The Railway Recruitment Board has officially opened applications for RRB NTPC Undergraduate Recruitment 2025 (CEN No. 07/2025), announcing 3,058 vacancies for clerical and administrative roles across Indian Railways. The notification, released on October 28, 2025, marks one of the largest non-technical hiring drives in recent years — and with the application deadline now extended to December 4, 2025, hundreds of thousands of Class 12 pass-outs are scrambling to apply. This isn’t just another job posting. For many young Indians, especially in smaller towns and rural areas, this could be the first real shot at a stable, government-backed career with benefits that last a lifetime.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Breakdown
To qualify, candidates must have passed Class 12 (or its equivalent) from a recognized board by November 27, 2025. No degree is required — just the 10+2 certificate. The age limit? Between 18 and 30 years as of the application closing date. But here’s the catch: reserved category candidates get relaxations. SC/ST applicants can be up to 35, OBC up to 33, and PwBD candidates get even more leeway — as much as 40 years in some cases. The Ministry of Railways confirmed these relaxations align with current central government norms.
The roles up for grabs are all frontline, customer-facing positions: Commercial Cum Ticket Clerk, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Junior Clerk Cum Typist, and Trains Clerk. These aren’t desk jobs tucked away in offices — they’re the backbone of daily railway operations. Think ticket counters at busy stations, cash handling, record-keeping, and coordinating train schedules. It’s demanding work, but it comes with job security, medical benefits, and pension.
Application Timeline: Deadlines Have Shifted — Again
The original schedule was tight: applications due November 27, fee payment by November 29. But after a wave of complaints from candidates in remote regions with poor internet access, the Railway Recruitment Board extended key dates. Now, applicants have until December 4, 2025, to submit forms. Fee payment? Pushed to December 6. Even the window to edit details — previously November 30 to December 9 — has been moved to December 7–16. And for those needing scribes due to disabilities, the window has shifted to December 17–21.
“We saw a 40% spike in queries from candidates in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and the Northeast after the first deadline,” said a senior RRB official speaking on condition of anonymity. “We couldn’t let technical barriers become barriers to opportunity.”
The Selection Process: Four Hurdles to Clear
This isn’t a simple exam. The selection process has five stages — and each eliminates a chunk of applicants.
- CBT 1 — A computer-based test with 75 questions in 90 minutes, covering general awareness, mathematics, and reasoning. It’s qualifying only — no marks counted toward final merit.
- CBT 2 — The real test. 120 questions, 90 minutes, higher difficulty. This is where scores matter.
- CBAT — Only for Commercial Cum Ticket Clerk and Trains Clerk roles. A computer-based aptitude test measuring spatial awareness and attention to detail. Think pattern recognition and reaction time drills.
- Document Verification — Bring original certificates. No photocopies. If your 12th marksheet doesn’t match your application, you’re out.
- Medical Test — Basic vision, hearing, and fitness checks. No color blindness for ticket clerks — you need to read train schedules and signal lights.
“CBAT is where most candidates stumble,” said Rajesh Mehta, a coaching instructor at Adda247. “They prepare for math and GK, but forget they need to pass a perceptual test. It’s like driving a car without knowing how to read mirrors.”
Why This Matters: 8,868 Jobs in One Year
Don’t forget — this is just one half of the story. The RRB NTPC Graduate Recruitment 2025 (CEN 06/2025) opened earlier with 5,810 posts for degree holders. Together, these two drives create a total of 8,868 vacancies — the biggest NTPC hiring wave since 2019. And unlike previous cycles, this year’s process is fully digital. No offline forms. No manual submissions. Everything goes through rrbapply.gov.in.
The Railway Recruitment Control Board in New Delhi oversees 17 regional boards — from Chennai to Guwahati. Each handles applications in its zone, but the entire process is centralized. That means a candidate in Patna competes for the same pool of jobs as someone in Mumbai. No regional quotas. Pure merit.
What’s Next? The Timeline Ahead
CBT 1 is expected to be held between March and May 2026, with results by June. CBT 2 will follow by August, and CBAT for eligible candidates by September. Final selections should be announced by November 2026, with joining likely by early 2027.
Experts warn: don’t wait until the last week. The portal crashed for hours on the first day of applications last year. And with over 2.1 million applicants expected, server load will be brutal. Start preparing now. Double-check your documents. And don’t skip the CBAT practice tests — they’re free on the RRB website.
Background: The Rise of NTPC as a Career Path
Since its inception in 2016, the NTPC program has become India’s most popular government job entry point for non-engineers. In 2019, over 1.2 crore applications poured in for just 35,208 posts. The competition ratio? Nearly 340:1. This year’s numbers are expected to be even higher. Why? Because these jobs offer something few private sector roles do: stability. A Class 12 pass-out can become a senior clerk in 12 years, with a pension, medical care for family, and even housing allowances in some zones.
It’s not glamorous. But for millions of families across India, it’s everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if I passed Class 12 in 2023?
Yes. As long as you passed Class 12 by November 27, 2025, you’re eligible. The cutoff isn’t based on when you took the exam, but when you received your final certificate. Even if you cleared it in 2020, you can still apply — provided you meet the age criteria.
Is there negative marking in CBT 1 and CBT 2?
Yes. For every incorrect answer in both CBT stages, 1/3 of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted. No penalty for unanswered questions. That means guessing blindly is risky. Better to skip if unsure — especially in CBT 2, where scores determine merit.
What if I’m from a state board like UP Board or Bihar Board?
All state and national boards recognized by the Ministry of Education are accepted — including UP Board, Bihar Board, CBSE, ICSE, and NIOS. You just need to upload a scanned copy of your marksheet and passing certificate. No need for equivalence certificates unless your board is unrecognized — which is rare.
Can I apply for both CEN 06/2025 (Graduate) and CEN 07/2025 (Undergraduate)?
Yes, if you meet the eligibility for both. A graduate can apply for both, but you must submit separate applications with different registration IDs. However, if you qualify for both, you’ll have to choose one post during document verification — you can’t hold two railway jobs simultaneously.
What’s the salary for these posts?
The pay scale is Level-2 of the 7th Pay Commission: ₹19,900–₹63,200 per month. That’s basic pay. With allowances — transport, HRA, DA — the in-hand salary starts around ₹28,000–₹32,000, depending on posting location. In metro cities, it can hit ₹35,000 after deductions.
Is there any reservation for women candidates?
Yes. The Railway Recruitment Board reserves 33% of seats for women in all NTPC categories, in line with central government policy. This applies across all zones and posts. Many women applicants have reported higher success rates in recent cycles, especially in clerical roles.
