RRB Group D Syllabus 2025: Subject-Wise Topics, Exam Pattern + PDF

The RRB Group D syllabus covers four subjects in a single Computer-Based Test (CBT): Mathematics (25 marks), General Intelligence & Reasoning (30 marks), General Science (25 marks) and General Awareness & Current Affairs (20 marks) — 100 questions for 100 marks in 90 minutes, with a 1/3 negative mark for every wrong answer. After the CBT, candidates must clear the Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Document Verification and a Medical Examination to be appointed to Level-1 posts of Indian Railways.

This guide gives you the complete, topic-by-topic rrb group d syllabus 2025 for all four subjects, the full exam pattern with marks distribution, a high-yield weightage table built from previous-year trends, gender-wise PET standards, eligibility, age limit and salary, a 60/90-day study plan and a free PDF checklist — everything you need to plan your preparation in one place. Topic emphasis can shift between notifications, so always cross-check the final list against the latest official CEN on the RRB website before locking your plan.

RRB Group D 2025 Overview

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) conducts Group D recruitment for Level-1 posts such as Track Maintainer Grade-IV, Pointsman, Helper/Assistant in various technical departments (Electrical, Mechanical, S&T), Assistant Pointsman and Assistant (Workshop). The recruitment runs under Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) for Level-1 posts. The most recent large-scale drive was notified under CEN 08/2024, and aspirants preparing in 2025 should always cross-check topic changes against the latest official CEN before finalising their plan.

RRB Group D Exam Pattern 2025

The rrb group d exam pattern consists of a single objective-type CBT. There is no sectional timing — you get 90 minutes to attempt all 100 questions across the four subjects. Each question carries one mark, and one-third of a mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. There is no penalty for un-attempted questions, so intelligent question selection matters.

Reasoning carries the highest weightage (30 marks), followed by Maths and Science at 25 each. The exam is normalised across shifts because it is held in multiple sessions over several days — your raw score is converted to a normalised score to keep difficulty fair across slots.

How negative marking works — a quick example: suppose you attempt 90 questions and get 75 right and 15 wrong. You earn 75 marks, then lose 15 × 1/3 = 5 marks, for a net 70. Those five lost marks show why disciplined attempting beats blind guessing: three wrong answers cancel a full correct one.

What are the qualifying marks for RRB Group D CBT?

The minimum qualifying percentage to clear the CBT is 40% for UR (Unreserved) and EWS, 30% for OBC-NCL and SC, and 30% for ST. These cut-offs may be relaxed by up to 2% for reserved categories where required to fill vacancies. Qualifying is only the first filter — final selection is on merit of normalised CBT scores, so you should aim well above the minimum.

Eligibility, Age Limit and Salary

Before you invest months in the syllabus, confirm you meet the basics — thousands of applications are rejected at Document Verification for eligibility gaps that were avoidable.

Salary: Level-1 posts fall under Pay Level 1 of the 7th CPC with a basic pay of ₹18,000 per month, plus Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance and applicable railway allowances. In-hand pay varies by posting city, but the total package — together with medical, pass and pension benefits — is a major reason for the exam’s high competition. Confirm exact education, age cut-off dates and relaxations against the official CEN, as they are notification-specific.

Subject-Wise RRB Group D Syllabus

Below is the full rrb group d syllabus subject wise, mapped topic-by-topic exactly as specified in the official CEN. The standard of questions is broadly Class 10 (Matriculation) level.

RRB Group D Maths Syllabus

The rrb group d maths syllabus tests arithmetic and basic quantitative aptitude. Speed and accuracy are decisive here because many topics — percentage, ratio, profit & loss — are inter-linked. The core topics are:

• Number System
• BODMAS
• Decimals and Fractions
• LCM and HCF
• Ratio and Proportion
• Percentages
• Mensuration
• Time and Work
• Time and Distance
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Profit and Loss
• Algebra
• Geometry and Trigonometry
• Elementary Statistics
• Square Root
• Age Calculations
• Calendar and Clock
• Pipes and Cisterns
• Averages
• Simplification

General Intelligence & Reasoning Syllabus

Reasoning is the highest-scoring section (30 marks) and, with practice, the most scoring because answers are logic-based and unambiguous. The syllabus includes:

• Analogies
• Alphabetical and Number Series
• Coding and Decoding
• Mathematical Operations
• Relationships (Blood Relations)
• Syllogism
• Jumbling
• Venn Diagram
• Data Interpretation and Sufficiency
• Conclusions and Decision Making
• Similarities and Differences
• Analytical Reasoning
• Classification
• Directions
• Statement–Argument and Assumptions

RRB Group D General Science Syllabus

The rrb group d science syllabus is set at the Class 10 CBSE standard and is split across Physics, Chemistry and Life Science (Biology). This section rewards NCERT-based conceptual clarity. The breakdown below shows the topic spread within the 25-mark section.

General Awareness & Current Affairs Syllabus

This 20-mark section covers current events and static GK. Focus areas include:

• Current Affairs (national & international, last 6–8 months)
• Science & Technology developments
• Sports and major tournaments
• Indian Culture, Art and Heritage
• Personalities in News (awards, appointments)
• Economics and Government Schemes
• Politics and Polity basics
• Important Days, Books & Authors

Because a big chunk of this section is dynamic, a disciplined monthly current-affairs habit pays off. Aspirants who already follow a compiled monthly digest such as the Vision IAS Current Affairs Magazine (January 2026) or the December 2025 edition find it easy to convert this into quick RRB revision notes, since the events overlap heavily with railway-exam GK.

High-Yield Topics: Chapter-Wise Weightage

Most syllabus pages give you a flat list but never tell you where to start. Based on previous-year RRB Group D CBT trends, the table below highlights the highest-frequency topics — your “focus first” list. Treat these as indicative trends rather than a fixed blueprint, and master them before touching low-return chapters.

Read this way: roughly 65–70% of the paper comes from a compact core. If you nail these high-yield topics with accuracy, you comfortably cross the qualifying line and build a merit buffer.

Which Subject Has the Highest Weightage in RRB Group D?

General Intelligence & Reasoning has the highest weightage at 30 marks, making it the single most important section to secure. Mathematics and General Science tie at 25 marks each, and General Awareness & Current Affairs carries 20 marks. Strategically, treat Reasoning and Science as your scoring engines: Reasoning because it is practice-driven and objective, and Science because a strong NCERT base yields fast, certain answers with almost no calculation.

Selection Process: CBT to Medical

RRB Group D selection is a four-stage funnel. Each stage is qualifying for the next, and only CBT scores decide merit.

Note: unlike some technical RRB posts, Group D does not have a separate CBAT (Computer-Based Aptitude Test) — that stage applies to Assistant Loco Pilot recruitment, not Level-1 Group D. So do not confuse CBT with CBAT while planning.

PET Criteria for Male and Female Candidates

The Physical Efficiency Test is purely qualifying but non-negotiable — you must clear both components. Standards differ by gender.

Start light jogging and grip/forearm training at least 8–10 weeks before the PET so it never becomes the reason you miss appointment after clearing the CBT.

60-Day and 90-Day RRB Group D Study Plan

A syllabus is only useful when mapped to a timetable. Here is a phase-wise plan you can compress into 60 days or spread across 90.

For a 60-day sprint, merge Foundation and Application into 40 days and keep the last 20 for mocks and revision. Whichever plan you pick, a fixed daily current-affairs slot and a weekly full mock are non-negotiable.

Best Books and Free Resources for RRB Group D

You do not need a shelf of books. A tight, subject-wise stack beats scattered material.

For the current-affairs and static-GK component, the same PYQ-driven, topic-wise approach that UPSC aspirants use works well. Resources like the Forum IAS Topic-Wise PYQ Toolkit teach you how to read a syllabus through the lens of previous-year questions — a skill that transfers directly to how you should attack the RRB Group D GK section. Browse Competer’s wider current-affairs magazine range to keep your dynamic GK current every month.

Preparation Strategy and Common Mistakes

Understanding the syllabus is half the battle; execution is the other half.

• Attempt Reasoning first in the exam — it is the highest-weightage, lowest-risk section and builds a confident scoring base.
• Respect negative marking. With 1/3 deduction, blind guessing hurts. Only mark answers you can eliminate to two options or better.
• Do not ignore Science. Many aspirants over-invest in Maths and leave 25 easy NCERT marks on the table.
• Practice on-screen. The CBT is computer-based — take mocks in the same interface to build screen stamina.
• Maintain an error log. Revisiting mistakes weekly is the single fastest way to raise your normalised score.
• Do not leave PET for the end. Physical conditioning takes weeks; start alongside your CBT prep.

Is RRB Group D Exam Easy to Crack?

RRB Group D is considered moderately easy in difficulty but highly competitive in cut-off, because lakhs of candidates apply for Level-1 posts and questions stay at Class 10 level. The syllabus is finite and predictable, so with 3–4 months of disciplined preparation — high-yield topics, daily current affairs and regular mocks — a sincere aspirant can clear it. The real challenge is not difficulty but accuracy under negative marking and clearing the PET, so aim for a high normalised score rather than just the qualifying minimum.

RRB Group D Syllabus PDF Download

Use this printable checklist as your rrb group d syllabus pdf download reference. Tick each topic as you finish it — Foundation, Revision, and Mock-tested — so nothing in the syllabus slips through before the exam. You can copy the subject-wise topic lists and weightage tables above into a single sheet for a clean, free, topic-wise revision tracker. Always validate the final list against the current official CEN on the RRB website, as topic emphasis can shift between notifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the syllabus of RRB Group D?

The RRB Group D syllabus covers four subjects in one CBT: Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology at Class 10 level) and General Awareness & Current Affairs. It totals 100 questions for 100 marks, with topics ranging from percentage and profit & loss to syllogism, human body systems and current events.

What is the exam pattern for RRB Group D?

RRB Group D has a single objective CBT of 100 questions and 100 marks in 90 minutes (100 minutes for PwBD candidates), with no sectional timing. The split is Reasoning 30, Mathematics 25, General Science 25 and General Awareness & Current Affairs 20, and 1/3 mark is deducted per wrong answer.

How many questions are asked in the RRB Group D CBT exam?

The RRB Group D CBT has 100 questions worth 100 marks, to be solved in 90 minutes (100 minutes for PwBD candidates). The split is Reasoning 30, Maths 25, General Science 25 and General Awareness & Current Affairs 20.

Is there negative marking in RRB Group D?

Yes. One-third (1/3) of a mark is deducted for every wrong answer in the RRB Group D CBT. There is no deduction for questions left un-attempted, so avoid blind guessing and mark only well-reasoned answers.

Which subject has the highest weightage in RRB Group D?

General Intelligence & Reasoning has the highest weightage at 30 marks. Mathematics and General Science follow at 25 marks each, and General Awareness & Current Affairs carries 20 marks.

Is RRB Group D exam easy to crack?

The difficulty is moderate — questions stay at Class 10 level and the syllabus is finite — but competition is intense because lakhs apply. With 3–4 months of focused study on high-yield topics, daily current affairs and regular mocks, a disciplined candidate can clear it; the harder parts are accuracy under negative marking and passing the PET.

What are the PET criteria for RRB Group D male and female candidates?

Male candidates must lift and carry 35 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes in one chance and run 1000 metres in 4 minutes 15 seconds. Female candidates must lift and carry 20 kg for 100 metres in 2 minutes and run 1000 metres in 5 minutes 40 seconds. The PET is qualifying only.

What are the qualifying marks for RRB Group D CBT?

The minimum qualifying marks are 40% for UR and EWS, and 30% for OBC-NCL, SC and ST categories, with up to 2% relaxation for reserved categories where needed. Final selection is based on the merit of normalised CBT scores, so score well above the minimum.

What is the salary of an RRB Group D employee?

Level-1 posts carry a basic pay of ₹18,000 per month under Pay Level 1 of the 7th CPC, plus Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance and other railway allowances. In-hand pay varies by posting city, alongside medical, travel-pass and pension benefits.

What is the age limit for RRB Group D 2025?

The typical age range is 18 to 36 years for Unreserved candidates, with standard relaxations — 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST and up to 10 years for PwBD, plus other categories. Exact cut-off dates and relaxations are notification-specific, so confirm them in the official CEN.

Is there an RRB Group D syllabus PDF available?

Yes — the official topic-wise syllabus is published inside the CEN notification PDF on the RRB website. You can also compile the subject-wise lists and weightage tables in this guide into a single printable checklist to track Foundation, Revision and Mock-tested status for every topic.

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