# How to Apply for NICL AO 2026: Fee, Photo, Documents > How to apply for NICL AO 2026: registration closed on 28 October 2026. The fee was ₹1,000 or ₹250. See the steps, photo size and upload rules. Source: https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/how-to-apply/ Category: [NICL](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/) Guide: [NICL AO Agriculture 2026](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/) ## In short - Online registration ran from 8 October 2026 to 28 October 2026 and is now closed. - The fee was ₹1,000 for most candidates and ₹250 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates. - The form needed a photo, a signature, a left thumb impression and a handwritten declaration. This page explains how to apply for NICL AO 2026. National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) accepted only online applications from **8 October 2026** to **28 October 2026**. The window is now closed. Return to the [NICL AO Agriculture 2026 guide](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/) for the next stages. {{< callout type="important" >}} Online registration closed on 28 October 2026. NICL allowed no other mode of application. {{< /callout >}} ## How to apply for NICL AO 2026 online? NICL set these steps on its website. Use them to check what you filled in. 1. Open the NICL website and click **Apply Online** under **Recruitment**. 2. Click **Click here for New Registration**. 3. Enter your name, contact details and email address. 4. Note the Provisional Registration Number and Password. NICL also sends them by email and SMS. 5. Fill in the form. Use **Save and Next** to save your data and check it. 6. Upload the photograph, signature, left thumb impression and handwritten declaration. 7. Capture a live photograph with a webcam or a mobile phone. 8. Open the **Preview** tab and check every detail. 9. Click **Complete Registration**. You cannot change any data after this step. 10. Open the **Payment** tab and pay the fee. 11. Click **Submit** and print the form with the fee details. {{< callout type="official" >}} NICL lists the full procedure on the [official NICL recruitment page](https://nationalinsurance.nic.co.in/recruitment). {{< /callout >}} ## What is the NICL AO 2026 application fee? | Category | Fee | | -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | | SC, ST and PwBD | ₹250 (intimation charges only and GST) | | All other candidates | ₹1,000 (application fee with intimation charges and GST) | The fee is not refundable. NICL does not adjust it against a future recruitment. The candidate pays any bank transaction charges. The form linked to a payment gateway. NICL accepted debit cards (RuPay, Visa, MasterCard, Maestro), credit cards, internet banking, IMPS, cash cards and mobile wallets. After you pay, wait for the server message. Do not press Back or Refresh, because this can charge you twice. A successful payment gives an e-receipt. No e-receipt means the payment failed. In that case, log in again with your Provisional Registration Number and Password and repeat the payment. ## What photo and signature rules did NICL set? | Item | Rules | | ----------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Photograph | Recent passport style color photo, 4.5 cm by 3.5 cm, preferred 200 by 230 pixels, 20 KB to 50 KB | | Signature | Black ink on white paper, preferred 140 by 60 pixels, 10 KB to 20 KB, not in capital letters | | Left thumb impression | White paper, black or blue ink, 240 by 240 pixels at 200 DPI (3 cm by 3 cm), 20 KB to 50 KB, jpg or jpeg | | Handwritten declaration | English, black ink, white paper, not in capital letters, 800 by 400 pixels at 200 DPI (10 cm by 5 cm), 50 KB to 100 KB, jpg or jpeg | The photograph must show a light background, preferably white. Look straight at the camera. Do not wear caps, hats or dark glasses. You can wear religious headwear if it does not cover the face. The declaration states that all information in the form is correct, true and valid. It also states that the candidate will show the supporting documents when asked. The candidate must write it by hand in English. If another person writes it or the language differs, NICL treats the application as invalid. A candidate without a left thumb can use the right thumb. A visually impaired candidate who cannot write can type the declaration and put the left thumb impression below it. ## Which details must match your records? Your name and the name of your father or husband must match your certificates, mark-sheets and photo ID. A mismatch can disqualify the candidature. NICL treats the name, category, date of birth, address, mobile number, email address and exam center as final after registration. Keep your email address and mobile number active until the process ends. NICL sends call letters and notices to those contacts only. An application without a photo, signature, left thumb impression, declaration or fee payment is not valid. SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer) and PwBD candidates could choose online pre-exam training while they applied. NICL informs those candidates by email and mobile. The candidates attend the training at their own cost. ## What is the next step after applying? Next step: check the posts in the [NICL AO vacancy 2026 table](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/vacancy/). Then read the [NICL AO selection process 2026](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/selection-process/) and the [NICL AO admit card 2026 page](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/admit-card/). The [NICL AO Agriculture eligibility rules](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/eligibility/) list the documents that NICL checks later. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the last date to apply for NICL AO 2026? The last date was 28 October 2026, a Wednesday. Fee payment also ended on that date. NICL accepted applications only online between 8 October 2026 and 28 October 2026. ### What is the NICL AO 2026 application fee? The fee was ₹1,000 for all candidates except SC, ST and PwBD. SC, ST and PwBD candidates paid ₹250 as intimation charges and GST. Candidates also paid any bank transaction charges. ### Can I edit the NICL AO application form after submission? No. NICL allows no change of application data after the candidate clicks Complete Registration. NICL does not accept requests for correction by phone, email or letter. Check every detail in the preview first. ### What is the photo size for NICL AO 2026? The photograph is a recent passport style color picture of 4.5 cm by 3.5 cm. NICL prefers 200 by 230 pixels and a file size of 20 KB to 50 KB. The form also asks for a live photograph. ### Is the NICL AO application fee refundable? No. NICL does not refund the fee. NICL also does not adjust it against any future recruitment. If a candidate files many applications, NICL forfeits the fee for all except the latest completed one. ### Can I apply for NICL AO 2026 offline? No. NICL accepted online applications only. It did not accept any other mode of application. The candidate also did not need to post printouts or certificates to NICL. ### Which payment modes did NICL accept for the AO fee? NICL accepted debit cards (RuPay, Visa, MasterCard, Maestro), credit cards, internet banking, IMPS, cash cards and mobile wallets. A successful payment creates an e-receipt. No e-receipt means the payment failed. ## More in this guide - [NICL AO Agriculture 2026](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/): NICL AO Agriculture 2026 has 20 posts. Phase I is on 17 November 2026. See eligibility, fee, exam pattern and pay in one guide. - [Notification](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/notification/): NICL AO notification 2026 invites applications for 321 Scale I posts. Phase I is on 17 November 2026 and starting basic pay is ₹82,485. - [Eligibility](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/eligibility/): NICL AO Agriculture eligibility 2026 needs a four-year Agriculture degree with 60% marks and an age of 21 to 30 years on 1 October 2026. - [Vacancy](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/vacancy/): NICL AO vacancy 2026 lists 321 posts, including 20 in Agriculture. See the discipline-wise table for UR, OBC, SC, ST and EWS. - [Selection Process](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/selection-process/): NICL AO selection process 2026 has Phase I, Phase II and an interview. Final merit uses Phase II objective marks and interview marks at 80:20. - [Exam Pattern](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/exam-pattern/): NICL AO exam pattern 2026: Phase I has 100 questions in 60 minutes. Phase II has 250 objective marks and a 30-mark descriptive test. - [Previous Year Cut Off](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/previous-year-cutoff/): NICL AO previous year cut off for Phase I: the Generalist UR cut off was 70.75 in 2025 and 79.5 in 2024. See category and section marks. - [Salary](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/salary-and-job-profile/): NICL AO salary 2026 starts at a basic pay of ₹82,485. Total emoluments are about ₹1,14,000 per month in metro centers. See scale and benefits. - [Exam Centers](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/exam-centers/): NICL AO exam centers 2026 list the provisional Phase I cities in every zone and the Phase II cities. NICL can add, cancel or reallot centers. - [Admit Card](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/admit-card/): NICL AO admit card 2026 is the Phase I call letter on the NICL website. Learn the login details, download steps and what to carry on exam day. - [Exam Day Checklist](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-agriculture-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/before-exam-checklist/): NICL AO exam day checklist 2026: carry the call letter and an original photo ID. Phones, watches and calculators are banned. See all the rules.