RRB Section Controller 2026 Exam Date Out: CBT on 12–13 October 2026 (CEN 03/2026)
Latest Update (11 September 2026): The Railway Recruitment Boards have released the tentative Computer Based Test (CBT) schedule for the Section Controller post under CEN 03/2026 — the CBT will be held on 12 and 13 October 2026. The exam city and date link will go live about 10 days before the exam, and e-call letters can be downloaded about 4 days before your exam date. With about a month to go, move your preparation to full-length mock tests and revision now.
Download RRB Section Controller CEN 03/2026 CBT Exam Schedule Notice (PDF)
RRB Apply Portal Login — Complete Aadhaar Authentication
Official RRB Website — Exam City & Date Link and SC/ST Travel Authority (live about 10 days before the exam)
When Will RRB Section Controller Admit Card 2026 (E-Call Letter) and Exam City Slip Be Released?
Every date in the CBT schedule notice is tentative, so keep checking the official RRB websites. Here is the CBT-stage timeline the Railway Recruitment Boards have given.
| Stage | When (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| CBT for Section Controller (CEN 03/2026) | 12 to 13 October 2026 |
| Exam City and Date Link (plus Travel Authority for SC/ST) | About 10 days before the exam date |
| E-Call Letter Download | About 4 days before your exam date |
The exam city and date link will open on the official websites of all RRBs. Your E-Call Letter download date is counted from the exam date shown in that city intimation link, so note your exact date as soon as the link opens. The CEN also makes clear that centre and city allotment depends on technical and logistical feasibility, so you may have to travel to another city or state, and a request to change the exam centre will not be allowed under any circumstances.
What Are the Aadhaar and Exam-Day Rules for RRB Section Controller CBT 2026?
Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication will be done at the exam centre before you enter the exam hall. Sort out these points well before exam day:
- Carry your original Aadhaar card or a printout of your e-verified Aadhaar to the centre.
- If you have not yet authenticated your identity through Aadhaar, log in at rrbapply.gov.in with your credentials and complete it.
- Keep your Aadhaar in unlocked condition in the UIDAI system before you reach the centre, even if you verified it while applying.
- Make sure your Aadhaar carries your correct name, date of birth as per your Class 10th certificate, latest photograph, address and father’s name, and update your biometrics if you have not done so since reaching 15 years of age.
The CEN also lists strict exam-day rules. Only the e-call letter is allowed inside the test centre — mobile phones, watches, earphones, Bluetooth devices, health bands, calculators, pen, pencil, paper, belts, caps, handbags, purses, water bottles and food items are banned, and a pen will be given to you in the exam hall. Do not apply henna on your hands or feet, as it blocks biometric capture. Any violation leads to disqualification, legal action and debarment from future exams. A cloak room may not be available, so leave valuables and phones at home.
Plan one step ahead too: candidates shortlisted for the CBAT must produce the Vision Certificate in the prescribed format (Annexure VI / Annexure VI-A) in original at the CBAT, failing which they will not be permitted to appear. Follow only the official RRB websites, and ignore touts who promise a railway job for money — RRB selection is based on the CBT and on merit alone. You can track other upcoming railway exams on our exam calendar.
RRB Section Controller CEN 03/2026 Notification Out for 119 Railway Vacancies
The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have released the much-awaited Section Controller notification under Centralised Employment Notice CEN No. 03/2026. A total of 119 posts are open across 21 RRBs and the Zonal Railways all over India. Section Controller is a responsible Pay Level 6 post that keeps trains running safely, and this is a rare chance to join Indian Railways as a graduate. If you have been waiting for fresh railway jobs, this is an excellent entry point into a stable central government career.
The online application window ran from 15 July 2026 to 14 August 2026 and is now closed. It was open to candidates aged 20 to 33 years holding a graduation degree, and the CBT is now scheduled for 12–13 October 2026. In this GovtJobsAlert.in guide, we explain the full vacancy split, eligibility, salary, selection process, fee, and important dates in very simple language, so you can understand every stage and prepare for the CBT with full confidence.
Key Highlights — RRB Section Controller CEN 03/2026
Railway Recruitment Boards conduct centralised hiring for various Group posts across Indian Railways. The Section Controller works in the control office and manages the safe movement of trains in a section. This is a single-post recruitment (no grades), and vacancies are spread zone-wise across the whole country.
- Recruiting Body: Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways
- Post Name: Section Controller (CEN 03/2026)
- Total Vacancies: 119
- Pay Level: Level 6 (₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400)
- Job Location: Across Indian Railways zones — All India
- Last Date to Apply: 14 August 2026 (Closed)
Vacancy Breakdown — RRB Section Controller 2026
The 119 vacancies are allotted RRB-wise (region-wise). Each candidate could apply to only one RRB, and shortlisting for the CBAT, DV and medical stages is done RRB-wise. Here is the RRB-wise post distribution.
| RRB (Region) | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | 11 |
| Ajmer | 1 |
| Bengaluru | 8 |
| Bhopal | 6 |
| Bhubaneswar | 6 |
| Bilaspur | 4 |
| Chandigarh | 6 |
| Chennai | 9 |
| Gorakhpur | 5 |
| Guwahati | 1 |
| Kolkata | 8 |
| Malda | 7 |
| Mumbai | 6 |
| Muzaffarpur | 3 |
| Patna | 6 |
| Prayagraj | 4 |
| Ranchi | 14 |
| Secunderabad | 5 |
| Siliguri | 5 |
| Thiruvananthapuram | 4 |
The category-wise reservation across all RRBs is given below. Ex-Servicemen (5 posts) reservation is horizontal, within these totals.
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR (General) | 50 |
| OBC-NCL | 29 |
| SC | 19 |
| ST | 12 |
| EWS | 9 |
| Total | 119 |
Eligibility Criteria — RRB Section Controller 2026
Before applying, check that you meet both the education and age rules on the given cut-off dates. Section Controller is a graduate-level post, so the eligibility is simple and open to all streams.
Educational Qualification
You must hold a Graduate Degree from a recognised University or an equivalent qualification. Any discipline is allowed — there is no branch or stream restriction. This makes it a great opening for graduates looking for government jobs from arts, science, commerce, or engineering backgrounds. Candidates who were still awaiting their final result were not eligible to apply — the degree had to be complete by the closing date of 14 August 2026.
Age Limit
The age limit is 20 to 33 years, calculated as on 1 July 2026. Reserved category candidates get age relaxation as per railway rules, shown below.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC-NCL | 3 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per rules |
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age on the cut-off date and instantly check your eligibility — including SC / ST / OBC / PwBD age relaxation. →
What is the Salary for RRB Section Controller 2026?
The Section Controller post is placed in Level 6 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, with an initial basic pay of ₹35,400 per month. Over the career, the pay in this level grows from ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400, and on top of the basic pay you also get regular railway allowances.
- Pay Level: Level 6 (7th CPC)
- Starting Basic Pay: ₹35,400 per month
- Allowances: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance and other admissible benefits
The approximate in-hand salary, after adding DA, HRA and other allowances to the ₹35,400 basic, works out to a comfortable amount that grows every year with increments and DA hikes.
During the prescribed training period, only a stipend is paid; the full pay starts after training. Along with the salary, you also get the job security, pension benefits and social respect that come with a permanent Indian Railways post.
What is the Selection Process for RRB Section Controller 2026?
Selection is done in a fixed order of stages. You must clear each stage to move to the next one. The final merit gives weightage to both the written test and the aptitude test.
- Computer Based Test (CBT) — the first screening exam
- Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) — a psychological aptitude test
- Document Verification (DV) — checking of original certificates
- Medical Examination — as per medical standard A-2
CBT Exam Pattern
The CBT has 100 questions for 100 marks and a duration of 120 minutes (objective type). There is negative marking of 1/3 mark for each wrong answer. The sections are Analytical & Mathematical Capability (60), Logical Capability (20) and Mental Reasoning (20). Minimum qualifying marks are 40% (UR/EWS), 30% (OBC-NCL/SC) and 25% (ST).
CBAT and Final Merit
Candidates equal to 8 times the vacancies are shortlisted for the CBAT. The CBAT has no negative marking, and you must score a minimum T-Score of 42 in each test battery (no relaxation for any category). The final merit list is prepared with 70% weightage to CBT and 30% weightage to CBAT. To plan your preparation, check the detailed exam syllabus and pattern on GovtJobsAlert.in.
How to Apply Online for RRB Section Controller 2026?
Applications were accepted online only from 15 July to 14 August 2026, and the window is now closed. The steps are kept here for reference — only one application to one RRB was allowed.
- Visit the official RRB application portal (link given in Essential Links below).
- Create your account using your mobile number and email, then log in.
- Fill the application form with your personal, educational and category details.
- Upload your live photo and signature as per the given size format.
- Pay the application fee online through net banking, debit card, credit card or UPI.
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page for your record.
After submission, details could be changed only during the modification window (17–26 August 2026) on payment of a modification fee, and that window has also closed. Applying to more than one RRB leads to rejection of all applications.
Important Dates — RRB Section Controller 2026
The application stages are over and the CBT is the next stage. Here are all the key dates at a glance.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 27 June 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 15 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 14 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 16 August 2026 |
| Modification Window | 17–26 August 2026 |
| CBT Exam Date |
Application Fees — RRB Section Controller 2026
The fee is paid online only. The good news is that a large part of the fee is refunded after you appear in the CBT.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General, OBC, EWS (all others) | ₹500 |
| SC, ST, Women, PwBD & concession categories | ₹250 |
For general candidates, ₹400 is refunded (less bank charges) on appearing in the CBT; for the concession categories, the full ₹250 is refunded. The refund is credited only to your Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Essential Links — RRB Section Controller 2026
- Download Official Notification PDF
- RRB Apply Portal Login for Section Controller 2026 (Applications Closed)
- Visit RRB Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
This RRB Section Controller recruitment is a wonderful chance to build a secure career in Indian Railways with a strong Level 6 salary. The application window closed on 14 August 2026 and the CBT is scheduled for 12–13 October 2026, so if you have applied, put every remaining day into revision and mock tests. For more railway job notifications, admit cards and results, keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in and prepare with full dedication. Your railway dream is truly within reach.