Southern Railway Cultural Quota Recruitment 2026–27 – 2 Dance and Mridangam Posts

Eligibility, application steps and essential conditions

1. Notice RRC-03/Cultural/2026-27 provides one Classical Dance and one Mridangam vacancy. Application window: 3 October, 9:00 AM, to 2 November, 11:59 PM. Both academic and professional cultural qualifications are compulsory.
2. The 12th 50% threshold is waived for SC/ST, ex-servicemen, PwD and candidates with higher qualifications under the notice. Final-result-awaiting candidates are ineligible.
3. CBT carries 50 marks over 60 minutes, with GK, arithmetic and cultural subjects and one-third negative marking. Talent/practical test carries 35 marks and supporting achievements 15. Bring your own musical instrument for practical demonstration. Document and medical verification follow.
4. Register through RRC Chennai, choose the discipline and Hindi/English test language, upload age/academic/cultural/category and achievement certificates, pay the prescribed fee and retain the receipt. Refunds depend on eligibility and appearing in CBT, after bank charges. Employed government/Railway/PSU candidates need NOC at verification.

Vacancy breakdown

• Classical Dance
  Vacancies: 1
  Pay Level: Level 2
• Mridangam
  Vacancies: 1
  Pay Level: Level 2
• Total
  Vacancies: 2
  Pay Level: –

Qualifications and experience

• Educational (option i)
  What the Notice Says: 12th (+2 stage) or equivalent with at least 50% marks in aggregate for NTPC categories
• Educational (option ii)
  What the Notice Says: Matriculation plus Course Completed Act Apprenticeship approved by NCVT / SCVT, for technician categories
• Educational (option iii)
  What the Notice Says: Matriculation plus ITI approved by NCVT / SCVT, for technician categories
• Classical Dance
  What the Notice Says: Degree / Diploma / Certificate in any Indian Classical Dance from a Government recognised institute
• Mridangam
  What the Notice Says: Degree / Diploma / Certificate in Mridangam from any Government recognised institute
• Desirable
  What the Notice Says: Certificate of experience and performance on AIR / Doordarshan etc., and certificate of prizes won at National Level competitions held by the concerned Academy / recognised by Government

Age and relaxation

• UR
  Born Not Earlier Than: 02/01/1997
  Born Not Later Than: 01/01/2009
• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
  Born Not Earlier Than: 02/01/1994
  Born Not Later Than: 01/01/2009
• SC / ST
  Born Not Earlier Than: 02/01/1992
  Born Not Later Than: 01/01/2009

Age and relaxation

• SC / ST
  Relaxation / Maximum Age: 5 years
• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
  Relaxation / Maximum Age: 3 years
• Ex-Servicemen with more than 6 months service after attestation
  Relaxation / Maximum Age: Service rendered in Defence plus 3 years
• PwBD (40% and above)
  Relaxation / Maximum Age: UR 10 years, OBC-NCL 13 years, SC/ST 15 years
• Domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir from 01/01/1980 to 31/12/1989
  Relaxation / Maximum Age: 5 years
• Serving Group C and erstwhile Group D Railway staff, Casual Labour and Substitutes with at least 3 years service (continuous or broken)
  Relaxation / Maximum Age: Up to 40 years (UR), 43 years (OBC-NCL), 45 years (SC/ST)
• Working in Quasi-Administrative offices of Railways (Railway Canteens, Co-operative Societies, Institutes)
  Relaxation / Maximum Age: Length of service or 5 years, whichever is lower
• Widowed, divorced or judicially separated women not remarried
  Relaxation / Maximum Age: Up to 35 years (UR), 38 years (OBC-NCL), 40 years (SC/ST)

Selection stages and assessment

• Written Test / Computer Based Test (CBT)
  Marks: 50
• Talent Test with Practical Demonstration in your field
  Marks: 35
• Confirmation of Talent by Testimonials / Certificates / Awards
  Marks: 15
• Maximum Marks
  Marks: 100
• CBT Detail
  Marks: Information
• Questions
  Marks: Objective type multiple choice
• Subjects
  Marks: General Knowledge, Arithmetic and Cultural Subjects
• Duration
  Marks: 60 minutes
• Negative Marking
  Marks: 1/3rd of the marks for that question deducted for every wrong answer
• Language
  Marks: Hindi or English (choose in the form)
• Minimum to Qualify
  Marks: UR 40%, OBC 30%, SC 30%, ST 25%

Application procedure

• 1
  Action: Open the online application link (see Essential Links); the notice says the link is on the RRC Chennai website
• 2
  Action: Register with a valid personal e-mail ID and mobile number, or sign in if already registered
• 3
  Action: Fill the form, choose Hindi or English for the CBT, and enter bank details (beneficiary name, bank, account number, IFSC) for the fee refund
• 4
  Action: Upload your educational and professional certificates, 10th or equivalent certificate for date of birth, caste / relaxation / fee-exemption certificates, photograph and signature
• 5
  Action: Pay the fee online through the payment gateway (Debit Card / Credit Card / Internet Banking)
• 6
  Action: Submit, then save or print the e-receipt and confirmation page

Recruitment calendar

• Notice Date
  Date: 03/10/2026
• Online Application Opens
  Date: 03/10/2026 at 09:00 hrs
• Last Date to Apply
  Date: 02/11/2026 at 23:59 hrs
• Age Reckoned On
  Date: 01/01/2027
• Written Test / CBT
  Date: To be announced on the RRC Chennai website

Application fees

• All candidates except those below
  Fee: ₹500 (₹400 refunded after bank charges if found eligible and you appear in the CBT)
• SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / PwBD (40% and above) / Women / Minorities / Economically Backward Class
  Fee: ₹250 (full amount refunded after bank charges if found eligible and you appear in the CBT)

Official notification and application links

• Download recruitment notification
• Official organisation website
• Application form or official recruitment page