# NICL AO Automobile Engineer Eligibility 2026: Age, Degree > NICL AO Automobile Engineer eligibility 2026: automobile degree, 60% marks, and age 21 to 30 years on 1 October 2026, with relaxation rules. Source: https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/eligibility/ Category: [NICL](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/) Guide: [NICL AO Automobile Engineer 2026](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/) ## In short - Hold an automobile engineering degree, or any engineering degree plus a one-year automobile diploma. - Score 60% in either degree, or 55% for SC, ST, and PwBD. - Be 21 to 30 years old on 1 October 2026, before any relaxation. The NICL AO Automobile Engineer eligibility 2026 rules need two things. You must hold an engineering degree in automobile engineering, or any engineering degree with a one-year automobile diploma. You must be **21 to 30 years old** on 1 October 2026. This page is part of the [NICL AO Automobile Engineer 2026 guide](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/). {{< callout type="official" >}} The company states every eligibility rule in the [official notification on the NICL website](https://nationalinsurance.nic.co.in/recruitment). Check that page before you rely on any detail. {{< /callout >}} ## NICL AO Automobile Engineer eligibility 2026: education A candidate must meet one of these two options: - A B.E., B.Tech, M.E., or M.Tech in Automobile Engineering. - A B.E., B.Tech, M.E., or M.Tech in any branch of engineering, together with a diploma of at least one year in automobile engineering. The degree must come from a recognized university approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It may also come from a recognized institute approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The candidate needs at least **60% marks** in either of the degree examinations. SC, ST, and PwBD candidates need at least **55%**. ## When must you have the degree certificate? The candidate must hold a valid mark sheet or degree certificate on **1 October 2026**. The final result of the qualifying exam must be out on or before that date. NICL cancels the candidature at any stage if the candidate does not meet this rule. The date on the mark sheet or provisional certificate counts as the date of passing. If the university posts the result on its website, the candidate needs a certificate that states the posting date. ## How does NICL calculate your percentage? - NICL divides the total marks you obtained in all subjects in all semesters or years by the maximum marks in all subjects. - The calculation counts all subjects, including honours and optional subjects. - NICL ignores the fraction. A score of 59.99% counts as less than 60%. - If your university gives CGPA or OGPA, you must produce a certificate from the proper authority. - The certificate must state the university rules for conversion of grade into percentage and your percentage. ## What is the NICL AO age limit 2026? The minimum age is **21 years** and the maximum age is **30 years** on 1 October 2026. A candidate must be born on or after 2 October 1996 and on or before 1 October 2005. Both dates are included. The company relaxes the upper age limit for some categories. | Category | Relaxation | Upper age limit | | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------- | --------------- | | SC and ST | 5 years | 35 years | | OBC (non-creamy layer) | 3 years | 33 years | | PwBD (General and EWS) | 10 years | 40 years | | PwBD (OBC) | 13 years | 43 years | | PwBD (SC and ST) | 15 years | 45 years | | Ex-servicemen who meet the service rules in the notification | 5 years | 35 years | | Defence personnel disabled in operations or in a disturbed area | 3 years | 33 years | | Confirmed employees of public sector general insurance companies | 8 years | 38 years | A candidate who qualifies for more than one relaxation gets them together. The upper age limit cannot go above 45 years. The candidate must submit copies of the certificates and show the originals at the interview or at a later stage. ## Which nationality rules apply? A candidate must meet one of these conditions: - A citizen of India. - A subject of Nepal. - A subject of Bhutan. - A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 to settle in India. - A person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, an East African country, or Vietnam to settle in India. The East African countries in the notification are Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia. A candidate who is not a citizen of India needs a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India. ## Which other rules affect your eligibility? - You can apply for **one discipline only**. See the [notification page](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/notification/) for all disciplines. - An OBC candidate in the creamy layer must apply as Unreserved. - An EWS candidate needs a family gross annual income below ₹8 lakh for the financial year 2025-26. The certificate must carry a date after 31 March 2026. - A candidate who works for a government office or a public sector undertaking must tell the employer in writing before applying. Read the [how to apply page](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/how-to-apply/) to see the steps and fee. The [selection process page](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/selection-process/) lists the documents that you must bring to the interview. **Next step:** read the [how to apply guide](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/how-to-apply/). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the qualification for NICL AO Automobile Engineer 2026? A candidate needs a B.E., B.Tech, M.E., or M.Tech in Automobile Engineering. A degree in any engineering branch with a diploma of at least one year in automobile engineering also meets the rule. The marks must be 60% in either degree. ### What is the NICL AO age limit for 2026? The age limit is 21 to 30 years on 1 October 2026. A candidate must be born between 2 October 1996 and 1 October 2005, with both dates included. Some categories get relaxation in the upper age limit. ### How much age relaxation does NICL give to OBC candidates? OBC candidates in the non-creamy layer get 3 years of relaxation. Their upper age limit becomes 33 years. SC and ST candidates get 5 years of relaxation, so their upper age limit is 35 years. ### Does NICL treat 59.99% as 60%? No. NICL ignores the fraction of a percentage. A score of 59.99% counts as less than 60%. A candidate with 59.99% does not meet the 60% rule, so the application is not valid. ### What is the minimum percentage for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates? SC, ST, and PwBD candidates need at least 55% marks in either of the degree examinations. All other candidates need at least 60%. NICL ignores any fraction when it calculates the percentage. ### Can I apply for NICL AO Automobile Engineer with a diploma only? No. The diploma route also needs a B.E., B.Tech, M.E., or M.Tech degree in any engineering branch. The diploma must run for at least one year and must be in automobile engineering. A diploma alone does not meet the rule. ## More in this guide - [NICL AO Automobile Engineer 2026](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/): NICL AO Automobile Engineer 2026 has 20 posts. Phase I is on 17 November 2026. See eligibility, pattern, salary, cut off, and dates. - [Notification](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/notification/): NICL AO Automobile Engineer notification 2026 lists 20 posts, category-wise vacancies, and key dates. Phase I is on 17 November 2026. - [How to apply](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/how-to-apply/): NICL AO 2026 how to apply: registration steps, fee of ₹1,000 or ₹250, photo and signature sizes, and rules that can cancel your form. - [Selection process](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/selection-process/): NICL AO Automobile Engineer selection process: Phase I, Phase II, descriptive test, and interview. The final merit list uses an 80:20 weight. - [Exam pattern](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/exam-pattern/): NICL AO Automobile Engineer exam pattern 2026: Phase I has 100 marks 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-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/previous-year-cutoff/): NICL AO Automobile Engineer cut off: Phase I was 20.00 out of 100 in 2025 and 21.00 for UR in 2024. See sectional and Phase II marks. - [Salary and service](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/salary-and-service-conditions/): NICL AO Automobile Engineer salary 2026: basic pay ₹82,485, about ₹1,14,000 total in metro centres, plus benefits, probation, and bond rules. - [Exam date](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/exam-date/): NICL AO Prelims exam date 2026 is 17 November 2026. Phase II follows on 22 December 2026. See the schedule, duration, and rules for date changes. - [Exam centres](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/exam-centres/): NICL AO exam centres 2026: see the provisional Phase I and Phase II cities by zone and state, and the rules for centre changes. - [Admit card](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/admit-card/): NICL AO admit card 2026 for Phase I on 17 November 2026: download steps, login details, accepted photo IDs, and name match rules. - [Exam day checklist](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/before-exam-checklist/): NICL AO exam day checklist for Phase I on 17 November 2026: documents, banned items, reporting rules, and the Phase II biometric check.