The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways, have officially activated the Exam City Intimation Slipon September 27, 2026, under Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 02/2026. This recruitment drive covers 6,557 vacancies across Indian Railways for Technician Grade-I Signal and Technician Grade-III posts. Candidates who submitted their applications between June 30 and July 29, 2026, can now log in to the regional RRB portals to check their assigned test city, shift timing, and travel authority before the Computer-Based Test (CBT) scheduled from October 6 to October 9, 2026.
Quick Highlights
| Recruitment Authority | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways |
| Notification Number | CEN 02/2026 |
| Post Groups | Technician Grade-I Signal & Technician Grade-III |
| Total Vacancies | 6,557 Posts (Grade I: 323, Grade III: 6,234) |
| City Slip Release Date | September 27, 2026 |
| CBT Examination Dates | October 6, 7, 8, and 9, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release Date | 4 days before candidate’s exam date (from October 2, 2026) |
| Daily Shifts | 3 Shifts per day |
| Official Central Portal | rrbapply.gov.in / indianrailways.gov.in |
Key Examination Schedule
- Official Notification Published: June 29, 2026
- Application Window: June 30 to July 29, 2026
- Fee Payment Closing Date: July 31, 2026
- Exam City Slip Live: September 27, 2026
- E-Call Letter / Admit Card Download: October 2, 2026 onwards (staggered by shift date)
- CBT Test Window: October 6 to October 9, 2026
City Intimation Slip vs. Admit Card: Core Differences
A common mistake among candidates is treating the City Intimation Slip as the entry pass:
- Exam City Intimation Slip (Out Now): Released 10 days before the exam to give candidates sufficient time to arrange train reservations, lodging, and logistics. It specifies the allotted city, exam date, shift number, and reporting time, along with a free rail travel pass for eligible SC/ST candidates. This document cannot be used to enter the examination venue.
- E-Call Letter / Admit Card (Releases 4 Days Prior): Released on a rolling schedule starting October 2, 2026. This contains the exact examination venue address, lab number, roll number, and barcode. You must bring a physical printout of this card to gain entry.
CBT Shift Timings & Reporting Protocol
The CBT will run in three distinct shifts each day across national test centers:
| Shift | Reporting Time | Gate Closure Time | Exam Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shift 1 (Morning) | 07:30 AM | 08:30 AM | 09:00 AM – 10:30 AM |
| Shift 2 (Afternoon) | 11:30 AM | 12:30 PM | 01:00 PM – 02:30 PM |
| Shift 3 (Evening) | 03:30 PM | 04:30 PM | 05:00 PM – 06:30 PM |
Note on Gate Closure: Centers operate automated electronic gates. Once the gate closes (30 minutes prior to exam commencement), entry is barred under all circumstances.
Step-by-Step: How to Download the City Intimation Slip
- Navigate to the Official Portal: Go to the centralized application engine at rrbapply.gov.in or your specific regional RRB board website.
- Access the Candidate Area: Click on the top-right button labeled “Apply” and select “Already Have an Account?”.
- Submit Credentials: Enter your registered Mobile Number / Email Address / Registration Number and your Password, along with the captcha text.
- Download the Slip: On your candidate dashboard, click on “CEN 02/2026 Exam City Slip”. Verify your photo, shift details, and allotted city.
- Print for Travel: Download the PDF. If eligible for the SC/ST Free Travel Authority, keep two physical printouts along with your original caste certificate when boarding trains.
CBT Exam Pattern & Syllabus Breakdown
Both posts carry a 90-minute single-stage CBT (120 minutes for eligible PwBD candidates using scribes) with 100 objective questions:
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted for each incorrect answer.
- Normalization: Multi-shift percentile normalization will be applied across exam batches.
1. Technician Grade-III Pattern (100 Marks)
- General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Basic Life Sciences): 40 Questions (40 Marks)
- Mathematics: 25 Questions (25 Marks)
- General Intelligence & Reasoning: 25 Questions (25 Marks)
- General Awareness: 10 Questions (10 Marks)
2. Technician Grade-I Signal Pattern (100 Marks)
- Basic Science & Engineering: 35 Questions (35 Marks)
- Basics of Computers & Applications: 20 Questions (20 Marks)
- Mathematics: 20 Questions (20 Marks)
- General Intelligence & Reasoning: 15 Questions (15 Marks)
- General Awareness: 10 Questions (10 Marks)
Mandatory Biometric & Verification Protocols
- Aadhaar-Linked Biometric Authentication: In accordance with Railway Board directives, every candidate must undergo Aadhaar biometric fingerprint authentication at the registration desk prior to entering the computer lab. Bring your original physical Aadhaar Card.
- Alternative Verification: If you do not have an Aadhaar card, you must present the original government photo ID submitted during application (Voter ID, Passport, PAN Card, or Driving License) for manual verification. Digital scans, laminated photocopies, or mobile screenshots are strictly prohibited.
- Restricted Items: Electronic gadgets, pen drives, fitness bands, analog/smartwatches, calculators, and metal items are prohibited. Centers do not guarantee secure personal item storage.
Troubleshooting Common Candidate Issues
- City Allotted is Far Away: Examination cities are allotted algorithmically based on center capacity and geographical availability. RRBs do not entertain requests to reassign exam cities, dates, or shifts.
- Forgotten Password / Registration Number: Use the “Forgot Credentials” button on the rrbapply.gov.in login page. Provide your registered primary email ID or phone number to receive a one-time reset token.
- Discrepancy on the Slip: If your name, category, or photograph on the city slip does not match your submitted application copy, file an immediate support ticket through the central RRB Helpdesk portal before admit cards are issued.
FAQs
Q1. Can I board a train with just the SC/ST Travel Pass printed on the City Slip?
Yes, but you must carry the original caste certificate and an original photo identity card. The travel pass is valid only for the specific travel dates mentioned to reach the exam destination.
Q2. When will the RRB Technician Admit Card link go live?
Admit cards are released 4 days before your specific exam date. For instance, candidates scheduled for the October 6 exam can access their call letter starting October 2, 2026.
Q3. Is there a typing or trade skill test after the CBT?
No. Unlike ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot), Technician Grade-I Signal and Grade-III recruitments rely entirely on marks obtained in this single-stage CBT, followed directly by Document Verification (DV) and Medical Fitness tests.
