RRB NTPC EWS Quota: Complete Guide for 2026
The EWS category gets separate cutoff marks in RRB NTPC, just like other reserved categories such as SC, ST, and OBC. For the 2026 recruitment cycle, Railway Recruitment Board announced 8,868 total vacancies across graduate and undergraduate posts, with EWS candidates entitled to 10% reservation.
This 10% EWS quota operates over and above the existing 50% reservation for SC/ST/OBC categories, making it a significant opportunity for general category candidates facing economic challenges. If you're from an unreserved background with an annual family income below ₹8 lakh, this guide explains everything you need to know.
Important Update
The EWS reservation applies to both RRB NTPC graduate-level posts (Station Master, Goods Train Manager) and undergraduate-level positions (Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Junior Clerk cum Typist).
🎯 Quick Answer (30-Second Read)
Reservation Quota
10% reservation for Economically Weaker Section in general category candidates
Income Limit
Family's gross annual income must be below ₹8 lakh
Property Restrictions
Agricultural land under 5 acres, residential flat under 1000 sq ft
Certificate Requirement
Valid EWS certificate issued for current financial year (2026-27)
Same Cutoff as UR
EWS candidates face 40% minimum qualifying marks, identical to general category
No Age Relaxation
Unlike OBC/SC/ST, EWS gets reservation but no additional attempts or age benefits
Source: Government of India reservation policy and RRB official notifications
What is EWS Category in RRB NTPC?
Economically Weaker Section (EWS) is a subcategory of people having an annual family income less than ₹8 lakh who do not belong to SC/ST/OBC categories. This reservation was introduced through the 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019.
For RRB NTPC 2026
EWS candidates can claim 10% reservation in both graduate and undergraduate posts. With 8,868 total vacancies announced—5,810 for graduates and 3,058 for undergraduates—approximately 887 seats are reserved for EWS category.
Key Distinction
EWS is exclusively for general category candidates. If you belong to SC, ST, or OBC, you cannot apply under EWS even if your family income is below ₹8 lakh.
Who Created This Category? The Central Government introduced the 124th Constitution Amendment Bill (later passed as 103rd Amendment) in January 2019 to provide reservation for economically weaker sections in higher education and government employment. Railway recruitments immediately adopted this framework.
One Platform for Competitive Exams
Prepare for SSC, IBPS PO, CAT, Railway, Defence and other exams with study material and mock tests in one place.
Start PreparingComplete EWS Eligibility Criteria for RRB NTPC 2026
To claim EWS reservation in RRB NTPC 2026, you must satisfy ALL four conditions:
1. Category Requirement
- Must belong to general category
- Cannot be from SC, ST, or OBC categories
- Non-negotiable requirement
- Even if income qualifies, SC/ST/OBC ineligible
2. Income Criteria
- Family's gross annual income below ₹8 lakh
- Includes salary, agriculture, business, profession
- Includes interest, rental income, all earnings
- "Family" includes you, parents, spouse, children below 18
3. Agricultural Land Ownership
- Family should not own agricultural land of 5 acres or more
- Land across locations clubbed together
- Includes inherited and purchased land
- 7/12 extract required for verification
4. Property Ownership Limits
- Residential flat: 1,000 square feet or more
- Residential plot: 100 sq yards+ (notified municipalities)
- Residential plot: 200 sq yards+ (non-notified municipalities)
- Failing any criterion makes you ineligible
RRB NTPC EWS Certificate Requirements
Document Validity Rules
Validity Period
- Certificate must be issued on or after April 1, 2026
- Valid for financial year 2026-2027
- Previous years' certificates will be rejected
- Must remain valid throughout recruitment process
Issuing Authority
- District Magistrate / Additional District Magistrate
- Sub-Divisional Magistrate
- Tehsildar / Taluka Magistrate
- Revenue Officer (not below Tehsildar rank)
Ananya from Jaipur learned this the hard way. She applied with an EWS certificate dated December 2024, only to realize during document verification that RRB requires certificates issued after April 2026. She had to get a fresh certificate, causing unnecessary stress.
Required Certificate Format
- Your name and father's/husband's name
- Family's annual income (below ₹8 lakh)
- Property ownership details
- Validity period (Financial Year 2026-27)
- Issuing authority's signature and seal
- Annexure III prescribed format only
EWS Cutoff Marks vs General Category
Here's what many candidates misunderstand: EWS candidates receive only the 10% reservation quota without any relaxation in age limit, number of attempts, or qualifying marks.
Minimum Qualifying Marks
| Category | CBT 1 Qualifying % | CBT 2 Qualifying % |
|---|---|---|
| UR (General) | 40% | 40% |
| EWS | 40% | 40% |
| OBC-NCL | 30% | 30% |
| SC | 30% | 30% |
| ST | 25% | 25% |
Source: RRB official examination notifications
Notice: EWS and general category have identical qualifying percentages. The reservation benefit applies only to the number of seats available, not to qualifying standards.
CBT 2 Cutoff Comparison (2026 Data)
For RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT 2 conducted in October 2026, zone-wise cutoffs were released in December 2026. Sample cutoff marks:
| Zone | UR Cutoff | EWS Cutoff | OBC Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRB Mumbai | 68.33 | 67.00 | 62.67 |
| RRB Delhi | 69.00 | 67.67 | 63.33 |
| RRB Chennai | 67.67 | 66.33 | 61.67 |
| RRB Kolkata | 68.00 | 66.67 | 62.33 |
Pattern: EWS cutoffs typically run 1-2 marks below general category but remain higher than OBC/SC/ST. This reflects the 10% reservation creating additional opportunities without lowering qualifying standards.
How to Apply Under EWS Category
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Visit Portal
Visit rrbapply.gov.in during the application window
Step 2: Create Registration
Create new registration with basic details (name, date of birth, email, mobile)
Step 3: Select Category
Select your category as "EWS" in the dropdown menu
Step 4: Enter Certificate Details
Certificate number, date of issue (after April 1, 2026), issuing authority name
Step 5: Upload Documents
- Scanned EWS certificate (PDF, under 200 KB)
- Recent passport photo (JPG, 20-50 KB)
- Signature (JPG, 30-49 KB)
Step 6: Pay Application Fee
₹500 for EWS candidates (same as general category)
EWS candidates pay the same ₹500 application fee as general category, while SC/ST/PwBD/Women/Ex-Servicemen pay reduced fee of ₹250.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Certificate Date Error
Rajesh from Lucknow uploaded his January 2026 EWS certificate for the October 2026 application. During verification, it was rejected because the certificate must be issued after April 2026 for that recruitment cycle.
Property Disclosure
Some candidates hide property ownership details. RRB cross-verifies with revenue records. Any mismatch leads to permanent debarment.
EWS Benefits in RRB NTPC Selection
What You Get
- Choose EWS if from general category with income below ₹8 lakh
- Property ownership criteria met
- Expected score in 60-70 marks range
- Increased chances without compromising position quality
- 10% reservation in total vacancies
What You Don't Get
- No age relaxation (max age 30 for UG, 33 for graduate posts)
- No additional exam attempts beyond general limit
- No lower qualifying percentage (remains 40%)
- No skill test exemptions or fee concessions
- Same eligibility standards as general category
Vikram from Bhopal scored 66.33 marks in RRB NTPC CBT 2 for graduate posts. The general category cutoff for his zone was 68.00. Without EWS reservation, he wouldn't have qualified. With his valid EWS certificate, he secured selection under the EWS quota, eventually getting appointed as Junior Account Assistant. His income certificate showed annual family income of ₹6.8 lakh, and his family owned 3.5 acres of agricultural land—well within EWS limits.
Document Verification Stage for EWS Candidates
After qualifying CBT 1 and CBT 2, shortlisted candidates attend document verification. EWS candidates must bring original and self-attested copies of their EWS certificate along with supporting income and property documents.
Mandatory for All Candidates
- Class 10th certificate (age and name proof)
- Graduation/12th certificate (educational qualification)
- Valid photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/Passport/Voter ID)
- Recent passport photos (same as uploaded)
Additional for EWS Candidates
- Original EWS certificate valid for current financial year
- Income certificate or Form 16/ITR of family members
- Property documents (7/12 extract for agricultural land)
- Self-declaration about property ownership
Verification Failures (Common Reasons)
- Expired certificate: Issued for 2024-25 when applying for 2026-27
- Income mismatch: ITR shows income above ₹8 lakh
- Property violation: Agricultural land above 5 acres
- Category ineligibility: OBC candidate applied as EWS
Any discrepancy leads to immediate disqualification and potential debarment from future RRB examinations.
EWS vs General Category: Making Your Choice
When EWS Benefits You
- Family income genuinely below ₹8 lakh with proper documentation
- Meet all property ownership criteria
- Can obtain valid certificate from competent authority
- Expected score slightly below general cutoff (typically 1-3 marks)
When to Apply as General (UR)
- Family income exceeds ₹8 lakh
- Own property beyond prescribed limits
- Can't obtain proper EWS certificate
- Expect to comfortably clear general cutoff
Strategic consideration: If you're a borderline case (income around ₹7.5-7.8 lakh), EWS provides valuable insurance. However, if documentation is uncertain, the risk of verification failure may outweigh benefits.
People also search for
Can I change from EWS to general category after applying?
RRB provides application correction windows, typically 7-10 days after the application closes. During this window, you can modify your category selection. After the correction window closes, no changes are permitted.
What happens if my EWS certificate expires before document verification?
Your certificate must remain valid throughout the recruitment process. If it expires, obtain a fresh certificate before the DV date. Expired certificates lead to disqualification regardless of your scores.
Can OBC candidates apply under EWS if their income is below ₹8 lakh?
No. EWS reservation is exclusively for general category candidates who are not covered under SC/ST/OBC reservations. OBC candidates can claim either their OBC quota or apply as general, but not as EWS.
Is the EWS cutoff much lower than general category cutoff?
Based on 2026 data, EWS cutoffs typically run 1-2 marks below general category cutoffs, but remain significantly higher than OBC/SC/ST cutoffs. The difference is marginal, not substantial.
Do I need to submit income proof of all family members?
Yes. "Family" includes parents, spouse, and children below 18. You must provide income certificates, ITR, or Form 16 for all earning members. Agricultural income requires 7/12 extracts or revenue records.
Conclusion: Your Next Step
EWS reservation in RRB NTPC 2026 offers a genuine opportunity for economically disadvantaged general category candidates. With 10% seats reserved and cutoffs marginally lower than general category, it can make the difference between selection and missing out.
However, the benefit comes with strict eligibility requirements and document verification scrutiny. Before claiming EWS status, ensure you genuinely qualify—income below ₹8 lakh, property within limits, and ability to obtain proper certification.
Action Plan: Verify your family's annual income from all sources, check agricultural land and property ownership against prescribed limits, obtain EWS certificate from Tehsildar/DM after April 1, 2026, apply during the RRB NTPC application window with correct category selection, and keep all supporting documents ready for verification stage.
Practice Smarter. Rank Higher.
- AI scored practice questions
- Free mock tests with instant results
- RRB NTPC, SSC, IBPS & other exams
2.5L+ Students
20+ Exams
95% Success Rate