RRB GROUP-D 2026 ANSWER KEY

Exam Overview

# RRB Group D Answer Key 2026 Released: Check Response Sheet, Calculate Marks, Normalization, PET & Result

The **RRB Group D Answer Key 2026** for Level-1 recruitment under **CEN 09/2025** has been released by the Railway Recruitment Boards. Candidates who appeared in the Computer Based Test can use their question paper, recorded responses and provisional answer key to calculate their expected raw marks.

The RRB Group D CBT was conducted during **3 August to 25 August 2026**, and the provisional answer key was released on **7 September 2026**. Candidates were allowed to check their responses and raise objections until **15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM**.

The objection period has now ended. Candidates should now wait for the evaluation of valid objections, finalisation of answer keys and declaration of the CBT result.

This article explains the complete RRB Group D answer-key process, marking scheme, raw-score calculation, normalization, PET shortlisting and what candidates should expect next.

---

## RRB Group D Answer Key 2026 – Latest Status

| Particular | Details |
| ---------------------- | ----------------------------- |
| Recruitment | RRB Group D / Level-1 |
| CEN | 09/2025 |
| Total Vacancies | 22,195 |
| CBT Exam | August 2026 |
| Exam Window | 3 August to 25 August 2026 |
| Questions | 100 |
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| Answer Key Type | Provisional |
| Answer Key Release | 7 September 2026 |
| Objection Closing Date | 15 September 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark per wrong answer |
| Next Major Stage | CBT Result / PET Shortlisting |
| Result Date | Not officially announced |

The official CEN confirms **22,195 vacancies** for various posts in Level 1 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix with an initial basic pay of ₹18,000.

---

# What Has RRB Released?

The RRB Group D answer-key facility gives candidates an opportunity to compare their responses with the provisional answers considered by the Railway Recruitment Boards.

Depending on the candidate portal, candidates can view information such as:

* question paper
* Question ID
* options
* candidate's recorded response
* provisional correct answer
* attempted/unattempted status
* response sheet
* objection facility

This is important because candidates can calculate their expected marks even before the official CBT result is declared.

However, the **provisional answer key is not the final result**.

If RRB accepts an objection against a question or answer, the final evaluation may change accordingly.

---

# How to Check RRB Group D Answer Key 2026

Candidates should use only the official Railway Recruitment Board portal or the official candidate login facility.

### Step 1

Visit the official website of your concerned Railway Recruitment Board.

### Step 2

Find the notice related to:

**CEN 09/2025 – Level-1**

### Step 3

Open the link for:

**CBT Questions, Responses & Answer Keys**

### Step 4

Log in using the required credentials such as:

* Registration Number
* Password / Date of Birth, as applicable

### Step 5

Open your question paper and response sheet.

### Step 6

Compare your response with the provisional correct answer displayed by RRB.

### Step 7

Count:

* correct answers
* wrong answers
* unattempted questions

### Step 8

Use the official marking rule to calculate your expected raw marks.

Candidates should save their response-sheet data whenever the portal allows it because the viewing facility may not remain permanently active.

---

# RRB Group D CBT Exam Pattern

The official CEN 09/2025 specifies a **100-question Computer Based Test carrying 100 marks**.

| Subject | Questions | Marks |
| ----------------------------------- | --------: | ------: |
| General Science | 25 | 25 |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20 |
| **Total** | **100** | **100** |

### Exam duration

**90 minutes**

Eligible candidates using a scribe get the duration prescribed by RRB, which is generally **120 minutes** for this CBT.

### Correct answer

**+1 mark**

### Wrong answer

**-1/3 mark**

### Unattempted question

**0 mark**

The official notification specifically provides for deduction of **one-third mark for every incorrect answer**.

---

# RRB Group D Marks Calculation Formula

The easiest way to calculate your expected raw score is:

## Raw Marks = Correct Answers − (Wrong Answers ÷ 3)

Suppose a candidate has:

**72 correct answers**

**18 wrong answers**

**10 unattempted questions**

Marks from correct answers:

72 × 1 = **72**

Negative marks:

18 × 1/3 = **6**

Therefore:

## Expected Raw Marks = 72 − 6 = 66 Marks

So the candidate's raw CBT score would be:

# **66/100**

---

# Another Example

Suppose:

Correct = 81

Wrong = 12

Unattempted = 7

Correct marks:

81 × 1 = **81**

Negative marking:

12 ÷ 3 = **4**

Expected Raw Score:

81 − 4 =

# **77 Marks**

This is the score candidates can initially estimate using their response sheet.

---

# Raw Marks Are Not Necessarily Your Final Selection Marks

This is one of the most important things candidates should understand.

The Group D examination was conducted across multiple dates and shifts.

A candidate should therefore distinguish between:

### Raw Marks

Marks calculated directly from:

**correct answers − negative marking**

and

### Marks Used After RRB's Applicable Normalization Process

Railway Recruitment Boards have separately notified a normalization methodology for CBT examinations conducted in multiple shifts.

The RRB normalization methodology uses **percentile equivalence**, under which a candidate's performance is considered relative to candidates appearing in the relevant examination shifts.

Therefore:

**Raw marks ≠ automatically final merit position**

Two candidates with apparently similar raw scores may not necessarily have exactly the same normalized outcome.

Candidates should wait for the official Railway scorecard for the marks ultimately used by RRB.

---

# What is RRB Percentile Score?

Percentile score is different from percentage marks.

For example:

### Percentage

If you score 75 marks out of 100:

Percentage = **75%**

But percentile indicates your relative position compared with candidates in the examination population considered under the Railway normalization methodology.

A high percentile generally means the candidate performed better than a large proportion of candidates considered in that calculation.

Candidates should therefore avoid treating:

**75 marks**

and

**75 percentile**

as the same thing.

They are different measurements.

---

# RRB Group D Minimum Qualifying Marks

The official CEN specifies the following minimum percentage requirements:

| Category | Minimum Percentage |
| -------- | -----------------: |
| UR | 40% |
| EWS | 40% |
| OBC-NCL | 30% |
| SC | 30% |
| ST | 30% |

A limited relaxation may apply to eligible PwBD candidates in shortage situations according to the notification.

But candidates must understand one important point:

## Minimum qualifying marks are NOT the PET cut-off.

For example:

A UR candidate obtaining 40 marks may technically meet the minimum qualifying requirement.

That does **not** mean the candidate will automatically be called for PET.

Actual PET shortlisting depends on merit and vacancies.

---

# How Many Candidates Will Be Called for PET?

The official CEN 09/2025 states that candidates will ordinarily be called for the Physical Efficiency Test at approximately:

# **3 times the community-wise vacancies**

based on CBT merit.

RRB also reserves the right to increase or decrease this ratio when required.

With **22,195 notified vacancies**, this demonstrates why merely crossing the minimum qualifying score is not enough.

PET shortlisting is competitive.

The important comparison is therefore:

**RRB/Railway + Category + Vacancy + CBT Merit**

rather than only the minimum qualifying percentage.

---

# Why Group D Cut-Off Will Be Different for Different Candidates

There is no one universal Group D cut-off that can accurately describe every candidate.

The effective shortlisting position can depend on:

* Railway/RRC
* category
* notified vacancies
* number of candidates
* normalized performance
* community-wise competition
* applicable reservation
* merit position

For example, the competition for a UR candidate in one Railway zone can be different from the competition faced by a UR candidate in another zone.

Therefore, a YouTube video saying:

**“Group D Cut-Off = 72 Marks”**

without specifying Railway, category and methodology should not be treated as an official selection cut-off.

---

# How ToppersRank Can Be Used After the Answer Key

After obtaining the response sheet, candidates can use an independent analysis platform such as ToppersRank to understand their performance more clearly.

Useful analysis may include:

* expected raw marks
* Railway/RRB selection
* category comparison
* vacancy information
* candidate percentile analysis
* expected PET cut-off
* submitted-data rank
* category-wise rank
* PET shortlisting estimate

However, candidates should understand the difference between:

### Official RRB Rank / Result

and

### ToppersRank Submitted-Data Analysis

A rank generated using candidates who voluntarily submit their data is an **analytical/live rank**, not an official RRB merit rank.

The official Railway result always remains final.

---

# RRB Group D Objection Process

RRB released a **provisional answer key**, which means candidates were given an opportunity to challenge answers they believed were incorrect.

For CEN 09/2025, the objection window remained available until:

## 15 September 2026, 5:00 PM

The reported objection fee was:

## ₹50 per question plus applicable bank charges.

Candidates were required to raise objections through the official online facility.

The objection window is now closed.

RRB will examine valid objections before finalising the answers used for evaluation.

---

# What Happens If RRB Accepts an Objection?

Suppose the provisional answer key shows:

**Option B**

but candidates provide valid evidence that:

**Option C**

is correct.

RRB's subject experts may examine the objection.

Depending upon the final decision, RRB may:

* retain the provisional answer
* revise the correct option
* take another appropriate evaluation decision according to Railway rules

Candidates should therefore understand that scores calculated from the **provisional key remain provisional**.

The final Railway evaluation can change where an objection is accepted.

---

# Provisional Answer Key vs Final Answer Key

## Provisional Answer Key

Released initially after the examination.

Candidates can review it and raise objections.

## Final Answer Key

Prepared after examining objections.

Evaluation/result preparation proceeds according to the final decision of RRB.

Candidates normally cannot assume that every provisional answer will remain unchanged.

---

# What Happens After RRB Group D Answer Key?

The expected recruitment flow is:

**CBT Completed**

↓

**Provisional Answer Key**

↓

**Objections**

↓

**Finalisation of Answers**

↓

**CBT Result / Scorecard**

↓

**PET Shortlisting**

↓

**Physical Efficiency Test**

↓

**Document Verification**

↓

**Medical Examination**

↓

**Final Empanelment**

The exact dates of subsequent stages will be announced by the concerned Railway authorities.

---

# RRB Group D PET – Male Candidates

Candidates shortlisted for PET should start preparing before the result rather than waiting until the PET date is announced.

For male candidates, the official PET requirement includes:

### Weight Carrying

Carry **35 kg** for **100 metres within 2 minutes** in one chance without putting the weight down.

### Running

Run **1,000 metres within 4 minutes 15 seconds** in one chance.

PET is qualifying in nature.

---

# RRB Group D PET – Female Candidates

For female candidates:

### Weight Carrying

Carry **20 kg** for **100 metres within 2 minutes** in one chance without putting the weight down.

### Running

Run **1,000 metres within 5 minutes 40 seconds** in one chance.

The official CEN also provides PET-related exemptions/conditions for eligible PwBD candidates.

---

# Why Candidates Should Start PET Preparation Now

A common mistake is:

**CBT → wait for result → start running**

That may leave very little preparation time.

Candidates who believe their CBT performance is competitive should begin gradual PET preparation early.

Focus on:

* running endurance
* pacing
* leg strength
* safe weight-carrying practice
* breathing
* recovery
* hydration
* consistency

Avoid suddenly attempting the maximum physical standard without proper preparation.

---

# RRB Group D Result 2026 Date

As of the latest verified information, RRB has **not officially announced a confirmed CBT result date for CEN 09/2025**.

Candidates should therefore be careful with headlines such as:

**“Group D Result Confirmed on ___ Date”**

unless that date comes from an official RRB notice.

RRB must first complete the post-answer-key evaluation process.

The result will then determine candidates shortlisted for the next stage according to merit and the recruitment rules.

---

# How Should Candidates Judge Their PET Chances?

Instead of looking only at raw marks, candidates should consider several factors together.

## 1. Raw CBT Marks

Calculate them accurately using the response sheet.

## 2. Normalization

Remember that RRB has a notified normalization methodology for multi-shift CBT examinations.

## 3. Category

UR, EWS, OBC-NCL, SC and ST competition and vacancy distribution differ.

## 4. Railway/RRC

Vacancies are distributed across different Railway establishments.

## 5. Vacancy Count

The recruitment contains **22,195 Level-1 vacancies**.

## 6. PET Shortlisting Ratio

The notification provides for PET shortlisting around **three times the community-wise vacancies**, subject to Railway's discretion.

## 7. Real Candidate Data

Submitted-data analysis can help indicate competition, but it cannot replace the official Railway merit list.

---

# Important Mistakes to Avoid After Checking the Answer Key

### Mistake 1: Ignoring negative marking

Do not calculate marks simply by counting correct answers.

Every wrong answer costs **1/3 mark**.

### Mistake 2: Treating raw marks as official normalized marks

Your response-sheet calculation gives your expected raw score.

### Mistake 3: Comparing different categories blindly

Compare your position with the relevant category and Railway.

### Mistake 4: Treating expected cut-off as official cut-off

Expected cut-off is analysis.

Official cut-off is declared by RRB.

### Mistake 5: Waiting for the result before PET preparation

If your score appears competitive, begin sensible physical preparation now.

### Mistake 6: Believing unofficial result dates

Wait for an official Railway notice.

---

# Frequently Asked Questions – RRB Group D Answer Key 2026

## Is the RRB Group D Answer Key 2026 released?

Yes. The provisional answer key for **CEN 09/2025** was released on **7 September 2026**.

## What is the CEN number?

**CEN 09/2025**

## How many Group D vacancies are there?

The official notification contains **22,195 Level-1 vacancies**.

## When was the CBT conducted?

The examination was conducted during **3 August to 25 August 2026** across multiple examination dates.

## How many questions are there?

There are **100 questions for 100 marks**.

## What is the negative marking?

**1/3 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer.**

## What is the raw-score formula?

**Correct Answers − (Wrong Answers ÷ 3)**

## When was the last date for objection?

The objection facility closed on **15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM**.

## How much was the objection fee?

The reported fee was **₹50 per question plus applicable bank charges**.

## Is the answer key final?

No. The released answer key was provisional and objections were allowed.

## Is raw score the same as normalized score?

No. Raw score is calculated directly from your responses. RRB has a separate normalization methodology for CBT examinations conducted in multiple shifts.

## How many candidates are called for PET?

The notification provides for candidates to be shortlisted for PET at approximately **three times the community-wise vacancies**, subject to Railway requirements.

## Is PET qualifying?

Yes. PET is qualifying in nature.

## Has RRB Group D Result 2026 been declared?

For the current **CEN 09/2025** recruitment, candidates should wait for the official CBT result announcement. No confirmed result date should be treated as official until RRB publishes it.

---

# ToppersRank Analysis

The release of the Group D answer key is only the first step in understanding a candidate's actual position.

A candidate with **70 raw marks** should not automatically conclude that PET selection is guaranteed or impossible.

A proper analysis should consider:

**raw marks + normalization + category + Railway/RRC + vacancies + candidate distribution + PET shortlisting ratio**

This is why ToppersRank separates:

**Official Railway information**

from

**independent rank and cut-off analysis.**

Any expected cut-off, live rank or selection analysis displayed by an independent website should be treated as an estimate until RRB publishes the official result and cut-off.

---

# Final Words

The **RRB Group D Answer Key 2026 for CEN 09/2025** gives candidates an important opportunity to understand their CBT performance before the official result.

The provisional key was released on **7 September 2026**, while the objection facility closed on **15 September 2026**.

Candidates should now focus on three things:

**Calculate the correct raw score, understand that normalization may affect the Railway score, and start PET preparation if your performance appears competitive.**

Do not rely solely on viral expected cut-offs or unofficial result dates.

The final CBT result, normalized marks, PET shortlist and cut-offs issued by the Railway Recruitment Boards will remain authoritative.

**Last Updated: 24 September 2026**

### Source Basis

* Railway Recruitment Boards – **CEN 09/2025**
* Official Level-1 recruitment notification
* RRB CBT normalization methodology
* RRB Group D provisional answer-key notice and response-sheet updates

### Disclaimer

ToppersRank is an independent educational and examination-analysis platform. It is not affiliated with Railway Recruitment Boards, Railway Recruitment Cells or Indian Railways. Expected scores, ranks, cut-offs and selection analysis are for informational purposes only. Candidates should verify all final recruitment information through official Railway Recruitment Board websites.

How The Score Is Calculated

The calculator counts correct, wrong and unattempted responses from the submitted response sheet. Raw marks are calculated using the verified rule for this exam:

Verified rule note: 100 questions are scored at +1 for each correct response, -0.33 for each wrong response and 0 for each unattempted question.

Raw calculator marks are not official normalized marks. Withdrawn questions, multiple accepted answers, qualifying papers and normalization must follow the applicable authority notice.

Rank And Merit Methodology

Live rank compares the candidate only with accepted submissions for this exam. Overall, category and zone comparisons use their respective filters and can change when additional candidates submit scores. They are not an official merit list.

Selection rule: Computer Based Test (CBT) All the eligible candidates have to undergo a Computer Based Test(s) on the specified date(s), time and venue(s) as per the e-call letter to be downloaded by the candidates from the websites of CENTRALISED EMPLOYMENT NOTIFICATION (CEN) NO. 09/2025 28 RRBs/RRCs. The information about the e-call letter download shall be communicated through the websites as well as registered email ID of the candidates. The examination duration and number of questions for CBT are indicated below: Exam Duration in Minutes No of Questions (each of 1 mark) from Total No of Questions General Science Mathemat ics General Intelligence and Reasoning General Awareness and Current Affairs 90* 25 25 30 20 100 *The examination duration will be 120 Minutes for candidates who are eligible for use of a scribe. The section wise distribution given in the above table is only indicative and there may be some variation in the actual question paper. There will be negative marking and 1/3 marks shall be deducted for each wrong answer. Minimum percentage of marks for shortlisting in various communities: UR-40%, EWS-40%, OBC (Non creamy layer)-30%, SC-30%, ST-30%. These percentage of marks for eligibility may be relaxed by 2 marks for PwBD candidates in case of shortage of PwBD candidates against vacancies reserved for them. Where a second stage CBT is deemed necessary and held, the Railway Administration reserves the right to treat the first stage CBT as a qualifying test for the purpose of short listing of reasonable number of candidates for the second stage.

Merit estimates are withheld when verified vacancy data or an adequate comparable sample is unavailable. Final selection can also depend on normalization, qualifying standards, preferences, document verification, medical standards and later recruitment stages.

Vacancy Snapshot

The table below reflects the latest vacancy revision saved for this exam. Any official corrigendum should replace the previous dataset rather than be added to it.