RPF Constable 2026 — Railway Protection Force Complete Guide

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) recruits Constables to protect railway property, passenger areas, and smooth railway operations across India's extensive rail network. RPF Constables are Central Armed Government servants under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India and are deployed across all Zonal Railways.

RPF Constable is one of the most sought-after central railway jobs as it requires a 10th pass qualification for entry into a disciplined central force with nationwide postings and attractive railway welfare benefits.

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RPF Constable 2026 — At a Glance

Parameter	Details
Recruiting Body	Railway Protection Force (RPF) via Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs)
Cadre / Post Name	Constable (Executive)
Vacancies Outlook	Zonal Distribution across Indian Railways (Previous benchmark: 4,208 in CEN 02/2024)
Minimum Qualification	10th Pass (Matriculation from a recognized Board)
Selection Stages	Computer Based Test (CBT) → PET / PMT → Document Verification → Medical
Central Application Portal	rrbapply.gov.in & rpf.indianrailways.gov.in

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RPF Constable 2026 — Expected Dates

The schedule for RPF recruitment cycles is coordinated through official Centralized Employment Notices (CEN). Candidates should track rrbapply.gov.in for live gazetted announcements:

Event	Official Status / Projected Schedule
Notification Release (CEN)	Expected Late 2026 (To be officially notified by RRBs)
Online Application Start	To open concurrently with CEN release
Application Last Date	30 days from application window opening
Application Correction Window	10 days post application closure
City Intimation Slip & Admit Card	7–10 days prior to CBT
Computer Based Test (CBT)	To be announced officially by RRBs
CBT Answer Key & Challenges	1–2 weeks following CBT conclusion
CBT Result & PET Shortlisting	30–45 days post examination
PET / PMT (Physical Tests)	Scheduled zone-wise after CBT results
Document Verification & Medical	Following PET/PMT qualification

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RPF Constable 2026 — Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• Minimum: Class 10th (Matriculation/SSLC) Pass from any recognized Board
• No specific stream required for Constable post

Age Limit (as on specified date in notification — approximately July 1, 2026)

Category	Minimum	Maximum
General / EWS	18	28
OBC (NCL)	18	31 (+3)
SC	18	33 (+5)
ST	18	33 (+5)
PwBD (General)	18	38 (+10)
Ex-Servicemen (General)	18	28 + service period

Physical Standard Test (PMT) — Height and Chest

Category	Male Height	Male Chest (Unexpanded/Expanded)	Female Height
General / OBC / SC	165 cm	80.5 / 85 cm (5 cm expansion)	157 cm
ST	162.5 cm	76.2 / 81.2 cm	152 cm
Candidates from Garhwal, Kumaon, Gorkha, Dogra, Marathas, and Sikkimese regions	162.5 cm	80 / 85 cm	155 cm

Weight: Proportionate to height as per medical standards.

Other Requirements

• Must be an Indian citizen
• Knowledge of the official language of the state/UT of the Railway Zone applied for is advantageous

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RPF Constable 2026 — Exam Pattern (CBT)

Parameter	Details
Mode	Online (Computer Based Test)
Total Questions	120 MCQs
Total Marks	120 (1 mark per question)
Duration	90 Minutes
Negative Marking	−1/3 mark (0.33) per wrong answer
Language	Hindi, English, and 13 regional languages

Subject-wise Distribution:

Subject	Questions	Marks
General Awareness	50	50
Arithmetic	35	35
General Intelligence & Reasoning	35	35
Total	120	120

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RPF Constable 2026 — Detailed Syllabus

General Awareness (50 Questions)

Indian History (High Priority):

• Ancient India: Harappan civilization, Vedic period, Maurya Empire, Gupta Age
• Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Bhakti/Sufi movement
• Modern India: British East India Company, 1857 revolt, freedom struggle, independence (1947)
• Key personalities: Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Bose, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh

Indian Geography:

• Physical features: Himalayas, Indo-Gangetic Plain, Deccan Plateau, Coastal Plains
• Rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna, Narmada, Cauvery
• States and capitals (all 28 states + 8 UTs)
• Major National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries
• Climate of India

Indian Polity:

• Indian Constitution — Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles
• Parliament — Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, their functions
• President, Prime Minister, Governor, Chief Minister
• Panchayati Raj System

Indian Economy:

• GDP, National Income basics
• Five Year Plans → NITI Aayog
• Indian Banking: RBI, nationalised banks
• GST basics, Union Budget highlights

Railway-Specific (Important for RPF):

• History of Indian Railways (1853 onwards — first train Mumbai–Thane)
• Indian Railway zones and their headquarters (18 zones)
• Railway Minister and Railway Board
• RPF Act, 1957 — powers and duties of RPF
• Famous railway bridges, stations, and projects (Vande Bharat, RRTS, Bullet Train project)

General Science:

• Physics: Motion, Force, Light, Sound, Electricity basics
• Chemistry: Elements, Compounds, Acids & Bases, periodic table basics
• Biology: Human body organs, diseases, nutrition
• Everyday science applications

Current Affairs:

• Last 6–12 months: Government schemes, national events, Indian defence, sports
• Railway achievements: New train launches, electrification milestones, new stations

Arithmetic (35 Questions)

Chapter	Topics
Number System	Natural numbers, integers, fractions, BODMAS
HCF & LCM	Finding HCF/LCM, word problems
Percentage	Percentage calculation, change, increase/decrease
Profit & Loss	CP, SP, Profit%, Loss%, Discount
Simple & Compound Interest	SI formula, CI formula, difference-based problems
Ratio & Proportion	Direct and inverse proportion, Unitary Method
Average	Simple average, weighted average
Time & Work	Work problems, pipes and cisterns
Time & Distance	Speed, distance, relative speed, boats & streams
Mensuration	Area (square, rectangle, triangle, circle), Volume (cube, cylinder)
Data Interpretation	Reading tables, bar graphs, pie charts

General Intelligence & Reasoning (35 Questions)

Type	Topics
Verbal Reasoning	Analogies, Classification (Odd One Out), Series Completion (Number + Letter), Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Directions, Syllogism
Non-Verbal Reasoning	Figure Matrix, Mirror Image, Water Image, Paper Folding & Cutting, Embedded Figures
Logical Reasoning	Statement & Conclusion, Assumptions, Cause-Effect

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Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Standards

Event	Male Standard	Female Standard
Running Race	1600 meters in 5 minutes 45 seconds	800 meters in 3 minutes 40 seconds
Long Jump	14 feet (2 chances)	9 feet (2 chances)
High Jump	4 feet (2 chances)	3 feet (2 chances)

PET/PMT is qualifying — no marks added to merit. Must pass all events. Running race has only 1 attempt; jumps allow 2 attempts.

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RPF Constable — Previous Year Cut-Offs (CBT, Out of 120)

Year	UR (Male)	OBC (Male)	SC (Male)	ST (Male)	UR (Female)
2024	78–86	72–80	63–71	55–63	68–76
2022	74–82	68–76	59–67	51–59	64–72
2019	72–80	66–74	57–65	49–57	62–70

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RPF Constable Salary Structure

Component	Amount
Basic Pay (Pay Level 3)	₹21,700
DA (55% of Basic, 2026)	~₹11,935
HRA — X city (27% of basic)	~₹5,859
HRA — Y city (18%)	~₹3,906
Night Duty Allowance	~₹1,500–₹2,500
Railway-Specific Allowances	~₹2,000–₹4,000
Total In-Hand (Metro posting)	~₹45,000–₹52,000/month
Total In-Hand (Non-metro)	~₹38,000–₹44,000/month

Additional Benefits:

• Free Railway Pass (for self and family): Privilege Pass + Duty Pass
• Free uniform annually
• Subsidized Railway Canteen
• CGHS / Railway Medical facilities
• Children's educational assistance
• Pension under NPS

Career Progression: Constable → Head Constable (promotion by DPC) → ASI (Assistant Sub-Inspector) → Sub-Inspector (through LDCE)

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Application Fee for RPF Constable 2026

Under standard Railway Recruitment Board norms, examination fees are structured with a partial or full refund upon appearing in the CBT:

Category	Examination Fee	Refund Amount (Upon Appearing in CBT)
General / OBC / EWS (Male)	₹500	₹400 (deducting bank service charges)
SC / ST / Ex-SM / Female / Minorities / EBC	₹250	₹250 (Full refund, deducting bank charges)
PwBD Candidates	Note: Constable post does not carry reservation for PwBD due to physical duty standards	As per RRB rules

Fee payment is conducted online via SBI Net Banking, UPI, Credit Card, or Debit Card during the active application window.

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How to Apply for RPF Constable 2026

1. Visit the centralized Railway recruitment portal: rrbapply.gov.in or official RPF website rpf.indianrailways.gov.in.
2. Click on "Apply" and select "Create an Account" (One-Time Account on RRB Apply).
3. Verify your mobile number and email ID via OTP, then establish your login password.
4. Log in and select the active Centralized Employment Notice (CEN) for RPF Constable (Executive).
5. Fill in Part 1: Personal credentials, nationality, category, religion, and permanent address.
6. Fill in Part 2: Educational qualification (Class 10th / Matriculation board, passing year, roll number, mark percentage).
7. Upload scanned documents in prescribed formats:
   • Recent passport photograph (30 KB – 70 KB, white background).
   • Scanned signature (30 KB – 70 KB, running handwriting).
   • SC/ST Certificate (if applicable, for free railway sleeper travel pass).
8. Pay the examination fee via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI.
9. Submit the completed application form and download the registration slip bearing your unique Registration ID.

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Preparation Strategy for RPF Constable 2026

2-Month Study Plan

Month 1 — Foundation Building:

• GK: Lucent GK (History, Polity, Geography, Science chapters) — 2 chapters per day
• Railway GK: Indian Railway zones, history, RPF Act provisions (30 minutes daily)
• Arithmetic: R.S. Aggarwal — Percentage, Ratio, Profit/Loss, SI/CI, Time/Work (10 questions daily)

Month 2 — Speed + Mock Tests:

• Reasoning: Complete verbal + non-verbal (1 chapter daily, R.S. Aggarwal)
• Current Affairs: Last 6-month GK capsule from Adda247 or GK Today
• Full mock tests: 2 per week (120 Q, 90 minutes) — target 80+ marks for UR category
• Accuracy practice: Avoid random guessing (−1/3 marks penalty)

Best Books for RPF Constable 2026

Subject	Book
General Awareness	Lucent's General Knowledge
Arithmetic	R.S. Aggarwal Quantitative Aptitude (basic chapters)
Reasoning	R.S. Aggarwal Verbal & Non-Verbal
Railway GK	Kiran RPF Constable Guide
Previous Papers	Kiran RPF Constable Solved Papers (previous cycles)

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Official Links

Resource	Official URL
RRB Apply Online Portal	https://rrbapply.gov.in
RPF Official Portal	https://rpf.indianrailways.gov.in
Indian Railways Ministry Portal	https://indianrailways.gov.in

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Last Updated: September 15, 2026 | Source: Railway Protection Force (RPF), Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways, Government of India