Posts & vacancies
Group 'C' (in suitable post), Level 2 in Pay Matrix of 7th CPC, GP Rs. 1900/-. One post in each discipline.
Classical Dance – Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Kathak, Manipuri, Odissi and Kuchipudi
1 post
Instrumental Music – Flute, Violin, Veena, Sitar and Sarod
1 post
Eligibility for all posts above: Educational: Passed 12th or equivalent examination with not less than 50% marks in aggregate from a Government recognized Education Board, OR passed 10th from a recognized Board plus ITI / National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) approved by NCVT for Technician Grade-III in Level 2 of 7th CPC Pay Matrix (Diploma in Engineering is not considered an alternative higher qualification). 50% marks is not insisted upon for SC/ST/ESM & PwBD candidates and candidates having higher qualification from a UGC recognized University.
Cultural: Degree / Diploma / Certificate course in the respective discipline only, from a Government recognized University / Institute.
Key dates
10 Oct 2026
Notification published on website
17 Oct 2026
Online applications open
16 Nov 2026
Online applications close
Eligibility snapshot
| Education | 12th pass with minimum 50% aggregate (relaxed for SC/ST/ESM/PwBD and those with higher qualification from a UGC recognized University), OR 10th pass plus ITI / NAC approved by NCVT. Provisional certificates are not accepted. |
| Cultural qualification | Degree / Diploma / Certificate in the applied discipline only, from a Government recognized University / Institute. Candidates without the prescribed Cultural Qualification need not apply. |
| Age limit | 18 to 30 years (UR), as on 01.01.2027 |
| Age relaxation | OBC: up to 3 years. SC/ST: up to 5 years. PwBD: 10 years. Ex-servicemen: service rendered in Defence Forces plus 3 years (minimum 6 months attested service). Serving Railway employees with 3 years' service: maximum age UR 40, OBC 43, SC/ST 45. Widows / divorced / judicially separated women (not remarried): maximum age UR 35, OBC 38, SC/ST 40. Staff of Quasi-Administrative offices (Railway Consumer Co-operative Societies, Canteens, Institutes): up to 5 years or actual period of service, whichever is less. |
| Preference | Preference is given to candidates with experience in the applied discipline and performances on All India Radio / Doordarshan etc., and to those with National Level awards / prizes in the applied discipline. |
| Medical | An empaneled candidate must be declared fit in the prescribed medical category by the Railway Medical Authority. |
Selection process
Total marks: 100 (Stage I + Stage II). Only candidates qualifying Stage I are called for Stage II, in the ratio of 1:5 of notified vacancies in merit order.
1
Stage I – Written Test (50 marks)
Objective multiple-choice test of 60 minutes covering General Knowledge, General Science, General Mathematics, General English & Official Language, professional knowledge, Reasoning and Aptitude. Medium: English or Hindi. 1/3 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. Call letters can be downloaded 15 days before the test.
Qualifying: 40%2
Stage II – Assessment of talent in applied discipline (50 marks)
Practical Demonstration in the applied discipline (35 marks) and Testimonials / Prizes etc. in the applied discipline (15 marks).
3
Document verification and medical examination
Verification of all certificates is mandatory, and the empaneled candidate must be declared medically fit by the Railway Medical Authority.
Application fee
Rs. 500/-
All other candidates
Rs. 250/-
SC, ST, Ex-servicemen, PwBD, Women, Minorities and Economically Backward Class
Rs. 500 fee category: refund to those who actually appear in the written examinationRs. 400/-
Rs. 250 fee category: refund to those who actually appear in the written examinationRs. 250/- (full)
Pay online by Internet Banking, Debit Card or Credit Card; service charges are borne by the candidate. To get the refund, candidates must opt for it on the tab provided in the online application form, otherwise no refund is made under any circumstances. Refund is made after deducting applicable bank charges, to the paying account or a beneficiary account given by the candidate. Minority means Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Zoroastrians (Parsis). Economically Backward Classes means family income below Rs. 50,000 per annum; upload the income certificate in the prescribed annexure.
Documents to upload
Photograph
| Type | Colour passport-size photograph with white / light coloured background, clear front view, without cap and sunglasses |
| Size | 35mm x 45mm or 320 x 240 pixels |
| Format | JPG / JPEG, scanned at 100 DPI |
| File size | 20–50 KB |
| Validity | Not older than 3 months from the date of application. Mobile-clicked photos and self-composed portraits may be rejected. |
Signature and Left Thumb Impression (LTI)
| How to prepare | Sign and put LTI on white paper with black ink within a box of 50mm x 20mm |
| Format | JPG / JPEG, scanned at 100 DPI |
| File size | 10–40 KB |
| Language | Signature in Hindi or English, not in capital or disjointed letters |
Other documents (self-attested, uploaded with the application)
| Education | Certificates and mark sheets for educational and Cultural qualification from a Government recognized Board / University / Institute (no provisional certificates) |
| Age proof | Birth Certificate issued by Government Registrar of Birth, or Matriculation / 10th certificate |
| Category | SC/ST community certificate (Annexure I); OBC-NCL community certificate (Annexure II) and self-declaration (Annexure IIA); EWS income certificate (Annexure VI); EBC income certificate (Annexure VII); Minority declaration for fee waiver (Annexure VIII); Disability certificate (Annexures III, IV & V) |
| Cultural achievement | Certificate in proof of Cultural achievement, as per the notification |
| Language | Certificates in languages other than English or Hindi must come with an attested English / Hindi translation |
Keep at least 12 identical copies of the same photograph for later stages. Photograph and signature must be identical at all stages of recruitment.
Good to know before you apply
Do not apply without the Cultural Qualification Candidates not possessing the prescribed Cultural Qualification need not apply. Not mentioning the discipline in the application may lead to rejection.
Typing proficiency If appointed to the category of Clerk-cum-Typist, the candidate must acquire typing proficiency of 30 w.p.m. in English or 25 w.p.m. in Hindi within two years of appointment, and the appointment stays provisional until then.
Bring original documents Original documents for date of birth, education, Cultural achievements and caste certificates must be brought for the written test, practical demonstration and document verification, otherwise the candidate will not be allowed to appear.
No TA/DA or accommodation No TA/DA or accommodation is given for appearing in the written test etc. Candidates may need to stay 2–3 days during selection at their own arrangement. SC/ST candidates get a Second-Class Railway Pass from home station to the exam place and back.
Serving government employees Serving Government employees must produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the competent authority.
Beware of agents Recruitment is purely merit based. South Eastern Railway has not appointed any agent or coaching centre. Report any such false claims to the local police or to SDGM, South Eastern Railway, Garden Reach, Kolkata-700043.
Mobile phones prohibited Mobile phones, pagers, recording and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited inside the written test premises; violation leads to cancellation of candidature.
Place of posting The place of posting will be decided by the Appropriate Authority, and posting depends on availability of vacancies, medical fitness and the decision of the Competent Authority.
How to Apply
1. Visit www.rrcser.co.in > Recruitment Cell and click the "online/EApplication for Cultural Quota/2026-27" link, then click "New Application".
2. Fill in personal details: name, father's name, date of birth, community, e-mail address and mobile number. A registration number and password will be sent by E-mail / SMS.
3. Log in with the application number and password and complete the registration step by step.
4. Upload the scanned photograph, signature, LTI, and self-attested certificates (date of birth, education / technical qualification, caste, income certificate, self-declarations, disability certificate).
5. Fill all mandatory fields and submit. Note down the Unique Application Number generated, and download the application form for reference.
6. Do not wait for the last day; apply well before the closing date to avoid website load issues.
No change is allowed after final submission. Applications received directly at RRC/SER are not entertained. Use your own mobile number and a valid, active e-mail ID, as all communication is sent only by SMS and e-mail, and these cannot be changed later.
Reservation
The posts against Cultural Quota are open to all candidates.
SC/ST/OBC/ESM/PwBD candidates applying against this quota get age relaxation ONLY as admissible in general Open Market Recruitment.
If selected by availing any relaxation admissible to reserved categories, the candidate is adjusted against the respective reserved roster point.
Reasons for Rejection of Application
Application sent manually
More than one application by the same candidate
Examination fee not paid or paid short
Photograph, signature, LTI or other enclosures missing or improper (black and white photo, cap, sunglasses, small size, full-body photo etc.)
Proper certificates for date of birth, education and caste not uploaded in the prescribed format
Prescribed educational / Cultural qualification not held at the time of applying
Over age, or date of birth not filled or wrongly filled
Uploaded documents without self-attestation
Any column left blank, or discipline not mentioned
This list is only illustrative, not exhaustive.
Warning on Impersonation and False Information
Using unfair means or impersonation leads to lifetime debarment from all RRB/RRC examinations and from Railway appointment, dismissal if already appointed, and possible legal action.
False information or suppression of facts leads to disqualification and debarment from Railway and other Government recruitment.
Forged or fake certificates lead to rejection and debarment from all RRB/RRC examinations for 2 years or for life, as deemed fit.
Bringing political or other influence, or canvassing in any form, can lead to rejection of candidature.