Border Roads Organisation (BRO) / General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF)
Last Date: July 4, 2026 (July 19, 2026 for specified remote regions)

The Border Roads Organisation has released Advertisement No. 01/2026 through its General Reserve Engineer Force, inviting applications from Indian national male candidates for 899 posts spread across six trades. Applications open on May 21, 2026, with the last date set at July 4, 2026 for most states and July 19, 2026 for candidates from Assam, the Northeast, Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. The completed application form must be sent by post to Commandant, GREF Centre, Dighi Camp, Pune-411015.

Before the details, here is the full picture at a glance:

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About the Organisation and This Recruitment

The Border Roads Organisation operates under the Ministry of Defence and is responsible for building and maintaining roads and strategic infrastructure in some of the country's most difficult terrain - the Himalayas, the Northeast, high-altitude passes, and sensitive border regions. GREF is the civilian workforce arm of BRO, and the men recruited through this advertisement will eventually be deployed to project areas spread across India, with a heavy concentration in northern and eastern regions where the organisation's operational footprint is largest.

This recruitment covers 899 positions under six distinct trades, making it one of the more substantial GREF civilian batches in recent years. The last comparable GREF open recruitment drew very large applicant volumes - SKT alone, with 300 vacancies this cycle, typically sees among the highest applicant concentration of any trade simply because the eligibility is accessible and the post count is relatively high. Candidates who have appeared in previous BRO or defence civilian recruitment cycles will recognise the overall process structure, but this notification carries a few procedural details that deserve careful attention before anyone fills out the form.

The recruitment is strictly for male Indian nationals. Female candidates are not eligible. Gorkhas of Indian domicile who can produce a Permanent Residence Certificate are also eligible.

Vacancy Details

The total of 899 vacancies is distributed across six posts. Store Keeper Technical accounts for the largest share with 300 seats, followed by Operator Communication at 261 and Operator Excavating Machinery (Ordinary Grade) at 207. These three posts together represent over 85 percent of the entire recruitment.

Ex-Servicemen (ESM) reservations within these totals are: Draughtsman 06, Hindi Typist 01, SKT 45, Operator Communication 39, OEM OG 31, Electrician 12. Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) reservations exist for Draughtsman (03 seats) and SKT (12 seats); the notification does not list PwBD vacancies for the remaining four posts.

The distribution is weighted heavily toward General/UR candidates in the OEM (OG) category, where UR vacancies at 135 vastly outnumber SC/ST/OBC combined at 70. For SKT, the OBC share of 77 out of 300 is meaningful, and competitive pressure across reserved categories will be significant. With 899 vacancies against what BRO recruitments have historically drawn in the range of several lakh applications across all trades, candidates should approach preparation seriously regardless of which post they target.

Application Fee

The fee structure is straightforward. General, OBC, EWS candidates, Ex-Servicemen and Ex-Agniveers pay Rs 50. SC and ST candidates, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, are exempt and pay nil.

Payment is accepted only through the SBI Collect portal at the specific URL provided in the notification: https://www.onlinesbi.sbi/sbicollect/icollecthome.htm?corpID=1232156, in favour of Commandant, GREF Centre, Pune-411015. No other payment mode will be accepted, and the e-receipt must be attached to the application form. The fee is non-refundable under all circumstances.

Age Limit

The age requirement for all six posts is uniformly between 18 and 27 years, with the date of birth reference fixed as June 1, 2026 (based on the advertisement's publication date of April 18, 2026, in the Employment Newspaper). This means the acceptable date of birth window runs from June 1, 1999 (for UR) to June 1, 2008 for the lower bound. For OBC, the upper limit extends to June 1, 1996; for SC and ST, to June 1, 1994.

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The 10-year age relaxation for PwBD candidates is notably generous. The notification explicitly clarifies that this relaxation is not treated as a "relaxed standard" for merit purposes, which protects PwBD candidates who score well from being placed in a separate queue.

Educational Qualification

Each post has distinct essential qualification requirements that go beyond simply holding a matriculation certificate.

Draughtsman: Requires 10+2 with Science from a recognised board plus a two-year certificate in Architecture/Draughtsmanship from a recognised institute. Alternatively, a two-year National Trade Certificate for Draughtsman (Civil) with one year practical experience in the trade is acceptable.

Hindi Typist: Requires 10+2 from a recognised board, plus a Hindi typing speed of 30 words per minute on computer (equivalent to 9000 KDPH at an average of 5 key depressions per word).

Store Keeper Technical (SKT): Requires 10+2 from a recognised board plus store keeping knowledge related to vehicles or engineering equipment. Desirable qualifications include three years' experience in a stores establishment, or having passed the Class II Course for Storeman Technical as laid down in Defence Service Regulations.

Operator Communication: Requires Matriculation plus a Wireless Operator or Radio Mechanic Certificate from an ITI, or a Defence Trade Certificate from an Army Institute with knowledge of Radio Technology, or Class I Course for Wireless Operator and Key Board as per Defence Service Regulations.

Operator Excavating Machinery (OG): Requires Matriculation plus a heavy motor vehicle driving licence or Dozer/Excavator driving licence with six months' experience in driving Dozer/Excavator, or having passed the Class II Course for Operator Excavating Machinery as per Defence Service Regulations.

Electrician: Requires Matriculation plus an Auto Electrician certificate from an ITI with one year experience, or having passed the Electrician Class 2 Course as per Defence Service Regulations.

Candidates awaiting results of their final examination are not eligible. All qualifications must be held as on the closing date of application.

Selection Process

The recruitment process runs in four sequential stages: Written Examination, Physical Efficiency Test (PET) plus Trade Test (TT), Primary Medical Examination (PME) with Document Verification, and finally Induction/Joining.

The written exam is the stage that determines who moves forward. Shortlisting for all subsequent stages is based entirely on the written exam merit list. Final merit is also derived from written exam marks alone, subject to the candidate qualifying the PET and TT and clearing the PME. The PET and Trade Test carry zero weightage toward final selection. They are qualifying gates, not scoring components.

The written examination will be OMR-based for objective questions, with bilingual (Hindi and English) question papers. Duration varies from 1 to 3 hours depending on the post. Minimum passing marks are 50% for UR, OBC, and EWS candidates, and 40% for SC and ST candidates. The question paper will be collected at the end of the exam and candidates may not take it with them. RTI applications seeking OMR sheets or answer keys will not be entertained.

The PET involves completing a 1.6 km run in 10 minutes. Physical standards vary by region —> candidates from the Eastern Himalayan region (which includes Assam, Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya) have a minimum height requirement of 152 cm versus 157–162.5 cm for plains candidates. Minimum weight is 47.5 kg for Himalayan regions and 50 kg for plains. PwBD, ESM, Ex-Agniveers, and departmental re-appointment candidates are exempt from the PET.

The Trade Test is conducted only for Hindi Typist (includes typing test at 30 wpm plus written components), Operator Communication, Operator Excavating Machinery (OG), and Electrician. Draughtsman and SKT do not have a trade test. Minimum qualifying marks for the Trade Test are 40%.

For the medical examination, the standards are genuinely rigorous given BRO's deployment profile in high-altitude and remote terrain. Permanent rejection conditions include colour blindness, cardiac murmur, hypertension (BP above 140/95), gross myopia and corneal surgery, hearing impairment, flat feet (except mild flexible cases), and BMI below 18. Visible tattoos are only acceptable on the inner forearms and the back of the palms.

Weightage for Call Letters

One aspect of this recruitment that many candidates overlook: GREF applies percentage-based weightages to academic marks during the call letter issuance stage for the written examination. These weightages are added to marks obtained in school or technical qualification certificates and apply only for determining who gets called to the written exam.

Sons of serving/retired GREF personnel get 15% weightage (one son only), NCC 'C' Certificate holders get 10%, NCC 'B' Certificate holders get 5%, Casual Paid Labourers of GREF get 10%, sons of Ex-Servicemen get 3%, and athletes at state/district/university level get 5%. Serving GREF personnel applying for a higher post in open competition get 15%. Where both NCC 'B' and 'C' certificates are enclosed, only the 'C' certificate weightage applies.

This means a CPL worker with a modest academic score can effectively jump ahead of an outside candidate with higher marks at the call letter stage. Candidates who qualify for any weightage category must attach supporting documentation with the application form.

Salary, Job Location, and Service Conditions

Pay scales under the old pre-7th CPC structure are what the notification formally lists, though actual salaries are governed by current pay matrix levels. Draughtsman carries Pay Band-1 (Rs 5200–20200) with Grade Pay Rs 2800/–, which corresponds to Level 5 of the 7th CPC pay matrix. All other five posts are Pay Band-1 with Grade Pay Rs 1900/–, corresponding to Level 2. Beyond basic pay, selected candidates receive DA, HRA, Transport Allowance, Hard and Risk Allowance, free rations, clothing allowance, free single accommodation, remote locality and compensatory allowances as applicable to BRO deployment areas. NPS, Leave Travel Concession, Children Education Allowance, Group Insurance, and medical treatment are also available as per central government rules.

The probation period is two years. After initial training at GREF Centre, Dighi Camp, Pune-15, recruits can be posted anywhere in India based on available vacancies. Deployments concentrate heavily in northern and eastern border regions — meaning these are not desk postings. Candidates from states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, or Uttarakhand who are comfortable with field postings in their own region may find the work environment familiar; those who have never worked away from plains cities should factor the mobility reality into their decision before applying.

Members of the force are subject to both Central Civil Service Rules and certain provisions of the Army Act 1950, given the quasi-military nature of BRO. This dual governance structure is unlike most civilian central government roles and has practical implications for service conduct and discipline.

How to Apply

1. Download the application form and admit card format from the official BRO website at www.bro.gov.in (or Scroll down to the Important Links section below for the direct link)
2. Print the application form on good quality A4 size bond paper (75 GSM) using one side only; print the admit card on both sides of a single paper
3. Fill in the application form in English or Hindi in capital letters with complete and accurate details
4. Affix a recent colour passport-size photograph (not older than one month from the date of advertisement) at the prescribed location; keep at least 12 copies of the same photograph for subsequent recruitment stages
5. Pay the application fee through SBI Collect at the URL specified in the notification and attach the e-receipt with the application
6. Attach self-attested photocopies of all required documents - educational certificates, caste certificate, experience certificate if applicable, driving licence for OEM/OG post, NCC certificate if claiming weightage
7. Write "APPLICATION FOR [NAME OF TRADE/POST] Under Category [UR/SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD/ESM/CPL]" on the top of the envelope in capital letters
8. If applying for more than one post, send a separate application with a separate fee in a separate envelope for each post
9. Dispatch the application by postal service ensuring it reaches Commandant, GREF Centre, Dighi Camp, Pune-411015 well before the closing date; GREF Centre will not be responsible for postal delays

Candidates whose name in the application does not match their matriculation certificate will face summary cancellation of candidature. If a name has been changed since matriculation, a Gazette Notification attesting the change must be enclosed. Changes to the application form after submission will not be entertained under any circumstances.

Required Documents

Keep these ready before filling out the form:

• Matriculation/SSLC certificate and marksheet (proof of date of birth and education)
• Certificate and marksheet for essential technical/educational qualification of the post applied for
• Caste certificate in Central Government format (SC/ST/OBC as applicable); OBC and EWS certificates must not be older than one year as on the closing date
• Income & Assets certificate for EWS candidates (for the latest financial year)
• OBC candidates from Non-Creamy Layer must enclose both the caste certificate (Appendix A) and a self-declaration (Appendix D)
• Experience certificate from private employer on printed letterhead with rubber seal, mentioning Registration Number, GST/TIN Number, nature of work, and period of employment
• Driving licence (for OEM OG applicants)
• NCC certificate if claiming weightage
• Relationship certificate for sons of serving/retired GREF personnel
• CPL experience certificate signed by OC unit, countersigned by Commander BRTF, and verified by the concerned Accounts Officer
• Disability certificate in Form V or Form VI as per Appendix E for PwBD candidates
• Domicile/residence proof; Gorkha candidates must submit a Permanent Residence Certificate

Any certificate in a language other than Hindi or English must be accompanied by a translation attested by a Group A Gazetted Officer.

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What the Competition Actually Looks Like for This Recruitment

SKT and Operator Communication together account for 561 of the 899 vacancies, and they will draw the widest applicant base. SKT's 10+2 plus stores knowledge requirement is among the most accessible in defence civilian recruitment - it brings in ITI holders, commerce and science 12th pass candidates, and anyone with loosely relevant experience. When eligibility is broad at this pay level, applicant pools in the range of several lakh are typical. Draughtsman, with only 42 vacancies and a more specialised two-year certificate requirement, will see lower raw volume but concentrated competition from draughtsmanship and architecture certificate holders. OEM (OG) at 207 vacancies benefits from the HMV/Dozer licence requirement, which does genuinely limit the eligible pool - but licensed heavy vehicle operators are not rare, and defence aspirants in this category are well-organised and experienced test-takers.

The Physical Reality of Working in GREF

Most government job coverage treats BRO posts like any other central government vacancy. They are not. GREF personnel are deployed in project areas - road construction and maintenance work in high-altitude passes, border zones, remote Himalayan terrain, and hilly districts of the Northeast. This is not a desk-based career. Fieldwork, exposure to extreme weather, and extended posting away from family are standard features of GREF service, not exceptional circumstances. The medical fitness standards in the notification reflect this reality directly - colour blindness is a disqualifier even for non-driving posts, BMI requirements are stricter than typical civilian recruitments, and permanent body tattoos outside specific areas lead to rejection. Candidates from the plains who are drawn purely by the job security aspect should weigh the posting pattern before investing preparation time.

Who Is Realistically Positioned to Succeed

Candidates who have been preparing for SSC or other OMR-based central government exams will find the written exam manageable, since the syllabus for most posts covers mathematics, GK, trade-specific technical questions, and English at 10th or 12th standard level. The PET is a 1.6 km run in 10 minutes, which is a straightforward fitness test rather than an intense physical screening - most reasonably active applicants who train for a month or two should clear it. Where the real advantage lies is in the weightage system: candidates with NCC 'C' certificates or CPL experience in GREF gain a 10% boost to their academic percentage for call letter issuance. A candidate sitting at 65% in qualifying marks with an NCC 'C' certificate is effectively competing at 75%, which can make the difference between receiving a call letter and not. This is particularly relevant in a recruitment where the written exam cutoffs for UR candidates are expected to be competitive.

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❓Frequently Asked Questions 

How many vacancies are available under BRO GREF Advt 01/2026?

There are 899 vacancies across six posts: Draughtsman (42), Hindi Typist (10), Store Keeper Technical (300), Operator Communication (261), Operator Excavating Machinery OG (207), and Electrician (79).

What is the last date to apply?

July 4, 2026 for candidates residing in most states. Candidates from Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Ladakh division of J&K, Lahaul and Spiti, Pangi Sub-Division of Chamba District (HP), Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep have an extended last date of July 19, 2026.

Who is eligible to apply?

Only Indian national male candidates. Female candidates are not eligible. Gorkhas of Indian domicile who can produce a Permanent Residence Certificate may also apply.

What is the age limit including all relaxations?

The base age limit is 18 to 27 years as on June 1, 2026. OBC gets 3 years, SC/ST gets 5 years, PwBD gets 10 years, Ex-Servicemen deduct their service period plus 3 additional years, Ex-Agniveers get 3 years (5 years for the first Agnipath batch), and J&K migrants get 5 years.

What qualification is required for Store Keeper Technical?

10+2 from a recognised board, plus store keeping knowledge relating to vehicles or engineering equipment. Three years' experience in a stores establishment or the Defence Service Regulations Class II Storeman Technical course is desirable but not mandatory.

What does the selection process involve?

Four stages in order: Written Examination (OMR-based, bilingual), Physical Efficiency Test plus Trade Test (qualifying only, no marks added to merit), Primary Medical Examination with Document Verification, and Induction/Joining. Final merit is based exclusively on written exam marks.

What is the salary for these posts?

Draughtsman is in Pay Band-1 with Grade Pay Rs 2800/– (Level 5, 7th CPC). All other posts —> Hindi Typist, SKT, Operator Communication, OEM OG, and Electrician - are Pay Band-1 with Grade Pay Rs 1900/– (Level 2, 7th CPC). Allowances applicable to central government employees at BRO project postings are additionally payable.

What is the application fee and how is it paid?

General, OBC, EWS, Ex-Servicemen and Ex-Agniveers pay Rs 50. SC, ST, and PwBD candidates pay nil. Payment is only through SBI Collect online portal, and the e-receipt must be attached to the application form. No other mode of payment is accepted.

How do I apply for this BRO GREF recruitment?

This is an offline application process. Download the application form from www.bro.gov.in, fill it in capital letters, attach the required documents and fee receipt, and send it by post to Commandant, GREF Centre, Dighi Camp, Pune-411015. Applications must reach before the closing date; postal delays are the candidate's responsibility.

Can I apply for more than one post?

Yes, but each post requires a completely separate application with a separate fee, sent in a separate envelope.

What happens if my photograph in the application does not match my appearance at the exam?

The notification explicitly flags this: any mismatch due to glasses, changed beard/moustache, or hairstyle change may result in rejection or non-admittance at any recruitment stage. The photograph must be recent (not older than one month from the advertisement date), and the same photograph series must be used throughout the process. Carry at least 12 copies.

Are there any posting or transfer expectations candidates should know about?

GREF members are deployed in projects across India, with concentration in northern and eastern border regions. After initial training at Pune, posting is determined by available vacancies. The probation period is two years, during which suitability for continuation is assessed by a competent authority.

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Check This Before You Post the Application

The most time-sensitive action right now is downloading the correct application form and admit card format from www.bro.gov.in - these must be in the prescribed format, and applications on market-purchased forms that do not conform to BRO's specifications will be rejected. The application form and admit card are two separate documents: the form goes on single-sided A4, the admit card must be printed on both sides of a single sheet. That is a specific instruction many candidates miss.

Once the form is ready, verify the address you write in the admit card section carefully. BRO posts the admit card to the communication address provided in that section - errors there will mean a missed call letter with no recourse. OBC and EWS certificates must be dated within one year of the closing date; check the issuance date before attaching. Results, dates for the written test, PET, and trade test will be published at www.bro.gov.in - that is the only official channel, and the department will not respond to individual queries about recruitment status.

This article is based on the official notification and simplified for easy understanding. For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official website.