Railway Recruitment Cell, North Central Railway (RRC NCR Prayagraj) has published official notification Advt No. RRC-NCR-GDCE-01/2026 under the General Departmental Competitive Examination (GDCE). This internal quota promotion drive offers 656 vacancies across Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP), Technicians Grade-I and Grade-III, Junior Engineers, and Commercial/Junior Clerks. Serving regular non-gazetted railway employees can apply online through rrcpryj.org until 30 October 2026 to secure vertical promotions into technical and managerial cadres.
RRC NCR GDCE 2026: Post Breakdown and Pay Levels
The 656 vacancies span multiple railway operational, engineering, and administrative departments:
| Designation / Cadre | Department | 7th CPC Pay Level | Medical Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) | Electrical / Mechanical | Level 2 | A-1 (Strict visual acuity without corrective glasses) |
| Technician Grade-I (S&T) | Signal & Telecom | Level 5 | B-1 (Fit for field technical operations) |
| Technician Grade-III (Various Trades) | Mechanical / Engineering / Electrical | Level 2 | B-1 / C-1 depending on workshop profile |
| Junior Engineer (JE) | Civil / Electrical / Mechanical / S&T | Level 6 | A-3 / B-1 depending on sub-cadre |
| Commercial cum Ticket Clerk | Commercial | Level 3 | B-2 |
| Junior Clerk cum Typist | Personnel | Level 2 | C-2 |
Eligibility Criteria and Upper Age Limits
Because this is a GDCE drive, applicants must be regular serving railway employees of North Central Railway. Relaxed upper age limits are applicable as on 1 January 2027:
- Unreserved (UR): Upper age limit of 42 years (Born not earlier than 02.01.1985).
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): Upper age limit of 45 years (Born not earlier than 02.01.1982).
- SC / ST: Upper age limit of 47 years (Born not earlier than 02.01.1980).
- Minimum Educational Benchmarks: 10th + ITI or Diploma/Degree in relevant engineering disciplines for ALP and Technicians; 3-year Diploma in Engineering or B.Sc Civil Engineering for Junior Engineers; 12th pass with minimum 50% marks for clerical cadres.
Selection Process and Exam Pattern
The single-stage Computer Based Test (CBT) features post-specific question distributions and testing schemes:
| Post Cadre | Total Questions / Marks | Subject Distribution | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Loco Pilot | 100 Questions / 100 Marks | Maths (25), Reasoning (25), Basic Science & Engg (25), Trade Specific (25) | 120 Minutes |
| Junior Engineer | 150 Questions / 150 Marks | General Awareness (15), Physics/Chemistry (15), Computers (10), Environment (10), Technical Abilities (100) | 120 Minutes |
| Clerical Cadres (NTPC) | 120 Questions / 120 Marks | General Awareness (50), Mathematics (35), General Intelligence & Reasoning (35) | 90 Minutes |
Previous Years Cutoff Trends and Qualifying Marks
Standard negative marking of 1/3rd mark per wrong answer applies across all CBT sections. Prescribed minimum qualifying marks on raw scores:
- UR and EWS Candidates: 40% aggregate qualifying marks in CBT.
- OBC and SC Candidates: 30% aggregate qualifying marks in CBT.
- ST Candidates: 25% aggregate qualifying marks in CBT.
- Aptitude Test for ALP: Candidates must score a minimum of 42 marks in each sub-test battery of the Computer Based Aptitude Test to qualify for the final merit list.
Candidate Guidelines and Aspirant Suggestions
- IPAS Employee Number Verification: Applicants must use their verified 11-digit Employee Number (IPAS ID) and registered railway email address during online application on rrcpryj.org.
- No Inter-Railway Transfer Issues: Departmental candidates must verify that their lien is maintained within North Central Railway divisions (Prayagraj, Agra, Jhansi, or associated workshops).
- Medical Categorization Safety: Ensure you satisfy the exact medical category (A-1 for ALP, Level 6 medicals for JE). Inability to clear the prescribed vision test results in immediate disqualification without alternative post adjustment.
- Zero Application Fee: As per Indian Railways rules, no application fee is charged to employees applying through GDCE notifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to submit the RRC NCR GDCE application?
Online applications close on 30 October 2026 on the official portal rrcpryj.org.
How many vacancies are announced in RRC NCR GDCE 2026?
There are 656 vacancies across Assistant Loco Pilot, Junior Engineer, Technician, and Clerical posts.
Can candidates outside North Central Railway apply for these posts?
No. GDCE is strictly an internal departmental quota open only to regular serving employees of North Central Railway.
Is there any negative marking in the GDCE Computer Based Test?
Yes. A penalty of 1/3rd mark is deducted for each incorrect answer in the CBT.
What is the upper age limit for General category departmental candidates?
The upper age limit is 42 years for Unreserved candidates, 45 years for OBC candidates, and 47 years for SC/ST candidates as on 1 January 2027.