# NICL AO Automobile Engineer Selection Process 2026 > NICL AO Automobile Engineer selection process: Phase I, Phase II, descriptive test, and interview. The final merit list uses an 80:20 weight. Source: https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/selection-process/ 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 - The process has three parts: Phase I (Prelims), Phase II (Mains), and an interview. - Phase I only qualifies you. The final score uses Phase II objective marks and interview marks. - The weight is 80% for Phase II objective marks and 20% for the interview. The NICL AO Automobile Engineer selection process has three parts. These are the Phase I (Prelims) online exam, the Phase II (Mains) online exam with a descriptive test, and an interview. Phase I only qualifies a candidate for Phase II. The final score uses **80% Phase II objective marks** and **20% interview marks**. See the [NICL AO Automobile Engineer 2026 guide](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/) for all pages. ## NICL AO Automobile Engineer selection process: the stages | Stage | Mode | What it does | | ------------------------- | -------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | | Phase I (Prelims) | Online objective test, 100 marks | Shortlists about 15 times the vacancies for Phase II | | Phase II objective test | Online, 250 marks, 3 hours | Counts for 80% of the final score | | Phase II descriptive test | Online typing test, 30 marks | Qualifying only | | Interview | At centres chosen by the company | Counts for 20% of the final score | Phase I applies to all disciplines. Read the [exam pattern page](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/exam-pattern/) for the sections, marks, and timing of each test. ## How does NICL shortlist candidates for Phase II? A candidate must secure passing marks in each section of Phase I. The company decides these marks. It shortlists about **15 times the number of vacancies** in each category, subject to availability. For the 20 Automobile Engineer posts, 15 times is about 300 candidates. NICL applies cut offs in two stages. It sets a minimum for each individual test and then a minimum for the total score. A candidate must clear both. See the [previous year cut off page](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/previous-year-cutoff/) for past figures. ## How does NICL shortlist candidates for the interview? The company checks the descriptive answer only for candidates who clear the minimum score in each section of the Phase II objective test. There is also a separate cut off for the descriptive test. The descriptive test is qualifying in nature. A candidate needs a minimum total score in the Phase II objective test. The candidate must also qualify in the descriptive test. The company decides the minimum score based on the number of vacancies. The company shortlists candidates for the interview on the overall marks in the Phase II objective test. ## How does the final merit list work? The combined final score uses the Phase II objective marks and the interview marks. The weight is **80:20**. A candidate must also secure the minimum qualifying marks in the interview. The company ranks candidates in descending order of consolidated marks. If two candidates have the same score, the higher interview marks rank first. If those are equal too, the older candidate ranks first. Candidates inside the number of vacancies in the merit list get appointment offers. The company may also keep a waiting list of up to 50% of the vacancies. It uses the waiting list if a selected candidate does not accept an offer. Appointment needs medical fitness as per the company requirements. The company may appoint selected candidates in more than one batch. ## What documents does NICL ask for at the interview? The candidate must bring originals and self-attested photocopies. The company may refuse the interview if a document is missing. - The printout of the interview call letter. - The system-generated printout of the online application form. - Proof of date of birth, such as a birth certificate or a Std X certificate with the date of birth. - Original photo ID and a photocopy. - Mark sheets and certificates for Std X, Std XII, and graduation. The result must be out on or before 1 October 2026. - A caste certificate with a caste validity certificate, for SC, ST, and OBC candidates. - For OBC candidates, a certificate with the non-creamy layer clause. It must rely on income for 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26. It must carry a date after 31 March 2026. - For EWS candidates, an Income and Asset Certificate in the prescribed format. - For PwBD candidates, a disability certificate and the Unique Disability ID (UDID) card. - For ex-servicemen, the proforma certificates in the notification. - For government and public sector employees, a No Objection Certificate from the employer. - Experience certificates, if any. The company issues the interview call letter on its website. It does not entertain a request to change the date or centre of the interview. **Next step:** read the [NICL AO Automobile Engineer exam pattern](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-automobile-engineer-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/exam-pattern/). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the selection process for NICL AO Automobile Engineer? The process has an online Phase I (Prelims), an online Phase II (Mains) with a descriptive test, and an interview. The company then prepares a final merit list. Appointment also needs medical fitness as per the company requirements. ### Do Phase I marks count in the NICL AO final merit list? No. Phase I only shortlists candidates for Phase II. The combined final score uses the Phase II objective test and the interview only. The weight is 80% for Phase II and 20% for the interview. ### How many candidates does NICL shortlist for Phase II? NICL shortlists about 15 times the number of vacancies in each category, subject to availability. For 20 Automobile Engineer posts, 15 times is about 300 candidates. The company sets the passing marks for each section. ### Is the NICL AO descriptive test qualifying? Yes. The descriptive test is qualifying in nature. Its marks do not count for the interview shortlist or the final selection. A candidate must still meet the separate cut off that the company sets for the descriptive test. ### How does NICL break a tie in the merit list? If two candidates have the same consolidated score, NICL ranks the candidate with higher interview marks first. If the interview marks are also equal, it ranks the older candidate first, based on date of birth. ### Which documents does NICL ask for at the interview? The company asks for the interview call letter, an application form printout, proof of date of birth, photo ID, mark sheets, and category certificates. Bring originals and self-attested photocopies. ## 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. - [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. - [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.