RRB is a collection of twenty-one Railway Recruitment Boards which administers the recruitment process of eligible candidates to various group B, C, and D posts in the Indian Railways.
Considering the humongous vacancies and diversity of posts, finding the best RRB exam for yourself is a Herculean chore. Spending hours in the labyrinth of RRB websites will cut no ice as all railway exams have varying and often confusing eligibility criteria, including age limit and educational qualifications.
So, which examination among multiple RRB exams is the best for you? The answer depends on various factors, including your preferences, skill sets, and educational background. Sit tight and keep scrolling, as this article might have the nuggets you are probing for.
Popular RRB Exams
On the face of it, RRB conducts four popular railway exams:
- RRB ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot) Examination
- RRB JE (Junior Engineer) Examination
- RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories) Examination
- RRB Group-D Examination
In addition to these P-4 (Popular four), there are two other significant RRB exams:
- RRB Paramedical Staff Recruitment Exam
- RRB Ministerial and Isolated Categories Recruitment Exam
This article will explore P-4 RRB exams in detail, briefly looking into their eligibility criteria and the nature of posts.
RRB ALP Examination
RRB recruits aspiring engineers with considerable physical fitness as Assistant Loco Pilots (ALP) and Technicians (Grade III) through the RRB ALP examination. It is one of the most sought-after railway exams.
RRB ALP Eligibility
Age Limit
The age range for ALP and Technicians is 18-28 years.
Educational Qualifications
To be eligible for RRB ALP, the candidate must possess the following qualifications:
- Matriculation/ SSLC and ITI in relevant trade or
- Matriculation/ SSLC and Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in relevant trade, or
- 3-year Diploma in Automobile/ Electrical/ Electronics/ Mechanical Engineering, or
- A degree in Automobile/ Electrical/ Electronics/ Mechanical Engineering
Nature of Posts
ALP and Technicians belong to group-C posts in level 2 of the 7th CPC pay matrix with a base pay of 19,900 per month and grade pay of Rs. 1,900.
RRB JE (Junior Engineer) Exam
RRB JE is one of the in-demand railway exams that govern the appointment of eligible candidates as Junior Engineers, Junior Engineers (Information Technology), Depot Material Superintendents, and Chemical and Metallurgical Assistants.
RRB JE Eligibility
Age
The candidates aspiring for RRB JE shall fall within the age range of 18-33.
Educational Qualifications
Subject to the technicalities of various posts, the minimum educational qualification for RRB JE is a three-year Diploma in Electrical/ Electronics/ Communication/ IT Engineering/ Computer Science/ Computer Engineering or equivalent.
Nature of Posts
RRB JE exam recruits candidates to various group-B posts under level 6 of the 7th CPC with an initial base pay of Rs. 35,400 and grade pay of Rs. 4,200.
RRB NTPC Exam
RRB NTPC is one of the in-favour RRB exams that govern the recruitment of eligible candidates to various non-technical posts in the Indian Railways.
RRB NTPC Eligibility
Age
The age range for level 2 and 3 posts of the 7th CPC is 18 to 30 years, and that of level 4, 5, and 6 posts are 18 to 33 years.
Educational Qualifications
The minimum educational qualifications for RRB NTPC are:
- 12th (+2) or equivalent for level 2 and 3 posts
- A university degree for level 4, 5, and 6 posts
Nature of Posts
RRB NTPC recruits candidates to various group B and group C posts under pay levels 2 to 6 of the 7th CPC. The initial pay ranges from Rs. 19,900 (level 2) to Rs. 35,400 (level 6). Also, the grade pay ranges from Rs. 1,900 (level 2) to Rs. 4,200 (level 6).
RRB Group D Examination
RRB Group D examination recruits candidates to various group D posts or level 1 ranks of the 7th CPC. It is the only one among the P-4 RRB exams that recruit 10th-pass candidates.
RRB Group D Eligibility
Age
The age range for aspiring RRB Group D candidates is 18 to 33 years.
Educational Qualification
RRB Group D’s minimum educational qualifications are:
- 10th/ matriculation pass or,
- ITI from NCVT/ SCVT recognised institutions or,
- NAC (National Apprenticeship Certificate) by NCVT
Nature of Posts
RRB Group D recruits candidates to various level 1 posts of the 7th CPC. The initial base salary and grade pay will be Rs. 18,000 and Rs. 1,800, respectively.
Which RRB Exam is the Best for You?
So, which RRB exam is the best for you? As mentioned earlier, the answer lies hidden in your educational background and aspirations.
If you are from an engineering background, you can appear for RRB JE or ALP. Non-technical railway exam aspirants can write RRB NTPC. Moreover, if you are a 10th-pass or have an ITI or NAC, the RRB Group D exam will be the best for you. Furthermore, if you are career-oriented and aspire for a higher rank with better salary prospects, say group B, then RRB JE will be the best for you among the other three railway exams. However, if you don’t have the required technical background for JE, you can go for the group B posts of the RRB NTPC, provided you have a university degree.
To sum up, your educational qualifications, aspirations, and technical/ non-technical background will determine the perfect RRB exam for you. Carefully go through the brief details we’ve covered in this article and figure out the best RRB exam in sync with your qualifications, technical background, and aspirations.