🚂 RRB CEN 03/2026 Section Controller Recruitment
119 Vacancies – Apply Online from 15 July 2026
📅 Last Date: 14 August 2026🔗 View Official CEN
Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have officially issued Centralized Employment Notice (CEN) No. 03/2026 for the recruitment of Section Controllers in various Zonal Railways of Indian Railways. This is a prestigious Group 'C' (Graduate Level) post with a starting pay of ₹35,400 under Pay Level-6 of the 7th CPC.
As per the official notification, a total of 119 vacancies are to be filled across different Railway Zones. The online application window is set to open on 15 July 2026 (00:00 hrs) and will close on 14 August 2026 (23:59 hrs). The selection process is rigorous, involving a Computer Based Test (CBT), a Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), and strict medical standards.
This comprehensive post breaks down every aspect of the CEN 03/2026, including important dates, vacancy details, eligibility criteria, medical standards, and the step-by-step application process.
📋 Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Indian Railways |
| Advertisement No. | CEN 03/2026 |
| Post Name | Section Controller |
| Pay Level | Level 06 (₹35,400 – as per 7th CPC) |
| Total Vacancies | 119 (Across all RRBs) |
| Medical Standard | A-2 (Strict vision & fitness standards) |
| Application Start Date | 15 July 2026 (00:00 hrs) |
| Application Last Date | 14 August 2026 (23:59 hrs) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 16 August 2026 |
| Modification Window | 17 August – 26 August 2026 |
| Official RRB Portal | rrb.indianrailways.gov.in |
📅 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Indicative Notice Release | 27 June 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 15 July 2026 (00:00 hrs) |
| Online Application Last Date | 14 August 2026 (23:59 hrs) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 16 August 2026 |
| Application Modification Window | 17 August – 26 August 2026 |
| Scribe Details Submission Window | 27 August – 31 August 2026 |
| CBT & CBAT Exam Dates | To be notified by RRB |
📊 Vacancy Details
The total number of vacancies for the Section Controller post is 119, distributed across various Railway Zones. The pay scale for this post is Level 6 with a starting basic pay of ₹35,400.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Vacancies | 119 |
| Pay Level | Level 06 (7th CPC) |
| Initial Pay | ₹35,400 |
| Age Limit (as on 01.07.2026) | 20 – 33 Years |
Important Note: The detailed RRB-wise and Railway Zone-wise distribution of these 119 vacancies is provided in Annexure-B of the official CEN. Candidates are strongly advised to consult this annexure to identify the specific RRB they wish to apply for.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
📌 Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess a University Degree or its equivalent from a recognized Board/University/Institute. Candidates awaiting final results of the prescribed educational qualification are NOT eligible to apply. The essential qualification must be held as on the closing date of online submission, i.e., 14 August 2026.
📌 Age Limit (as on 01.07.2026)
Candidates must be between 20 to 33 years of age as on 01.07.2026. The specific date of birth limits for General and Reserved categories are as follows:
- UR & EWS: Born not earlier than 02.07.1993 and not later than 01.07.2006.
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): Born not earlier than 02.07.1990 and not later than 01.07.2006.
- SC/ST: Born not earlier than 02.07.1988 and not later than 01.07.2006.
📌 Age Relaxation
Relaxation in the upper age limit is applicable for the following categories:
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years.
- SC/ST: 5 years.
- Ex-Servicemen: 3 to 8 years (depending on community, after deducting length of military service).
- Railway Staff (Group C/D): Up to 40/43/45 years.
- PwBD: 10 to 15 years (depending on community).
- Widowed/Divorced Women: Up to 35/38/40 years.
Important: SC/ST/OBC candidates applying against UR vacancies are not eligible for age relaxation. PwBD candidates applying against UR vacancies get age relaxation applicable for PwBD (UR) only.
📌 Medical Standard (A-2)
This is a strict and non-negotiable criterion. Candidates must be physically fit in all respects and meet the following visual standards:
- Distant Vision: 6/9, 6/9 without glasses (No fogging test).
- Near Vision: Snellen 0.6, 0.6 without glasses.
- Additional tests: Must pass tests for Colour Vision, Binocular Vision, Night Vision, and Myopic vision.
CRITICAL WARNING: Candidates who have undergone LASIK surgery or any other surgical procedure to correct refractive errors are NOT eligible for the post of Section Controller. Candidates must submit a self-declaration regarding this at the time of the CBAT exam.
💳 Application Fee & Refund Policy
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹500 (₹400 refundable upon appearing in CBT) |
| Female / Transgender / Ex-Servicemen / SC/ST / Minority / EBC* / PwBD | ₹250 (Refundable upon appearing in CBT) |
*EBC (Economically Backward Class): EBC is distinct from OBC and EWS. Candidates seeking a concessional fee must possess a valid EBC certificate, BPL card, or Izzat MST issued on or before the closing date of application (14.08.2026). Failure to produce valid documents at DV will lead to rejection.
📌 Refund Process
- Refunds (after deducting bank charges) will be credited only to the bank account seeded with the candidate's Aadhaar number. Candidates must ensure their Aadhaar is linked to an operational bank account.
- No refund will be given for rejected or incomplete applications.
⚙️ Selection Process
The selection process for the Section Controller post is multi-staged and highly competitive:
📌 Stage 1: Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Duration: 120 minutes.
- Questions: 100 objective-type questions (1 mark each).
- Syllabus: Analytical & Mathematical Capability (60), Logical Capability (20), Mental Reasoning (20).
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd of the marks for each wrong answer.
- Purpose: Screening nature. Normalized marks will be used for shortlisting to CBAT.
📌 Stage 2: Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
- Shortlisting: Candidates equal to 8 times the vacancies will be shortlisted for CBAT.
- Qualifying Criteria: Candidates must secure a minimum T-Score of 42 in each of the test batteries. No relaxation is permissible.
- Negative Marking: No negative marking in CBAT.
- Weightage: Final merit is drawn based on 70% CBT marks + 30% CBAT marks.
Mandatory Requirement for CBAT: All candidates appearing for CBAT must submit a valid Vision Certificate (as per Annexure VI or Annexure VI-A for ExSM) on the day of the exam. Without this certificate, candidates will not be allowed to appear in the CBAT.
📌 Stage 3: Document Verification (DV) & Medical Examination (ME)
- Candidates equal to the number of vacancies will be called for DV based on merit and railway options.
- Tie-breaking criteria: Older candidate placed higher; if age is the same, alphabetical order (A to Z) of the given name.
- Final appointment is subject to passing the Medical Examination conducted by the Railway Administration.
📝 How to Apply Online
Follow these steps carefully to ensure a successful application:
📌 Step 1: Create an Account
- Visit the official RRB website listed in Para 19 of the CEN.
- Create an Account using a valid personal mobile number and active email ID.
- Authentication: It is strongly advised to authenticate your identity using Aadhaar or DigiLocker during account creation. This ensures smoother processing.
- IMPORTANT: Details entered in the 'Create an Account' form (including Email, Mobile, and Chosen RRB) cannot be changed at any stage.
📌 Step 2: Fill the Online Application
- Log in using your credentials.
- Fill in your Personal, Educational, and Other details.
- Live Photograph: The application module requires you to capture a live photograph using your webcam or front camera. Do not upload a pre-existing photo. Wear dark clothing, ensure a neutral background, and remove caps/masks/glasses.
- Signature: Upload a scanned copy of your signature. It must be in running handwriting (cursive/joined letters), NOT in BLOCK or CAPITAL letters. Signatures in block letters are strictly invalid.
📌 Step 3: Review and Submit
- Preview all details carefully before final submission. No changes are allowed after submission (except during the modification window).
- Pay the application fee online via Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI.
⚠️ Critical Warnings
- Strict Deadline: The online application portal closes strictly on 14 August 2026 (23:59 hrs). Do not wait until the last day to submit.
- One RRB Only: You can apply to only one RRB. Multiple applications to different RRBs will result in the rejection of ALL applications and permanent debarment.
- LASIK Surgery is a Disqualifier: Candidates who have undergone LASIK or any corrective eye surgery are permanently ineligible for this post. You must submit a self-declaration confirming this during the CBAT stage.
- Signature Rule: Signatures in BLOCK or CAPITAL letters will lead to automatic rejection. Your signature must be in running/joined handwriting.
- Live Photograph: Capturing a photo of a pre-existing printed or digital photo is strictly prohibited and will lead to rejection.
- EBC Certificate Validity: EBC candidates must ensure their certificate/BPL card/Izzat MST is issued on or before 14 August 2026. Certificates issued after this date will not be accepted.
- Beware of Touts: RRB strictly warns against touts and job racketeers. The selection is purely based on merit. Do not fall for any fraudulent promises of appointment.
🔗 Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official CEN 03/2026 PDF (Main) | Download PDF |
| Official CEN 03/2026 FAQ PDF | Download PDF |
| Unified RRB Official Portal | https://rrb.indianrailways.gov.in |
| RRB Application Portal | https://rrbapply.gov.in |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the RRB CEN 03/2026 Section Controller recruitment?
This is the Centralized Employment Notice (CEN) No. 03/2026 issued by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) for the recruitment of Section Controllers in various Zonal Railways of Indian Railways.
Q2: How many vacancies are available for the Section Controller post?
There are a total of 119 vacancies available across various RRBs and Railway Zones. (Detailed RRB-wise and Zone-wise distribution is provided in Annexure B of the CEN).
Q3: What is the last date to apply online for RRB CEN 03/2026?
The last date to submit online applications is 14 August 2026 (23:59 hrs).
Q4: What is the educational qualification required for Section Controller?
Candidates must possess a University Degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution. Candidates awaiting final results are NOT eligible to apply.
Q5: What is the age limit for the Section Controller post?
The age limit is 20 to 33 years as on 01.07.2026. Age relaxation is applicable for SC/ST, OBC-NCL, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen candidates as per government rules.
Q6: What is the medical standard for Section Controller?
The prescribed medical standard is A-2. Candidates must have distant vision 6/9, 6/9 without glasses, and normal colour vision. Candidates who have undergone LASIK surgery or any corrective eye surgery are NOT eligible.
Q7: What is the selection process for RRB CEN 03/2026?
The selection process involves a Single Stage Computer Based Test (CBT), a Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), Document Verification (DV), and Medical Examination. CBAT is qualifying and merit is based on 70% CBT + 30% CBAT.
Q8: What is the application fee for this recruitment?
The fee is ₹500 for General/OBC/EWS candidates (₹400 refundable on appearing in CBT). For Female/SC/ST/ExSM/PwBD candidates, the fee is ₹250 (refundable). EBC and Minority candidates are eligible for the concessional fee.
Q9: Is negative marking applicable in the CBT?
Yes. There shall be a negative marking of 1/3rd of the marks allotted for each wrong answer in the Computer Based Test (CBT).
Q10: Can I apply to more than one RRB?
No. Candidates can apply to only one RRB. Applying to more than one RRB will lead to the rejection of all applications and debarment from future RRB examinations.
📌 Conclusion
The release of RRB CEN 03/2026 for the Section Controller post opens a significant employment opportunity for graduates across India. With 119 vacancies and a starting pay of ₹35,400 in Pay Level-6, this is a highly sought-after government job in the Indian Railways.
Candidates must strictly adhere to the application timeline, from the opening date of 15 July 2026 to the closing date of 14 August 2026. The selection process is highly competitive, with a rigorous CBT, a mandatory CBAT with strict qualifying marks, and a highly demanding A-2 medical standard that permanently disqualifies candidates with LASIK surgery.
We strongly advise all aspirants to carefully read the full CEN, prepare their required documents (including a properly scanned running-hand signature and a valid EBC/PwBD certificate if applicable), and apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
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Disclaimer: This post is based on the official Centralized Employment Notice (CEN) No. 03/2026 and the accompanying FAQ document issued by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs). Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official RRB website and the official CEN PDF. Sarkari Nokrii does not provide any legal or career advice. The information is for informational purposes only.