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| RRC NCR Cultural Quota Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for Sitar & Tabla Posts |
RRC NCR Cultural Quota Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for Sitar & Tabla Posts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | North Central Railway (NCR), Railway Recruitment Cell, Prayagraj |
| Recruitment | Cultural Quota Open Advertisement 2026-27 |
| Employment Notice | CQ-02/2026 |
| Notification Date | 18 August 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 2 |
| Posts / Streams | Sitar – 1; Tabla – 1 |
| Pay Level | Level-2, Grade Pay ₹1,900 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Status | Open |
| Application Period | 20 August 2026 to 19 September 2026 |
| Selection | Written Test + Talent Assessment |
| Official Website | rrcpryj.org |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Published | 18 August 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 20 August 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 19 September 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Written Examination | To be announced by RRC/NCR |
| Practical Demonstration / Talent Assessment | To be announced by RRC/NCR |
| Document Verification | To be announced by RRC/NCR |
| Medical Examination | After the selection stages, as prescribed |
Candidates should not wait until the final day because the official notification itself advises applicants to submit their applications well before the closing date.
| Stream / Post | Vacancy | Pay Level |
|---|---|---|
| Sitar | 1 | Level-2 |
| Tabla | 1 | Level-2 |
| Total | 2 | Level-2 |
The notification provides one vacancy each for Sitar and Tabla. The posts are against the North Central Railway Cultural Quota for 2026-27.
Educational Qualification
Applicants must satisfy the prescribed Level-2 educational qualification and possess the required cultural qualification for the notified discipline.
- Intermediate or equivalent examination with 50% aggregate marks from a recognised Board/University; or
- Matriculation from a recognised Board plus ITI approved by NCVT/SCVT, wherever applicable under the prescribed Level-2 qualification.
- The candidate must also possess a degree, diploma or certificate in the specified cultural stream from a Government Recognised Institution.
The 50% condition is not insisted upon for SC/ST, Ex-Servicemen, PwBD candidates and candidates possessing higher qualification such as Graduation or Post-Graduation from a recognised University, as stated in the notification.
Cultural Qualification
The cultural qualification must correspond to the stream for which the candidate applies. Candidates applying for Sitar must possess the prescribed recognised qualification in Sitar, while candidates applying for Tabla must possess the prescribed recognised qualification in Tabla.
Desirable Cultural Experience
Experience in the relevant field, performances on All India Radio or Doordarshan and prizes at national level are mentioned as desirable factors. These details are recorded through Annexure-G and are considered under the testimonials/prizes component of the talent assessment.
The age limit is calculated as on 1 January 2027.
| Category | Age Limit / Relaxation |
|---|---|
| General / UR | 18 to 30 years |
| OBC | Up to 3 years relaxation |
| SC/ST | Up to 5 years relaxation |
| PwBD | Up to 10 years, where the post is identified as suitable |
| Ex-Servicemen | Service rendered in Defence + 3 years, subject to notification conditions |
| Serving Railway Staff | Up to 40 years UR, 43 years OBC and 45 years SC/ST, subject to required service |
| Widows/Divorced/Judicially Separated Women | Up to 35 years UR, 38 years OBC and 40 years SC/ST, subject to conditions |
For the normal 18–30 year age band, the notification specifies that the candidate must have been born not earlier than 1 January 1997 and not later than 1 January 2009, both dates inclusive.
Selected candidates are appointed against Pay Matrix Level-2, carrying the corresponding Level-2 pay and admissible railway allowances. The notification specifies Grade Pay ₹1,900 under the earlier pay terminology and states that initial emoluments will be the minimum pay of the applicable Level plus admissible allowances.
Basic Pay: ₹19,900 at the starting point of Level-2.
| Category | Fee | Refund on Appearing in Written Test |
|---|---|---|
| Other candidates | ₹500 | ₹400, after applicable bank charges |
| SC/ST | ₹250 | ₹250, after applicable bank charges |
| Ex-Servicemen | ₹250 | ₹250, after applicable bank charges |
| PwBD | ₹250 | ₹250, after applicable bank charges |
| Transgender / Female | ₹250 | ₹250, after applicable bank charges |
| Minorities | ₹250 | ₹250, after applicable bank charges |
| EBC | ₹250 | ₹250, after applicable bank charges |
The examination fee is payable online through the available payment gateway, including internet banking, debit/credit card and UPI. Refund is subject to the conditions given in the official notification and is available only to eligible candidates who actually appear in the written test.
RRC NCR Cultural Quota Recruitment 2026 follows a 100-mark selection framework consisting of a written examination and assessment of talent in the relevant cultural field.
| Selection Stage | Marks | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Written Test | 50 | 50 objective-type questions |
| Practical Demonstration | 35 | Assessment of talent in the relevant cultural field |
| Testimonials / Prizes | 15 | Assessment based on eligible awards, prizes and relevant performances |
| Total | 100 | Final assessment |
Only candidates qualifying in the written test are called for the practical demonstration. Candidates recommended for appointment must also satisfy the prescribed medical requirements.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Question Type | Objective / Multiple Choice Questions |
| Total Questions | 50 |
| Written Test Marks | 50 |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Language | Hindi and English |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 of the marks allotted to the question for each wrong answer |
| Subjects / Areas | General Awareness, Mathematics, General Intelligence, Reasoning and General Knowledge on Cultural Activities/Cultural Area |
- Visit the official RRC Prayagraj website.
- Open the Cultural Quota (02/2026) recruitment link.
- Select the Online / E-Application link.
- Complete New Registration using the required personal details.
- After registration, log in with the Registration Number and Password.
- Select the relevant cultural stream and complete the application form.
- Enter educational, cultural and community details carefully.
- Pay the applicable examination fee online.
- Upload the photograph, signature, educational/cultural certificates and applicable category documents in the prescribed format and size.
- Complete and upload the duly signed Annexure-G containing relevant awards, prizes and performances.
- Submit the application and keep the acknowledgement and Registration Number safely for future use.
No physical copy of the completed online application is required to be sent to RRC/NCR.
BEML Apprentice Recruitment 2026
- 10th/Matriculation certificate or other accepted proof of date of birth.
- Prescribed minimum educational qualification marksheet/certificate.
- Government-recognised cultural qualification certificate for the relevant stream.
- SC/ST certificate, wherever applicable.
- OBC certificate with the required Non-Creamy Layer documentation, wherever applicable.
- PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, Minority or EBC certificate, wherever applicable.
- NOC for serving Railway staff or applicable quasi-administrative employees.
- Duly completed and signed Annexure-G.
- Recent colour photograph and signature in the prescribed digital format.
The official notification states that the details of certificates entered in Annexure-G will be scrutinised during Document Verification, Practical Demonstration and Assessment of Testimonials. Candidates should therefore enter genuine and verifiable information.
| Document | Official Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photograph | Colour JPEG, 3.5 cm × 3.5 cm, 20 KB to 30 KB |
| Signature | JPEG, 10 KB to 15 KB |
| Age Proof | PDF, 50 KB to 150 KB, 150 DPI |
| Cultural Qualification Certificate | PDF, 50 KB to 150 KB, 150 DPI |
| Applicable SC/ST Certificate | PDF, 100 KB to 200 KB |
| Other applicable relaxation certificates | PDF, generally 100 KB to 200 KB as specified |
| Purpose | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Official RRC Prayagraj Website | Visit Official Website |
| RRC NCR Cultural Quota 2026-27 Notification | Download Official Notification PDF |
| Cultural Quota 2026-27 Notice Page | Open Official Notice Page |
| RRC Cultural Quota Notices | View Cultural Quota Notices |
Online Application: The application facility should be accessed through the official RRC Prayagraj website and the Cultural Quota (02/2026) application link provided there. A separate third-party application URL has not been used here.
What is the last date to apply for RRC NCR Cultural Quota 2026?
The last date for online application is 19 September 2026 at 11:59 PM.
How many vacancies are available in RRC NCR Cultural Quota 2026?
There are 2 vacancies: one Sitar post and one Tabla post.
What is the pay level for the Cultural Quota posts?
Both notified streams are in Pay Matrix Level-2, with Grade Pay ₹1,900 mentioned in the notification.
What is the age limit for RRC NCR Cultural Quota 2026?
The normal age limit is 18 to 30 years as on 1 January 2027, with applicable relaxations for eligible categories.
Is a cultural qualification mandatory?
Yes. Candidates must possess the prescribed degree, diploma or certificate in the specified cultural stream from a Government Recognised Institution.
Is there negative marking in the written examination?
Yes. The official notification provides for deduction of 1/3 of the marks allotted to the objective question for every wrong answer.
How many marks are awarded for the practical demonstration?
The practical demonstration carries 35 marks, while testimonials/prizes carry another 15 marks.
Will AIR or Doordarshan performance experience help?
Relevant performances on All India Radio or Doordarshan are listed as desirable and may be considered under the testimonials/prizes assessment, subject to the notification's requirements and documentary verification.
Where will the examination date be announced?
The date, venue and time of the written examination and subsequent stages will be published separately on the official RRC/NCR website.
Is the RRC NCR Cultural Quota recruitment currently open?
Yes. As of 21 August 2026, the recruitment is open. Applications are being accepted from 20 August 2026 through 19 September 2026.
RRC NCR Cultural Quota Recruitment 2026 is a highly limited opportunity for candidates with recognised training in Sitar or Tabla. With only two vacancies, applicants should carefully check the educational and cultural qualification requirements before applying.
The most important points are the 19 September 2026 deadline, Level-2 pay, 50-mark written test, 35-mark practical demonstration and 15-mark testimonials/prizes assessment. Candidates should also ensure that the information entered in the application and Annexure-G is accurate and supported by original documents.
For the latest examination schedule, application updates or any corrigendum, candidates should rely on the official RRC Prayagraj website rather than unofficial recruitment pages.
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