Central Railway Cultural Recruitment 2026: 2 Posts

Introduction

Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Central Railway has announced a recruitment drive for the year 2026-27 to fill 2 vacancies under the Cultural Quota. This opportunity is for individuals with artistic talents in Theatre Acting and Harmonium playing, offering positions at Level-2 of the pay matrix. The application process is entirely online, commencing on November 5, 2026, and concluding on December 4, 2026. Candidates are advised to carefully review the eligibility criteria, including educational and professional qualifications, before proceeding with the application. The selection will involve a written examination or CBT, followed by a practical performance. Detailed information regarding the application procedure, fees, age limits, and relaxations is available in the official notification. Applicants must ensure they meet all specified requirements to avoid disqualification. The official notification and application link are provided for easy access.

Recruitment Overview

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

Central Railway is recruiting for two posts under the Cultural Quota for the year 2026-27. These posts are open to all candidates, and there is no reservation for any specific community.

• Theatre Actor (Male): 01 Post
• Harmonium Player: 01 Post

If suitable candidates are not found for one cultural subject, a suitable candidate from the other subject may be selected, irrespective of gender.

Educational Qualifications and Eligibility

To be eligible for these positions, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Passed 12th (+2 level) examination from a recognized Board or its equivalent with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate. Note: The 50% marks condition is not mandatory for SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/PwBD candidates and those possessing higher qualifications than 12th (+2 level).
• OR Completed Matriculation and passed the full course under the Apprenticeship Act.
• OR Completed Matriculation and passed ITI from a recognized Board.

• For Theatre Actor (Male): Degree/Diploma/Certificate in Acting/Drama from a Government-recognized University/Institution.
• For Harmonium Player: Degree/Diploma/Certificate in Harmonium from a Government-recognized University/Institution.

Special Note on Professional Qualification: Candidates must upload a certificate issued by the institution confirming that it is recognized by the Central Government, State Government, or a government body established by an Act of Parliament or State Legislature, along with their degree/diploma/certificate. If this certificate cannot be uploaded initially, candidates may be provisionally allowed to appear for the written examination but must submit it during document verification. Failure to do so will lead to cancellation of candidature.

For Theatre Actor (Male):

• Proficiency in script writing and direction.
• Three years of experience in Acting/Script Writing/Direction, preferably with experience in Doordarshan/All India Radio/reputed national television channel/reputed theatre group.
• Certificate of winning individual awards in Acting/Script Writing/Direction at state/national level competitions.
• Certificates of participation in state/national/international theatre festivals.
• Knowledge of light designing/operating/set designing will be an added advantage.

A 'reputed theatre group' implies a group that has performed at national level with national artists or includes artists who have worked in AIR, Television, or the film industry. RRC reserves the right to reject any application.

For Harmonium Player:

• Three years of experience in playing the Harmonium, preferably with experience in Doordarshan/All India Radio/reputed television musical group or channel.
• Received any individual award or certificate for Harmonium playing in state or national level competitions/programmes.
• Experience/mastery in playing 'Lehra' or accompanying classical/instrumental music will be an added advantage.
• Proficiency in playing Hindi songs (film/semi-classical) on the keyboard, along with a certificate from a reputed musical group.

A 'reputed musical group' implies a group that has performed at national level with national artists or includes artists who have worked in AIR, Television, or the film industry. RRC reserves the right to reject any application.

Age Limit and Relaxation

The minimum and maximum age limits will be calculated as on 01 January 2027.

• Minimum Age: 18 years
• Maximum Age: 30 years (for Unreserved candidates)

Age Relaxations Applicable:

• Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe: 05 years
• Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer): 03 years
• Ex-Servicemen: Up to the extent of service rendered in Defence plus 03 years, provided they have completed more than 6 months of service after verification.
• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 years for UR, 13 years for OBC, 15 years for SC/ST.
• Widows, Divorced Women, and Women judicially separated from their husbands and not remarried: 35 years for UR, 38 years for OBC, 40 years for SC/ST.
• For candidates working in Railway organizations (semi-administrative offices like Railway Canteens, Co-operative Societies): Relaxation equal to the period of service rendered, subject to a maximum of 5 years.
• For Substitutes: 40 years for UR, 45 years for SC/ST, 43 years for OBC, provided they have completed at least 03 years of continuous service.

Candidates must be born between 01 January 1997 and 01 January 2009 (inclusive) for the Unreserved category. Specific birth date cut-offs for SC/ST and OBC are 01/01/1992 and 01/01/1994 respectively.

Application Fee

The application fee structure is as follows:

• All Candidates (except those mentioned below): Rs. 500/- (Rupees Five Hundred only). Out of this amount, Rs. 400/- will be refunded to eligible candidates who actually appear for the written examination, after deduction of bank charges.
• SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/PwBD/Women/Economically Backward Class (EWS) Candidates: Rs. 250/- (Rupees Two Hundred Fifty only). This fee will be refunded after deduction of bank charges to eligible candidates who appear for the written examination.

Candidates claiming fee exemption/refund must check their eligibility thoroughly before applying. Those found ineligible will not be refunded the fee. The payment must be made online through the integrated payment gateway using Debit Card/Credit Card/Internet Banking. Transaction charges, if any, will be borne by the candidate. An e-receipt will be generated upon successful transaction, which should be saved/printed.

Minority candidates claiming fee exemption/refund must submit a 'Self-Declaration' as per Annexure-'A' and a 'Minority Community Declaration' affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper during document verification.

Salary and Pay Scale

Selected candidates will be appointed at Level-2 of the pay matrix. Specific details regarding allowances and benefits are not provided in the supplied notification.

Selection Process

The selection process for these cultural quota posts will comprise two stages:

1. Written Examination / Computer Based Test (CBT) / Tab Mode: Candidates who qualify in this stage will be shortlisted.
2. Practical Performance: Only candidates who pass the written examination/CBT will be called for a practical demonstration relevant to their applied cultural subject.

The final selection will be based on the performance in both stages.

Application Procedure

Interested and eligible candidates must apply online through the official website of RRC Central Railway. The application window opens on November 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM and closes on December 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM.

Candidates are required to fill in all the details in the online application form accurately. After ensuring the correctness of the details, they must proceed to pay the application fee through the integrated payment gateway. No modifications will be allowed after the fee payment. It is crucial to save and print the e-receipt generated after a successful transaction for future reference.

Required Documents

While the official notification specifies the need for educational and professional qualification certificates, candidates should be prepared to upload the following:

• Degree/Diploma/Certificate in the relevant art (Acting/Drama or Harmonium).
• Certificate from the institution confirming its recognition by the Central Government, State Government, or a government body.
• If claiming fee exemption/refund: 'Self-Declaration' as per Annexure-'A' and 'Minority Community Declaration' affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper (for minority candidates).

Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for a comprehensive list of documents required during the application and document verification stages.

Important Instructions and Common Mistakes

Candidates are strongly advised to read the official notification carefully before applying. Key instructions include:

• Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria, especially the mandatory professional qualifications and the requirement for a recognition certificate from the institution.
• Double-check all details entered in the online application form before submitting and paying the fee, as no changes will be permitted later.
• Save the e-receipt of the fee payment securely.
• For those claiming fee exemption, ensure you have the necessary declaration/affidavit ready for document verification.
• The age limit calculation date is critical; ensure your date of birth falls within the specified range.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Not uploading the required recognition certificate for the educational/professional qualification.
• Entering incorrect personal or educational details in the application form.
• Failing to check the specific requirements for the desired post.
• Not submitting the required documents during the document verification stage, which can lead to disqualification.

Official Notification and Application Links

FAQs

Q1: What is the last date to apply for the RRC Central Railway Cultural Quota recruitment?
The last date to apply online is December 4, 2026.

Q2: What are the posts available in this recruitment?
The available posts are Theatre Actor (Male) and Harmonium Player.

Q3: What is the minimum educational qualification required?
Candidates must have passed 12th (+2 level) with at least 50% marks, or Matriculation with ITI/Apprenticeship, along with a specific degree/diploma/certificate in the relevant art form.

Q4: Is there any application fee?
Yes, the application fee is Rs. 500/- for general candidates (Rs. 400/- refundable) and Rs. 250/- for SC/ST/PwBD/Women/EWS candidates (refundable).

Q5: How will candidates be selected?
Selection will be based on a Written Examination/CBT followed by a Practical Performance.