How to join Railway Protection Force (RPF) in 2024?

Candidates who wish to serve in the Indian Railways can become a part of the prestigious Railway Protection Force to fulfill their dreams. The RPF selects candidates for different pots such as Sub-Inspectors, Constables, Head Constables, etc. Interested candidates can fill out an online application form and appear for the computer-based test to join the force. The eligibility and exam pattern varies from one post to another and the candidates can appear for these exams depending on their qualifications. In this article, candidates can find complete details on how to join RPF, including eligibility, application process, selection process, and more.

Major Highlights

Check process to join ITBP

How to join RPF?

Those who wish to join the Railway Protection Force can check out the eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and other details of the selection process below.

1. Constable (Executive)

Eligibility:

• The applicant should be a citizen of India.
• The age of the candidate should be between 18 and 25 years.
• A pass in SSLC/ Matric exam from a recognized Board is required.
• Those awaiting results of the qualifying exam are not eligible.

Exam Pattern

• Total Duration: 90 min
• No. of Questions: 120
• Total marks: 120
• Topics: General Awareness (50 questions, 50 marks), Arithmetic (35 questions, 35 marks), General Intelligence & reasoning (35 questions, 35 marks)

Physical Efficiency Test (PET) & Physical Measurement (PMT)

2. Constable (Ancillary)

Eligibility:

• The applicant should be a citizen of India.
• The age of the candidate should be between 18 and 25 years.
• A pass in SSLC/ Matric exam from a recognized Board is required.
• Those awaiting results of the qualifying exam are not eligible.

Exam Pattern

• Total Duration: 70 min
• No. of Questions: 90
• Total marks: 90
• Topics: General Awareness (30 questions, 30 marks), Arithmetic (30 questions, 30 marks), General Intelligence & reasoning (30 questions, 30 marks)

Physical Efficiency Test (PET) & Physical Measurement (PMT)

Trade test: 40 marks

• Barber: handling of tools, hair cutting, shaving
• Sweeper: cleaning of toilets, bathrooms & septic tanks, sweeping, mopping floor
• Washerman: washing, folding 7 ironing clothes
• Water carrier:  washing & cleaning vessels, atta kneading & chapati making, cutting vegetables, cooking rice/ dal/ vegetable/ meat/ fish/ sambhar/ kheer
• Gardener: transplantation, making grafts and maintenance of plants, knowledge of seeds, sowing season, fertilizers & indigenous manures (any two)
• Tailor: taking measurements & stitching shorts, carrying our minor repairs, maintenance & troubleshooting sewing machines, and knowledge of tools/ machines used in sewing (any two)
• Cobbler: knowledge of shoe repair, shoe repair, punching neat holes in leather

Check How to Join CRPF

3. Constable (Band)

Eligibility:

• The age of the candidate should be between 18 and 27 years.

• A pass in SSLC/ Matric exam from a recognized Board is required.
• 2 years of experience in the operational use of the specified musical instrument is also required.

Exam Pattern

• Total Duration: 45 min
• No. of Questions:  60
• Total marks:  60
• Topics: General Awareness (20 questions, 20 marks), Arithmetic (20 questions, 20 marks), General Intelligence & reasoning (20 questions, 20 marks)

Physical Efficiency Test (PET) & Physical Measurement (PMT)

Trade test

Flute/ Piccolo, EB Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Tenor/ Slide Trombone, Brass Slide Trumpet, French Horn/ Horn, Euphonium, Cornet, Eb Bass, Side Drum/ Snare, Bass Drum, Oboe, Cymbal, Bagpipe, Brass Bass, Tuba

4. Sub Inspector (Executive)

Eligibility:

• The applicant should be a citizen of India.
• The age of the candidate should be between 20 and 25 years.
• The applicant should be a Graduate of a recognized University.
• Those awaiting results of the qualifying exam are not eligible.

Exam Pattern

• Total Duration: 90 min
• No. of Questions: 120
• Total marks: 120
• Topics: General Awareness (50 questions, 50 marks), Arithmetic (35 questions, 35 marks), General Intelligence & reasoning (35 questions, 35 marks)

Physical Efficiency Test (PET) & Physical Measurement (PMT)

Check How to join SSB

5. Driver Grade-III

• The applicant should be a citizen of India.
• The age of the candidate should be between 20 and 25 years.
• A pass in SSLC/ Matric exam from a recognized Board is required.
• Those awaiting results of the qualifying exam are not eligible.
• A heavy vehicle driving license which must be at least six months old is also required.

Exam Pattern

• Total Duration: 70 min
• No. of Questions: 90
• Total marks: 90
• Topics: General Awareness (30 questions, 30 marks), Arithmetic (30 questions, 30 marks), General Intelligence & reasoning (30 questions, 30 marks)

Physical Efficiency Test (PET) & Physical Measurement (PMT)

Trade test:

Candidates will be asked to (i) make a figure of ‘8’ in reverse gear with a light motor vehicle, and (ii) reverse a heavy vehicle into a designated garage-size space only with the help of rear/side-view mirrors. They will also be tested for tyre changing, fuse replacement, checking of various lubricants in the vehicle (steering oil, gear oil, differential oil, brake oil, etc.), and checking of coolant and battery fluid.

RPF Application Form

• Candidates can apply online for RPF exam by visiting the official website.
• The candidates need to provide their basic personal and academic details in the application form.
• Scanned copies of candidates’ photographs and signatures should also be uploaded in the form.
• Candidates should take complete care while filling out the application form as any kind of incorrect information can make it liable for rejection.
• Once all the details are entered, the candidates can submit the form with the prescribed application fee.
• Payment of the application fee can be done both online (net banking/ debit card/ credit card) or offline (challan).
• After submission of the form and fees, a printout should be taken and kept safe for future reference.

Admit Card

• The admit card can be downloaded from the RPF website a few weeks before the exam.
• The candidates should take a printout of the admit card after downloading it.
• The candidates must carry the admit card with them to the exam center along with valid id proof.
• In case of the absence of these documents, no candidates will be allowed to appear for the exam.
• Details of the exam like time, date, and center will be mentioned on the admit card itself.

FAQs