Recruitment Against Cultural Quota (Open Advertisement) for the Year 2025-26 at North Central Railway
The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) of North Central Railway, situated at Balmiki chauraha, Nawab Yousuf Road, Prayagraj, has announced an exciting recruitment drive for the cultural quota positions for the year 2025-26. This is a unique opportunity for talented musicians holding expertise in Guitar and Keyboard to secure a position within the prestigious railway sector under Pay Matrix Level – 2 (Grade Pay Rs. 1900/-). Candidates willing to dedicate their cultural skills to the railway organization must carefully review all eligibility criteria and application procedures detailed in Notification EN: CQ-03/2025. The recruitment process emphasizes both written assessment and a practical demonstration of talent, ensuring only the most qualified cultural personnel are selected. This comprehensive opening invites applications from individuals across all communities who meet the specific educational and cultural prerequisites outlined below.
Table of Contents
- Job Summary
- Details of Position
- Eligibility Details
- Application Details
- Important Conditions
- Mode of Selection
- Important Links
Job Summary
| Organization | North Central Railway, Railway Recruitment Cell |
|---|---|
| Job Position | Recruitment Against Cultural Quota (Guitar/Keyboard) |
| Pay Matrix Level | Level-2 (Grade Pay Rs. 1900/-) |
| Closing Date | 25/10/2025 @ 23:59 hrs. |
Details of Position
The recruitment is against the Cultural Quota 2025 dash 26, open to all eligible candidates.
- Stream: Guitar, Matrix Level (7th CPC): Level-2 (Grade Pay-Rs.1900/-), No of post: 01
- Stream: Keyboard, Matrix Level (7th CPC): Level-2 (Grade Pay-Rs.1900/-), No of post: 01
Selected Candidates can be appointed on any suitable post and posted anywhere as per administrative requirements.
Eligibility Details
2.1 Essential Qualifications:
- Educational Qualification (For Level-2): Intermediate or equivalent examination passed with 50% aggregate from any recognized Board/University. (The 50% marks condition is not applicable for SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen, or candidates possessing higher qualifications like Graduation/Post Graduation). OR Passed Matriculation from recognized Board plus ITI approved by NCVT/SCVT.
- For Technical Posts: Matriculation /SSLC plus ITI from recognized institutions of NCVT/SCVT (OR) Matriculation / SSLC plus Course Completed Act Apprenticeship.
- Cultural Qualification: Possession of degree/diploma certificate in specified cultural stream (as per notified post and category) only from Government Recognized Institution.
2.1.3 Desirable Qualifications:
- Experience in the relevant field and performances given on AIR/Doordarshan etc.
- Prizes won at National level.
3. Age Criteria:
The candidate should be aged between 18 to 30 as on 01.01.2026 (i.e., must have been born not earlier than 01.01.1996 and not later than 01.01.2008).
Age Relaxation (Upper Age Limit):
| Category | Relaxation of Age |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 05 Years |
| OBC | 03 Years |
| Person with Benchmark Disability | 10 Years (if post is suitable for PwBD) |
| Ex-Servicemen | Relaxable up to the extent of service rendered in defence plus 03 years (if more than 6 months service after attestation). |
| Serving employees | Relaxable up to 40 years (UR), 43 years (OBC), 45 years (SC/ST) provided minimum 3 years service. |
| Widows/Divorced judicially separated women (Unmarried) | Up to age 35 (UR), 38 (OBC), 40 (SC/ST). |
| J&K - persons | Up to 5 years (for those domiciled during 1st Jan 1980 to 31st Dec 1989). |
Application Details
- Closing Date: 25/10/2025 @ 23:59 hrs.
- Method: Online mode only via the website www.rrcpryj.org. No physical copy required.
- Required Documents to Upload: Proof of Date of Birth (10th Certificate), Essential Educational Qualification Marksheet/Certificate, Certificate(s) of cultural qualification(s), Caste Certificate (for relaxation/free travel pass), Certificates for Ex-Servicemen/PwBD/Minorities/EBC (for relaxation), Annexure-G (duly filled and signed).
- Fees: Rs. 500/- for General/OBC (Refundable Rs. 400/- if candidate appears for written exam). Rs. 250/- for SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/PwBD/Transgender/Women/Minorities/EBC (Refundable Rs. 250/- if candidate appears for written exam). Payment via online methods (Internet banking/Debit/Credit cards).
Important Conditions
- Candidates must ensure their Name, Father's Name, Date of Birth exactly match Matriculation records.
- Active mobile number and valid e-mail ID must be provided as important messages will be sent via these means.
- Candidates claiming EWS status must produce a valid Income and Asset Certificate (Annexure-F) at Document Verification, otherwise, they will be considered under General (UR) category.
- Serving employees must upload an NOC issued by their employer.
- Candidates claiming SC/ST reservation/fee concession must upload the relevant certificate (Annexure-A) and may receive a Free Second-Class Railway Pass for the examination stages.
Mode of Selection
Selection will be based on the following assessment:
| Assessment Stage | Details | Marks |
| (A) Written Test | Objective Type Questions covering General Awareness, Mathematics, General Intelligence, Reasoning and General Knowledge on Cultural Activities/Cultural Area. | 50 Marks |
| (B) Assessment of Talent | (i) The basis of practical demonstration | 35 Marks |
| (ii) Testimonials/Prizes etc. | 15 Marks | |
| Total: | 100 Marks |
The written test has a duration of 60 minutes and includes negative marking (1/3rd of marks allotted for the Objective Type questions will be deducted for every wrong answer).
Important Links
- Advertisement: Link not explicitly provided, check official website.
- Application Portal: www.rrcpryj.org (Under Cultural Quota (03/2025) Link)
- Official Site: www.rrcpryj.org
