- Solve RRB Group D exam papers from previous years to improve exam performance
RRB Group D Preparation Tips for General Awareness
- Candidates must regularly give RRB Group D mock test
- They should read newspapers everyday
RRB Group D Preparation Tips for General Science
- Candidates must attempt mock tests to understand the RRB Group D exam pattern
- It is important to prepare General Science by reading NCERT notes for elementary physics, chemistry, and biological science
Percentile scores are scores based on the relative performance of all those who appear for the examination. The marks obtained are transformed into a scale ranging from 100 to 0 for each shift of examinees. The percentile score is not the same as the percentage of marks obtained. The percentile score indicates the percentage of candidates that have scored equal to or below (same or lower raw scores) that particular percentile in that examination. Therefore, the topper (the highest score) of each shift will get the same percentile of 100 which is desirable. The marks obtained in between the highest and the lowest scores are also converted to appropriate percentiles. According to the revised marking scheme, the boards have decided to interpolate the raw marks into the base shift.
RRB Group D Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
The highest salary in IBPS RRB is offered to Officers Scale III. The salary for this post ranges between INR 80,000 to 90,000. The next the highest salary is provided to Officers Scale 1. The range for this post is between INR 65,000 to 67,000. IBPS RRB PO salary ranges between INR 75,000 to 77,000.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
RRB Group D e-books and PDFs are useful for preparation. Candidates must practice the previous years' question papers and mock tests to improve the speed and accuracy of solving questions.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
To improve the basics, candidates can refer to one book, but for advanced practice, candidates must complement with question banks. online test series and mock papers.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Yes, you can buy the RRB Group D previous year question paper books. Practising year papers and mock tests improves speed, accuracy, and understanding of exam patterns.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
NCERT books for Classes 6 to 10, especially for Science and Social Science, are highly useful to clear the concepts of the topics given in the General Science and General Awareness.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Candidates must buy separate books for Maths, Reasoning, General Awareness and Science. Referring to separate books helps in focused preparation and practice. Candidates must also buy the combined guidebooks for different subjects for detailed coverage.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates must choose the medium they are comfortable with. RRB Group D books are available in both English and Hindi. Candidates must also choose the books that have covered the syllabus and are easily understandable.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
RRB Group D previous year question papers are equally important as it helps candidates to understand the exam pattern, frequently asked topics, and difficulty level. Solving the question papers help candidates to improve their speed and accuracy of solving questions.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, candidates are required to refer to separate RRB Group D books for Current Affairs such as Pratiyogita Darpan and Manorama Yearbook. Questions in this section are asked from the following topics:
Static GK for Group D
Railway Budget news
Sports news for Group D
Indian Geography for RRB
History of In
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, NCERT books (from Class 6 to 10) are sufficient for covering basics of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology for RRB Group D. The syllabus for RRB Group D General Science is given below.
RRB Group D Physics Syllabus: Units and measurements, Force and Laws of Motion, Work, Energy, and Power, Gravitatio
C
Contributor-Level 7
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