# NICL AO IT Selection Process 2026: Stages and Weight > 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. Source: https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/selection-process/ 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 - Selection has three stages: Phase I, Phase II, and an interview. - The final score gives 80% weight to the Mains objective test and 20% to the interview. - The descriptive test only qualifies a candidate. Its marks do not count in the final score. The NICL AO IT selection process 2026 has three stages. Candidates take the Phase I (Prelims) online exam, then the Phase II (Mains) online exam, and then an interview. The final score uses an **80:20** ratio of Mains objective marks to interview 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 selection process 2026: stage by stage | Stage | Mode | What it covers | Role in selection | | ------------------------- | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------- | | Phase I (Prelims) | Online | English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude for 100 marks | Shortlists candidates for Phase II | | Phase II objective test | Online | Six tests for 250 marks, including IT professional knowledge | Gives 80% of the final score | | Phase II descriptive test | Online, typed | Essay, précis, and comprehension for 30 marks | Qualifying only | | Interview | At select centres | Personal interview | Gives 20% of the final score | The [exam pattern page](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/exam-pattern/) lists the marks and the time for each test. The [exam date page](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/exam-date/) lists the dates. ## How does shortlisting work? NICL applies cut-offs in two ways. It applies them on the score in each test. It also applies them on the total score. - **Phase I:** a candidate must get the passing marks in each section. NICL decides these marks. NICL shortlists about 15 times the number of vacancies in each category for Phase II, subject to availability. - **Phase II objective test:** a candidate must get a minimum score in each test. A candidate also needs a minimum total score. NICL sets it by the number of vacancies. - **Phase II descriptive test:** NICL checks the descriptive answers of candidates who qualify in the objective test only. The descriptive test has its own cut-off. - **Interview:** NICL calls candidates who NICL shortlists on the Phase II result. A candidate must get the minimum qualifying marks in the interview. NICL captures the thumb impression, the iris scan, and the photograph of each candidate on the day of Phase II. NICL checks them at later stages. A mismatch can lead to rejection. ## How does NICL decide the final merit list? NICL adds the Phase II objective score and the interview score with an 80:20 weight. Phase I marks do not count in this score. NICL ranks candidates from the highest score to the lowest. If two candidates have the same score, NICL looks at the interview marks first. The higher interview score wins. If these marks are equal, the older candidate ranks first. NICL may also make a waiting list. It holds up to 50% of the number of vacancies. NICL uses the waiting list if a selected candidate does not accept the offer. A medical fitness check is part of the appointment. NICL may equate scores if it holds an exam in more than one session. This step adjusts for small differences in difficulty between sessions. NICL reports each score with two decimal places. ## Which documents does NICL ask for at the interview? A candidate must bring originals and self-attested photocopies. A candidate who does not bring the required documents cannot take the interview. - 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. - A photo ID in original, and a photocopy. - Marksheets and certificates for Std X, Std XII, and graduation. The result must be declared on or before 1 October 2026. - A caste certificate with a caste validity certificate for SC, ST, and OBC candidates. The OBC certificate must show the non-creamy layer clause. - An income and asset certificate for EWS candidates. - A disability certificate and the Unique Disability ID card for PwBD candidates. - A No Objection Certificate for candidates who work in government or a public sector undertaking. - Experience certificates, if any. NICL pays the sleeper class rail or bus fare by the shortest route to a candidate called for the interview. The candidate must show the ticket or the receipt. **Next step:** read the [exam pattern](/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/exam-pattern/) for the marks and the time of each section. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the NICL AO IT selection process? The process has three stages. Candidates take the Phase I online exam, then the Phase II online exam, and then an interview. NICL ranks candidates by the combined score of the Mains objective test and the interview. ### What is the weight of the interview in NICL AO? The interview has 20% weight. The Mains objective test has 80% weight. A candidate must also get the minimum qualifying marks in the interview. The company decides these marks. ### How many candidates does NICL shortlist after Phase I? NICL shortlists about 15 times the number of vacancies in each category for Phase II, subject to availability. A candidate must also get the passing marks in each section of Phase I. ### Do descriptive test marks count in the NICL AO final merit? No. The descriptive test is qualifying in nature. NICL does not count its marks for the interview shortlist or the final selection. A candidate must still clear its separate cut-off. ### How does NICL break a tie in the final merit list? NICL first compares the interview marks. The candidate with higher interview marks ranks first. If these marks are equal, NICL ranks the older candidate first. The company also keeps a waiting list. ### Which documents does NICL ask for at the interview? NICL asks for the interview call letter, the application form printout, proof of date of birth, a photo ID, and marksheets and certificates. Category candidates also bring caste, income, or disability certificates. ## 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. - [Eligibility](https://bunkpoint.com/article/nicl/nicl-ao-information-technology-specialist-phase-i-prelims-2026/eligibility/): 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. - [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. - [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.