Railway Recruitment Boards

The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) are a network of recruitment boards under the Ministry of Railways responsible for conducting recruitment processes for specified railway posts. RRB recruitment is a major route into Indian Railways for candidates applying for non-gazetted positions covered by the relevant recruitment rules and notifications.

RRB examinations and recruitment processes cover a range of technical, operational, clerical and other railway positions. Depending on the recruitment cycle, major recruitment categories include Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC), Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP), Technician, Junior Engineer and other notified posts. The exact posts, educational qualifications, age limits, vacancy numbers, examination stages and medical requirements are determined by the individual recruitment notification.

The RRB system uses multiple regional boards and examination centres rather than operating as a single conventional examination commission. Candidates should therefore pay attention to the RRB and recruitment notification specified for their application. Official railway recruitment information is particularly important for checking application dates, vacancy details, exam schedules, city information, admit cards, answer keys and results.

Railway recruitment through dedicated service commissions dates back to 1942, when a Service Commission was established on an experimental basis. Additional Railway Service Commissions were subsequently created in different regions. In January 1985, the Railway Service Commissions were renamed Railway Recruitment Boards. The Railway Recruitment Control Board was established in 1998 at Railway Board level to oversee and coordinate the functioning of the RRB system.

The RRB system consists of multiple regional Railway Recruitment Boards. Railway Board-level administration includes the Railway Recruitment Control Board (RRCB), which was established to formulate recruitment policy, monitor RRB activities, evaluate performance and support coordinated recruitment administration. Each RRB generally has a Chairman, Member Secretary and Secretary/Assistant Secretary, supported by staff handling recruitment and examination functions.