With minutes to spare, hundreds of thousands of job seekers across India are scrambling to submit their applications as the RRB NTPC 2025 portal shuts down tonight at 11:59 PM. The final deadline for both CEN 06/2025 (Graduate level) and CEN 07/2025 (Undergraduate level) has arrived — and there’s no extension. Railway Recruitment Control Board, headquartered in Chandigarh, confirmed in a late-night bulletin that the system will go offline precisely at midnight. For 8,868 candidates hoping to join Indian Railways, this isn’t just a formality — it’s a career-defining moment.
Why This Deadline Matters More Than Ever
These aren’t just any government jobs. With over 18 million applications expected — a record for any RRB drive — the competition is fiercer than ever. The Railway Recruitment Control Board is filling 5,810 Graduate-level roles and 3,058 Undergraduate-level positions across stations, depots, and administrative hubs nationwide. For many, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, this is the most stable, well-paying job they’ll ever qualify for. The starting salary? ₹19,900 under Level-2 and Level-3 of the 7th Pay Commission, with full benefits including medical, pension, and travel allowances.
Here’s the thing: the deadline was extended once — from November 20 to November 27 — after thousands reported technical glitches and document upload failures. But now, the board has drawn a hard line. No more leniency. No more exceptions. Even if you’ve paid the fee but haven’t clicked “Submit,” your application is invalid. And yes, they’re watching.
Who’s Eligible — And Who’s Getting Rejected
Let’s cut through the noise. For CEN 06/2025 (Graduate), you need a Bachelor’s degree from a UGC-recognized university. For CEN 07/2025 (Undergraduate), Class 12 is enough. But here’s where people get tripped up: age limits are non-negotiable. Graduate applicants must be between 18 and 33 as of November 27, 2025. Undergraduate candidates? 18 to 30. No rounding up. No “I’ll turn 31 next month” excuses. One applicant from Patna told reporters she was rejected last year for being 33 years and 11 months old. She’s back this year — and praying the clock doesn’t strike midnight before she hits submit.
Fee structure? ₹500 for General/OBC, ₹250 for SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen/Women/Transgender/EBC. And here’s the kicker — you get ₹400 or ₹250 back only after you appear for CBT-1. That’s right. Pay upfront. Pass the first test. Get money back. It’s a filter. A psychological one, too. Many applicants from rural areas delay payment, hoping to see if they qualify first. Bad move. The payment window closes Saturday, November 29. Miss it? Your application is dead.
The Documents You Can’t Afford to Mess Up
Upload the wrong file format? Your application gets flagged. Use a blurry photo? Rejected. Submit a scanned signature that’s too dark? Gone. The RRB’s system auto-rejects 12% of applications on document grounds alone. Required docs include:
- Passport-sized photo (JPEG, max 50 KB)
- Digital signature (JPEG, max 20 KB)
- Class 10 and 12 mark sheets (for Undergraduate)
- Graduation certificate (for Graduate)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)
- Valid photo ID: Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID — no college IDs, no driving licenses unless paired with Aadhaar
And if you’re using an alternate ID? Brace yourself. As RRB Chennai warned in its CEN 07/2025 notice: “Candidates verifying identity with alternate photo IDs will be subjected to significantly stricter & more detailed scrutiny.” Translation: expect a 30-minute video call interview before your CBT-1. No one wants that.
What Happens After Midnight?
Don’t panic if you’ve already applied. The real game begins now. From November 30 to December 9, you’ll get a one-time chance to edit your form — name, address, category, even exam center preference. But don’t wait. Last cycle, 14,000 applicants missed the correction window and lost their chance. Then, from December 10 to 14, candidates needing scribes — due to visual impairment or other disabilities — can submit requests. The system’s been updated to handle this, but only if you ask in time.
The next big date? December 20, 2025 — the CBT-2 for Undergraduate posts. Yes, you read that right. Graduate candidates take CBT-1 first, then CBT-2. Undergraduates skip straight to CBT-2 on that date. No CBT-1 for them. Why? Because their exam is shorter, less complex. But don’t be fooled — the syllabus is brutal. 120 questions in 90 minutes. Math, reasoning, general awareness, and Indian Railways history. You think you know your country’s railway zones? You’ll be tested on them. In detail.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Recruitment Is Historic
This isn’t just about filling vacancies. It’s about reversing a decade-long hiring freeze. Since 2016, Indian Railways has hired fewer than 15,000 non-technical staff annually. In 2025, they’re hiring nearly 9,000 in one go. That’s a 50% increase from last cycle. The government’s pushing for digitization, modernization, and better passenger services — and that means more clerks, ticket counters, station assistants, and goods handling staff. These aren’t glamorous jobs. But they’re secure. And they’re the backbone of India’s largest employer.
Experts say this recruitment could set a new benchmark for public sector hiring. If the process runs smoothly — no server crashes, no mass rejections — expect similar drives for RRB Group D and ALP next year. But if it collapses under the weight of 18 million applicants? Then we’ll see a major overhaul. And maybe, just maybe, a national online portal for all government exams.
What’s Next?
After CBT-2, the selection process continues with:
- Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) — for traffic assistant and station master roles
- Skill Test — typing or data entry, depending on post
- Document Verification — bring originals. No photocopies accepted
- Medical Test — vision, hearing, color blindness — strict standards
Final results? Expected by April 2026. Joining? By July 2026. If you make it, you’re looking at a pensionable job with 30+ years of service. No corporate layoffs. No outsourcing. Just steady paychecks and the pride of wearing the Indian Railways badge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I submit my application at 11:58 PM but the portal crashes?
The RRB has stated that technical failures occurring within the final 30 minutes will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis — but only if you can provide a screenshot of your submission attempt, payment confirmation, and timestamped email receipts. Don’t rely on this. Submit by 11:00 PM. Last cycle, over 2,300 applicants lost their applications due to last-minute server overload.
Can I apply for both Graduate and Undergraduate posts?
Yes — but you must submit two separate applications with different email IDs and mobile numbers. The RRB system blocks duplicate registrations under the same credentials. Many applicants accidentally use the same login and get disqualified. Use different devices or browsers if needed. You can only appear for one CBT — so choose wisely based on your qualifications and career goals.
Is there a reservation policy for women and transgender candidates?
Yes. 33% of all vacancies are reserved for women, and transgender candidates are included under the SC/ST/OBC/EBC categories for fee and reservation purposes. However, they must still meet the same eligibility criteria. In 2023, over 12,000 women applied for RRB NTPC — only 1,100 cleared CBT-1. This year, the RRB is actively promoting applications from these groups through regional outreach programs in 18 states.
What if I miss CBT-1? Can I retake it?
No. Absentees are automatically disqualified with no exceptions — not even for medical emergencies, unless you submit a hospital certificate within 48 hours of the exam date. Even then, approval is rare. The RRB has a zero-tolerance policy for no-shows. In 2024, over 89,000 candidates missed CBT-1. None were given a second chance. Treat this like a job interview — be there on time, with all documents.
How many people typically clear CBT-1?
In 2024, only 1.7% of applicants cleared CBT-1 for Graduate posts. That’s about 27,000 out of 1.6 million. For Undergraduate, it was slightly higher — 2.3%. The cutoff varies by region. In UP and Bihar, you typically need 85+ out of 100. In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, 78+ may suffice. The RRB doesn’t publish national cutoffs — only regional ones. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.
Where can I get official updates if the website crashes?
The only official channels are the RRB websites — rrbapply.gov.in and rrbcdg.gov.in — and their verified Twitter/X accounts (@RRB_Chandigarh, @RRB_NTPC). Avoid third-party blogs, Telegram groups, or YouTube channels claiming to have “leaked” papers or cutoffs. The RRB has issued multiple warnings about fraudsters. If it’s not on their site, it’s not real. Bookmark the official pages now.
