RRB Annual Recruitment Calendar 2026 Released: Check Post-Wise Timeline, Vacancy Assessment & CEN Proposal Dates

The Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has officially released the Annual Calendar for Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Recruitments for the year 2026. Issued on 5 December 2025 by the Railway Board (No. 2024/E(RRB)/25/38), the notification outlines a comprehensive month-by-month schedule for assessing vacancies, indenting posts, and proposing draft Centralized Employment Notifications (CENs).

This structured calendar will streamline the recruitment process for various posts under RRBs, ensuring timely notifications, transparent procedures, and coordinated efforts by all Zonal Railways and Production Units. The Railway Board has instructed all concerned departments to strictly follow the timeline for smooth execution of recruitment activities.

Overview of RRB Recruitment Calendar 2026

The annual recruitment calendar covers major categories including:

• Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)
• Technicians
• Section Controller
• Junior Engineers & Depot Material Superintendent
• Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant
• Paramedical Categories
• Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC – Graduate & Undergraduate)
• Ministerial & Isolated Categories
• Level 1 Posts

Each category has been assigned a specific assessment deadline, approval window, and CEN proposal month to avoid delays and overlaps.

RRB 2026 Calendar: Period-Wise Detailed Schedule

1. January–March 2026: ALP & Technicians Recruitment

Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) and Technician posts are among the most anticipated RRB recruitments due to massive vacancies and large-scale participation.

Assistant Loco Pilot

• Vacancy Assessment Upto: 30 June 2027
• Assessment in OIRMS: December 2025
• Indenting of Vacancies: January 2026
• Proposal for Draft CEN: February 2026

Candidates can expect the RRB ALP 2026 Notification to be issued around February–March 2026, based on the proposal timeline.

Technicians

• Vacancy Assessment Upto: 30 June 2027
• Assessment in OIRMS: January 2026
• Indenting: February 2026
• Proposal for Draft CEN: March 2026

The RRB Technician 2026 notification is likely to be released in March–April 2026.

2. April–June 2026: Section Controller & JE/DMS/CMA Recruitment

This quarter primarily focuses on technical supervisory posts.

Section Controller

• Vacancy Assessment Upto: 30 June 2027
• Assessment in OIRMS: February 2026
• Indenting: March 2026
• Draft CEN Proposal: April 2026

Junior Engineers / Depot Material Superintendent / Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant

• Vacancy Assessment Upto: 30 September 2027
• Assessment in OIRMS: May–June 2026
• Indenting: June–July 2026
• Draft CEN Proposal: July 2026

This implies that RRB JE Recruitment 2026 and related technical posts will likely be announced during July–August 2026.

3. July–September 2026: Paramedical & NTPC Categories

This period includes recruitment for some of the most competitive categories in Indian Railways.

Paramedical Categories

The notification does not specify separate assessment dates, but these posts are scheduled alongside NTPC categories, indicating a mid-year 2026 notification.

Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC)

Includes:

• NTPC Graduate (Levels 4, 5, 6)
• NTPC Undergraduate (Levels 2 & 3)

Vacancy Assessment Upto: 30 September 2027
Assessment in OIRMS: June 2026
Indenting: July 2026
Draft CEN Proposal: August 2026

Candidates may expect the RRB NTPC 2026 notification around August–September 2026.

With lakhs of aspirants appearing for NTPC every cycle, this is one of the most important recruitment phases of the year.

4. October–December 2026: Ministerial & Level 1 Posts

This quarter addresses categories that involve administrative and ground-level railway operations.

Ministerial & Isolated Categories

• Assessment in OIRMS: August 2026
• Indenting: September 2026
• Draft CEN Proposal: September 2026

The notification for these posts is expected by late 2026.

Level 1 Posts (Track Maintainer, Helpers, Porter, etc.)

• Vacancy Assessment Upto: 31 December 2027
• Assessment in OIRMS: August 2026
• Indenting: September 2026
• Draft CEN Proposal: October 2026

Level 1 posts under RRB/RRC attract one of the highest numbers of applicants. The 2026 recruitment cycle is expected to begin around October–November 2026.

What Is OIRMS?

OIRMS (Online Indenting and Recruitment Management System) is the platform used by Indian Railways to manage:

• Vacancy assessment
• Indent approval
• Recruitment workflow

By aligning all assessments through OIRMS, the Railway Board aims to maintain transparency and consistency across all zones.

Why the 2026 RRB Calendar Is Important for Aspirants

This is one of the rare occasions where the Railway Board has published a structured annual recruitment timetable in advance. This benefits candidates in several ways:

✔ Predictability of exam cycles

Students can plan their preparation months before notifications are released.

✔ Timely release of notifications

With fixed proposal dates, issuance of CENs is expected to be more punctual.

✔ Streamlined recruitment across zones

All Zonal Railways and Production Units will operate under a unified schedule.

✔ Opportunity across multiple categories

From ALP and Technician to NTPC and Level 1 posts, aspirants of varied academic backgrounds will have opportunities in 2026.

Expected RRB Notifications in 2026 (Summary)

The RRB Annual Recruitment Calendar 2026 marks a major step towards a more systematic recruitment process in Indian Railways. With transparent timelines for vacancy assessment, notification proposals, and recruitment planning, candidates can now prepare with clarity and confidence.

Aspirants should regularly check official RRB websites for CEN notifications as per the schedule and begin early preparation to stay ahead of the competition.