RRC Southern Railway Cultural Quota 2026-27: Classical Dance and Mridangam Jobs for Artists
Good news for trained dancers and percussionists. The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Chennai of Southern Railway has released Employment Notice No. RRC-03/Cultural/2026-27 to fill 2 posts under the Cultural Quota: one for Classical Dance and one for Mridangam. Both posts are in Level 2 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. If your art has been your passion for years, this is a real chance to turn it into a Railway job with a central government pay scale.
The online window opens on 3 October 2026 at 09:00 hrs and closes on 2 November 2026 at 23:59 hrs. You need a 12th pass (or 10th plus ITI or Act Apprenticeship) and a degree, diploma or certificate in your art from a Government recognised institute. With only one seat in each discipline, competition will be tight, so read every condition below before you pay the fee. We at GovtJobsAlert.in have explained everything in simple words.
Key Highlights of RRC Southern Railway Cultural Quota Recruitment 2026-27
RRC Chennai handles the whole Cultural Quota process for Southern Railway. This notice is small, but both posts carry Level 2 pay.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Railway Recruitment Cell, Southern Railway, Chennai |
| Notice Number | RRC-03/Cultural/2026-27 dated 03/10/2026 |
| Disciplines | Classical Dance and Mridangam |
| Total Vacancies | 2 |
| Pay Level | Level 2, 7th CPC Pay Matrix |
| Age Limit | 18 to 30 years as on 01/01/2027 |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Last Date | 2 November 2026 (23:59 hrs) |
How Many Classical Dance and Mridangam Vacancies are There in 2026-27?
| Discipline | Vacancies | Pay Level |
|---|---|---|
| Classical Dance | 1 | Level 2 |
| Mridangam | 1 | Level 2 |
| Total | 2 | – |
No post is exclusively reserved for OBC or SC/ST candidates. Both posts are open to everyone, and reserved-category candidates still get the relaxations allowed in general open market recruitment.
Because each discipline has a single seat, your CBT score, Talent Test and certificates together will decide the result. If you have performed on AIR or Doordarshan, or won prizes at National-level competitions, those papers count towards the 15 marks for testimonials, so collect them now instead of searching at the last minute.
What is the Eligibility for RRC Southern Railway Classical Dance and Mridangam Posts 2026-27?
Educational Qualification
You need BOTH an educational qualification and a professional (cultural) qualification.
| Requirement | What the Notice Says |
|---|---|
| Educational (option i) | 12th (+2 stage) or equivalent with at least 50% marks in aggregate for NTPC categories |
| Educational (option ii) | Matriculation plus Course Completed Act Apprenticeship approved by NCVT / SCVT, for technician categories |
| Educational (option iii) | Matriculation plus ITI approved by NCVT / SCVT, for technician categories |
| Classical Dance | Degree / Diploma / Certificate in any Indian Classical Dance from a Government recognised institute |
| Mridangam | Degree / Diploma / Certificate in Mridangam from any Government recognised institute |
| Desirable | 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 |
The 50% marks rule is not insisted upon for SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen and PwD candidates, or for anyone holding a qualification higher than the minimum. With 12th pass (50%, unless exempt) or 10th plus an ITI certificate, you meet the education part.
Two lines in the notice are very strict. Candidates having no professional qualification as per para 1.4 need not apply. And those awaiting results of the final examination are not eligible, because you must hold the qualification on the closing date.
Age Limit
The age limit is 18 to 30 years, counted as on 01/01/2027. The notice prints these date-of-birth limits (both dates inclusive):
| Category | Born Not Earlier Than | Born Not Later Than |
|---|---|---|
| UR | 02/01/1997 | 01/01/2009 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 02/01/1994 | 01/01/2009 |
| SC / ST | 02/01/1992 | 01/01/2009 |
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age on the cut-off date and instantly check your eligibility — including any age relaxation you qualify for. →
The upper age limit is relaxed only if you upload the required certificate:
| Category | Relaxation / Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen with more than 6 months service after attestation | Service rendered in Defence plus 3 years |
| PwBD (40% and above) | UR 10 years, OBC-NCL 13 years, SC/ST 15 years |
| Domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir from 01/01/1980 to 31/12/1989 | 5 years |
| Serving Group C and erstwhile Group D Railway staff, Casual Labour and Substitutes with at least 3 years service (continuous or broken) | 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) | Length of service or 5 years, whichever is lower |
| Widowed, divorced or judicially separated women not remarried | Up to 35 years (UR), 38 years (OBC-NCL), 40 years (SC/ST) |
Your date of birth is taken only from your 10th or equivalent certificate. Any difference leads to disqualification, and once entered, it cannot be changed later on any ground.
What is the Salary for RRC Southern Railway Cultural Quota Posts 2026-27?
Both posts are placed in Level 2 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. The notice does not print a basic pay figure or an allowance breakdown, so check the pay matrix for Level 2 once you are selected. What matters is this: pay follows the central government Pay Matrix, not a fixed honorarium.
What is the Selection Process for Classical Dance and Mridangam Posts 2026-27?
Selection is on a 100-mark basis:
| Stage | Marks |
|---|---|
| Written Test / Computer Based Test (CBT) | 50 |
| Talent Test with Practical Demonstration in your field | 35 |
| Confirmation of Talent by Testimonials / Certificates / Awards | 15 |
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| CBT Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Questions | Objective type multiple choice |
| Subjects | General Knowledge, Arithmetic and Cultural Subjects |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Negative Marking | 1/3rd of the marks for that question deducted for every wrong answer |
| Language | Hindi or English (choose in the form) |
| Minimum to Qualify | UR 40%, OBC 30%, SC 30%, ST 25% |
Candidates who qualify the CBT, as per merit, are called for the Practical Demonstration and Document Verification. Bring your own musical instrument — the Railway will not provide one. Those recommended for appointment must pass a Medical Examination as per the medical classification for the post. Brush up on general knowledge and arithmetic using our syllabus and exam pattern guides.
How to Apply Online for RRC Southern Railway Cultural Quota 2026-27?
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the online application link (see Essential Links); the notice says the link is on the RRC Chennai website |
| 2 | Register with a valid personal e-mail ID and mobile number, or sign in if already registered |
| 3 | 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 | Upload your educational and professional certificates, 10th or equivalent certificate for date of birth, caste / relaxation / fee-exemption certificates, photograph and signature |
| 5 | Pay the fee online through the payment gateway (Debit Card / Credit Card / Internet Banking) |
| 6 | Submit, then save or print the e-receipt and confirmation page |
The photograph must be in colour, 3.5 cm x 3.5 cm, JPG/JPEG, 100 DPI, 50 kb to 100 kb, not older than three months, without cap or sunglasses. The signature must be 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm, JPG/JPEG, 100 DPI, 20 kb to 30 kb, in running hand (English or Hindi), not in capital letters. Certificates in other languages need an attested English or Hindi translation. Keep the same mobile number and e-mail active till the end, as no change request will be entertained.
What are the Important Dates for RRC Southern Railway Cultural Quota 2026-27?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notice Date | 03/10/2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 03/10/2026 at 09:00 hrs |
| Last Date to Apply | 02/11/2026 at 23:59 hrs |
| Age Reckoned On | 01/01/2027 |
| Written Test / CBT | To be announced on the RRC Chennai website |
The CBT date is not fixed yet. RRC Chennai will share the date, venue, your eligibility status and call letters only through its website, and SMS or e-mail can fail, so check the website regularly till the panel is out.
What is the Application Fee for Classical Dance and Mridangam Posts?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All candidates except those below | ₹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 | ₹250 (full amount refunded after bank charges if found eligible and you appear in the CBT) |
Pay online only; transaction charges are borne by you. Cash, cheque, Central Recruitment Fee Stamps and money orders are not accepted. Minorities means Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsis). The Economically Backward Class means family income below ₹50,000 per annum, with an income certificate in the prescribed format.
The refund goes only to candidates who are found eligible and actually appear in the CBT, so fill your bank account details correctly in the form and do sit for the test once you have applied.
Conditions That Can Cost You This Railway Job
| Condition | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Ineligible candidates | Fee of candidates found ineligible shall not be refunded; the processing fee is not refundable, transferable or adjustable |
| OBC certificate | Without a valid non-creamy layer certificate, you will be treated as UR |
| Minority fee exemption | Upload a self declaration; if the affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper is not produced at DV, candidature will be rejected |
| Serving employees | Central / State Government, Railway or PSU staff must produce an NOC at DV, failing which candidature will be cancelled |
| Rejection grounds | No photo or signature, photo with goggles / cap / wig, missing academic or cultural qualification, missing community / relaxation certificates or proof of age, over-age or under-age, wrong or illegible date of birth, incomplete form, multiple applications, short or missing fee, or any other irregularity |
| Postponement | Requests to postpone the CBT, Practical Demonstration or DV will not be entertained |
| Travel | Only SC / ST candidates get a II-Class free pass to the written test; no TA / DA / accommodation for anyone |
| Clerk-cum-Typist | If appointed to this category, you must acquire typing of 30 w.p.m. English or 25 w.p.m. Hindi within two years; appointment stays provisional till then |
| Unfair means | Anyone who uses unfair means or tries to impersonate will be disqualified and debarred from appearing in all RRB / RRC exams for lifetime, debarred from getting any appointment in the Railways (removed from service if already appointed), and is liable for legal prosecution |
| Misconduct | False details or suppressed information, political influence, forged documents, impersonation or misbehaving with officials can lead to cancellation or termination without notice at any stage, and criminal prosecution |
| Recruitment | Candidature is provisional at all stages; the Railway may rectify errors or cancel part or whole of the process at any stage without giving reasons, and its decision on all recruitment matters is final and binding |
Southern Railway has not appointed any agents. Selection is purely merit based, so ignore anyone who promises a job for money.
RRC Southern Railway Cultural Quota 2026-27 Essential Links
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Register Online for RRC Southern Railway Cultural Quota Recruitment 2026-27
- Visit RRC Southern Railway Cultural Quota Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
If you are a trained Classical Dancer or Mridangam artist with the required 12th or ITI qualification, this is a rare chance to join Indian Railways through your art. There is only one seat in each discipline, so keep your certificates, prize records and instrument ready, and practise for the CBT too. Apply well before 2 November 2026. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for the CBT date and admit card updates.