Latest official update
The 2 October notice revises CEN 04/2026 CBT I to 27–28 October 2026, tentatively. Corrigendum 1 adds CMA posts and one JE vacancy to the original recruitment. Applications closed on 13 September; the September DV shortlist for CEN 05/2025 belongs to a different cycle.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| CEN | 04/2026 |
| Post groups | Junior Engineer, Depot Material Superintendent; CMA added by amendment |
| Initial advertised JE/DMS vacancies | 3,993; read the subsequent additions |
| Base age | 18–33 on 1 January 2027; prescribed relaxations apply |
| Initial basic pay | Level 6: ₹35,400 |
| Application status | Original submission closed on 13 September 2026 |
| CBT I | 27–28 October 2026; revised tentative schedule |
What changed in this cycle?
The 13 August notification initially covered JE and DMS. Corrigendum 1 adds one JE/Electrical/TRS vacancy in Secunderabad/SCR and 35 Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant vacancies, as well as CMA qualification, exam-group and syllabus details. Read both documents when selecting your post parameters. The additions should not be mistaken for a separate recruitment.
The revised 2 October schedule supersedes the earlier 16 September timetable and sets CBT I tentatively for 27–28 October. Keep the recruitment number with the date: the older CEN 05/2025 was already at document-verification shortlisting in September 2026.
Notification and official PDF
Detailed guide: Railway Exams 2026–27: Notifications, Eligibility, Dates & Latest Updates
Detailed JE notification and Corrigendum 1 adding CMA.
Important dates
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Applications | 14 August–13 September 2026; submission closed at 23:59 |
| Fee payment for submitted applications | 15 September 2026 — closed |
| Correction window | 16–25 September 2026 — closed |
| Eligible scribe details | 26–30 September 2026 — closed |
| CBT I | 27–28 October 2026; tentative |
| City/date information | Tentatively 10 days before the examination date |
| E-call letter | Tentatively 4 days before the date in city/date intimation |
Vacancies and posts
The original 3,993 JE/DMS vacancies plus the amendment’s 35 CMA and one JE/Electrical/TRS vacancy total 4,029 after those additions. Distribution is post, Railway, RRB and category specific and remains subject to official revision.
Eligibility
The 2026 notification reckons age on 1 January 2027, not 1 January 2026. The ordinary 18–33 range corresponds to birth dates 2 January 1994–1 January 2009, inclusive, for UR/EWS. SC/ST and OBC-NCL upper-age relaxations are five and three years; eligible PwBD and other groups have their own clauses. Check both relaxation eligibility and post suitability.
Use Annexure A’s exact post/category row for the required engineering diploma or permitted degree route. An engineering qualification is not a universal entitlement to every JE category. Where a qualification maps to more than one exam group, the chosen group must be compatible with the selected posts. The CEN excludes candidates awaiting the required qualification result at the closing date.
For CMA, the amendment accepts the specified B.Sc combinations of Physics and Chemistry: Physics major with Chemistry as a subject, Chemistry major with Physics as a subject, or another science major with both Physics and Chemistry in the course. Read the complete revised row for recognition and suitability requirements. CMA has medical standard B1; other posts use their own Annexure A standards.
Nationality and eligibility-certificate requirements are set out in paragraph 4. Medical fitness is post-specific. The site cannot infer an individual candidate’s suitability from a qualification name alone.
Application process and fees
The original online application period has closed. Candidates were allowed one RRB and a single application, with post and Railway/production-unit preferences within that board. Account details and the chosen RRB were excluded from the ordinary correction window. Keep the final form, fee record and any permitted correction acknowledgement.
Paragraph 7 prescribes the fee categories and attendance-linked refund. Refund processing under this CEN uses the specified Aadhaar-seeded bank-account arrangements; it is not an unconditional reimbursement. Read the official fee and banking clauses rather than reusing an older-cycle refund process.
Exam pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| General Awareness | 15 | 15 |
| General Science | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 questions | 100 marks; 90 minutes |
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 15 | 15 |
| Physics and Chemistry | 15 | 15 |
| Computers and Applications | 10 | 10 |
| Environment and Pollution Control | 10 | 10 |
| Technical Abilities | 100 | 100 |
| Total | 150 questions | 150 marks; 120 minutes |
Both CBTs deduct one-third of the allotted mark per wrong answer. The notice calls the subject distribution indicative, so it is not a guaranteed question split. Eligible scribe users have the specified extended durations: 120 minutes for CBT I and 160 for CBT II. A virtual calculator is provided in CBT II.
Qualifying minima are UR/EWS 40%, OBC-NCL/SC 30% and ST 25%; the notification contains a conditional two-mark relaxation for PwBD shortages against reserved vacancies. Competitive shortlisting can require more than the minimum. CBT I is screening, while later selection follows CBT II merit-index, preference and eligibility rules.
Syllabus
CBT I covers arithmetic and mathematics, reasoning, current affairs/general awareness, and Class 10 Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences. CBT II adds computer basics and environmental topics to the common subjects, with 100 indicative technical questions.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Civil and Allied | Annexure VIII A |
| Electrical and Allied | Annexure VIII B |
| Electronics and Allied | Annexure VIII C |
| Mechanical and Allied | Annexure VIII D |
| CMA | Annexure VIII E added by Corrigendum 1 |
For the common CBT II sections, revise computer architecture, input/output, storage, networking, operating systems, office applications, internet and security basics. Environmental coverage includes pollution and controls, waste management, global warming, acid rain and ozone depletion. CMA candidates must use the added Physics/Chemistry syllabus rather than an engineering-group coaching outline.
Selection process
CBT I screens candidates for CBT II. Later selection follows CBT II merit, preferences, document verification and post-specific medical fitness. Ordinary CBT II shortlisting is 15 times community-wise vacancies, subject to the notification’s provisions.
Salary and job profile
JE, DMS and the added CMA posts carry Level 6 with ₹35,400 initial basic pay. Engineering, materials and laboratory roles have different qualification and duty requirements. Basic pay is not a promise of take-home salary.
Preparation and previous papers
- JE eligibility and qualification mapping
- JE CBT I/II exam pattern
- JE technical-group syllabus
- Application dates and saved records
Previous-cycle archives
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Is the age cut-off in 2026 or 2027?
CEN 04/2026 uses 1 January 2027.
Are 27–28 October fixed personal exam dates?
They are the revised tentative CBT I window. Use your individual call letter for your date and shift.
Does every engineering graduate qualify for every post?
No. Check the exact post qualification and mapped exam group.
Is a 2025 result the result for this examination?
No. CEN 05/2025 and CEN 04/2026 are separate recruitments.