Railway SWR GDCE Recruitment 2026: Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), South Western Railway, Hubballi has released official notification No. 01/2026(GDCE) dated 28 October 2026 for the General Departmental Competitive Examination (GDCE). The recruitment drive aims to fill 258 vacancies in South Western Railway and Rail Wheel Factory (RWF/YNK) across multiple supervisory and operational posts, including Goods Train Manager (247 posts) and Junior Engineer (11 posts). Online registration opens on 9 November 2026 and closes on 8 December 2026 at the official portal rrchubli.in.
Railway SWR GDCE Recruitment 2026 Overview
This recruitment is conducted under the 25% direct recruitment quota through the General Departmental Competitive Examination for eligible regular serving railway employees. Key recruitment details are summarized below:
| Organization | Railway Recruitment Cell, South Western Railway (RRC SWR) |
|---|---|
| Notification Number | 01/2026(GDCE) |
| Notice Date | 28 October 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 258 Posts |
| Post Categories | Goods Train Manager & Junior Engineer (Bridge, P.Way, Mechanical, Signal) |
| Application Mode | Online Mode |
| Application Fee | NIL (No Examination Fee) |
| Online Application Start Date | 9 November 2026 |
| Online Application Closing Date | 8 December 2026 |
| Job Location | South Western Railway & RWF Yelahanka |
| Official Website | rrchubli.in |
Vacancies Breakdown
The notification specifies a total of 258 vacancies across technical and non-technical operating cadres in South Western Railway:
| Post Name | Department / Cadre | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Goods Train Manager | Operating Department | 247 |
| Junior Engineer (Bridge) | Civil Engineering | 2 |
| Junior Engineer (P.Way) | Civil Engineering | 2 |
| Junior Engineer (Mechanical Workshop) | Mechanical Department | 5 |
| Junior Engineer (Signal) | Signal & Telecommunication | 2 |
| Total Vacancies | All Categories | 258 |
Reservation Policy
Reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL), and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) applies strictly in accordance with railway establishment rules and government guidelines:
- Community-wise distribution of vacancies is maintained across all notified posts under the 25% GDCE quota.
- Candidates seeking reservation benefits must upload prescribed community certificates issued by authorized revenue authorities.
- No age relaxation is allowed to SC, ST, or OBC candidates applying against unreserved vacancies.
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are provided scribe facilities with 160 minutes duration in the CBT examination.
- Horizontal reservation is earmarked for eligible PwBD candidates where technically suitable as notified by railway board directives.
Eligibility Criteria and Qualifications
Only regular serving railway employees of South Western Railway and Rail Wheel Factory (RWF/YNK) who meet the requisite educational qualifications are eligible to apply:
- Goods Train Manager (247 Posts): Degree from a recognized University or its equivalent.
- Junior Engineer (Bridge - 2 Posts): Three years Diploma in Civil Engineering or B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from a recognized institution.
- Junior Engineer (P.Way - 2 Posts): Three years Diploma in Civil Engineering or B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from a recognized institution.
- Junior Engineer (Mechanical Workshop - 5 Posts): Three years Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Manufacturing, Mechatronics, Industrial, or Machining Engineering.
- Junior Engineer (Signal - 2 Posts): Three years Diploma in Electrical, Electronics, Information Technology, Communication Engineering, or M.Sc. in Electronics.
- Serving Employee Condition: Regular employees working in lower pay levels than the notified posts are eligible to participate. Employees holding casual or apprentice status without regular absorption are not eligible.
- Probation & Training: Selected candidates will undergo prescribed training duration before regular absorption.
Age Limit and Cutoff Dates
The crucial date for reckoning age is 1 January 2027. The prescribed age limits for GDCE applicants are as follows:
| Community | Age Group | Maximum Born Before Date |
|---|---|---|
| General (Unreserved) | 18 to 42 years | 01.01.1985 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 18 to 45 years | 01.01.1982 |
| SC / ST | 18 to 47 years | 01.01.1980 |
Candidates must produce their Matriculation / SSLC / HSC certificate as authentic proof of date of birth during document verification.
Selection Process
The recruitment process strictly follows merit established through competitive examinations:
- Computer Based Test (CBT): Single stage Computer Based Examination conducted across designated test centers.
- Document Verification (DV): Verification of all original certificates, service records, and caste certificates of shortlisted candidates.
- Medical Examination: Candidates must fulfill the medical fitness standards prescribed for railway operational posts (Aye Two medical classification for Goods Train Manager).
Syllabus and Examination Pattern
The examination scheme and detailed syllabus vary by post category:
CBT Pattern for Goods Train Manager
| Subject / Section | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 Questions | 100 Marks |
The exam duration is 90 minutes. There will be negative marking in the CBT examination, with 1/3rd of the marks allotted for each question deducted for every wrong answer.
Detailed Syllabus for Goods Train Manager
- Mathematics: Number System, Decimals, Fractions, LCM, HCF, Ratio and Proportions, Percentage, Mensuration, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Elementary Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics.
- General Intelligence and Reasoning: Analogies, Completion of Number and Alphabetical Series, Coding and Decoding, Mathematical Operations, Similarities and Differences, Relationships, Analytical Reasoning, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagrams, Puzzle, Data Sufficiency, Statement-Conclusion, Statement-Courses of Action, Decision Making, Maps, Interpretation of Graphs.
- General Awareness: Current Events of National and International Importance, Games and Sports, Art and Culture of India, Indian Literature, Monuments and Places of India, General Science and Life Science up to 10th CBSE, History of India and Freedom Struggle, Physical, Social and Economic Geography of India and World, Indian Polity and Governance, Constitution and Political System, General Scientific and Technological Developments including Space and Nuclear Program of India, UN and other World Organizations, Environmental Issues, Basics of Computers and Computer Applications, Common Abbreviations, Transport Systems in India, Indian Economy, Famous Personalities of India and World, Flagship Government Programs, Flora and Fauna of India, Important Government and Public Sector Organizations.
CBT Pattern for Junior Engineer Posts
The examination consists of 150 objective-type multiple-choice questions with a total duration of 120 minutes (160 minutes for eligible PwBD candidates using a scribe):
| Subject / Section | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 15 | 15 |
| Physics and Chemistry | 15 | 15 |
| Basics of Computers and Applications | 10 | 10 |
| Basics of Environment and Pollution Control | 10 | 10 |
| Technical Abilities | 100 | 100 |
| Total | 150 Questions | 150 Marks |
A virtual calculator will be made available on the computer monitor during the CBT for Junior Engineer examination.
Detailed Syllabus for Junior Engineer Posts
- General Awareness: Current affairs, Indian geography, culture and history of India including freedom struggle, Indian Polity and Constitution, Indian Economy, environmental issues concerning India and the World, sports, general scientific and technological developments.
- Physics and Chemistry: General basic principles up to 10th standard CBSE curriculum.
- Basics of Computers and Applications: Architecture of Computers, input and output devices, storage devices, networking, Operating Systems including Windows, Unix, and Linux, MS Office, data representation, internet, email, websites, web browsers, and computer virus protection.
- Basics of Environment and Pollution Control: Adverse effects of environmental pollution and control strategies, air, water, and noise pollution control, solid waste management, global warming, acid rain, and ozone layer depletion.
- Technical Abilities (Civil Engineering): Engineering Mechanics, Building Construction, Building Materials, Construction of Substructure and Superstructure, Building Finishes, Building Maintenance and Repairs, Concrete Technology, Surveying (Chain, Compass, Plane Table, Levelling, Theodolite, Tacheometry, Curves), Strength of Materials (Stress, Strain, Bending Moment, Shear Force), Structural Analysis, Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures, Steel Structures, Hydraulics, Fluid Mechanics, Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Highway Engineering, Railway Engineering, Environmental Engineering (Water Supply and Sanitary Engineering).
- Technical Abilities (Mechanical Engineering): Engineering Mechanics, Material Science, Strength of Materials, Machining and Machine Tool Operations, Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machinery, Industrial Management, Thermal Engineering, Power Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Metrology and Inspection.
- Technical Abilities (Electrical & Electronics Engineering): Basic Electrical Engineering, DC and AC Circuits, Electrical Machines, Transformers, Power Systems, Transmission and Distribution, Measurement and Measuring Instruments, Basic Electronics, Digital Electronics, Microprocessors, Control Systems, Power Electronics.
Qualifying Marks and Merit Determination
The minimum percentage of marks for eligibility in various community categories in the Computer Based Test is defined as follows:
- Unreserved (UR): 40%
- Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL): 30%
- Scheduled Castes (SC): 30%
- Scheduled Tribes (ST): 25%
Shortlisting of candidates for Document Verification will be done purely based on the merit of marks scored in the CBT. In case two or more candidates obtain equal marks, seniority in age will be the tie-breaker.
Application Fee
In accordance with railway departmental examination rules, no application fee or examination fee is charged. The fee is NIL for all categories of regular serving railway employees.
Documents Required for Application
Candidates must keep scanned copies of the following documents ready before filling out the online application:
- Recent passport size color photograph with clear front view.
- Scanned signature of the applicant.
- Matriculation / SSLC certificate indicating proof of date of birth.
- Educational certificates (Degree / Engineering Diploma marksheets and passing certificates).
- Valid Community Certificate (SC / ST / OBC-NCL) in the prescribed format.
- Employee Identity Card issued by South Western Railway or RWF Yelahanka.
- Medical disability certificate for PwBD applicants seeking examination concessions.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release Date | 28 October 2026 |
| Online Registration Start Date | 9 November 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application Submission | 8 December 2026 |
| Age Calculation Reference Date | 1 January 2027 |
How to Apply for Railway SWR GDCE Recruitment 2026
Eligible serving railway staff must apply online by following these systematic steps:
- Access the official Railway Recruitment Cell SWR Hubli portal at rrchubli.in.
- Navigate to the GDCE Notification No. 01/2026 online application link.
- Register using employee IPAS / PF number, date of birth, mobile number, and active official email ID.
- Fill in educational qualifications, service particulars, and posting details accurately.
- Upload required photographs, signatures, and educational/caste certificates.
- Review the completed application format thoroughly before final submission.
- Submit the online form and download a printed copy for future reference and departmental forwarding.
Important Links
| Document / Portal | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Download Notification |
| Official Application Portal | rrchubli.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many total vacancies are announced under Railway SWR GDCE 2026?
A total of 258 vacancies are announced across Goods Train Manager (247 posts) and Junior Engineer (11 posts).
What is the closing date for online applications?
The last date to submit online applications on rrchubli.in is 8 December 2026.
When does the online registration start?
Online registration commences on 9 November 2026.
What is the application fee for GDCE 2026?
There is no application fee (NIL fee) for all eligible candidates.
What is the age limit for applicants?
The age limit is 18 to 42 years for General candidates as on 1 January 2027.
What is the educational qualification required for Goods Train Manager?
Candidates must possess a Degree from a recognized University or its equivalent.
How many questions are asked in the Junior Engineer Computer Based Test?
The examination consists of 150 questions of 1 mark each across 120 minutes duration.