Job seekers aiming for a career in the Indian Railways have a prime opportunity this year. The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB) have published Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 07/2026, opening registrations for 1,688 Under Graduate posts under the Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC).

This drive is aimed at candidates who have cleared their Higher Secondary / Class 12 examination. Successful applicants will join various zonal railways across India under Pay Levels 2 and 3 of the 7th Central Pay Commission.

Below is an exhaustive breakdown of the post distribution, revised testing framework, medical parameters, fee structure, and step-by-step registration instructions.

Key Highlights of CEN 07/2026

Critical Deadlines & Exam Calendar

Keep track of the official recruitment schedule outlined below:

• Online Portal Opens: October 15, 2026
• Final Submission Deadline: November 13, 2026 (up to 23:59 IST)
• Closing Date for Application Fee Settlement: November 15, 2026 (up to 23:59 IST)
• Application Correction & Edit Facility: November 16, 2026 through November 25, 2026 (until 23:59 IST)
• City Intimation Slip & SC/ST Travel Passes: Made available 10 days before the exam
• Admit Card (E-Call Letter) Release: Downloadable 4 days ahead of test date
• Stage-1 Examination (CBT-1): Slated for the first quarter of 2027 (tentative)
• Stage-2 Examination (CBT-2): Timetable will be notified following the CBT-1 scorecard announcement

Vacancy Distribution and Remuneration Scale

A total of 1,688 vacancies are distributed across four distinct designations spanning Level 2 and Level 3 pay bands:

Estimated Take-Home and Gross Earnings

• Pay Level 2 Positions (Base ₹19,900): Adding Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TPTA), and related government perks yields an estimated gross monthly compensation of ₹31,000 to ₹35,000, subject to location classification (X, Y, or Z city).
• Pay Level 3 Positions (Base ₹21,700): Gross pay typically ranges between ₹34,000 and ₹39,000 per month, accompanied by applicable operational or night-duty allowances where designated.

Eligibility Conditions

1. Academic Credentials (Cut-off Date: 13.11.2026)

• Aspirants must hold a passing certificate for Senior Secondary (10+2 / Intermediate) or its recognized equivalent awarded by an accredited state or national education board (such as CBSE, CISCE, NIOS, or state boards).
• Crucial Clause: Those currently waiting on final Class 12 board examination marks as of November 13, 2026, cannot participate in this drive.

2. Age Criteria (Reference Date: 01.01.2027)

• General Age Span: Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years of age. For General (UR) and EWS candidates, birthdays must fall strictly between January 2, 1997, and January 1, 2009.
• Permissible Upper-Age Concessions:
  • OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): Relaxable up to 33 years (3 years benefit)
  • SC / ST Candidates: Relaxable up to 35 years (5 years benefit)
  • Ex-Servicemen (ESM): Period of active defense service rendered + 3 additional years
  • PwBD Applicants: 10 years for UR/EWS, 13 years for OBC-NCL, 15 years for SC/ST
  • Widowed, Divorced, or Legally Separated Women (unmarried): Up to 35 years for UR/EWS, 38 years for OBC, and 40 years for SC/ST

3. Medical Fitness Benchmarks

• Class A-3 (Required for Trains Clerk): Complete physical sound condition. Distant sight: 6/9, 6/9 (permissible with/without optical lenses); Near reading sight: 0.6, 0.6. Compulsory clearance of assessments for Color Perception, Binocular Focus, Field of View, and Night Vision.
• Class B-2 (Required for Commercial Cum Ticket Clerk): General physical fitness. Distant sight: 6/9, 6/12 (optical correction permitted up to 4 diopters); Near sight: Sn 0.6, 0.6. Must satisfy field-of-vision standards.
• Class C-2 (Required for Junior Clerk / Accounts Clerk): Physically fit. Distant vision requirement: 6/12 (with or without glasses); Near vision: Sn 0.6 (with or without corrective lenses) for reading and desk tasks.

Selection Workflow & Key Administrative Reforms

The evaluation process operates across three ordered milestones:

$$\text{Phase 1: Screening Test (CBT-1)} \longrightarrow \text{Phase 2: Final Merit Test (CBT-2)} \longrightarrow \text{Phase 3: Verification \& Medical Fitness}$$

IMPORTANT

Major Change in CEN 07/2026: In past recruitments, clerk-typist roles mandated a separate qualifying typing assessment. Under Clause 13.0 of this notification, the Computer-Based Typing Skill Test has been entirely removed. Practical computer and keyboard competencies will now be verified internally during post-joining probation. As a result, final job allocation is determined entirely by CBT-2 scores.

Shortlisting and Final Ranking Protocol

• Progression to CBT-2: Candidates equal to 15 times the total advertised positions for each specific RRB and community category will qualify based on normalized scores in CBT-1.
• Merit Determination: CBT-1 acts strictly as an eligibility gate. Final selection depends exclusively on performance in CBT-2, followed by satisfactory record checks and medical clearance.

Examination Blueprint & Scoring Rules

Stage 1: Computer-Based Test (Screening Phase)

• Allotted Time: 90 minutes (extended to 120 minutes for qualified PwBD candidates using scribes)
• Format: 100 single-response objective questions
• Penalty: Every incorrect choice penalizes the candidate by 1/3rd of the mark assigned to that item.

Stage 2: Computer-Based Test (Merit Determinant Phase)

• Allotted Time: 90 minutes (120 minutes for eligible PwBD candidates using scribe facilities)
• Format: 120 multiple-choice questions
• Penalty: 1/3rd point reduction for each incorrect submission.

Detailed Syllabus Coverage

1. Quantitative Aptitude & Mathematics

Covers fundamental and applied arithmetic concepts including integer systems, decimal forms, recurring fractions, finding LCM & HCF, unitary methods, percentages, ratio & proportion, mensuration formulas, work-rate problems, velocity & distance, compound & simple interest accruals, commercial accounting (profit, loss, discounts), basics of polynomials and algebraic expressions, geometry foundations, introductory trigonometry, and elementary statistical data analysis.

2. Logical Reasoning & Mental Ability

Encompasses pattern recognition, sequence progression (alphabetical and numerical), encoding & decoding structures, arithmetic operators, relationship mapping, analytical problem-solving, syllogistic deductions, scrambled data ordering, Venn interpretations, non-verbal matrices, data sufficiency judgments, assessing arguments and practical courses of action, deductive conclusions, flowchart interpretation, and graph-based problem evaluation.

3. General Awareness

Addresses current domestic and international affairs, prominent sports achievements, heritage, literature, and art traditions of India, landmark architecture, secondary-school level physical and life sciences (CBSE 10th standard), modern Indian history and the freedom struggle, physical and economic geography, the Indian Constitution and administrative architecture, breakthroughs in nuclear and space exploration, multilateral international bodies (UN agencies and global forums), ecological conservation, computer terminology and software foundations, transport network developments, notable public figures, and major welfare schemes launched by the Union Government.

Application Fees & Reimbursement Terms

Important Reimbursement Note: To claim the applicable refund, candidates must actually sit for the CBT-1 exam. The reimbursement is credited straight into the bank account linked during registration.

How to Register Online via rrbapply.gov.in

1. Visit the Official Gateway: Open your browser and navigate to the unified recruitment portal at rrbapply.gov.in.
2. Set Up an Account: Click the Apply link. If you are registering for the first time, select Create an Account. If you hold an existing profile from previous railway recruitments, log in directly using your registered credentials.
3. Verify Identity: Authenticate your identity online using Aadhaar or furnish acceptable government-issued photo ID credentials as prompted.
4. Select Notification & Zonal Board: Pick CEN No. 07/2026 (Under Graduate), choose your preferred RRB zone, and set your order of preference among the four available posts.
5. Enter Educational and Banking Records: Input your 10th and 12th board roll numbers, passing years, marks, and verified bank account details to facilitate fee reimbursement.
6. Upload Required Digital Assets:
   • Recent passport-style color portrait against an untextured white background (JPEG, 30 KB to 70 KB).
   • Clear signature specimen on white paper (JPEG, 30 KB to 70 KB).
   • Valid caste certificate in PDF format (up to 500 KB) if applying for free railway travel privileges (SC/ST applicants).
7. Process Fee Payment: Finalize the payment using UPI, debit card, or internet banking prior to November 15, 2026 (23:59 IST).
8. Archive Confirmation Slip: Download and retain a physical printout of the generated acknowledgment receipt for all future recruitment checkpoints.

Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions