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

Name of exam	RPF exam 2024
Full form	Railway Protection Force
Governing body	Ministry of Railways
Establishment	2 July 1872
Employees	75,000+ active personnel
Zones	18
Official website	http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/ https://rpf.indianrailways.gov.in/RPF/
Mode of application	Online
Exam mode	Online
Basic eligibility	Depends on the post applied for

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)

Category	1600 meters run	800 meters run	Long jump	High jump
Constable (Male)	5 min 45 secs	———-	14 feet	4 feet
Constable (Female)	———-	3 min 40 secs	9 feet	3 feet

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)

Category	800 meters run	Long jump	High jump
Constable (Ancillary)	3 min 40 secs	9 feet	3 feet

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)

Category	800 meters run	Long jump	High jump
Constable (Ancillary)	3 min 40 secs	9 feet	3 feet

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)

Category	1600 meters run	800 meters run	Long jump	High jump
Sub-Inspector (Male)	6 min 30 secs	———-	12 feet	3 feet 9 inch
Sub-Inspector (Female)	———-	4 mins	9 feet	3 feet

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)

Category	1600 meters run	Long jump	High jump
Driver Gr-III	6 min 30 secs	12 feet	3 feet 9 inch

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.