The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has received an overwhelming 1.08 crore applications for its Group D recruitment drive under advertisement CEN 08/2024. This intake is aimed at filling 32,438 Level 1 positions, including Track Maintainer Grade-IV, Assistant Pointsman, and other technical roles in departments such as Mechanical, Electrical, and Signalling.
Among all RRB zones, Mumbai recorded the highest number of applicants, with 15.59 lakh candidates applying. Other regions like Chandigarh, Chennai, and Guwahati also saw massive interest, reflecting intense competition for a limited number of posts.
RRB Group D Applications Region-wise Breakdown
Here is a quick look at how applications were distributed across regions:
Now that the online application process is closed, exam dates are expected to be announced soon.
Rising Aspirations and Employment Concerns
Government Jobs Still the Top Choice
The staggering number of applicants highlights the enormous demand for secure government employment in India. Despite fewer vacancies, millions continue to compete for such roles, underscoring a broader issue within the country’s employment landscape.
Unemployment Rate Improving, But Job Quality Still a Worry
Recent data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) shows urban unemployment dipped to 6.4% in Q2 FY24 — the lowest on record. However, experts caution that employment quality remains a key concern. The India Employment Report 2024 noted that improvements in labour metrics often occur during periods of economic stress, which may suggest that many of the jobs created are low-quality or informal.
