Your Complete Guide to the RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2025
Are you looking for a stable and lucrative government job? RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2025 is a golden opportunity. The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) of Indian Railways have announced a major recruitment drive. They are inviting online applications from eligible graduates from all over India. Under Centralized Employment Notice (CEN) No. 04/2025, this recruitment aims to fill 368 vacancies for the important post of Section Controller.
Read on to know everything you need to know about this great career opportunity.
What is This Recruitment?
Indian Railways has released an official advertisement (CEN No. 04/2025). They want to recruit 368 people for the post of Section Controller. This is a Group ‘C’ post. It is an important job for the smooth running of the railway network. This is an all-India recruitment, which means the job location can be anywhere in the country.
Here is a quick overview of the main details.
| Post Details | Information |
| Name of the Post | Section Controller |
| Total Number of Posts | 368 |
| Educational Qualification | A Graduate Degree (from any recognized university) |
What Does a Section Controller Do? (Why You Should Apply)
Many people look at the job description but don’t understand the job. Let’s expand your expertise. Section Controller is the most important job in railway operations.
Think of the Section Controller as the “air traffic controller” for trains.
From the central control room, you will manage the entire train traffic in your assigned “section” or area. Your main duty is to ensure the safe, secure and timely movement of all trains.
Your key responsibilities will include:
Real-time train management: You will track each train on your control panel.
Giving “line clear”: You allow a train to move from one station to another.
Safety First: You are the primary person responsible for preventing accidents. You must strictly follow all safety regulations.
Managing crossings: You will coordinate with station masters to manage which train uses which track, especially on single-line routes.
Emergency Handling: You are the focal point of contact in case of an accident, signal failure or any problem. You will coordinate with engineering, medical and security teams.
Punctuality: You will work to ensure that trains run on time. You will manage delays and make smart decisions to get trains back on schedule.
This is not a simple desk job. This is a high-responsibility, high-pressure role that requires a sharp mind, quick decision-making and a calm attitude.If you love challenges and want to play a direct role in running the nation’s lifeline, this job is for you.
Salary and Benefits: A Level 6 Post
This job offers excellent financial stability. The Section Controller post is a Level 6 post in the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) pay matrix.
Starting Salary: Your basic salary will start at ₹35,400 per month.
But your total salary (in-hand) will be much higher. You will also get several perks, which include:
Dearness Allowance (DA): This increases twice a year to cope with inflation.
House Rent Allowance (HRA): This depends on the city you are posted in (X, Y, or Z class cities).
Transport Allowance (TA): To cover your daily commute.
Night Duty Allowance: Since this is a 24/7 operations job, you will work in shifts and will get additional pay for night shifts.
Other Benefits: You get medical benefits for you and your family, a rail pass for free train travel, pension (under the National Pension System), and more.
This is a secure job with a great salary package and a clear path for promotions within the Indian Railways.
Are You Eligible? Check the Criteria
Before you apply, you must check if you meet all the eligibility criteria. The RRB is very strict about these rules.
1. Educational Qualification
You must have a Graduate Degree. This means you need a Bachelor’s degree (like BA, B.Com, B.Sc, B.Tech, etc.) from any university recognized by the Government of India. Candidates who are in their final year or awaiting results are not eligible. You must have passed the degree and have your certificate.
2. Nationality
You must be a citizen of India. (Or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee, as per government rules detailed in the official notification).
3. Age Limit
The RRB has set a specific age window. You must be within this age group as of January 1, 2026.
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
| General / EWS | 20 years | 33 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 20 years | 36 years |
| SC / ST | 20 years | 38 years |
Understanding the Age Relaxation:
- OBC: You get a 3-year relaxation on the upper age limit. This means you can apply if you are up to 36 years old.
- SC/ST: You get a 5-year relaxation. This means you can apply if you are up to 38 years old.
- Other Relaxations: There are also age relaxations for Ex-Servicemen (ExSM) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) as per the official government rules. You must read the detailed notification (CEN 04/2025) for specific details on this.
Application Fees and Refund Policy
You must pay a fee to apply online. The fee structure is designed to encourage serious candidates.
| Category | Application Fee |
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹500 |
| SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / PwBD | ₹250 |
| All Women / Transgender / EBC | ₹250 |
Important Fee Refund Policy
This is a key feature of RRB recruitments.
- For ₹500 Category: If you apply and appear for the First Stage Computer-Based Test (CBT), the RRB will refund ₹400 to your bank account.
- For ₹250 Category: If you apply and appear for the First Stage CBT, the RRB will refund the entire ₹250 to your bank account.
This policy is to filter out non-serious applicants. If you pay the fee but do not take the exam, you will not get any refund.
Important Dates: Don’t Miss the Deadline!
Mark your calendar. These dates are final and will not be extended.
| Event | Date |
| Official Notification Release: | September 2025 |
| Online Application Starts: | 15 September 2025 |
| Last Date for Online Application: | 14 October 2025 (11:59 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment: | 14 October 2025 |
| Date of Examination (CBT): | To Be Announced Later |
Do not wait until the last date. Apply in the first two weeks. The official websites can become very slow near the deadline due to heavy traffic.
How to Apply for RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2025
The application process is online only. You cannot apply by post or any other method. Follow these simple steps.
Step 1: Visit the official RRB website
Go to the official website of the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) for your region (like RRB Mumbai, RRB Ahmedabad, RRB Chennai, etc.) or go to the central application portal rrbapply.gov.in.
Step 2: Find the link
On the homepage, find the link that says “CEN No. 04/2025: Recruitment for the post of Section Controller”. Click on it.
Step 3: Register yourself
If you are a new user, you should register first. Click on “New Registration”. You will need to enter your:
Full Name
Date of Birth
Father’s Name
Mother’s Name
Mobile Number (for OTP)
Email ID (for OTP) Create a password. A registration ID and password will be sent to your mobile and email. Keep this safe.
Step 4: Log in and fill the application form
Log in using your new registration ID and password. The application form will open. Fill it carefully. It will ask for:
Personal details (address, category, etc.)
Educational qualification details (your graduation marks, university, year of passing).
Step 5: Upload your documents
You will need to upload scanned copies of your recent passport size photograph and your signature. Make sure they are in the correct format and size (e.g., JPEG, 20-50 KB). Read the instructions in the notification carefully.
Step 6: Pay the application fee
Go to the payment page. You can pay the fee using net banking, credit card, debit card or UPI. The fee is non-refundable if you do not appear for the exam.
Step 7: Final submission and printout
After paying the fee, give your entire application a final check. Make sure there are no spelling mistakes. Click on “Final Submit”.
A confirmation page will be generated. Download and print this confirmation page. You will need it for future reference.
Selection Process: How you will be recruited
This is a competitive exam. RRB uses a multi-step process to select the best candidates.
Stage 1: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
This is the first and most important difficulty. It is an online, multiple-choice question (MCQ) exam.
What it tests: Your knowledge of mathematics, general intelligence and reasoning, and general awareness.
Negative Marking: Yes. For each wrong answer, 1/3 marks will be deducted.
Syllabus: You should check the official CEN 04/2025 notification for the exact syllabus and exam pattern.
You will have to score more than the minimum cut-off marks in CBT to qualify for the next stage.
Stage 2: Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
Since this is an important security post, all candidates who clear the CBT will have to give an “Aptitude Test”.
What it tests: It is not about knowledge. It is a psycho-technical test. It measures your personality, reaction time, decision-making speed and concentration.
No negative marking: Usually, there is no negative marking in CBAT.
Eligibility Criteria: You are required to clear this test. If you fail CBAT, you will be out of the recruitment process even if you top the CBT.
The final merit list will be prepared on the basis of your marks in both CBT and CBAT.
Stage 3: Document Verification (DV)
Candidates who have cleared CBAT will be called for document verification. You will have to submit all your original documents:
10th class certificate (for proof of date of birth)
Degree degree and mark sheet
Caste certificate (OBC/SC/ST) if applicable,
EWS/PwBD certificate if applicable
Aadhaar card and other identity proof
Application form printout
If all your documents are correct, you will proceed to the final stage.
Stage 4: Medical Examination
This is the final stage. The post of Section Controller requires a high medical standard, called A2 (A-two).
What it tests: Your overall physical fitness. The main focus is on your vision.
Vision Standards: For A2, you must have 6/9 vision in each eye without glasses. You will also need to pass tests for color vision, night vision, and field of vision.
Candidates who wear glasses or have undergone eye surgery (like LASIK) are generally not eligible for the A2 medical standard.
Finally, you need to clear this medical examination to get selected.
This RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2025 is a great opportunity for graduates. It is a challenging job, offers high salaries, and the pride of working for Indian Railways.
Our final, trusted advice:
Read the official notification: This blog post is for your information. Your only source of truth is CEN 04/2025 notification on the official RRB website. Read it from beginning to end.
Apply early: Don’t wait for October 14.
Be honest: Don’t give any false information in your application. You will be caught during document verification.
Start preparing: CBT will be competitive. Start studying Maths, Reasoning and General Knowledge today.
We wish you all the best!
