- The most recent centralised RPF employment notice is CEN No
- RPF 01/2024 (Sub-Inspector) and CEN No
- RPF 02/2024 (Constable), covering 4,660 posts across the Railway Protection Force and Railway Protection Special Force
- The RPF Computer Based Test carries 120 questions for 120 marks in 90 minutes, with one third of a mark deducted for every wrong answer
- Sub-Inspector posts sit at Pay Level 6 with initial pay of Rs 35,400 and Constable posts at Pay Level 3 with Rs 21,700
- The Railway Protection Force Amendment Rules, 2025, notified as G.S.R. 766(E) on 17 October 2025, move direct recruitment in the Executive Cadre to the Staff Selection Commission procedure for the Central Armed Police Forces, set the Constable (Executive) age band at 18 to 23 years and raise the executive cadre height standard to 170 cm; as of 21 August 2026 no fresh RPF notification was live on the official RPF or Staff Selection Commission websites.
The RPF exam is the recruitment examination for Sub-Inspector and Constable posts in the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF), the armed security force of the Indian Railways. Both male and female candidates may apply, and 15 per cent of posts are reserved for women.
What Is the RPF Exam?
The RPF exam is the centralised recruitment test for Sub-Inspector and Constable posts in the Railway Protection Force and Railway Protection Special Force. Candidates clear a Computer Based Test, then a Physical Efficiency Test, Physical Measurement Test and Document Verification before appointment to this armed force of the Indian Railways.
The Railway Protection Force was constituted as a statutory body under the RPF Act, 1957. The Act was amended in 1985 to make the RPF an armed force of the Union, and again in 2003, when the force was given responsibility for passenger security and passenger areas along with powers of inquiry and prosecution under the railway statutes.
According to the official RPF website, the force has a strength of over 74,000 personnel. It secures roughly 6,800 railway stations, more than 7,000 passenger trains and 4,000 goods trains daily, and over 63,000 route kilometres of railway network used by about 22 million passengers each day.
- Conducted for two executive cadre posts: Sub-Inspector (Executive) and Constable (Executive).
- Applications are accepted online only, through the official Railway Recruitment Board websites.
- Only one application may be submitted against each Centralised Employment Notice.
- The posts have not been identified as suitable for persons with benchmark disabilities.
Who Is Eligible for the RPF Constable and Sub-Inspector Posts?
Constable applicants need a Class 10 or equivalent pass and Sub-Inspector applicants need a graduation degree from a recognised university. Under CEN RPF 02/2024 the Constable age band was 18 to 28 years and under CEN RPF 01/2024 the Sub-Inspector band was 20 to 28 years, including a three year Covid relaxation.
The age bands published in the 2024 centralised notice already included a one-time relaxation of three years beyond the prescribed limit, granted because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Candidates awaiting the result of the prescribed educational qualification were told not to apply. The Railway Protection Force Amendment Rules, 2025 have since inserted a new rule 48.3, under which a candidate for Constable (Executive) by direct recruitment must be above 18 years and below 23 years on the date of notification of the recruitment, so the 18 to 28 band applies to the 2024 notice only.
| Eligibility Parameter (CEN RPF 01/2024 and 02/2024, reference for 2026) | Constable (Executive) | Sub-Inspector (Executive) |
|---|---|---|
| Educational qualification | 10th pass or equivalent from a recognised Board | Graduate from a recognised university |
| Age at notification | 18 to 28 years | 20 to 28 years |
| Pay Level (7th CPC) | Level 3 | Level 6 |
| Initial pay | Rs 21,700 | Rs 35,400 |
| Vacancies notified | 4,208 | 452 |
| Standard of the Computer Based Test | 10th or Matric level | Graduation level |
| Medical standard | B-1 | B-1 |
Vacancy figures published in a centralised employment notice are provisional and may increase or decrease by unit, community or post depending on the actual needs of the railway administration.
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Both the Constable and Sub-Inspector Computer Based Tests carry 120 objective questions for 120 marks in 90 minutes. General Awareness contributes 50 marks, while Arithmetic and General Intelligence and Reasoning contribute 35 marks each. One third of a mark is deducted for every wrong answer, and unattempted questions carry no penalty.
| Computer Based Test Section (RPF pattern, reference for 2026) | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| Arithmetic | 35 | 35 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 35 | 35 |
| Total | 120 | 120 marks in 90 minutes |
Each correct answer earns one mark. Marks are normalised when the test is held in multiple shifts. The minimum pass percentage for eligibility is 35 per cent for Unreserved, EWS and OBC-NCL candidates and 30 per cent for SC and ST candidates. This pattern is the one prescribed in CEN No. RPF 01/2024 and RPF 02/2024. Under the substituted rule 49.1 the next Executive Cadre recruitment is to follow the Staff Selection Commission procedure for the Central Armed Police Forces, so the pattern printed in the next employment notice must be checked.
Arithmetic
Number system, whole numbers, decimals and fractions and the relationship between numbers, fundamental arithmetical operations, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, interest, profit and loss, discount, use of tables and graphs, mensuration, and time and distance.
General Intelligence and Reasoning
Analogies, similarities and differences, spatial visualisation, spatial orientation, problem solving analysis, judgement, decision making, visual memory, discriminating observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning, verbal and figure classification, arithmetic number series, non-verbal series, coding and decoding, statement and conclusion, and syllogistic reasoning.
General Awareness
Awareness of the environment and its application to society, current events, and matters of everyday observation expected of an educated person, along with Indian history, art and culture, geography, economics, general polity, the Indian Constitution, sports and general science.
The question paper is available in English, Hindi and 13 regional Indian languages: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Questions are displayed in the language chosen and in English.
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Candidates who clear the Computer Based Test are called for the Physical Efficiency Test, Physical Measurement Test and Document Verification, up to ten times the vacancies in each category. The Physical Efficiency Test is qualifying only and carries no marks, and a maximum of two rounds of testing is held.
- Computer Based Test, conducted online in multiple shifts with normalisation of marks.
- Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Measurement Test for shortlisted candidates.
- Document Verification, held along with the physical tests.
- Medical examination against the prescribed B-1 medical standard.
Ex-servicemen are exempted from the Physical Efficiency Test but must still undergo the Physical Measurement Test. If female or ex-servicemen vacancies remain unfilled after the second round, those posts are filled by male candidates of the respective category. For the 1600 metre and 800 metre runs only one chance is given.
| Physical Efficiency Test Event (RPF standards, reference for 2026) | Constable Male | Constable Female | Sub-Inspector Male | Sub-Inspector Female |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1600 metres run | 5 min 45 sec | Not applicable | 6 min 30 sec | Not applicable |
| 800 metres run | Not applicable | 3 min 40 sec | Not applicable | 4 min |
| Long jump | 14 feet | 9 feet | 12 feet | 9 feet |
| High jump | 4 feet | 3 feet | 3 feet 9 inches | 3 feet |
| Physical Measurement Standard, Sub-Inspector (CEN 2024 standard, revised for 2026 by Rule 47) | Male height (cm) | Female height (cm) | Chest unexpanded (cm) | Chest expanded (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UR, EWS and OBC | 165 | 157 | 80 | 85 |
| SC and ST | 160 | 152 | 76.2 | 81.2 |
| Garhwalis, Gorkhas, Marathas, Dogras, Kumaonese and other categories specified by the Government | 163 | 155 | 80 | 85 |
Chest measurement is recorded for male candidates only. Candidates found medically unsuitable for the post applied for are not given any alternative appointment. The heights in the table above are the CEN 2024 standards. Rule 47, as substituted by the Railway Protection Force Amendment Rules, 2025, sets the Executive Cadre standard at 170 cm height with an 80 cm unexpanded and 85 cm expanded chest, at par with the Central Armed Police Forces, and 165 cm for cadres other than Executive.
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The application fee was Rs 500 for general candidates, of which Rs 400 is refunded after appearing in the Computer Based Test. Candidates from SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, female, minority or Economically Backward Class categories paid Rs 250, refunded in full. Sub-Inspectors start at Rs 35,400 and Constables at Rs 21,700.
| Examination Fee Category (RPF fee structure, reference for 2026) | Fee | Refund on appearing in the CBT |
|---|---|---|
| All candidates except those listed below | Rs 500 | Rs 400 refunded, less bank charges |
| SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, Female, Minorities or Economically Backward Class | Rs 250 | Rs 250 refunded, less bank charges |
Only candidates who actually attend the Computer Based Test receive the refund. Bank charges, where applicable, are deducted from the refunded amount.
On the pay side, the Sub-Inspector (Executive) post is placed at Pay Level 6 of the 7th Central Pay Commission matrix with an initial pay of Rs 35,400, and the Constable (Executive) post at Pay Level 3 with an initial pay of Rs 21,700. Dearness allowance, house rent allowance and transport allowance are paid on top of this basic pay.
When Will the Next RPF Notification Be Released?
No fresh RPF employment notice was live on the official Railway Protection Force website or on the Staff Selection Commission website as of 21 August 2026. The most recent centralised notice remains CEN No. RPF 01/2024 and RPF 02/2024. Candidates should track only the official RPF and Railway Recruitment Board websites.
The RPF website lists CEN No. RPF 01/2024 and RPF 02/2024 under upcoming recruitment, with applications having opened on 15 April 2024 and closed on 14 May 2024. Under completed recruitment the site lists Sub-Inspector notification 02/2018 with 1,121 posts, Constable (Executive) notification 01/2018 with 8,619 posts, Constable (Ancillary) notification 03/2018 with 798 posts, and Constable (Band) notification 01/2016 with 269 posts.
The Ministry of Railways notified the Railway Protection Force Amendment Rules, 2025 as G.S.R. 766(E) on 17 October 2025, amending the Railway Protection Force Rules, 1987 under section 21 of the RPF Act, 1957. The substituted rule 49.1 provides that selection for direct recruitment to the posts of Sub-Inspectors and Constables in the Executive Cadre shall be made as per the recruitment procedure of the Staff Selection Commission for the Central Armed Police Forces. The new rule 48.3 fixes the Constable (Executive) age at above 18 and below 23 years on the date of notification, rule 47 raises the Executive Cadre height standard to 170 cm, and rule 51.1 places the medical examination with a Medical Officer of the Central Armed Police Forces. The Staff Selection Commission tentative calendar for 2026-27 does not list an RPF examination, so candidates must read the conducting body and eligibility clauses printed in the next employment notice itself rather than relying on the 2024 figures.
- Official RPF website: rpf.indianrailways.gov.in, under the Recruitments section.
- Railway Recruitment Board websites listed in the centralised employment notice, all on the gov.in domain.
- Staff Selection Commission website ssc.gov.in, if the next notice is issued through the Commission.
- Ignore recruitment notices circulated on social media; the official notices name the CEN number and the issuing board.