Indian Railways has opened online applications for one of the biggest clerical recruitment drives of the year. The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) began accepting forms on October 15, 2026 for 1,688 Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) posts at the undergraduate (10+2) level under Centralised Employment Notification CEN 07/2026.
This round is aimed squarely at candidates who have finished Class 12 but not a college degree. In a job market where most central government recruitments now ask for graduation, a 10+2-level railway drive of this size is genuinely rare. Applications are open until 11:59 PM on November 13, 2026 through the common portal rrbapply.gov.in.
Which posts are on offer
The 1,688 vacancies are spread across four posts. Commercial cum Ticket Clerk takes the largest share with 700 seats, followed by Junior Clerk cum Typist with 600 seats. Accounts Clerk cum Typist has 200 seats and Trains Clerk has 188 seats.
On pay, Commercial cum Ticket Clerk starts at Level 3 with an initial basic of Rs 21,700, while the other three posts start at Level 2 with Rs 19,900. Standard allowances under the 7th Pay Commission apply on top of this.
- Commercial cum Ticket Clerk: 700 posts, Level 3, Rs 21,700 basic
- Junior Clerk cum Typist: 600 posts, Level 2, Rs 19,900 basic
- Accounts Clerk cum Typist: 200 posts, Level 2, Rs 19,900 basic
- Trains Clerk: 188 posts, Level 2, Rs 19,900 basic
Who can apply
The educational bar is deliberately low. Candidates need to have passed 10+2 or its equivalent from a recognised board. For the typist posts, working typing proficiency on a computer in English or Hindi is required, as per railway rules.
The age limit is 18 to 30 years as on January 1, 2027. That means applicants should be born between January 2, 1997 and January 1, 2009. Age relaxation applies as per government rules for reserved categories, ex-servicemen and persons with benchmark disabilities.
Application fee and the refund twist
The fee is Rs 500 for General, OBC and EWS candidates and Rs 250 for SC, ST, female, ex-servicemen and other eligible categories. Payment can be made through debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI.
Here is the part many applicants miss. Railways refunds most of the fee once you actually appear for the first computer-based test. General, OBC and EWS candidates get Rs 400 back, while SC, ST, female, ex-servicemen and PwD candidates get Rs 250 back. So for reserved-category applicants who appear for CBT-1, the effective cost is zero.
Key dates to circle
- Application window: October 15 to November 13, 2026
- Fee payment deadline: November 15, 2026
- Correction window: November 16 to 25, 2026
- Exam city intimation: 10 days before the exam
- Admit card: 4 days before the exam
The exam date for the first computer-based test will be announced later. Use the correction window carefully. Small mismatches in name, photo or category are the most common reasons applications get rejected at document verification.
How selection works
The process runs in stages. Everyone first faces a computer-based test (CBT-1). Those who clear it move to a second computer-based test (CBT-2). Candidates for the typist posts then take a typing skill test. Document verification and a medical examination close out the process, and final selection is merit-based within each RRB.
There is negative marking in the tests, one-third of the marks per wrong answer, so blind guessing is a losing strategy.
Why this drive matters right now
Railway recruitment tends to flood the system with applications. The graduate-level NTPC round under CEN 06/2026, which opened on October 8 with 3,548 posts, is already pulling in huge numbers. The undergraduate round gives Class 12 pass candidates their own separate field, without competing against graduates for the same seats.
With the Detailed CEN still releasing zone-wise and category-wise breakups, candidates are advised to read the official notice on rrbapply.gov.in before choosing their RRB. The vacancy count is marked tentative, so final numbers per zone may shift.
If you finished Class 12 and have been waiting for a central government opening that fits, this is the window. Get your documents, photo and signature in the right format early, pay the fee, and keep November 13 circled in red.
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for RRB NTPC UG CEN 07/2026?
The online application closes at 11:59 PM on November 13, 2026. The fee can be paid until November 15, 2026.
What is the qualification for RRB NTPC undergraduate posts?
Candidates must have passed 10+2 or its equivalent from a recognised board. Typist posts additionally require computer typing proficiency.
What is the age limit for RRB NTPC UG 2026?
Candidates must be 18 to 30 years old as on January 1, 2027, with age relaxation for reserved categories.
Is the application fee refunded?
Yes. Candidates who appear for CBT-1 get Rs 400 back (General/OBC/EWS) or Rs 250 back (SC/ST/female/ESM/PwD).
How do I apply?
Apply online only at rrbapply.gov.in between October 15 and November 13, 2026. No offline applications are accepted.
Applications are now live, and with 1,688 seats across the country, this is one of the strongest 10+2-level opportunities of the year. Apply well before the deadline, and keep an eye on the RRB website for the exam schedule.
