RRB NTPC 2026 Notification — Complete Details, Eligibility & How to Apply
The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have officially released the RRB NTPC 2026 Notification for the recruitment of Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) posts across Indian Railways. This recruitment drive aims to fill approximately 11,558 vacancies across various Graduate and Under-Graduate level posts including Station Master, Goods Guard, Commercial Apprentice, Clerk, Traffic Assistant, and Accounts Clerk.
Indian Railways, being the largest employer in India, conducts the NTPC examination periodically to recruit candidates for ministerial, commercial, and traffic cadre posts. The RRB NTPC 2026 exam is conducted in multiple stages — CBT-1, CBT-2, and Typing Skill Test/Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) — to ensure merit-based selection of candidates across the country.
Key Highlights of RRB NTPC 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) |
| Exam Name | RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories) |
| Total Vacancies | 11,558 (approximate) |
| Application Start | March 2026 |
| Application End | June 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Official Website | rrbcdg.gov.in |
The NTPC recruitment is one of the most sought-after government job examinations in India, attracting millions of applicants annually. Posts under NTPC fall under Pay Level 2 to Pay Level 6 of the 7th Central Pay Commission, offering attractive salary packages along with railway benefits such as free travel passes, medical facilities, and pension under the National Pension System (NPS).
Candidates who are graduates or have completed 12th class from a recognized board are eligible to apply, depending on the specific post. The minimum age requirement is 18 years, with the upper age limit varying between 30 to 33 years based on the post category. Standard age relaxations apply for reserved categories as per government norms.
RRB NTPC 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 2026-02-15 |
| Online Application Start | 2026-03-15 |
| Application Last Date | 2026-06-30 |
| CBT-1 Exam Date | September–October 2026 (Tentative) |
| CBT-2 Exam Date | To Be Announced |
| Result Date | To Be Announced |
RRB NTPC Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Graduate Posts (Pay Level 5 & 6): Bachelor's degree from a recognized university. Posts include Station Master, Goods Guard, Commercial Apprentice, Senior Clerk, and Traffic Assistant.
Under-Graduate Posts (Pay Level 2): 12th pass (10+2) from a recognized board. Posts include Junior Clerk, Accounts Clerk, Junior Time Keeper, Trains Clerk, and Commercial cum Ticket Clerk.
Age Limit
Graduate Posts: 18 to 33 years | Under-Graduate Posts: 18 to 30 years
Age Relaxation: OBC-NCL: 3 years | SC/ST: 5 years | PwBD: 10 years (15 for SC/ST PwBD) | Ex-Servicemen: as per rules
Nationality
Indian citizens only. Subjects of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibetan refugees who migrated before 1962 are also eligible with proper documentation.
Check Your Age Eligibility
Check if you meet the age requirement for RRB NTPC. Our calculator shows your exact age on the cut-off date with category-wise relaxation (OBC, SC/ST, PH, Ex-Servicemen).
- ✓ Enter DOB and cut-off date
- ✓ Category-wise age relaxation
- ✓ Preset cut-off dates for major exams
RRB NTPC 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General | ₹500 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | ₹500 |
| SC / ST | ₹250 |
| Female (all categories) | ₹250 |
| PwD / Ex-Servicemen | ₹250 |
Payment Modes: Online (Net Banking, UPI, Debit Card, Credit Card), SBI Challan, Post Office Challan
RRB NTPC Selection Process
- CBT-1 (First Stage Computer Based Test) — screening test
- CBT-2 (Second Stage Computer Based Test) — merit-based selection
- CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test) — for Station Master & Traffic Assistant posts
- Typing Skill Test — for clerk-grade posts requiring typing proficiency
- Document Verification and Medical Examination
- Final Merit List preparation based on CBT-2 normalized scores
RRB NTPC 2026 Exam Pattern
CBT-1 (First Stage)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 90 minutes | 1/3 per wrong answer |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | Combined | 1/3 per wrong answer |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | Combined | 1/3 per wrong answer |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
CBT-2 (Second Stage)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | 90 minutes | 1/3 per wrong answer |
| Mathematics | 35 | 35 | Combined | 1/3 per wrong answer |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 35 | 35 | Combined | 1/3 per wrong answer |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
RRB NTPC 2026 Salary Structure
Pay Levels
Pay Level 2 to Pay Level 6
Gross Salary Range
₹30,000 – ₹1,40,000
In-Hand Salary Range
₹25,000 – ₹1,15,000
Post-wise Basic Pay
| Post Name | Pay Level | Basic Pay (₹/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Station Master | Level 6 | ₹35,400 |
| Goods Guard | Level 5 | ₹29,200 |
| Commercial Apprentice | Level 6 | ₹35,400 |
| Senior Clerk / Accounts Clerk | Level 5 | ₹29,200 |
| Junior Clerk / Trains Clerk | Level 2 | ₹19,900 |
Allowances & Benefits
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Transport Allowance
- Free Railway Passes (Duty & Privilege)
- Medical Benefits for family
- National Pension System (NPS)
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
- Children Education Allowance
Calculate Your In-Hand Salary
Use the 7th CPC Government Salary Calculator to estimate your in-hand salary for RRB NTPC 2026 posts — including DA, HRA, and all deductions based on your pay level and city.
- ✓ Select pay level (1–18) and basic pay
- ✓ City-wise HRA (X, Y, Z category)
- ✓ DA, TA, NPS deductions included
How to Apply for RRB NTPC 2026
- Visit the official RRB website of your region (e.g., rrbcdg.gov.in)
- Click on the "New Registration" link for CEN NTPC 2026
- Register using a valid email ID and mobile number
- Fill in personal, educational, and preference details carefully
- Upload scanned photograph (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm) and signature as per specifications
- Pay the application fee via online mode (Net Banking/UPI/Debit Card) or offline challan
- Review all details, submit the application, and download the confirmation page
RRB NTPC 2026 Admit Card
Release Date: To Be Announced
- Visit the official RRB website of your region (e.g. rrbcdg.gov.in for RRB New Delhi)
- Click on "Download Admit Card" or "CEN NTPC 2026 Admit Card" link
- Log in with your Registration Number and Date of Birth
- Download and print the admit card on A4 paper
- Carry the printed admit card to the examination hall
- Carry one valid photo ID proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence, or PAN Card — candidates without both documents will not be permitted to enter
RRB NTPC Previous Year Cutoff Marks
| Year | Category | Cutoff Score | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | General | 62.50 | 100 |
| 2024 | OBC | 55.75 | 100 |
| 2024 | SC | 47.25 | 100 |
| 2024 | ST | 40.50 | 100 |
| 2021 | General | 56.38 | 100 |
| 2021 | OBC | 49.12 | 100 |
| 2021 | SC | 41.87 | 100 |
| 2021 | ST | 35.25 | 100 |
| 2019 | General | 54.22 | 100 |
| 2019 | OBC | 47.65 | 100 |
| 2019 | SC | 40.15 | 100 |
| 2019 | ST | 33.88 | 100 |
RRB NTPC 2026 Result
Result Date: To Be Announced
Next Steps After Result:
- Check the result on your regional RRB website — qualified candidates' roll numbers are published in a PDF
- RRBs apply normalisation across multiple shifts to ensure fair scoring — your raw score is converted to a normalised score based on difficulty level of your shift
- Download your individual score card from the RRB candidate login portal after result declaration
- CBT-1 qualified candidates will be called for CBT-2; specific posts may require CBAT or Typing Skill Test
- Final merit list is prepared based on normalised CBT-2 scores and published on respective RRB websites
RRB NTPC 2026 – FAQs
Age Limit
The age limits for the RRB NTPC 2026 recruitment are determined as of July 1, 2026, or as specified in the official notification. For undergraduate level posts (10+2 pass), the general unreserved age limit typically ranges from 18 to 30 years. For graduate level posts, the general unreserved age limit is usually between 18 and 33 years. These age limits are crucial for candidates to assess their eligibility before applying.
Category-wise age relaxations are provided as per government rules. Candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) are granted a relaxation of 5 years, making their upper age limit 35 and 38 years for undergraduate and graduate posts, respectively. Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL - Non-Creamy Layer) candidates receive a 3-year relaxation, extending their upper age limit to 33 and 36 years. Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are eligible for a 10-year relaxation (13 years for OBC, 15 years for SC/ST). Ex-servicemen, candidates ordinarily domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir, and those serving in Group 'C' and Group 'D' Railway establishments also receive specific age relaxations. It is imperative for applicants to verify the exact age criteria and relaxations in the official 2026 notification.
Preparation Tips
Effective preparation for the RRB NTPC 2026 examination requires a structured approach focusing on the specific syllabus for both CBT-1 and CBT-2. The core subjects are General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence & Reasoning. For General Awareness, stay updated with current affairs, Indian history, geography, polity, economy, general science, and environmental studies. Utilize reliable news sources, yearbooks, and standard GK books. Mathematics covers topics from arithmetic to advanced algebra and geometry; consistent practice of formulas and problem-solving techniques is essential. General Intelligence & Reasoning demands logical thinking; practice various types of puzzles, series, coding-decoding, and analytical reasoning questions.
Start by thoroughly understanding the detailed syllabus and exam pattern for both CBT stages. Create a realistic study schedule, allocating sufficient time to each subject based on your strengths and weaknesses. Solve previous year's question papers to familiarize yourself with the question types and difficulty levels. Regular mock tests are indispensable for time management, identifying areas for improvement, and building exam temperament. After each mock test, analyze your performance to understand mistakes and refine your strategy. Consistent revision of all subjects, especially formulas and factual information, is critical. For posts requiring Typing Skill Test or Computer Based Aptitude Test, begin practicing early to achieve the required proficiency.
Application Process
Applying for the RRB NTPC 2026 recruitment is an entirely online process, managed through the official websites of the respective Railway Recruitment Boards. Candidates must first register by providing basic details like name, date of birth, and contact information. Upon successful registration, a unique registration ID and password will be generated.
Subsequently, applicants need to log in and fill out the detailed application form, which includes educational qualifications, category details, and preferences for various posts and RRB zones. It is crucial to accurately fill all fields as corrections might be limited or incur charges. Candidates are also required to upload scanned copies of their photograph and signature in the prescribed format and size. The final step involves paying the application fee online through various payment gateways. After successful payment, candidates must submit the application form and take a printout for future reference. Multiple applications to different RRBs or for different posts within the same RRB are generally not permitted, and candidates must choose their preferred RRB carefully.
