Railway Group D Recruitment: What Is the Maximum Age Limit for Applicants?

Balasahana Suresh
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has released the official notification for the Railway Group D (Level 1) recruitment 2026, offering thousands of entry‑level jobs across indian Railways. One of the most important aspects for applicants to check before applying is the age eligibility criteria.

📌 General Age Limit (2026 Notification)

For the Railway Group D Recruitment under the latest notification (CEN 09/2025):

  • Minimum Age: 18 years
  • Maximum Age: 33 years for General and EWS category candidates as of January 1, 2026.
This means that candidates must not exceed 33 years of age on the cut‑off date specified in the notification to be eligible for most Group D posts.

📍 Age Relaxation for Reserved and Special Categories

The RRB provides upper age limit relaxations for candidates from certain categories, as allowed under government of india rules. These relaxations effectively allow older candidates to apply within extended age brackets, depending on their category.

Typical relaxation examples include:

  • OBC‑NCL: Up to 36 years
  • SC/ST: Up to 38 years
  • Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): Up to 10‑15 years depending on category
  • Ex‑servicemen: Relaxation after deduction of service length
  • Serving railway staff with 3+ years’ service: Upper limit extended further (e.g., up to 40–45 years in some cases)
These are indicative categories; detailed conditions and exact limits depend on the official notification and applicable legal provisions.

📊 Why Knowing the Age Limit Matters

The age eligibility rules are one of the key factors determining whether you can apply for the Railway Group D recruitment:

  • Candidates who exceed the maximum age without eligible relaxation will not be permitted to submit the application.
  • Age is usually calculated based on the date of birth as mentioned on a candidate’s Class 10 or birth certificate.
📌 Summary

Category

Maximum Age (as on Jan 1, 2026)

General / EWS

33 years

OBC‑NCL

Up to 36 years

SC/ST

Up to 38 years

PwBD

Up to 10‑15 years extra depending on category

Ex‑servicemen & Railway staff

Additional relaxations as per rules

Note: Exact limits can vary and you should always check the latest official RRB notification for the specific recruitment cycle.

 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.

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