The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has issued indicative notices for the recruitment of 5,165 tentative vacancies under the Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) for both graduate and undergraduate candidates. The recruitment will be conducted through separate Centralised Employment Notices (CENs) for the two qualification levels.
As per the indicative notices, the online application process for the graduate-level posts under CEN 06/2026 is scheduled to begin on 8 October 2026, while applications for undergraduate-level posts under CEN 07/2026 will start from 15 October 2026. Candidates should wait for the detailed CENs for complete eligibility, fee, selection process, and other conditions.
RRB NTPC Recruitment 2026 – Overview
RRB NTPC is one of the major railway recruitment examinations for candidates seeking non-technical posts in the Indian Railways. The 2026 recruitment has been announced through two separate indicative notices covering graduate and undergraduate categories.
| Recruitment | RRB NTPC Recruitment 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) |
| Post Category | Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) |
| Total Vacancies | 5,165 (Tentative) |
| Graduate Vacancies | 3,477 |
| Undergraduate Vacancies | 1,688 |
| CEN | 06/2026 & 07/2026 |
| Qualification | 12th Pass / Graduate |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | https://www.rrbapply.gov.in/ |
Important Links
The following links can be used to access the relevant RRB NTPC resources. The application links will become active according to the respective schedule.
| Graduate Application – CEN 06/2026 | Available from 8 October 2026 |
| Undergraduate Application – CEN 07/2026 | Available from 15 October 2026 |
| Graduate Indicative Notice | Available |
| Undergraduate Indicative Notice | Available |
| Detailed Notification | Coming Soon |
| Official RRB Website | Available |
Vacancy Details
The 5,165 vacancies have been divided into two recruitment notices according to the educational qualification of candidates. The graduate-level recruitment accounts for the larger share of vacancies, while the remaining posts are available for candidates who have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination.
| Category | CEN | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Level | CEN 06/2026 | 3,477 |
| Undergraduate Level | CEN 07/2026 | 1,688 |
| Total | — | 5,165 |
The vacancies mentioned in the indicative notices are tentative. Post-wise and other detailed vacancy information will be available in the respective detailed CENs.
Eligibility Criteria
The detailed eligibility requirements for RRB NTPC Recruitment 2026 have not yet been provided in the indicative notices. Candidates should therefore consider the qualification and age information from the previous recruitment only as reference and must verify the final 2026 requirements once the detailed CEN is released.
Graduate-Level Posts
For the previous recruitment, candidates applying for graduate-level NTPC posts were required to hold a graduate degree from a recognised institution. The previous recruitment had an age range of 18 to 33 years.
The 2026 detailed notification will confirm the applicable qualification, age limit, and post-specific requirements.
Undergraduate-Level Posts
For undergraduate-level NTPC posts, the previous recruitment required candidates to have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination. The previous age range was 18 to 30 years.
These requirements are provided only as a reference because the final 2026 eligibility conditions have not yet been published.
Age Calculation
According to the indicative notices, the age for RRB NTPC Recruitment 2026 will be calculated with reference to 1 January 2027.
The exact minimum and maximum age limits, along with category-wise relaxation, will be confirmed through the detailed CENs.
Age Relaxation
In the previous recruitment, age relaxation included:
| Category | Relaxation in Previous Recruitment |
|---|---|
| OBC-NCL | 3 Years |
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| Other eligible categories | As per applicable rules |
Candidates should not assume that these limits will remain unchanged for 2026. The detailed CENs will contain the final relaxation rules.
Application Fee
The RRB NTPC 2026 indicative notices do not specify the application fee. Therefore, the fee shown below is based only on the previous recruitment and should be treated as reference information.
| Candidate Category | Fee in Previous Recruitment |
|---|---|
| Most candidates | ₹500 |
| SC/ST | ₹250 |
| Ex-Servicemen | ₹250 |
| PwBD | ₹250 |
| Female candidates | ₹250 |
| Transgender candidates | ₹250 |
| Minority candidates | ₹250 |
| EBC candidates | ₹250 |
Important: EBC (Economically Backward Class) is different from OBC and EWS.
In the previous recruitment, candidates who appeared in the first-stage CBT were eligible for a refund of ₹400 from the ₹500 fee or the applicable ₹250 concession fee, after deduction of bank charges. The refund and fee rules for 2026 will be confirmed in the detailed notification.
Important Dates
The two NTPC categories have separate application schedules. Candidates applying under CEN 06/2026 and CEN 07/2026 should carefully note their respective starting and closing dates.
| Event | Graduate – CEN 06/2026 | Undergraduate – CEN 07/2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Indicative Notice | 26 September 2026 | 26 September 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 8 October 2026 | 15 October 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 6 November 2026, 11:59 PM | 13 November 2026, 11:59 PM |
Candidates should complete their applications well before the closing date to avoid last-minute technical or payment-related problems.
How to Apply for RRB NTPC Recruitment 2026
Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements can apply online through the official RRB application system after the respective application window opens. Since the graduate and undergraduate recruitments have different starting dates, applicants should select the correct CEN before beginning the application.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Visit the official RRB website and open the online application link for the relevant NTPC CEN.
Step 2: Read the detailed notification carefully and confirm your eligibility for the selected post or posts.
Step 3: Enter the required personal, contact, educational, and other details in the application form.
Step 4: Select the posts for which you are eligible and upload the documents, photograph, and other information requested in the detailed notification.
Step 5: Carefully review the complete application before final submission. Pay the applicable fee according to the final notification.
Step 6: Submit the application and save or download the completed application form and payment receipt for future reference.
Aadhaar Verification
Candidates are advised to verify their primary details through Aadhaar before submitting the application. The name and date of birth recorded in Aadhaar should match the details mentioned in the Class 10 pass certificate.
Candidates should also ensure that their Aadhaar photograph and biometric information are updated so that verification can be completed smoothly wherever required.
Documents Required
The exact list of documents will be specified in the detailed CENs. Candidates should keep their basic educational and identity documents ready before starting the application.
Important documents may include:
- Class 10 certificate or other date-of-birth proof
- Class 12 certificate/marksheet for undergraduate posts
- Graduation certificate/marksheet for graduate posts
- Aadhaar or other required identity document
- Recent photograph
- Signature
- Category certificate, wherever applicable
- PwBD/Ex-Servicemen or other supporting certificates, wherever applicable
Candidates should follow the document specifications mentioned in the final application notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will RRB NTPC Recruitment 2026 applications begin?
Applications for the graduate-level CEN 06/2026 are scheduled to begin on 8 October 2026. The undergraduate CEN 07/2026 application process is scheduled to begin on 15 October 2026.
How many vacancies are announced under RRB NTPC 2026?
A total of 5,165 tentative vacancies have been announced, including 3,477 graduate-level posts and 1,688 undergraduate-level posts.
What is the qualification for RRB NTPC 2026?
The recruitment covers both qualification levels. Undergraduate posts are intended for candidates with Class 12 qualification, while graduate posts require a graduation degree, subject to the final conditions mentioned in the detailed CEN.
What is the RRB NTPC 2026 application fee?
The indicative notices do not specify the 2026 application fee. The fee information from the previous recruitment should not be treated as the final 2026 fee.
When will the detailed RRB NTPC notification be released?
The detailed CENs containing complete eligibility, fee, post-wise vacancies, selection process, and other conditions are awaited. Candidates should rely on the detailed notification once officially released.
What is the age calculation date for RRB NTPC 2026?
The indicative notices state that age will be calculated as on 1 January 2027. The final age limits will be confirmed in the detailed CENs.
