# NICL AO 2026 How to Apply: Fee, Photo and Steps > 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. Source: https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/how-to-apply/ 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 - Online registration closed on 28 October 2026. - The fee was ₹1,000, or ₹250 for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates. - The form needed a photo, signature, left thumb impression, and handwritten declaration. This NICL AO 2026 how to apply guide lists the steps, the fee, and the file rules from the official advertisement. Online registration ran from **8 October 2026** to **28 October 2026**. The window is now closed. Return to the [NICL AO Automobile Engineer 2026 guide](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/) for the next stages. {{< callout type="important" >}} Online registration and fee payment closed on **28 October 2026**. The company accepts no other mode of application. {{< /callout >}} ## NICL AO 2026 how to apply: step by step The advertisement gave these steps for the online form: 1. Open the Recruitment section of the NICL website. 2. Click the APPLY ONLINE option. 3. Click "Click here for New Registration". Enter your name, contact details, and email ID. 4. Note the provisional registration number and password. The system also sends them by email and SMS. 5. Fill in the form. Use the SAVE AND NEXT tab to save your data. 6. Upload your photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and handwritten declaration. 7. Capture a live photograph with a webcam or a phone. 8. Open the Preview tab and check every detail. 9. Click COMPLETE REGISTRATION. You cannot change any detail after this step. 10. Open the PAYMENT tab and pay the fee. 11. Click SUBMIT. Print the e-receipt and the application form. {{< callout type="official" >}} The company gives the full procedure in the [official notification on the NICL website](https://nationalinsurance.nic.co.in/recruitment). {{< /callout >}} ## How much is the NICL AO application fee? | Category | Application fee | | -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | | SC, ST, and PwBD | ₹250 (intimation charges only, with GST) | | All other candidates | ₹1,000 (application fee with intimation charges and GST) | The company does not refund the fee. It does not adjust the fee against a later recruitment. The candidate pays any bank transaction charge. Payment options are debit cards (RuPay, Visa, MasterCard, or Maestro), credit cards, internet banking, IMPS, cash cards, and mobile wallets. Wait for the message from the server after payment. Do not press the back button or the refresh button. These actions can cause a double charge. No e-receipt means the payment failed. Log in again with your provisional registration number and password. Then pay again. ## What are the photo and signature rules? | Item | Size | File size | Other rules | | ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | | Photograph | 4.5 cm by 3.5 cm (200 by 230 pixels preferred) | 20 KB to 50 KB | Recent colour passport style picture on a light background | | Signature | 140 by 60 pixels preferred | 10 KB to 20 KB | Black ink on white paper, not in capital letters | | Left thumb impression | 240 by 240 pixels at 200 DPI | 20 KB to 50 KB | Black or blue ink on white paper, in JPG or JPEG format | | Handwritten declaration | 800 by 400 pixels at 200 DPI | 50 KB to 100 KB | English, black ink, white paper, not in capital letters | The photograph must show a clear face. Caps, hats, and dark glasses are not allowed. Religious headwear is allowed if it does not cover the face. A candidate who has no left thumb may use the right thumb. The signature on the form must match the signature on the call letter and the attendance sheet. A mismatch leads to disqualification. ## How do you write the handwritten declaration? The declaration states that all information in the form is correct, true, and valid. It also states that the candidate will present supporting documents when required. Copy the exact text from the official advertisement. The candidate must write it in English, in his or her own handwriting. It must not be in capital letters. If another person writes it, NICL treats the application as invalid. A visually impaired candidate who cannot write may type the text and add a left thumb impression below it. ## Which mistakes can make an application invalid? - You apply for more than one discipline. The company keeps only the latest valid application and forfeits the other fees. - You do not upload the photograph, signature, left thumb impression, or declaration. - The image is unclear or smudged. - The payment fails. - Your name does not match your certificates, mark sheets, and ID proof. You must keep a valid personal email ID and mobile number active until the recruitment ends. The company sends call letters and other notices only to these contacts. A candidate who works for the government or a public sector undertaking must tell the employer in writing. The candidate gives an undertaking about this when applying. ## Can you get pre-exam training? SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), and PwBD candidates may ask for online pre-exam training in the form. The company informs them of the date and venue by registered email and mobile number. They attend at their own cost. The training gives no right to a job. See the [eligibility page](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/eligibility/) before you plan an application. The [selection process page](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/selection-process/) lists the stages after the application. **Next step:** read the [NICL AO Automobile Engineer selection process](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/selection-process/). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the NICL AO 2026 application fee? The fee is ₹1,000 for all candidates except SC, ST, and PwBD candidates. SC, ST, and PwBD candidates pay ₹250 as intimation charges with GST. The company does not refund the fee or hold it for another recruitment. ### What was the last date to apply for NICL AO 2026? The last date for online registration was 28 October 2026. Fee payment ran from 8 October 2026 to 28 October 2026, with both days included. The company accepts no other mode of application. ### What size must the photo be for NICL AO? The photograph must measure 4.5 cm by 3.5 cm. The preferred size is 200 by 230 pixels. The file must be between 20 KB and 50 KB. Use a recent colour passport style picture on a light background. ### Can a candidate write the declaration in capital letters? No. The handwritten declaration must be in English, in the candidate's own handwriting, and not in capital letters. NICL treats the application as invalid if another person writes it or if it is in another language. ### How can a candidate pay the NICL AO fee? Payment is online only. The options are debit cards (RuPay, Visa, MasterCard, or Maestro), credit cards, internet banking, IMPS, cash cards, and mobile wallets. The system makes an e-receipt after a successful payment. ### Can a candidate change the form after submission? No. NICL allows no change to any detail after the candidate clicks COMPLETE REGISTRATION. The company does not entertain requests for correction. Check the Preview tab before you complete the registration. ## 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. - [Eligibility](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/eligibility/): NICL AO Automobile Engineer eligibility 2026: automobile degree, 60% marks, and age 21 to 30 years on 1 October 2026, with relaxation rules. - [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.