RRB Station Master Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 1,250 Posts under CEN 08/2026

The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have issued the notification for the independent recruitment of 1,250 Station Masters under Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 08/2026. In a structural departure from previous cycles where Station Master vacancies were clubbed under the Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) drive, the Ministry of Railways is conducting this operational cadre recruitment through a dedicated single-notification framework. The detailed notification and online registration portal go live on October 27, 2026, and candidates can submit applications until November 25, 2026.

Important Dates

Candidates preparing to apply through regional RRBs must track the official timeline for CEN 08/2026.

• Short Notice Publication Date: October 21, 2026
• Detailed CEN Notification Release: October 27, 2026
• Online Application Commencement Date: October 27, 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: November 25, 2026 (11:59 PM)
• Application Form Correction Window: November 26, 2026, to December 5, 2026
• Computer-Based Examination (CBT) Date: To be announced across regional RRB portals

Vacancy Breakdown & Zonal Distribution

A total of 1,250 vacancies are allocated across the 21 Railway Recruitment Boards and Indian Railway operational zones. Station Masters oversee train operations, track safety, platform dispatch, and station administrative control.

Vacancies are distributed across zonal railway headquarters including Northern Railway, Western Railway, Central Railway, Eastern Railway, Southern Railway, South Western Railway, East Coast Railway, and North Eastern Railway. Complete zone-wise and category-wise quotas (UR, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, Ex-Servicemen) will appear in the detailed vacancy table on October 27.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must fulfill specific educational degrees, age limits, and medical fitness parameters.

Educational Qualifications

Applicants must possess a Bachelor degree in any discipline from a recognized university or institute. Candidates awaiting final degree results as of November 25, 2026, are not eligible to apply.

Age Limit & Category Relaxations

Candidate age will be calculated against the prescribed cut-off date:

• Unreserved (UR) and EWS Candidates: 20 to 30 years.
• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Candidates: 20 to 33 years (3 years upper age relaxation).
• SC and ST Candidates: 20 to 35 years (5 years upper age relaxation).
• Ex-Servicemen: Relaxation as per central government norms based on service length plus 3 years.

A-2 Medical Fitness Standard

Station Master is an operational safety category post with strict medical requirements. Candidates must pass the A-2 medical fitness examination:

• Distance Vision: 6/9, 6/9 without glasses (no power lenses permitted).
• Near Vision: Snellen 0.6, 0.6 without glasses.
• Color Vision & Binocularity: Candidates must possess normal color vision and clear tests for binocular vision, field of vision, and night vision. Candidates who have undergone LASIK surgery are disqualified under railway safety rules.

Salary Structure & Pay Matrix

The Station Master post falls under Pay Level 6 of the 7th Central Pay Commission:

• Pay Scale: Level 6 (Rs 35,400 to Rs 1,12,400).
• Starting Basic Pay: Rs 35,400 per month.
• Monthly Allowances: Appointed officers receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, Station Working Allowance, Night Duty Allowance, and National Holiday Allowance.
• Gross Starting Salary: The initial gross emoluments generally range from Rs 52,000 to Rs 62,000 per month depending on the city classification (X, Y, or Z).

Application Fee & Refund Terms

The Railway Recruitment Board follows the standard fee refund mechanism upon CBT appearance:

• General, OBC, and EWS Male Candidates: Rs 500. A partial refund of Rs 400 is returned to the original bank account after deducting applicable bank charges upon attending the CBT.
• SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, Female, Transgender, Minorities, and Economically Backward Class (EBC) Candidates: Rs 250. The full fee of Rs 250 is refunded upon attending the CBT.
• Payment Modes: Online through SBI payment gateway using Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI.

Selection Process & Exam Scheme

The selection architecture for CEN 08/2026 comprises four consecutive phases:

1. Computer-Based Test (CBT): An objective multiple-choice test consisting of 100 questions carrying 100 marks for a duration of 90 minutes. Sections cover General Awareness (Current Affairs, Indian History, Geography, Railway Systems), Mathematics (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry), and General Intelligence and Reasoning. Each incorrect answer carries a negative marking penalty of 1/3 mark.
2. Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT): Candidates who qualify the CBT at a ratio of 1:8 are called for the psychometric aptitude test. The CBAT evaluates mental alertness, spatial orientation, selective attention, and personality suitability for train control operations. Candidates must score a minimum T-score of 42 in each battery to qualify. Final merit combines 70 percent weightage from the CBT and 30 percent from the CBAT.
3. Document Verification (DV): Verification of original academic certificates, identity documents, and reservation credentials for shortlisted candidates.
4. Medical Examination: Comprehensive medical screening under the A-2 fitness standard conducted by Railway Medical Officers.

How to Apply Online

Applications are processed through the unified railway recruitment portal:

1. Visit the central railway application portal at rrbapply.gov.in.
2. Click on Create an Account if applying for the first time, or log in with your existing RRB account credentials.
3. Select notification number CEN 08/2026 (Recruitment of Station Master).
4. Select your preferred Railway Recruitment Board (RRB zone). Note that candidates can apply to only one RRB.
5. Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, communication address, and bank account details for fee refund.
6. Upload recent passport size photograph with a white background and digital signature conforming to railway specifications.
7. Pay the examination fee through the online gateway.
8. Submit the application and download the confirmation receipt for examination entry.

Official Links

• Unified RRB Application Portal: rrbapply.gov.in
• Railway Recruitment Control Board: indianrailways.gov.in

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the closing date for RRB Station Master Recruitment 2026?

The online application portal closes on November 25, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

Why is the Station Master exam conducted separately from NTPC this year?

The Ministry of Railways separated the Station Master operational post under CEN 08/2026 to streamline recruitment, conduct specialized psychometric assessments faster, and fill critical operational vacancies across zonal divisions without waiting for general administrative clerical cadre cycles.

Can candidates wearing glasses apply for Station Master?

No. Candidates must fulfill the A-2 medical standard requiring distance vision of 6/9, 6/9 without glasses. Wearing spectacles or having undergone LASIK eye surgery disqualifies the candidate for safety operational posts.

What is the weightage of the Aptitude Test (CBAT) in the final merit?

The final merit list is compiled by giving 70 percent weightage to marks obtained in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) and 30 percent weightage to marks scored in the Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT).

How much fee is refunded after appearing in the CBT exam?

General, OBC, and EWS candidates receive a refund of Rs 400, while SC, ST, female, and other reserved categories receive a full refund of Rs 250 after appearing in the CBT.