RRB NTPC Graduate Recruitment 2026: 3,548 Vacancies, Apply Online, Eligibility, Salary

If you hold a graduation degree and want a stable railway job without going through the UPSC grind, the RRB NTPC Graduate Level notification (CEN 06/2026) is probably the one you have been waiting for. The full notice came out on 7 October 2026, applications open on 8 October and close on 6 November, and the board has listed 3,548 vacancies across four posts. That is noticeably fewer seats than the previous cycle, so competition per seat is going to be tougher. This guide explains the posts in plain language, who can apply, how the exam works, and the small form mistakes that cost candidates a seat every year.

Last updated: 9 October 2026. Facts below are compiled from published reports and may change, so confirm on rrb.indianrailways.gov.in and rrbapply.gov.in before you act.

What this recruitment actually offers

NTPC stands for Non-Technical Popular Categories. In simple words, these are the desk, ticketing, goods-train and accounts jobs of Indian Railways rather than the engineering or loco-running ones. The graduate level covers four posts, and one of them dominates the notification: Goods Train Manager has 2,750 of the 3,548 seats. If you apply, you will almost certainly be competing for that post, so it is worth knowing what it involves before you tick the preference boxes.

A Goods Train Manager (formerly known as guard) is responsible for the safe running of a goods train, paperwork on the move and coordination with the control office. It is a field job with shifts, travel and responsibility, and it also happens to be the post with the highest vacancy. The Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor (127 posts) is a Level 6 post, which is the highest pay level in this notification, but the seat count is small. Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist (300) and Senior Clerk cum Typist (371) are office roles and need typing proficiency on top of the degree.

Eligibility without the jargon

Education: a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university is required for every post. For the accounts assistant and senior clerk posts, you also need the prescribed typing skill in English or Hindi on a computer. One thing that confuses people: reports say the separate typing test stage (CBTST) has been dropped this year, yet the typing requirement is still listed. Do not assume you are exempt. Read the typing clause in the official CEN 06/2026 PDF and be ready to show proof if the board asks.

Age: 18 to 33 years, counted as on 1 January 2027 according to the report we checked. With relaxation the upper limit is 36 for OBC (non-creamy layer) and 38 for SC/ST. Because the cut-off date appears in only one place in the coverage we saw, check it in the notice before you decide that you are over or under age.

Pay, in numbers

Post	Pay level	Starting basic pay	Vacancies
Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor	Level 6	₹35,400	127
Goods Train Manager	Level 5	₹29,200	2,750
Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist	Level 5	₹29,200	300
Senior Clerk cum Typist	Level 5	₹29,200	371

These are 7th Pay Commission basic figures. Dearness allowance, house rent allowance and travel allowance are added according to railway rules and your posting city, so the in-hand amount will be higher than the basic pay. We are not quoting an in-hand figure because it changes with city class and DA rates.

How the selection works

There are four steps: CBT 1, CBT 2, document verification and a medical examination. CBT stands for computer-based test, and both papers carry negative marking of one-third mark for each wrong answer. Guessing blindly will hurt you.

Stage	Questions	Marks	Time	Subject split
CBT 1	100	100	90 min	General Awareness 40, Maths 30, Reasoning 30
CBT 2	120	120	90 min	General Awareness 50, Maths 35, Reasoning 35

CBT dates are not announced yet. The coverage also says the aptitude stage (CBAT) is not part of this cycle. When the exam city slip and admit card are released, they will appear on the regional RRB websites. Our railway exam calendar tracks every RRB exam we know of.

A practical preparation plan

You will not know the exam date for a while, so use the gap well. In the first two weeks, go through the Class 8 to 10 maths topics that RRB repeats: percentage, ratio, time and work, speed and distance, simple interest and the data interpretation basics. In the next two weeks, switch to timed sectional practice. Because CBT 1 is only 90 minutes for 100 questions, speed matters more than depth. Do not leave general awareness for the last week. Forty marks in CBT 1 and fifty in CBT 2 come from it, and it is the only section where steady reading of current affairs, basic polity, geography and science pays off directly.

One habit that separates qualifiers from the rest: attempt full-length mocks on a computer, not on paper, because the real exam is on screen and the question palette, the flagging and the timer behave differently from a printed test.

Application mistakes that cost seats

• Name and date of birth must match your Class 10 certificate. The portal asks for Aadhaar details, and a mismatch is a common reason for rejection later.
• The live photograph. The form captures a photo on the spot. Use a plain background, good light and no cap or sunglasses.
• Fee dates are different from the apply date. The last date to apply is 6 November 2026, 11:59 PM, but the last day to pay is 8 November. The correction window runs from 9 to 18 November. Do not leave all three to the last day.
• Fee amount. ₹500 for General and OBC, ₹250 for SC, ST, ex-servicemen, PwBD, women, transgender, minorities and EBC. Candidates who actually appear in CBT 1 get the fee refunded after bank charges.

Documents to keep ready

Keep scanned copies of your Class 10 certificate, graduation marksheet or degree, category or EWS certificate if applicable, ID proof linked to Aadhaar, and a signature scan. If you plan to apply for the clerk or accounts posts, also keep any typing certificate you have.

How to apply, step by step

1. Open rrbapply.gov.in and choose CEN 06/2026, NTPC Graduate.
2. Create your registration and log in.
3. Fill personal and academic details carefully, matching your Class 10 certificate.
4. Enter your Aadhaar and contact details.
5. Capture the live photo and upload signature and documents.
6. Pay the fee online by net banking, card or UPI.
7. Review everything, submit, and print the form and receipt.

Is it worth applying?

If you are a graduate under 33 and willing to do shift-based railway work, yes. The Goods Train Manager post is physically and mentally demanding, though, so read the duties first. If a desk job is your priority, put the clerk and accounts posts first in your preference order and prepare for typing early. For a wider view of what is open right now, see upcoming government jobs for October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is the last date for RRB NTPC Graduate 2026?

6 November 2026 at 11:59 PM for the application. Fee payment is allowed until 8 November.

How many vacancies are there?

3,548 in total, of which 2,750 are for Goods Train Manager.

Is there a refund of the application fee?

Yes, candidates who appear in CBT 1 get a refund after bank charges, as per the report.

Can undergraduates apply?

Not for this notification. Undergraduate-level posts are covered separately in RRB NTPC Undergraduate 2026.