The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have officially issued the RRB NTPC 2026 Notification announcing 5,236 vacancies across Graduate and Undergraduate level posts on rrbapply.gov.in. This massive railway recruitment drive invites online applications from eligible 12th-pass candidates and university graduates across India. Online registrations for undergraduate posts are active from October 15, 2026, until November 13, 2026, while graduate-level applications remain open until November 6, 2026.
Every railway job aspirant must understand the eligibility rules, age criteria, and stage-by-stage selection process before applying. Submitting incorrect category certificates or selecting the wrong railway zone during initial registration cannot be changed later. Here is the verified, comprehensive guide to help you apply safely.
RRB NTPC 2026 Notification: Vacancy Breakdown of 5,236 Posts
The recruitment is divided into two separate Centralised Employment Notifications (CEN) based on educational requirements. Here is the official distribution of the 5,236 posts:
| Recruitment Level | Notification Reference | Total Vacancies | Minimum Qualification | Pay Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Posts | CEN 06/2026 | 3,548 Posts | Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline | Level 5 and Level 6 (₹29,200 to ₹35,400 basic) |
| Undergraduate Posts | CEN 07/2026 | 1,688 Posts | 12th Pass (+2 Stage) or equivalent | Level 2 and Level 3 (₹19,900 to ₹21,700 basic) |
| Total Combined Pool | RRB NTPC 2026 Drive | 5,236 Posts | 12th Pass to University Degree | 7th CPC Pay Matrix |
Post-Wise Vacancy Details in the RRB NTPC 2026 Notification
Candidates can apply for popular Non-Technical categories based on their qualifications. The following key posts are open under this recruitment:
1. Graduate Level Posts (3,548 Vacancies)
- Goods Train Manager: Operates goods train movement and safety checks (Level 5).
- Chief Commercial-cum-Ticket Supervisor: Supervises passenger reservations, ticketing counters, and luggage transit (Level 6).
- Senior Clerk-cum-Typist: Handles administrative railway documentation; requires typing skill qualification (Level 5).
- Junior Accounts Assistant-cum-Typist: Manages railway accounts and financial books; requires typing test (Level 5).
2. Undergraduate / 12th Pass Posts (1,688 Vacancies)
- Commercial-cum-Ticket Clerk: Issues tickets at passenger counters and validates travel luggage (Level 3).
- Accounts Clerk-cum-Typist: Assists in divisional accounting offices with typing work (Level 2).
- Junior Clerk-cum-Typist: General office clerk role across railway divisions; requires computer typing test (Level 2).
- Trains Clerk: Records coach counts, wagon numbers, and train assembly details in railway yards (Level 2).
Eligibility Criteria Under the RRB NTPC 2026 Notification
Meeting the age limit and educational qualification is mandatory on the date of application submission:
| Post Category | Age Limit (General / UR) | OBC-NCL Relaxation | SC / ST Relaxation | Minimum Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Posts | 18 to 30 Years | Up to 33 Years (+3 years) | Up to 35 Years (+5 years) | Class 12th passed with minimum 50% marks (50% rule not applicable for SC/ST/PwBD). |
| Graduate Posts | 18 to 33 Years | Up to 36 Years (+3 years) | Up to 38 Years (+5 years) | Graduation degree from a recognized university or institute. |
Step-by-Step Selection Process in the RRB NTPC 2026 Notification
The selection process under the RRB NTPC 2026 Notification involves four distinct stages designed to test general knowledge, quantitative aptitude, and practical work skills:
Stage 1: First Stage Computer-Based Test (CBT 1)
CBT 1 serves as a common screening test for all candidates. It consists of 100 objective questions to be solved in 90 minutes:
- General Awareness: 40 Questions (Current affairs, Indian history, geography, constitution, general science).
- Mathematics: 30 Questions (Arithmetic, algebra, percentages, ratio, profit and loss, time and work).
- General Intelligence and Reasoning: 30 Questions (Analogies, coding-decoding, syllogisms, blood relations, puzzles).
- Negative Marking: One-third (1/3) mark is deducted for every incorrect response.
Stage 2: Second Stage Computer-Based Test (CBT 2)
Candidates shortlisted from CBT 1 advance to CBT 2. This stage carries 120 questions with a higher difficulty level to be completed in 90 minutes. Marks scored in CBT 2 directly count toward the final selection merit list.
Stage 3: Typing Skill Test or Aptitude Test
Candidates applying for typist posts (Junior Clerk, Senior Clerk, Accounts Clerk) must clear a qualifying computer typing test (minimum 30 words per minute in English or 25 words per minute in Hindi without spell-check aids). Candidates for operational roles undergo a Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT).
Stage 4: Document Verification and Medical Examination
Shortlisted candidates attend physical document verification to confirm identity, date of birth, educational certificates, and caste validity. After document verification, candidates undergo a medical examination to certify fitness for railway service standards (such as A-2, A-3, B-2, or C-1 medical visual standards depending on the post).
Important Dates for RRB NTPC 2026 Recruitment
| Event Description | Important Date / Timeline |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | October 2026 |
| Undergraduate Application Window | October 15 to November 13, 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Graduate Application Deadline | November 6, 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | Opens for 10 days following application closure |
| 1st Stage Computer-Based Test (CBT 1) | To be announced officially on regional RRB websites |
Application Fee and Refund Rules in RRB NTPC 2026 Notification
Indian Railways provides a partial fee refund to candidates who appear for CBT 1:
- General and OBC Male Candidates: ₹500 application fee. After appearing in CBT 1, ₹400 is refunded to the candidate’s bank account (deducting small bank charges).
- SC, ST, Female, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, and Economically Backward Class (EBC): ₹250 application fee. The full ₹250 is refunded back upon appearing in the CBT 1 examination.
How to Apply Online Under the RRB NTPC 2026 Notification
Follow these official steps to register and submit your form smoothly:
- Step 1: Visit the official centralized recruitment website at rrbapply.gov.in.
- Step 2: Click on Apply and select Create an Account if you are a new applicant.
- Step 3: Fill in your basic details (Full Name, Father’s Name, Date of Birth, Email ID, and Mobile Number). Verify using OTP.
- Step 4: Log in with your new credentials and choose your desired notification (CEN 06/2026 for Graduate or CEN 07/2026 for Undergraduate).
- Step 5: Select your preferred Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) zone. Remember that you cannot change your selected zone later.
- Step 6: Upload clear digital scans of your recent color photograph, signature, and SC/ST community certificate (if requesting a free railway travel pass).
- Step 7: Pay the application fee through net banking, debit card, or UPI, and save your final application confirmation slip.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About RRB NTPC 2026 Notification
Q1: What is the total number of vacancies announced in the RRB NTPC 2026 Notification?
Answer: There are 5,236 vacancies in total, including 3,548 graduate posts under CEN 06/2026 and 1,688 undergraduate posts under CEN 07/2026.
Q2: Can a 12th-pass student apply for the RRB NTPC 2026 Notification?
Answer: Yes. Candidates who have passed Class 12th can apply for undergraduate level positions, such as Commercial-cum-Ticket Clerk, Junior Clerk-cum-Typist, and Accounts Clerk.
Q3: What is the last date to apply for undergraduate posts?
Answer: The online application deadline for undergraduate posts is November 13, 2026 (up to 11:59 PM) on rrbapply.gov.in.
Q4: Is there negative marking in the RRB NTPC CBT examination?
Answer: Yes. There is a penalty of one-third (1/3) mark for every wrong answer in both CBT 1 and CBT 2.
Q5: Can I apply to multiple RRB zones at the same time?
Answer: No. Candidates can select only one RRB zone for a particular notification. Submitting multiple applications across different zones will lead to automatic rejection.
Sources Checked and Editorial Verification
Update Policy: This page will be revised immediately when Railway Recruitment Boards publish the official CBT 1 exam dates or admit card download links.