# NICL AO IT Eligibility 2026: Age, Degree, 60% Marks > NICL AO IT eligibility 2026: age 21 to 30 years, B.E., B.Tech., M.E., M.Tech. in CS or IT, or MCA, with 60% marks. See relaxation and rules. Source: https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/eligibility/ Category: [NICL](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/) Guide: [NICL AO Information Technology 2026](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/) ## In short - The IT discipline needs a degree in Computer Science or Information Technology, or an MCA. - The degree needs at least 60% marks, or 55% for SC, ST, and PwBD. - The age limit is 21 to 30 years as on 1 October 2026. NICL AO IT eligibility 2026 needs a degree in Computer Science or Information Technology, or an MCA, with at least **60%** marks. The age limit is **21 to 30 years** as on 1 October 2026. SC, ST, and PwBD candidates need at least 55% marks. This page is part of the [NICL AO IT Specialist 2026 guide](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/). ## NICL AO IT eligibility 2026: degree and marks The IT discipline accepts B.E., B.Tech., M.E., or M.Tech. in Computer Science or Information Technology. It also accepts an MCA. The degree must come from a recognized university. The candidate needs at least 60% marks in either of the degree examinations. SC, ST, and PwBD candidates (persons with benchmark disabilities) need at least 55%. The university must have UGC approval, or the institute must have AICTE approval. {{< callout type="important" >}}The final result of the qualifying degree must be published on or before 1 October 2026. NICL cancels the candidature of an ineligible candidate at any stage.{{< /callout >}} ### How does NICL count the percentage? - NICL divides the total marks in all subjects and all semesters or years by the maximum marks in all subjects. - NICL counts honours, optional, and additional optional subjects in this total. - NICL ignores the fraction. A score of 59.99% counts as less than 60%. - A candidate with a CGPA or OGPA must get a certificate from the university or institute. It must state the conversion rule and the percentage scored. - The date on the marksheet or provisional certificate decides the date of passing. - If the university posts the result on its website, get a certificate that states the posting date. ## What is the NICL AO IT age limit? The minimum age is **21 years**. The maximum age is **30 years**. NICL counts the age as on 1 October 2026. A candidate must have been born not earlier than 2 October 1996 and not later than 1 October 2005. Both dates are included. ## What age relaxation does NICL give? NICL relaxes the upper age limit for some categories. The candidate must submit the certificate and show the original at the interview. | Category | Relaxation in the upper age limit | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------- | | Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes | 5 years | | Other Backward Classes (non-creamy layer) | 3 years | | PwBD (General and EWS) | 10 years | | PwBD (SC and ST) | 15 years | | PwBD (OBC) | 13 years | | Ex-servicemen and commissioned officers who meet the service rule | 5 years | | Defence personnel disabled in operations or in a disturbed area | 3 years | | Confirmed employees of public sector general insurance companies | 8 years | A candidate who fits more than one category gets the relaxations added together. The maximum age must not go above **45 years**. NICL has no reservation for ex-servicemen in the officer cadre. ## Who can apply: nationality rules A candidate must be one of these: - 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 for good. - A person of Indian origin who moved from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or certain African countries or Vietnam to settle in India for good. The last four groups need a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India. ## What category rules apply? An OBC candidate in the creamy layer must choose the Un-Reserved (General) category. An EWS candidate must have a family income below ₹8,00,000 for the financial year 2025-26. The EWS certificate must come from after 31 March 2026. A candidate who works in a government office or a public sector undertaking must tell the employer in writing. This candidate must bring a No Objection Certificate to the interview. A candidate can apply for any one discipline only. Read the [notification page](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/notification/) for the IT vacancy table and the [selection process page](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/selection-process/) for the documents NICL checks. **Next step:** read how to [apply online](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/how-to-apply/) and see the fee and file rules. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the minimum qualification for NICL AO IT? A candidate needs B.E., B.Tech., M.E., or M.Tech. in Computer Science or Information Technology, or an MCA, from a recognized university. The marks must be at least 60%, or 55% for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates. ### Can a candidate with 59.99% marks apply for NICL AO? No. NICL ignores the fraction of a percent. It treats 59.99% as less than 60%. A candidate in the SC, ST, or PwBD category needs at least 55%. ### What is the age limit for NICL AO IT 2026? The age limit is 21 to 30 years as on 1 October 2026. A candidate must have been born between 2 October 1996 and 1 October 2005, both dates included. Some categories get age relaxation. ### How much age relaxation does an OBC candidate get? An OBC candidate in the non-creamy layer gets 3 years of relaxation in the upper age limit. SC and ST candidates get 5 years. Relaxation adds up for more than one category, up to a maximum age of 45 years. ### What if my degree result is not out yet? The final result of the qualifying degree must be published on or before 1 October 2026. NICL cancels the candidature of an ineligible candidate at any stage of the recruitment process. ### How does NICL treat a CGPA? A candidate with a CGPA or OGPA must get a certificate from the university or institute. The certificate must state the conversion rule of the university and the percentage of marks the candidate scored. ### Can a creamy layer OBC candidate use OBC reservation? No. A candidate in the creamy layer gets no OBC reservation or age relaxation. The candidate must choose the Un-Reserved (General) category in the application form. ## More in this guide - [NICL AO Information Technology 2026](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/): NICL AO IT Specialist 2026 has 11 posts. Phase I is on 17 November 2026. Read eligibility, fee, exam pattern, salary and the full guide. - [Notification](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/notification/): NICL AO IT notification 2026 lists 11 IT Specialist posts out of 321. See the vacancy table, key dates, fee and pay. Phase I is on 17 November 2026. - [How to Apply](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/how-to-apply/): NICL AO IT apply online 2026 closed on 28 October 2026. See the fee of ₹1,000 or ₹250, the application steps, and the photo and signature rules. - [Selection Process](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/selection-process/): NICL AO IT selection process 2026 has Phase I, Phase II and an interview. NICL gives 80% weight to the Mains objective test and 20% to the interview. - [Exam Pattern](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/exam-pattern/): NICL AO IT exam pattern 2026: Phase I has 100 marks in 60 minutes. Phase II has six objective tests for 250 marks. Wrong answers lose one-fourth. - [Salary and Job Profile](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/salary-and-job-profile/): NICL AO IT salary 2026 starts at ₹82,485 basic pay. Total pay is about ₹1,14,000 in metro centres. See the pay scale, benefits, probation and bond. - [Exam Date](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/exam-date/): NICL AO IT exam date 2026: Phase I is on 17 November 2026 and Phase II is on 22 December 2026. See the exam length, centre rules and centre list. - [Admit Card](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/admit-card/): NICL AO IT admit card 2026 is the call letter for Phase I on 17 November 2026. See the login details, download steps and what to check on it. - [Exam Day Checklist](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/before-exam-checklist/): NICL AO exam day checklist 2026 for Phase I on 17 November 2026. See the documents to carry, the banned items, the reporting rules and the ID list.