RRC Eastern Railway Cultural Quota Recruitment 2026

Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Eastern Railway has issued Notification No. RRC/ER/Cultural Quota/2026-27 for two Group C posts under its 2026-27 Cultural Quota. Indian citizens with the required educational qualification and a recognised qualification in the relevant cultural discipline may apply; candidates without a cultural qualification are not eligible to apply.

The recruitment offers two Level-2 vacancies, one in classical dance and one in drama (acting or direction). Online applications are scheduled to open on 9 October 2026 at 10:00 Hrs and close on 8 November 2026 at 18:00 Hrs; applications through any other mode will not be accepted. Selection is based on a written test, an assessment of talent in the applied discipline and a medical examination.

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

The two posts are Group C appointments in a suitable post at Pay Level 2 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. Both vacancies are open to candidates of all categories; applicable age relaxations are available as prescribed for eligible categories.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Applicants must hold a degree, diploma or certificate in the relevant cultural discipline from a government-recognised university or institute. They must also meet one of the stated general educational routes: pass 12th standard or an equivalent examination from a government-recognised education board with at least 50% aggregate marks; or pass 10th standard from a recognised board and hold an ITI qualification or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) approved by NCVT for Technician Grade III in Pay Level 2. A diploma in engineering is not accepted as an alternative higher qualification.

The 50% marks requirement is not insisted upon for SC, ST, ESM and PwBD candidates, or for candidates holding a higher qualification from a UGC-recognised university. Applicants must upload proof of their educational and cultural qualifications. If the original degree, diploma or certificate is not yet available, the notification permits submission of the final marksheet and provisional certificate with an undertaking that the degree is awaited.

Experience in the applied discipline, including performances on All India Radio (AIR) or Doordarshan, and awards or prizes won at national level in the relevant discipline are desirable qualifications.

Age Limit

The age is assessed as of 1 January 2027. For the Group C Level-2 post, the standard age range for UR and EWS candidates is 18 to 30 years. The upper-age limit is relaxed by up to 3 years for OBC candidates and up to 5 years for SC/ST candidates. Candidates applying under this quota may receive only the age relaxations available under general Open Market Recruitment rules for their category.

Serving Railway employees, including eligible casual labourers and substitutes with three years of continuous service or three years in broken spells, may be aged up to 40 years for UR/EWS, 43 years for OBC and 45 years for SC/ST. For widows, divorced women and women judicially separated but not remarried, the respective maximum ages are 35 years for UR/EWS, 38 years for OBC and 40 years for SC/ST.

PwBD candidates may receive 10 years of age relaxation, subject to producing a disability certificate issued by a committee of at least three members of a government hospital. For ex-servicemen, the upper-age limit may be relaxed by the period of service in the Defence Forces plus three years, provided the candidate has completed at least six months of attested service. Staff of quasi-administrative offices or organisations such as Railway Consumer Co-operative Societies, canteens and institutes may receive relaxation equal to five years or the service rendered in that organisation, whichever is lower.

Application Fee

How to Apply

1. Visit the official RRC Eastern Railway website at www.rrcer.org during the application period.
2. Open the “Online/E-Application for Cultural Quota/2026-27” link and choose “New Registration.”
3. Enter the requested personal details, including your name, father's name, date of birth, community, email address and mobile number.
4. Use the registration number and password sent to your registered email address or mobile number to log in.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions and complete the application form, filling in all mandatory fields.
6. Upload a scanned photograph, signature and LTI, along with self-attested documents supporting date of birth, educational and technical qualifications, caste where applicable, EBC/EWS income status, applicable OBC and minority-community declarations, disability status and cultural achievements.
7. Pay the fee applicable to your category and submit the completed application online by 8 November 2026 at 18:00 Hrs.
8. Note the Unique Application Number generated during submission and download or save a copy of the completed application for future reference.

Applicants should use their own mobile number and a valid, active personal email address, and keep both active throughout the recruitment. RRC/ER states that recruitment communications will be sent through SMS and email.

Salary & Pay Scale

Selected candidates will be appointed to a suitable Group C post at Level 2 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, with Grade Pay 1900 as stated in the notification. Other benefits will be governed by Railway rules. The notification does not specify a numerical monthly salary figure.

Selection Process

Stage I — Written test (50 marks): The test will contain objective multiple-choice questions and last 60 minutes. Topics may include General Knowledge, General Science, General Mathematics, general English and the official language, professional knowledge, reasoning and aptitude. Candidates must choose English or Hindi. The minimum qualifying score is 40%. Candidates who qualify may proceed to Stage II; candidates will be called for Stage II in merit order at a ratio of 1:3 against the notified vacancies.

Stage II — Assessment of talent in the applied discipline (50 marks): The assessment awards up to 35 marks for a practical demonstration and up to 15 marks for testimonials, prizes and similar evidence in the discipline. The minimum qualifying score is 40%. RRC-ER will not provide instruments, so candidates must bring the essential instruments required for their assessment. The written test and talent assessment carry 100 marks in total.

Medical examination: After the first two stages and the Recruitment Committee's recommendation, candidates will be sent for a medical examination at a Railway Hospital in merit order, at a ratio of 1:1 against the notified vacancies. Appointment requires the candidate to be declared fit by the Railway Medical Authority in the prescribed medical category for the offered post.

Eligible candidates with the required cultural credentials should submit their online application before the deadline of 8 November 2026 at 18:00 Hrs and retain a copy of the submitted form and application number.