The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) announced recruitment for Group D (Level 1) under the notification CEN 08/2024. This includes roles like Track Maintainer Grade-IV, Assistant Pointsman, and several helper/assistant roles in signaling, mechanical, and electrical departments.

Scale of Recruitment

This is a massive recruitment. Over 32,438 vacancies are on the line, and more than 1 crore candidates reportedly applied.
That makes this one of the biggest railway hiring drives in recent memory — and so, any delay disrupts a lot of preparation and planning.

Original Exam Plan

The initial plan? A Computer-Based Test (CBT) scheduled between 17 November and December 31, 2025.
Admit cards were to roll out about 4 days before the exam, and the city intimation slip roughly 10 days before the specific exam date.

Reason for Postponement

Legal Dispute in Court

The biggest twist in the story is a legal one: a High Court case, specifically CONT.CAS(C) – 1415/2025, has put the exam on hold.
This isn’t just any case — it’s about eligibility criteria. A petition was filed challenging whether Class 10 (10th pass) is enough qualification, or if ITI (Industrial Training Institute) or NAC certification should be mandatory.

Eligibility Criteria – 10th Pass vs ITI

There was confusion: some argued only ITI-certified applicants should be eligible for Group D, while others said 10th pass is fine.
This dispute has sparked months of debate and legal wrangling.

CAT’s Role

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has become a key player. The CAT is reviewing the case, and until it gives its verdict, the RRB is not comfortable going ahead with the exam.

Official Position & Clarifications

What RRB / Railway Ministry Says

The Railway Ministry has warned aspirants not to trust viral notices.
They’ve clarified: no new, official date has been announced yet post-postponement, and aspirants should rely only on the official RRB websites.

Fake Notices Doing the Rounds

This is where things get messy on social media. A notice circulates claiming the exam will happen from 4 January to 17 March 2026 — but RRB has denied releasing any such notification.
Candidates are being urged to ignore these and stick to trusted channels.

Why the CAT Verdict Is Key

Because the CAT’s decision will set the direction: whether the exam can restart under the original eligibility criteria (10th pass), or if changes are needed.
Once the verdict comes, only then RRB can formally announce confirmed exam dates.

Current Exam Date Status

Tentative If Not Confirmed

Despite all, the tentative exam dates remain 17 November to December 2025 per RRB’s earlier notification.
But “tentative” is the keyword — nothing is 100% locked until a clear announcement comes out.

Why “On Hold”?

Because of the court case. Until the legal proceedings are fully settled, RRB is cautious.
They don’t want to announce dates prematurely, only to reverse them again.

City Intimation Slip Update

Good news: the city intimation slip (which tells you where your exam center will be) is expected soon, according to recent media reports.
This slip is vital — it helps candidates plan travel, lodging, and logistics ahead of time. Admit Card Timeline

According to RRB’s earlier notice, the admit card will be released about 4 days before your exam day.
So once things are confirmed, candidates should be ready to download it promptly.

How to Prepare During the Delay

Make Use of the Extra Time

This postponement, however frustrating, gives you a bonus prep window.

Take mock tests

Practice previous year papers

Revise weaker subjects

Strategize Smartly

With this buffer:

Build a weekly study plan

Track progress more closely

Use analytics (from mock tests) to identify gaps

Stay Updated and Alert

Bookmark your regional RRB site

Turn on alerts (email / SMS) for RRB notifications

Follow reliable education news portals

Also, avoid overconsumption of rumors; filter what you read carefully.

Conclusion

In short: the RRB Group D 2025 exam is not canceled, but it’s on hold. The postponement stems from a serious legal dispute over eligibility, which is being settled in court. While fake notices are doing the rounds, aspirants should rely only on RRB’s official channels for updates.

This delay might feel like a setback, but it’s actually an opportunity — more time to prepare, strategize, and fine-tune your approach. As soon as the court verdict is out and RRB confirms new dates, you’ll be ready to pounce.

Stay calm. Stay focused. And don’t chase rumors — chase your goals.

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