RRB NTPC Undergraduate 2026: 1,688 Vacancies, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Salary & Important Dates

The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have released an indicative/short notice for the RRB NTPC Undergraduate Recruitment 2026 under CEN No. 07/2026. The recruitment is for 1,688 tentative vacancies for Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) Undergraduate-level posts across all RRBs, part of a combined 5,165 NTPC vacancies (3,477 Graduate + 1,688 Undergraduate) approved by the Railway Board.

The short notice was released on 21 September 2026. The online application process is tentatively scheduled to begin on 15 October 2026 and close on 13 November 2026. The detailed CEN 07/2026, with the final post-wise, RRB-wise and category-wise vacancy breakup, is expected around 14 October 2026.

Important: The figures below are based on the indicative short notice and the standard RRB NTPC pattern followed in earlier cycles. All final terms – exact vacancies, eligibility, fee and exam pattern – will be governed strictly by the Detailed CEN No. 07/2026, to be published on rrb.indianrailways.gov.in. Candidates should always cross-check with the detailed CEN once released.

RRB NTPC Undergraduate 2026: Overview

The number of advertised vacancies is subject to increase or decrease according to the detailed recruitment notification.

RRB NTPC Undergraduate Vacancy 2026

A total of 1,688 tentative posts have been announced for NTPC Undergraduate level, out of the combined 5,165 NTPC vacancies approved by the Railway Board on 3 September 2026 (the remaining 3,477 being Graduate-level, notified separately).

Undergraduate-level NTPC posts filled under Level 2 and Level 3 include:

• Commercial-cum-Ticket Clerk – the largest share, with around 700 posts in the indicative notice

• Junior Clerk-cum-Typist

• Accounts Clerk-cum-Typist

• Trains Clerk

The exact post-wise, RRB-wise and category-wise (UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PwBD) vacancy breakup will be released with the detailed CEN.

RRB NTPC Undergraduate Eligibility 2026

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or an equivalent examination from a recognized board.

Age Limit

Candidates must be between 18 and 30 years of age as on 1 January 2027, as per the usual RRB NTPC Undergraduate pattern.

Final age limits and relaxation rules will be confirmed only in the Detailed CEN 07/2026.

RRB NTPC Undergraduate Salary 2026

Selected candidates will be placed at Pay Level 2 and Pay Level 3 of the 7th Pay Commission, with an initial basic pay typically ranging from around ₹19,900 to ₹21,700, depending on the post.

This is the pay scale and should not be confused with the final in-hand salary, because applicable allowances and deductions will affect the actual amount received.

RRB NTPC Undergraduate Exam Pattern 2026

The recruitment process involves 1st Stage CBT, 2nd Stage CBT, followed by a Typing Skill Test for typist posts, and then Document Verification/Medical Examination. The exact number of questions, marks, duration and negative marking will be as prescribed in the detailed CEN 07/2026; the pattern below reflects the standard structure followed in recent RRB NTPC cycles.

1st Stage CBT (Qualifying)

1st Stage CBT is 100 marks, held for 90 minutes (120 minutes for PwBD candidates using a scribe), and is qualifying only – it is not counted in the final merit list. The normalised score is used to shortlist candidates for 2nd Stage CBT, approximately 20 times the vacancies.

2nd Stage CBT

The 2nd Stage CBT covers the same three sections – General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence & Reasoning – with 120 questions for 120 marks, at a higher difficulty level, held for 90 minutes. This stage is common across all Graduate and Undergraduate NTPC posts within the same 7th CPC pay level.

Marking Scheme

• Correct answer: +1 mark

• Incorrect answer: -1/3 mark

• No marks deducted for unattempted questions

• Scores are normalized across shifts to account for difficulty variation

Typing Skill Test

Candidates applying for Junior Clerk-cum-Typist and Accounts Clerk-cum-Typist must appear for a Typing Skill Test in English or Hindi after clearing 2nd Stage CBT. This test is qualifying in nature and does not add to the final merit score.

RRB NTPC Undergraduate Selection Process 2026

The selection process includes:

1. 1st Stage CBT (qualifying, for shortlisting only)

2. 2nd Stage CBT

3. Typing Skill Test (for Junior Clerk-cum-Typist and Accounts Clerk-cum-Typist)

4. Document Verification

5. Medical Examination

Minimum qualifying marks in the CBT stages, as per recent RRB NTPC cycles, are typically UR/EWS 40%, OBC 30%, SC 30%, ST 25%; the applicable percentages will be confirmed in the detailed CEN.

RRB NTPC Undergraduate Application Fee 2026

As per the standard RRB fee-refund structure, ₹400 is refunded to General/OBC candidates and the full ₹250 is refunded to other exempted categories, on appearing in the 1st Stage CBT. Final fee amounts will be confirmed in the detailed CEN.

Important Dates

How to Apply for RRB NTPC Undergraduate 2026

The application process will be conducted online through the RRB application portal.

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal

Go to the official RRB recruitment portal, rrbapply.gov.in.

Step 2: Select the Recruitment

Choose CEN No. 07/2026 – NTPC Undergraduate from the ongoing recruitment list.

Step 3: Register

Complete the online registration using your personal and academic details.

Step 4: Fill in the Application

Log in and enter the required personal, academic and other information. Ensure your Aadhaar details, name and date of birth match your Class 10 certificate.

Step 5: Upload Documents

Upload the photograph, signature and other documents according to the prescribed requirements.

Step 6: Pay the Fee

Pay the applicable application fee online using the prescribed payment modes.

Step 7: Submit the Form

Check all details carefully and submit the completed application. Save a copy for future reference.

Candidates are advised to complete Aadhaar verification with biometric update before applying, as this is expected to be mandatory for this cycle.

Documents Required

• Recent photograph

• Signature

• Class 10 and Class 12 certificates and marksheets

• Category certificate, where applicable

• PwBD certificate, where applicable

• Aadhaar card

• Other documents required by the notification

Preparation for RRB NTPC Undergraduate Exam

1st Stage CBT

Since 1st Stage CBT is only for shortlisting, focus on building accuracy and speed across General Awareness, Mathematics and General Intelligence & Reasoning without over-investing preparation time relative to 2nd Stage CBT.

2nd Stage CBT

The 2nd Stage covers the same sections at a higher difficulty level and is the stage that determines merit, so candidates should prioritise deeper practice here.

Typing Skill Test

Candidates applying for Junior Clerk-cum-Typist or Accounts Clerk-cum-Typist should practice typing speed regularly in their chosen language (English or Hindi) well ahead of the test, since it is qualifying but non-negotiable.

Important Points for Candidates

• 1,688 tentative vacancies have been announced for NTPC Undergraduate level under CEN 07/2026.

• This is part of a combined 5,165 NTPC vacancies (3,477 Graduate + 1,688 Undergraduate) approved by the Railway Board.

• Only a short/indicative notice has been released so far; the detailed CEN is expected around 14 October 2026.

• The application process is tentatively scheduled from 15 October to 13 November 2026.

• Posts fall under Pay Level 2 and Level 3 of the 7th CPC.

• Selection involves 1st Stage CBT, 2nd Stage CBT, Typing Skill Test (for typist posts), Document Verification and Medical Examination.

• 1st Stage CBT has 100 marks and is qualifying only; 2nd Stage CBT has 120 marks.

• Negative marking of 1/3 mark applies in both CBT stages.

• The age limit is expected to be 18 to 30 years as on 1 January 2027.

• UG-level NTPC vacancies have been shrinking each cycle: 3,445 (2024) → 3,058 (2025) → 1,688 (2026).

• All final figures should be verified against the detailed CEN once released.

FAQs

How many vacancies are available in RRB NTPC Undergraduate 2026?

Approximately 1,688 tentative vacancies have been announced, subject to confirmation in the detailed CEN.

When did the short notice get released?

The short/indicative notice was released on 21 September 2026.

When will the detailed notification be released?

The detailed CEN 07/2026 is expected around 14 October 2026.

When does the application process start?

The application process is tentatively scheduled to start on 15 October 2026 and close on 13 November 2026.

What is the eligibility for RRB NTPC Undergraduate 2026?

Candidates must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or an equivalent examination from a recognized board.

Is there negative marking?

Yes, in both 1st Stage and 2nd Stage CBT. One-third (1/3) mark is deducted for each incorrect answer.

What is the salary?

Selected candidates will be placed at Pay Level 2 and Level 3, with an initial basic pay typically between ₹19,900 and ₹21,700.

What is the age limit?

Expected to be 18 to 30 years as on 1 January 2027, with standard category-wise relaxations.

Is UGC NET Undergraduate different from RRB NTPC Graduate?

Yes. RRB NTPC Undergraduate (CEN 07/2026) is for Class 12 pass candidates and covers Level 2/3 posts like Commercial-cum-Ticket Clerk, while RRB NTPC Graduate (CEN 06/2026) is for degree holders and covers Level 5/6 posts like Station Master and Goods Train Manager.

Conclusion

The RRB NTPC Undergraduate 2026 recruitment has been indicated for 1,688 vacancies across various Undergraduate-level posts in Indian Railways, with the online application process tentatively opening on 15 October 2026.

Eligible Class 12 pass candidates should keep their documents ready and watch for the detailed CEN 07/2026, expected around 14 October 2026, which will confirm the exact vacancies, eligibility conditions, fee and exam pattern.

Candidates should carefully check the official notification once released before submitting the application.

Apply Here

Apply for RRB NTPC Undergraduate Recruitment 2026 (CEN 07/2026)