RRB NTPC age limit 2026 at a glance
| Notice | Age limit | Crucial date | Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate — CEN 06/2026 | 18–33 | 1 January 2027 | Goods Train Manager, Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor, Station Master, Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist, Senior Clerk cum Typist |
| Undergraduate — CEN 06/2026 | 18–36 | 1 July 2026 | Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Junior Clerk cum Typist, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Trains Clerk |
Upper-age relaxation: OBC (NCL) +3 · SC/ST +5 · PwBD +10 (PwBD+OBC 13, PwBD+SC/ST 15) · Ex-Servicemen +3. Source: PIB press release on RRB NTPC Graduate CEN 06/2026 · rrb.indianrailways.gov.in.
Why the crucial date matters more than your age today
Commissions do not measure your age when you fill the form or sit the paper. They measure it on one fixed day — the crucial date printed in the notification. A birthday two weeks after the crucial date belongs to the next cycle, not this one. And they count completed years: turning the limit age on the crucial date itself puts you out unless the notification states the limit is inclusive.
How to check your eligibility
- Enter the date of birth printed on your Class 10 / Matriculation certificate — that is the only document commissions accept.
- Keep the crucial date as shown (change it only if you are testing a different notification cycle).
- Pick your category so the relaxation is added to the upper limit correctly.
- Read the verdict, then confirm it against the official notification before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
What is the RRB NTPC age limit for 2026?
18 to 33 years for the Graduate notification (CEN 06/2026), counted as on 1 January 2027.
Why do some pages say 1 July 2026?
Because the Undergraduate notice under the same CEN uses 1 July 2026 with a limit of 18–36. Always match the crucial date to the CEN and level you are applying for.
What relaxation do OBC and SC/ST candidates get?
3 years for OBC (NCL) and 5 years for SC/ST on the upper age limit.
How much relaxation do PwBD candidates get?
10 years for UR/EWS, 13 for PwBD + OBC (NCL) and 15 for PwBD + SC/ST.
When did applications for the Graduate notification open?
Online applications for CEN 06/2026 (Graduate) opened on 8 October 2026 and close on 6 November 2026.
Is my date of birth checked at document verification?
Yes, against your Class 10 / matriculation certificate, which is the document RRBs accept.