RAILWAY RECRUITMENT BOARD (RRB) — CEN NO. 03/2026

RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2026

Railway Recruitment Board has notified 119 posts for Section Controller — a railway operations control role. Apply from 15 July 2026. Last date is 14 August 2026. Selection includes a distinctive Computer Based Aptitude Test in addition to the standard CBT.

📅 Apply Opens: 15 July 2026 • 119 Posts • CBT + CBAT Selection • Partial Fee Refund Available

📅 Applications open on 15 July 2026 and close on 14 August 2026. The form correction date and exam date are both marked "Notify Later" — only the application window itself is confirmed so far. Use this time to confirm your eligibility before the form opens.

📌 Source Data Note: The official notification's category-wise vacancy table (General/EWS/OBC/SC/ST) lists only the combined total of 119 posts — individual category figures are shown as blank in the source. Zone-wise vacancy details are also deferred to a separate link rather than included in the main notification. Both are marked Not Available on this page rather than estimated; check the official "RRB Zone Wise Vacancy Details" link once available.

📋 Recruitment Overview

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), under the Ministry of Railways, has released its notification for Section Controllerposts under CEN No. 03/2026. Online applications open on 15 July 2026 and close on 14 August 2026. The exam date and form correction window are both marked "Notify Later."

This recruitment covers 119 posts for Section Controller, a railway traffic/operations control role. Eligibility is open to graduates in any stream. The selection process notably includes a Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) in addition to the standard Computer Based Test (CBT) — reflecting the specialised, decision-making nature of this role in real-time railway operations.

⭐ Why This Recruitment Matters

Section Controller is a safety-critical operational role within Indian Railways, responsible for coordinating train movements and traffic within a railway section in real time. Unlike many other RRB technical or clerical posts, this role specifically tests aptitude (via the CBAT) alongside general knowledge and reasoning — reflecting the quick decision-making demands of the job.

The partial fee refund mechanism after appearing in the Stage I exam (a common RRB feature) makes the effective cost of applying lower than the headline fee, similar to other recent RRB recruitments.

🎯 Who Should Apply

🎓 Graduates in any stream — from any recognised university in India; no specific subject or technical degree is required.

🧠 Candidates comfortable with aptitude-style testing — since this recruitment includes a dedicated Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), candidates should be prepared for reasoning/decision-making style questions, not just general knowledge.

🎂 Candidates aged 20–33 years as on 01 July 2026.

📈 Career Growth Overview

Section Controller is an operational railway post that typically follows Indian Railways' internal seniority and promotion structure within the traffic/operations cadre.

Not Available — the official notification provided does not specify promotion timelines or cadre progression details for Section Controller specifically. Candidates should refer to the official RRB/Indian Railways website or service rules for verified career growth information.

💰 Salary and Benefits Summary

Not Available — the official notification provided does not specify pay scale, pay level, or allowance details for the Section Controller post. Candidates should refer to the official RRB notification or Railway Pay Commission matrix for verified salary information before making career decisions.

📊 Selection Difficulty Overview

The selection process has four stages: CBT, CBAT, Document Verification, and Medical Examination. The inclusion of a dedicated Computer Based Aptitude Test alongside the standard CBT is a distinctive and more demanding structure than typical RRB recruitments — Section Controller candidates face two distinct computer-based assessments before reaching document verification.

Not Available — specific cutoff marks or selection ratios are not part of the verified source data. Candidates should refer to RRB's previous Section Controller or similar aptitude-tested post cutoffs, where published, for data-backed difficulty assessment.

📚 Exam Preparation Guidance

1. Prepare for the CBT covering General Awareness, Mathematics, General Intelligence/Reasoning, and General Science — the standard RRB exam pattern.

2. Separately prepare for the CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test) — this likely tests decision-making, situational judgment, and aptitude relevant to railway traffic control, distinct from general knowledge.

3. Download and review the Syllabus & Exam Pattern document provided separately in the official notification for detailed CBT/CBAT structure.

4. Track the official notification closely for the exam date and form correction window, since both are currently unconfirmed.

5. Factor in the fee refund when budgeting for this application — your net cost is lower than the headline fee once you appear for Stage I.

🚫 Common Candidate Mistakes

• Preparing only for the standard CBT and overlooking the separate CBAT stage, which tests a different skill set (aptitude/decision-making).

• Assuming the application fee is fully non-refundable — General/OBC/EWS candidates get back ₹400 of the ₹500 fee after appearing in Stage I.

• Waiting for the exam date before starting preparation — with the exam date marked "Notify Later," early and sustained preparation is the only way to stay ahead.

• Assuming this recruitment has technical/non-technical eligibility tracks like other RRB posts — Section Controller has a single uniform graduation eligibility.

• Not checking the zone-wise vacancy link once released, especially if planning around a specific posting location.

➡️ Next Stage Expectations

After applications close on 14 August 2026, candidates should expect RRB to announce the form correction window and subsequently the CBT exam date — both currently marked "Notify Later." The Admit Card will be released before the exam.

Candidates clearing the CBT proceed to the CBAT, followed by Document Verification and a final Medical Examination. This page will be updated with exam date, admit card, and result information as RRB releases them.

🖊 How to Apply (From 15 July 2026)

• From 15 July 2026, visit indianrailways.gov.in or use the Apply Online link in the Important Links section below (inactive until that date).

• Confirm your graduation qualification and age band (20–33 years) before starting the form.

• Register and fill in personal, educational, and zone-preference details accurately.

• Upload required documents — photograph, signature, and degree certificate.

• Pay the fee — ₹500 (General/OBC/EWS) or ₹250 (SC/ST/PH/Female/Minorities/3rd Gender) — online before 14 August 2026. Remember a partial refund applies after Stage I.

• Submit and save a printout of the confirmation. Await further notification on exam date and admit card.

⚠️ Disclaimer: ResultDekho is an independent educational information platform. Candidates should always verify critical details through the official notification and official website before making decisions. All data on this page is sourced from the official RRB Section Controller notification (CEN 03/2026). ResultDekho is not affiliated with RRB, Indian Railways, or the Ministry of Railways. Always verify details at the official website: indianrailways.gov.in. Last updates: 24 June 2026