Hello Friends
The official release of 3,548 graduate-level vacancies across Indian Railways marks a major career opportunity for job seekers in 2026. While the numbers look promising, securing a seat requires a clear understanding of the specific eligibility criteria, multi-stage CBT exam patterns, and age relaxations. Below, we provide an analytical breakdown of the official CEN No. 06/2026 notification so you can check your eligibility instantly before proceeding to the registration portal
In this article, we’ll go through the important details, including vacancies, eligibility, age limits, application fees, exam pattern and how to apply online. I’ve kept the information simple so you can understand the main requirements before filling out the application form.
The last date to apply is 6 November 2026. Make sure you read the official notification and check your eligibility before applying.
About the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs)
The Railway Recruitment Boards work under the Ministry of Railways, and they run the hiring for many Indian Railways jobs. For this notification there are 21 RRBs taking part, with offices in cities like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Prayagraj, Ranchi and Secunderabad. One thing many applicants misunderstand is the RRB’s role. The boards conduct the exams and prepare the merit list, but they only recommend names to the railway zones. The offer of appointment comes from the Railway Administration concerned, not from the RRB.
- You can apply to only one RRB, and your choice is final once you submit
- RRBs conduct the tests and verification, and they recommend empanelled candidates to the zones
- All updates, e-call letters and results are posted on the unified RRB website, rrb.indianrailways.gov.in
- RRBs say they do not appoint any agent or coaching centre, and selection is purely on merit
RRB NTPC Graduate 2026: Overview
This is a centralised notification, which means one common CEN, one common first-stage exam for all four posts, and a single application per candidate. The pay and medical standard differ from post to post, so look at the next section before you choose your preferences.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways |
| Notification | CEN No. 06/2026, Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) |
| Total vacancies | 3,548 (all RRBs) |
| Qualification | Degree from a recognised university or its equivalent |
| Age | 18 to 33 years as on 1 January 2027 |
| Mode | Online only |
| Apply at | rrb.indianrailways.gov.in (link live on rrbapply.gov.in) |
- Posts are filled RRB-wise and zone-wise, and the vacancies are provisional
- The application is accepted only after the fee payment is confirmed
- Candidates still waiting for their final degree result cannot apply
- Dates and notices for exams are released only on the official RRB website
Posts and Vacancies
There are four posts, and almost 8 out of every 10 vacancies are for just one of them. Goods Train Manager has the most vacancies, but it also has the strictest medical standard (A-2), so check your eyesight honestly before you pick it as your first preference. The two Level 5 clerical posts have the easiest medical standard.
| Post | Pay Level (7th CPC) | Initial pay | Medical standard | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor | Level 6 | ₹35,400 | B-2 | 127 |
| Goods Train Manager | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | A-2 | 2,750 |
| Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | C-2 | 300 |
| Senior Clerk cum Typist | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | C-2 | 371 |
| Total | 3,548 |
Before selecting an RRB, take a little time to check the vacancies available for your preferred posts. Don’t choose an RRB just because it has more vacancies. Your post preferences, eligibility and medical requirements are also important. Remember that you can apply to only one RRB, so review your choices carefully before submitting the form.
- Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor is the only Level 6 post, but it has just 127 vacancies
- Annexure A marks Goods Train Manager as not suitable for PwBD candidates, while the other three posts list specific categories
- The notification gives only the initial pay, so please don’t trust “in-hand salary” figures from random websites
- Vacancies may increase or decrease as per the railways’ requirement
Category-wise Vacancies
Here is the full 3,548 split by category. Ex-Servicemen (ExSM) vacancies are part of these numbers, not extra, and PwBD posts are a horizontal reservation within them. Knowing your category’s share helps you judge how tough the competition is.
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR (General) | 1,517 |
| OBC-NCL | 873 |
| SC | 553 |
| EWS | 305 |
| ST | 300 |
| Total | 3,548 (includes 351 for Ex-Servicemen) |
- UR is the largest category, and anyone can compete for UR vacancies
- SC, ST, OBC-NCL and EWS candidates who apply against UR get no age or marks relaxation
- PwBD vacancies: 25 for visual impairment, 18 for locomotor disability, 16 for hearing impairment and 6 for multiple disabilities
- EBC is only a fee concession and gives no job reservation
RRB-wise Vacancies
This table is worth reading before you apply, because the number of vacancies is very uneven from one RRB to another. You choose only one RRB and can’t change it later, so this is one of the most important decisions in your application. A bigger RRB doesn’t automatically mean better chances, because more people apply to it too.
| RRB | Vacancies | RRB | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | 19 | Malda | 26 |
| Ajmer | 304 | Mumbai | 155 |
| Bengaluru | 346 | Muzaffarpur | 78 |
| Bhopal | 157 | Patna | 29 |
| Bhubaneswar | 146 | Prayagraj | 265 |
| Bilaspur | 542 | Ranchi | 377 |
| Chandigarh | 59 | Secunderabad | 56 |
| Chennai | 141 | Siliguri | 291 |
| Gorakhpur | 30 | Thiruvananthapuram | 25 |
| Guwahati | 104 | Jammu-Srinagar | 66 |
| Kolkata | 332 | Total | 3,548 |
- Bilaspur (542), Ranchi (377), Bengaluru (346) and Kolkata (332) have the most vacancies
- Annexure B of the PDF gives the zone-wise and post-wise split for each RRB, so read your own RRB’s row
- The RRB you pick decides which zones and posts you can be allotted
- You can’t apply to a second RRB, because multiple applications lead to rejection and a ban
Important Dates
These are the dates that matter right now. Notice that the fee payment deadline is two days after the application deadline, but I’d strongly suggest paying on the same day you submit the form. Exam dates are not in the notification, so they will be announced later on the RRB website.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Indicative notice in Employment News | 26 September 2026 |
| Online application opens | 8 October 2026 |
| Online application closes | 6 November 2026 (23:59 hours) |
| Last date for fee payment | 8 November 2026 |
| Modification window (with ₹250 fee each time) | 9 November to 18 November 2026 |
- CBT, document verification and other dates will be announced later on the RRB website
- Details in “Create an Account” and your chosen RRB can never be modified, even in the correction window
- After 18 November 2026, RRBs won’t entertain any request for changes
- Don’t wait for the last day, because heavy traffic is likely near the deadline
Educational Qualification
The requirement is the same for all four posts: a degree from a recognised university or its equivalent. You need to hold it on or before the closing date, 6 November 2026. If you are in your final year or are waiting for your result, you should not apply, because the notification says such applications are not eligible.
- Degree from a recognised university or its equivalent, in any subject
- Must be completed on or before the closing date of the application
- If the issue date on your certificate is after the closing date, you need the consolidated mark sheet showing the result declaration date
- Final-semester students awaiting results are not eligible
Age Limit
The age is counted as on 1 January 2027, and the range is 18 to 33 years. That means you must be at least 18 on that date, and your date of birth must fall within the limits below. The date of birth you enter must match your Class 10 certificate exactly, because no change is allowed later.
| Category | Born not earlier than |
|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 2 January 1994 |
| OBC-NCL | 2 January 1991 |
| SC / ST | 2 January 1989 |
Everyone must be born on or before 1 January 2009 (the lower age limit).
- SC/ST get 5 years extra and OBC-NCL get 3 years extra
- PwBD get 10 years (UR/EWS), 13 years (OBC-NCL) or 15 years (SC/ST)
- Ex-Servicemen get 3, 6 or 8 years (UR/EWS, OBC-NCL, SC/ST) after deducting the service they have done
- If you qualify for more than one relaxation, you get the highest one, not the total
Medical Standards
This is where many candidates lose a job they have already earned on merit. Your medical standard depends on your post, and the notification clearly says you will get no alternative post if you fail it. One medical appeal is allowed, but don’t count on it.
| Standard | Posts | Vision (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| A-2 | Goods Train Manager | Distant vision 6/9 in both eyes without glasses (no fogging test), near vision Sn 0.6, and tests for colour, binocular and night vision |
| B-2 | Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor | Distant 6/9 and 6/12 with or without glasses (lens power not above 4D), near Sn 0.6 |
| C-2 | Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist, Senior Clerk cum Typist | Distant 6/12 with or without glasses, near Sn 0.6 |
- LASIK or any surgery for refractive error makes you ineligible for A-2 posts (Goods Train Manager)
- For B-2 and C-2 posts, LASIK candidates may be eligible, subject to the conditions in Annexure VII(A)
- The notification says these standards are indicative, and the full rules are in Chapter 5 of the Indian Railway Medical Manual
- If you fail the first medical, you can make one final medical appeal after paying the prescribed charges
Application Fee
The fee is small, and a big part of it comes back if you actually appear in the first-stage exam. The refund goes to the bank account linked with your Aadhaar, so check that link before you apply. Payment is online only, through internet banking, debit or credit card, or UPI.
| Category | Fee | Refund after appearing in CBT-1 |
|---|---|---|
| All other candidates | ₹500 | ₹400 (after bank charges) |
| SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, PwBD, Female, Transgender, Minorities, EBC | ₹250 | ₹250 (after bank charges) |
- Applications without the fee are rejected, and no representation is entertained
- No refund for incomplete, unsubmitted or rejected applications
- If no bank account is linked to your Aadhaar, you are sent to the NPCI portal to link it during the application
- A family member’s Aadhaar-seeded account can be used if you don’t have a bank account
Selection Process
There are only three stages, and that’s a big reason this recruitment is popular. Both exams are computer-based tests, followed by document verification and a medical. There is no interview, and there is no separate typing test this time.
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| CBT-1 | Screening test, common for all four posts |
| CBT-2 | Decides your merit |
| Document Verification and Medical Examination | Candidates equal to the vacancies (1:1) are called |
- About 15 times the community-wise vacancies are shortlisted for CBT-2, based on CBT-1 marks
- Marks are normalised when the exam is held in several shifts
- If two candidates tie, the older one gets the higher rank, and after that the given name decides
- RRBs can add extra CBTs if needed, so follow the website
CBT-1: First Stage Exam
CBT-1 is only a screening test, and the notification says its standard matches the educational level of the posts. You get 90 minutes for 100 questions, and every wrong answer costs one-third of a mark. The marks you get here are used to decide who goes to CBT-2.
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| General Awareness | 40 |
| Mathematics | 30 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 |
| Total | 100 (90 minutes) |
- Each question carries 1 mark, and the section split is only indicative
- Negative marking: one-third mark for each wrong answer
- PwBD candidates eligible for a scribe get 120 minutes
- The questions are available in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages, including Telugu
CBT-2: Second Stage Exam
CBT-2 is longer and tougher, with 120 questions in 90 minutes, and more weight on General Awareness. The normalised marks you score here decide your merit and who gets called for document verification. Plan your preparation around this paper, not only around the first test.
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| General Awareness | 50 |
| Mathematics | 35 |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 35 |
| Total | 120 (90 minutes) |
- Minimum qualifying marks: UR and EWS 40%, OBC-NCL 30%, SC 30%, ST 25%
- The same percentages apply to Ex-Servicemen and PwBD according to their community
- PwBD candidates can get a relaxation of 2 marks if there is a shortage of PwBD candidates
- Wrong answers again cost one-third of a mark
What Is in the Syllabus?
The notification gives a long topic list, and it’s the same for both exams. I’d divide it into three parts. Maths is school-level arithmetic, Reasoning is the usual puzzles and series, and General Awareness is the one that eats your time because it covers so many areas.
- Mathematics: number system, LCM and HCF, percentage, ratio, time and work, time and distance, interest, profit and loss, mensuration, basic algebra, geometry, trigonometry and statistics
- Reasoning: analogies, series, coding-decoding, syllogism, Venn diagrams, puzzles, data sufficiency, statement-conclusion, decision making, maps and graphs
- General Awareness: current events, sports, art and culture, history and freedom struggle, geography, Indian polity, economy, science up to Class 10 level, computer basics, transport systems in India and government programmes
- Mock tests will be made available on the unified RRB website, so use them to get used to the online format
No Typing Test This Time
This is a notable change, and one that many websites still don’t explain properly. The Computer Based Typing Skill Test, which used to apply to Senior Clerk cum Typist and Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist, has been dispensed with for CEN 06/2026. But please don’t read that as “typing doesn’t matter.”
- No CBTST for Senior Clerk cum Typist and Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist in this recruitment
- You are still expected to have basic computer skills, including adequate typing proficiency
- Your proficiency will be assessed after joining
- Unsatisfactory performance may affect or delay your confirmation or promotion
How to Apply Online
The whole process is online, and you need only one application. If you created an account for earlier RRB notifications in 2024, 2025 or 2026, log in with the same account. The mobile number and email you enter while creating an account can never be changed, so use ones you will keep for the whole recruitment.
- Open the official RRB website and use the link for CEN 06/2026 (the application link is live on rrbapply.gov.in), then create an account or log in
- Authenticate with DigiLocker or Aadhaar, then fill in your details, choose one RRB, select your medium of exam and give your order of preference for posts and zones
- Capture your live photo, upload your signature, and complete the questions asked in the form
- Pay the fee online, because the application is accepted only after the payment is confirmed, and you will get an email and an SMS
Photo and Signature Rules
There is no photo upload this time. The portal takes a live photo using your laptop webcam or your phone’s front camera. This is great because you can’t upload a wrong file, but it also means you have to prepare your setting properly. The signature, on the other hand, is a normal upload, and it is one of the most common reasons for rejection.
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Live photo | Plain white background, non-white (preferably dark) clothes covering shoulders and chest, head covering at least 50% of the frame, eyes fully open |
| Signature | JPG/JPEG, 30 to 49 KB, minimum 140 x 60 pixels, black ink on white paper |
| Signature style | Running handwriting only, never block or capital letters |
- No cap, mask or glasses in the live photo, and don’t take a photo of another photo
- If the live photo doesn’t match your ID, you may have to upload Annexure VIII signed by a Gazetted Officer
- The signature must fit and be centred in the 35 mm x 20 mm box on the form
- Your appearance at every stage must match the photo you submitted
Application Tips (Read These Before You Click Submit)
I’ve seen how a small thing can ruin months of preparation, so here are the tips that matter most, explained in plain words. Don’t treat them as a boring checklist. Each one comes from a rule that’s written in the notification itself.
- Get your category certificate ready before applying. I made this mistake during an earlier application. I belong to the OBC category, but at that time, I thought my regular BC certificate would be enough. Since I applied only in the last few days, I realised I needed the required OBC certificate when I was filling out the form. I went to the Sachivalayam to apply for it, but I was told it could take 7–10 days. To avoid missing the deadline, I applied under the General category and later had to pay an additional fee to make changes when the correction window opened.
- So, learn from my experience: if you are applying under OBC-NCL or EWS, check the exact certificate requirements in the official notification and get the necessary documents ready well in advance. Don’t wait until the last few days, because obtaining a certificate can take time.
- Pick your RRB and posts with your head, not your friends’ advice. Your RRB and preferences are final, and if you leave a post out, the board takes it as “not interested” in that post. If you’d happily take any of the four posts and can meet the eyesight standard, give all of them, in your actual order of preference.
- Check your eyes first, the form second. If you have LASIK or you wear strong glasses, the Goods Train Manager post (A-2) may be out of reach, even though it has 2,750 vacancies. Get your vision checked before you spend three weeks planning around a post you can’t clear in the medical.
- Create your account slowly and carefully. Your name, date of birth, mobile number and email can’t be edited once the account exists. Copy your name and date of birth exactly as in your Class 10 certificate, and use the phone number and email you check every day.
- Do the Aadhaar or DigiLocker verification. The notification openly says that people who verify with other photo IDs face stricter scrutiny at every stage. It also links your refund to your Aadhaar-seeded bank account.
- Practise your signature before you scan it. Sign on white paper with a black pen, in your normal flowing handwriting. Block letters are a rejection reason, and your exam-day signature has to match it.
- Set up your live photo like a mini studio. Sit near a plain white wall in daylight, wear a dark top, keep the camera at eye level and look straight ahead. Retake it until you’re happy, because you can retake as often as you want before submitting.
- Apply early, pay the same day. The fee deadline is 8 November, but your application is accepted only after payment is confirmed. Do both together and save the confirmation message.
- Submit once. More than one application, even with small changes, means all of them are rejected and you can be banned from all RRB and RRC exams.
Documents You Need
Your documents are checked in original at document verification, and no extra time is given on that day. If a claim in your application isn’t backed by a certificate, your candidature is cancelled. So get everything ready before you apply, especially any category certificate.
- Education: your degree certificate or provisional certificate with the issue date, or the mark sheets with result dates if the certificate is dated after 6 November 2026
- Category: SC/ST certificate in the prescribed format, an OBC-NCL certificate issued on or after 1 April 2026 and not later than 6 November 2026, and an EWS Income and Asset Certificate based on financial year 2025-26
- Fee concession: EBC certificate, BPL card or Izzat MST issued on or before the closing date, and a minority affidavit on stamp paper if you claim a waiver as a minority
- Other: proof of date of birth (Class 10 certificate), Aadhaar, a No Objection Certificate if you work in a government job, and the certificate of eligibility if you are from Nepal, Bhutan or other listed categories
Exam-Day Rules
Railway exams are strict about conduct, and the notification lists a long set of banned items. The simplest advice is to carry almost nothing. Only your e-call letter is allowed inside the test centre, and the centre provides the pen.
- Phones, watches, earphones, Bluetooth devices, calculators, books, belts, bags, caps, purses and water bottles are banned, even a phone that is switched off can lead to cancellation and a ban
- Don’t apply mehndi or henna on your hands or feet, as it blocks biometric capture
- You must download the city and date intimation and e-call letter from the RRB website, and requests to change your centre, date or shift are not allowed
- You may have to travel to another city or state for your exam, so plan ahead
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Most rejections come from small things people could have fixed in five minutes. The notification itself lists the usual reasons, so learn from them.
One final suggestion: don’t depend entirely on information shared on social media or unofficial websites. Before submitting your application, check your details, category certificates, post preferences and medical eligibility against the official notification. Keep a copy of your submitted application and payment confirmation for future reference.
- Applying with a degree result that’s still pending
- Choosing an RRB and posts in a hurry, then finding out later you can’t change them
- Using a block-letter signature, a blurred scan or a live photo with a busy background
- Ignoring the medical standard and trusting a social media post over the official notification
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply?
6 November 2026 (23:59 hours). The last date to pay the fee is 8 November 2026.
How many vacancies are there?
3,548 across four posts: Goods Train Manager 2,750, Senior Clerk cum Typist 371, Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist 300 and Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor 127.
What is the qualification?
A degree from a recognised university or its equivalent, held on or before the closing date.
What is the age limit?
18 to 33 years as on 1 January 2027, with relaxation for reserved categories.
Is there a typing test?
No. It has been dispensed with for this CEN, but basic computer and typing skills are still expected after joining.
Is there negative marking?
Yes, one-third of a mark for every wrong answer in both CBTs.
Can I apply to more than one RRB?
No. You can apply to only one RRB, and multiple applications lead to rejection and a ban.
Can I take the exam in Telugu?
Yes. The questions are available in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages, including Telugu, and you pick one in the application form.
Important Links
Before applying, download and read the official RRB NTPC Graduate CEN 06/2026 notification. It contains the complete details about eligibility, vacancies, medical standards, application rules and selection procedures. Please check the official notification carefully before submitting your application.
- Official RRB website
- Online application portal
- Official CEN 06/2026 notification PDF
- Helpdesk: rrb.help@csc.gov.in, phone 9592001188 / 01725653333 (10 AM to 5 PM on working days)
Disclaimer: This article is intended to help candidates understand the RRB NTPC Graduate CEN 06/2026 recruitment process. We have prepared it using the information available in the official notification. Candidates should refer to the official RRB website and notification for the latest updates and final confirmation of all details. LCJP Job Hub is an independent information website and is not affiliated with the Railway Recruitment Boards. We do not guarantee selection or employment.
About the author
At LCJP Job Hub, we share recruitment updates, eligibility details, application guidance and exam preparation information to help job seekers across India. Our aim is to make job notifications easier to understand so candidates can find the information they need in one place. Visit our About Us page to learn more about our website.
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