Hello friends, how are you all?
Friends, Railway Group D Recruitment 2026 has been released. Zone-wise vacancy details are also out now. Where are the maximum vacancies? Where should you apply? Which post should you fill in first preference? Which post should you put in second so that the cutoff becomes lower? Which post has less work but gives better salary? And which posts in Group D involve more risk and hard labor work, which you should keep in the last preference?
Friends, we will tell you everything. Which is the best post, you will know if you read this full article. Let’s start.
Important Dates, Age Limit, and Application Fee
Friends, the application form will start from 21 January 2026 and you can apply till 20 February 2026.
Age Limit (as on 01/01/2026):
- General: 18 to 33 years
- OBC: Up to 36 years
- SC/ST: Up to 38 years
Application Fee:
- General/OBC: ₹500
- SC/ST/Female: ₹250
This is the basic information.
Zone-wise Vacancy Distribution
Now friends, let us see where the maximum vacancies are zone-wise:
- Northern Railway (NR – Delhi): 3,537 vacancies → Highest in India
- Gorakhpur: 1,136 vacancies
- Guwahati: 1,776 vacancies
- Kolkata (Eastern Railway): 946 vacancies
- South Central Railway (Secunderabad): 1,012 vacancies
- Chennai: 1,036 vacancies
- Central Railway (Mumbai): 1,979 vacancies
- Western Railway (Mumbai): 3,148 vacancies → Second highest in India
- Hubli: 90 vacancies
- Jaipur: 974 vacancies
- Jabalpur: 1,147 vacancies
- Ahmedabad: 1,146 vacancies
- Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh): 1,219 vacancies
- Bhubaneswar: 803 vacancies
- Hajipur (Patna): 993 vacancies
Where Should You Apply?
Friends, now the question is where should you apply?
- First highest vacancies: Delhi (Northern Railway)
- Second highest: Western Railway, Mumbai
- Third: Central Railway, Mumbai
- Fourth: Guwahati
- Fifth: Jabalpur
But friends, I advise you to avoid first and second zones, because maximum number of candidates apply there, and competition becomes very high.
You can safely apply in 3rd, 4th, or 5th zone like Central Railway, Guwahati, or Jabalpur.
Which Is the Best Post? Job Profile Explained
Now friends, the biggest question is:
Which is the best post? What work does each post involve?
1. Track Maintainer / Track Mechanic (Engineering Department)
- Vacancies: 11,000 (Highest)
- Work: Maintenance of railway tracks.
- Nature of work: Hard labor, field job, physical work.
- This is basically “government labor” type work.
- Many candidates leave this job due to heavy workload.
- Salary: Initially normal, but due to risk allowance, after experience, salary can reach ₹60,000–₹70,000+.
This job is for those who are ready for hard work and risk.
2. Assistant P-Way (Permanent Way)
- Work: Track repair, inspection, safety, smooth train movement.
- Nature: Outdoor and physically demanding.
3. Assistant TRD (Electrical Department)
- Work: Maintenance of overhead electric lines, power supply for trains.
- Nature: Technical, risky due to electricity, but decent job profile.
4. Pointsman – One of the Best Jobs
Friends, this is one of the best posts in Group D.
- Vacancies: Around 5,000 (Second highest)
- Work: Showing red or green flag to the train driver.
- Responsibility: Checking if there is any spark, fault, or problem in the track.
- If everything is safe → Green flag
- If any issue → Red flag
This job is easy, low physical labor, and mostly station-based.
If you get a station with only 4–5 trains per day, then work becomes very comfortable.
👉 This is the best job to put in first preference.
5. Assistant TL & AC, Assistant C&W (Carriage & Wagon)
- Work: Maintenance of coaches, AC, and railway compartments.
- Duty: Shift-based, fixed timing (8 hours).
- Salary: Fixed, less overtime, low risk.
- Nature: Easy job, stable routine.
6. Assistant Loco Shed / Electrical Operations
- Work: Maintenance of engines and locomotives.
- Nature: Fixed shift, no overtime, low risk.
- Salary: Fixed.
7. Signal & Telecommunication (S&T)
- Work: Announcements, signaling systems, telecom equipment.
- Nature: Fixed duty, technical but comfortable.
- Salary: Fixed (Grade Pay 1800).
Job Preference Strategy
Friends, now understand clearly:
- If you want easy work and peace of life:
👉 Pointsman (Best choice)
👉 Assistant TL & AC, C&W, Loco Shed, Operations - If you want higher salary and are ready for hard labor and risk:
👉 Track Maintainer
👉 Track Mechanic
👉 Bridge-related posts
Friends, don’t run blindly after salary. If your life can run smoothly with a stable income, why take unnecessary risk for a few extra rupees?
Application Summary
- Form Start Date: 21 January 2026
- Last Date: 20 February 2026
- Zone-wise vacancies: Explained above
- Best Post: Pointsman
- Hardest Post: Track Maintainer / Track Mechanic
Friends, when the full notification comes with category-wise details, we will make a detailed video on:
- Job profile
- Promotion opportunities
- Which post has better future growth
Conclusion
Friends, this was the complete detail of Railway Group D Recruitment 2026:
- Application dates
- Age limit
- Fees
- Zone-wise vacancies
- Best post
- Work profile
- Job preference strategy