RRB: Major change in railway recruitment exams; exams will now be conducted in TBT mode instead of CBT..

RRB Recruitment Exams 2026: A major update has emerged for the lakhs of young people preparing for railway jobs. Henceforth, all departmental recruitment exams for the railways will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. Additionally, the scope of Tablet-Based Testing (TBT) will be expanded to make the recruitment process faster, more secure, and more transparent. During a high-level meeting in New Delhi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) examination system and instructed officials to make greater use of modern technology.

What is a Tablet-Based Test (TBT)?
TBT, or Tablet-Based Test, is a digital examination system. Instead of using pen-and-paper or desktop computers, candidates solve questions on secure touchscreen tablets provided at the exam center. In this system, questions remain encrypted and are loaded onto the tablets only minutes before the exam begins. This significantly reduces the risk of issues like paper leaks and cheating. Candidates can select their answers directly from the options displayed on the screen.

Over 43,000 candidates were selected in a year.
According to the Railways, recruitment processes across six different categories were completed in the 2025-26 financial year, resulting in the selection of 43,781 candidates for 47,084 vacant posts. These categories include Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP), Technician, Sub-Inspector, Constable, Junior Engineer, and Paramedical staff. The Railways states that timely recruitment and the use of modern technology are providing better opportunities for qualified candidates.

Railway exams are conducted on a massive scale

Railway Recruitment Board exams are held across multiple cities in the country in various shifts. Lakhs of candidates appear for these exams annually. To facilitate the candidates, the exams are conducted in 15 languages. Conducting exams on such a large scale with fairness and transparency requires a robust technical system and excellent coordination. Relief through the annual recruitment calendar

During the meeting, the Railway Minister noted that candidates have highly appreciated the system of releasing an annual recruitment calendar and quarterly vacancy updates. This enables candidates to plan their preparations and makes the recruitment process more certain and organized.

Expanding the scope of TBT alongside CBT

The Railway Minister reviewed the progress of transitioning departmental examinations entirely to a computer-based format and directed that tablet-based testing (TBT) be adopted wherever feasible. He believes this will make the recruitment process faster, more efficient, and more convenient for candidates.

Emphasis on conveying accurate information to candidates

The Railway Minister also instructed Railway Recruitment Boards to maintain continuous communication with candidates and other stakeholders. He directed that any misinformation regarding recruitment be immediately countered with accurate facts to ensure candidates retain their trust in the recruitment process.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News18 Hindi. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.