North Central Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026: Departmental Exam for 656 ALP, Technician, JE and Clerk Posts

The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) of North Central Railway (NCR), Prayagraj has released the GDCE quota notification (No. RRC/NCR/GDCE-01/2026, dated 28.09.2026). This is a departmental selection open only to regular serving employees of North Central Railway; outside candidates cannot apply. Online applications opened on 1 October 2026 and will close at 11:59 PM on 30 October 2026.

Recruitment Overview

Key Dates

Vacancy Details

Post-wise vacancies are shown below by category (UR, OBC, SC, ST). PwBD-reserved posts are listed in Annexure-E of the notification.

A. Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)

B. Technician (All Departments)

C. Junior Engineer (All Departments)

D. NTPC Non-Graduate Quota

Vacancies are provisional. The railway may increase, decrease or cancel them as per its needs.

Eligibility and Non-Eligibility

• All regular NCR employees can apply. As per RBE 72/2024 (02.08.2024), no minimum service is required.
• Eligible employees working in lower grades, or in the same grade (Non-Safety to Safety or Safety to Safety posts), can apply.
• You cannot apply for the post you currently hold.
• Resigning or getting transferred out of NCR at any stage cancels your candidature.

Not eligible:

• Employees in a higher grade than the notified post.
• Those not meeting the educational, medical or age criteria.
• Trainees and substitutes who are not regularised.
• RPF and RPSF personnel.
• Law Assistants, Catering Inspectors and Accounts cadre staff.
• Those appearing in, or awaiting results of, the qualifying final exam.

Age Limit

Minimum age is 18 years (born on or before 01.01.2009). Age is counted as on 1 January 2027. SC/ST/OBC-NCL candidates applying against unreserved posts get no age relaxation. For age proof, submit a birth certificate, Class 10 marksheet or school leaving certificate, and the same must be recorded in your service record.

Educational Qualification (Summary)

Your qualification must be recorded in your service record and HRMS, or your application may be cancelled. For JE and ALP, B.E./B.Tech is accepted in place of a diploma.

Reservation

• Vertical reservation for SC, ST and OBC-NCL applies where relevant. Certificates must be in the Annexure-G (SC/ST) or Annexure-H (OBC-NCL) format. OBC candidates must also give the Annexure-H(1) self-declaration, and the certificate must not be older than one year.
• There is no separate reservation of posts for EWS.
• Horizontal reservation for PwBD applies. Post suitability is listed in Annexure-F.
• The closing date of online applications is the crucial date for claiming reservation or relaxation.

Selection Process

Selection begins with a single-stage Computer Based Test (CBT). It is followed by a Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) for ALP or a typing test for clerks, then Document Verification (DV) and a medical exam.

The CBT is in English and Hindi only. Every wrong answer costs 1/3 of that question's marks (no negative marking in CBAT). There is no re-exam for absentees, and requests to change centre, date or shift are not entertained.

Exam Pattern

PwBD candidates using a scribe get extra time (Technician 120 min, JE 160 min, Clerk 120 min). The ALP trade-section syllabus is on the DGT website, www.dgt.gov.in. The JE Technical Abilities paper is based on the exam group you choose (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics or Civil & Allied), and ITI holders must select their trade in the application.

Merit and Cut-offs

• Minimum marks: UR and EWS 40%, OBC-NCL 30%, SC 30%, ST 25%. A 2% relaxation is possible for PwBD if enough PwBD candidates are not available.
• ALP CBAT: Candidates equal to 8 times the vacancies in each category are shortlisted on CBT marks. A T-score of at least 42 is needed in each test battery, with no relaxation. The final merit gives 50% weightage each to CBT and CBAT.
• Junior Clerk typing test: Qualifying only. 30 WPM in English or 25 WPM in Hindi is needed, without editing tools or spell check. Candidates with blindness/low vision, cerebral palsy or locomotor disability of 40% or more may be exempted.
• Merit Index: To combine different exam groups into one merit list, a Merit Index is calculated. The general-category qualifying mark (40) is scored 350 and the average of the top 0.1% (or top 10, whichever is larger) is scored 900. Normalised marks are used for multi-shift papers.
• Tie-break: The older candidate ranks higher; if age is also equal, alphabetical order of name decides.
• Candidates equal to the number of vacancies will be called for DV. Posting can be anywhere in NCR.

Before You Apply

• Submit only one online application. Multiple applications for the same post lead to rejection and a ban from all future RRB/RRC exams.
• Use your own active mobile number and email ID, and keep them active until the exam process ends. They cannot be changed later.
• Enter your name, father's name and date of birth exactly as in your matriculation certificate and service record. Later changes are not allowed.
• If eligible for more than one post, fill your post preferences carefully. Preferences are final, and posts left blank are treated as not wanted.
• Choose your CBT ITI trade (ALP and Technician) or exam group (JE) in the application itself.
• Apply well before the deadline to avoid last-day rush. You do not need to post any printout or documents.

How to Apply

1. Visit rrcpryj.org and click the application link for GDCE 01/2026.
2. Click New Registration and enter your personal details, email and mobile number.
3. Log in with the registration number and password you receive by email or SMS.
4. Complete the form step by step, choosing your post preferences and exam group/trade.
5. Upload your photo, signature and certificates, submit the form and keep your registration number safe.

Documents to Upload

• Proof of date of birth and, for PwBD, a disability certificate
• Certificate of the educational/technical qualification required for the post
• SC/ST caste certificate in the Annexure-G format
• OBC certificate in the Annexure-H format (stating non-creamy layer) and the Annexure-H(1) self-declaration
• Employee Service Certificate (Annexure-I) with the applicant's signature, thumb impression and the immediate supervisor's signature, seal and mobile number

Photo and Signature Rules

Reasons for Rejection

• Applications sent by post or not registered online
• More than one application for the same post
• Not having the required qualification at the time of applying
• Missing proper photo, signature, thumb impression or documents
• Black-and-white photo, or one with a cap or sunglasses, selfie, group or blurred photo
• Signature in capital or disjointed letters
• Incomplete or wrongly filled application
• Any false or suppressed information

On Exam Day

• E-call letters are downloaded only from the RRC website and are not sent by post. Check the website regularly even if you do not get an SMS or email.
• Bring your Railway ID card and a sparing letter with your photo, signed and stamped by your supervisor or controlling officer, to the CBT. Also carry a copy of the photo used in the application.
• Write the self-declaration paragraph at the exam venue in front of the invigilator, then sign and put your thumb impression. Writing it in advance or signing in capitals leads to rejection.
• Mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, pen drives, laptops, calculators, watches (including smart watches), wallets, belts, shoes and metal ornaments are not allowed in the exam hall.
• For DV, bring all original documents plus two sets of self-attested photocopies. Not producing originals can cancel your candidature.
• Keep 12 copies of the same photograph, as they may be needed at different stages.

Warnings and General Instructions

• Cheating, impersonation or sending someone in your place means a lifetime ban from all RRB/RRC exams, plus departmental and legal action. (The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 applies.)
• Canvassing, false information or suppression of facts leads to disqualification, and service can be terminated if discovered after appointment.
• Post-exam checks may include log analysis, photo and biometric verification and CCTV review.
• An e-call letter does not mean final acceptance of candidature. Admission to every stage is provisional.
• Your exam centre may be in another city or state, and centre-change requests are not allowed.
• Beware of agents and touts promising railway jobs. RRC appoints no agent or coaching centre.
• In case of dispute, the English version of the notification is final.
• Technical help: helpdesk@rrcpryj.org | Helpline (working days, 11 AM to 5 PM): 0532-2223961

Important Links

Note: This article is for information only. Please verify everything against the official North Central Railway notification before applying. For help with any online form, contact Emitrawala.com.