RPF SI Exam 2026

The RPF SI (Sub-Inspector) recruitment for 2026 is a premier national-level examination conducted to hire eligible graduates for the Railway Protection Force. Below are the key highlights:

• Exam Name: RPF Sub-Inspector (SI) 2026
• Conducting Body: Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) on behalf of the Ministry of Railways
• Exam Level: National
• Mode of Exam: Computer Based Test (CBT)
• Selection Stages: CBT, Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Physical Measurement Test (PMT), and Document Verification
• Official Website: indianrailways.gov.in

Candidates should keep track of the following tentative schedule for the RPF SI 2026 recruitment cycle:

• Official Notification Release: January 2026
• Online Application Start Date: February 2026
• Last Date to Apply: March 2026
• Admit Card Release: 10-15 days before the exam
• CBT Exam Date: June/July 2026
• Result Declaration: September 2026
• PET/PMT Dates: October 2026

The RPF SI exam is a competitive recruitment process for the post of Sub-Inspector in the Railway Protection Force and Railway Protection Special Force. The primary responsibility of an SI is to ensure the safety of railway property, passengers, and the station premises, while also maintaining law and order within the railway jurisdiction.

The full form of RPF SI is Railway Protection Force Sub-Inspector. It is a Group 'C' executive post under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India.

Historically, the RPF SI recruitment was managed directly by the RPF department. However, in recent years, the responsibility has been shifted to the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) to ensure a more streamlined and transparent Computer Based Test (CBT) process. The exam has evolved from a offline paper-based format to a highly secure online testing environment with standardized marking across multiple shifts.

Eligibility criteria for the RPF SI 2026 exam are as follows:

• Educational Qualification: A Graduation degree from a recognized university in any discipline.
• Age Limit: Minimum 20 years and Maximum 28 years (Age relaxations apply for SC/ST/OBC candidates as per government norms).
• Nationality: Must be a citizen of India.
• Physical Standards: Candidates must meet specific height and chest measurement requirements (differing for male/female and categories).

The application process is entirely online. Candidates must follow these steps:

1. Visit the official regional RRB website.
2. Click on the link for 'CEN (Centralized Employment Notice) RPF SI 2026'.
3. Register using a valid mobile number and email ID.
4. Fill in personal, educational, and contact details.
5. Upload scanned documents (Photograph and Signature).
6. Pay the application fee (approx. ₹500 for Unreserved and ₹250 for reserved categories/females).
7. Submit and print the confirmation page.

The RPF SI CBT consists of three primary subjects designed to test the candidate's logical and general awareness capabilities:

• General Awareness: Focuses on current events and general knowledge.
• Arithmetic: Focuses on mathematical and numerical ability.
• General Intelligence & Reasoning: Focuses on logical thinking and analytical skills.

The detailed syllabus for the 2026 exam includes:

• General Awareness: Indian History, Art & Culture, Geography, Economics, General Polity, Indian Constitution, Sports, and General Science.
• Arithmetic: Number Systems, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Profit and Loss, Mensuration, Time and Distance, and Interest.
• Reasoning: Analogies, Similarities and Differences, Spatial Visualization, Decision Making, Visual Memory, Discriminating Observation, and Relationship concepts.

The CBT pattern for RPF SI 2026 is as follows:

• Total Questions: 120
• Total Time: 90 Minutes
• General Awareness: 50 Questions (50 Marks)
• Arithmetic: 35 Questions (35 Marks)
• General Intelligence & Reasoning: 35 Questions (35 Marks)
• Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted for every wrong answer.

The selection or 'admission' into the force involves four stages:

1. Phase I: Computer Based Test (CBT) - Candidates must clear the cut-off.
2. Phase II: Physical Efficiency Test (PET) - Qualifying in nature (Running, Long Jump, High Jump).
3. Phase III: Physical Measurement Test (PMT) - Verification of height and chest.
4. Phase IV: Document Verification (DV) - Verification of original certificates.

Since RPF SI is a recruitment exam and not an academic entrance test, there are no participating universities. Instead, the recruitment is conducted for various Railway Zones across India, such as Northern Railway, Western Railway, Southern Railway, etc. Candidates are allotted to these zones based on merit and preference.

The RPF SI 2026 results will be published in PDF format on the official regional RRB websites. The result list will contain the roll numbers of candidates shortlisted for the PET/PMT rounds. Candidates can also check their individual scorecards by logging in with their registration credentials.

Once the CBT results are declared, shortlisted candidates must prepare for the physical rounds. After clearing PET/PMT and Document Verification, candidates undergo a medical examination. Final selected candidates are sent for rigorous training at designated RPF Training Centres before being posted as Sub-Inspectors.

In the context of RPF SI, 'counselling' refers to the Document Verification (DV) and Zonal Allocation process. During DV, candidates must present original documents like graduation mark sheets, caste certificates, and ID proofs. Based on the final merit list and the candidate's choice, they are assigned to a specific Railway Zone.

The cut-off marks for RPF SI 2026 will depend on factors such as the number of vacancies, the difficulty level of the CBT, and the number of applicants. Usually, the cut-off for the General category ranges between 90-100 out of 120 marks, though this varies significantly by zone.

While RPF exams are primarily managed by the RRBs, for queries regarding the centralized recruitment process, candidates can contact:

• Authority: Railway Recruitment Control Board (RRCB)
• Address: Ministry of Railways, Rail Bhawan, New Delhi
• Official Website: rrbcdg.gov.in
• Helpdesk: Candidates should refer to the specific regional RRB website (e.g., RRB Chandigarh, RRB Mumbai) for localized support.