Railway RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2026: The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has released the official recruitment notification CEN 03/2026 for the post of Section Controller across various railway zones in India. This recruitment drive aims to fill 119 vacant positions under Pay Level-6 (7th CPC) for qualified graduate candidates.
The online application process commenced on July 15, 2026, and the deadline to submit the online form is August 14, 2026. If you are looking to build a career in the operating branch of Indian Railways as a Section Controller, review the essential dates, eligibility criteria, selection process, and application steps below.
Railway RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview
| Feature | Key Details |
| Recruitment Body | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) / Ministry of Railways |
| Advertisement No. | CEN No. 03/2026 |
| Post Name | Section Controller |
| Total Vacancies | 119 Vacancies (Spread across 21 RRBs) |
| Pay Level | Level-6 (7th CPC) – Initial Basic Pay ₹35,400/- |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Online Registration Dates | July 15, 2026 to August 14, 2026 |
| Selection Process | CBT, CBAT, DV, and Medical Examination |
| Official Website | rrbapply.gov.in / indianrailways.gov.in |
Important Dates (CEN 03/2026)
According to the official centralized Employment Notice (CEN 03/2026) issued by the Railway Recruitment Board, candidates must keep track of the following timeline:
- Short Indicative Notice Date: June 23, 2026
- Detailed Notification Release: July 14, 2026
- Opening Date for Online Application: July 15, 2026
- Closing Date for Online Application: August 14, 2026 (until 23:59 hrs)
- Last Date for Fee Payment: August 16, 2026
- Modification Window for Online Application: August 17, 2026 to August 26, 2026
- Computer-Based Test (CBT) Date: To be announced soon
Vacancy Details & Pay Scale
A total of 119 vacancies have been sanctioned under RRB CEN 03/2026 across participating Railway Recruitment Boards.
Category-Wise Vacancy Breakup
- Unreserved (UR): 69 Posts
- Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL): 29 Posts
- Scheduled Caste (SC): 10 Posts
- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 12 Posts
- Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 9 Posts
- Total Posts: 119 Posts
(Note: 5 horizontal vacancies are reserved for Ex-Servicemen. Major vacancies are concentrated in the East Central Railway and Western Railway zones.)
Salary Structure
Selected candidates will be placed in 7th CPC Level-6 with a starting basic pay of ₹35,400/- per month. In addition to basic pay, candidates receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), and operational allowances admissible as per railway rules.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Educational Qualification
- Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a recognized University or Institution.
- Awaiting Results: Candidates waiting for final degree results (Appearing Candidates) are not eligible. Educational qualification must be completed on or before the closing date (14.08.2026).
- Diploma or ITI holders without a Bachelor’s degree are not eligible for this post.
2. Age Limit (As of 01.07.2026)
- Minimum Age: 20 Years
- Maximum Age: 33 Years
Upper Age Relaxation:
- OBC (NCL): 3 Years
- SC / ST: 5 Years
- PwBD: 10 to 15 Years
- Ex-Servicemen: As per standard government norms
3. Medical Fitness Standard (A-2 Category)
The role of a Section Controller involves critical train operations and traffic regulation; therefore, the A-2 Medical Standard is mandatory:
- Distant Vision: 6/9, 6/9 without glasses.
- Near Vision: Sn 0.6, 0.6 without glasses.
- Must pass tests for Color Vision, Binocular Vision, Field of Vision, and Night Vision.
- Important Disclaimer: Candidates who have undergone LASIK or any other refractive eye surgery are Ineligible for this post.
Selection Process & Exam Pattern
The selection process for RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2026 comprises four distinct stages:
- Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT – Psycho Test)
- Document Verification (DV)
- Medical Examination
CBT Exam Pattern
- Total Questions: 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Total Marks: 100 Marks
- Duration: 120 Minutes (2 Hours)
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer.
| Subject / Section | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
| Analytical & Mathematical Capability | 60 | 60 |
| Logical Capability | 20 | 20 |
| Mental Reasoning | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
CBAT & Final Weightage
- Candidates equal to 8 times the vacancy count who qualify in the CBT cut-off will be called for the CBAT (Psycho Test).
- Final Merit List: Prepared by giving 70% weightage to CBT scores and 30% weightage to CBAT scores.
Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS Candidates: ₹500/- (An amount of ₹400/- will be refunded after appearing in the CBT).
- SC / ST / PwBD / Female / Transgender / Minorities / EBC: ₹250/- (Full refund of ₹250/- after appearing in the CBT).
- Payment Mode: Online through Net Banking, Credit/Debit Cards, or UPI.
How to Apply Online for RRB Section Controller 2026?
- Visit the official recruitment portal at rrbapply.gov.in.
- Click on “CEN 03/2026 – Section Controller Recruitment” on the homepage.
- Select “Create an Account” if you are a new user, and complete registration using your basic details, mobile number, and email address.
- Log in using your generated Registration ID and Password.
- Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, and select your preferred RRB zone (Candidates can apply to one RRB zone only).
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and category certificates in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee via online payment gateways.
- Preview your application, submit the form, and download a printout for future reference.
Official Links & Portal Access
- RRB Official Application Portal: rrbapply.gov.in
- Official Indian Railways Portal: indianrailways.gov.in
- Official Notification PDF Download: CEN 03/2026 Notification PDF
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When does the online registration start for RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2026?
Answer: The online registration started on July 15, 2026, and the last date to apply online is August 14, 2026.
Q2. How many vacancies are released under RRB CEN 03/2026?
Answer: The Ministry of Railways has released a total of 119 vacancies across 21 RRB zones.
Q3. Are candidates with LASIK surgery eligible for the Section Controller post?
Answer: No, the post requires the A-2 Medical Standard without glasses. Candidates who have undergone LASIK or any refractive surgeries are ineligible.
Q4. What is the initial pay scale for an RRB Section Controller?
Answer: The post comes under 7th CPC Pay Level-6, offering a starting basic pay of ₹35,400/- per month plus applicable railway allowances.
Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. Candidates are strongly advised to refer to the official notification CEN 03/2026 published on rrbapply.gov.in before filling out the online application form.