East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
East Coast Railway (ECoR), Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Bhubaneswar has released the Centralized Notification for Engagement of Act Apprentices for the year 2026–27. A total of 1,599 Act Apprentice training slots are available across various divisions, workshops and departments under East Coast Railway.
The online application process will begin on 26 August 2026 at 5:00 PM and the last date to apply online is 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM. Interested candidates should check the eligibility, trade requirements, age limit, fee and other conditions before applying.
East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | East Coast Railway |
| Recruitment Cell | Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar |
| Notification No. | ECoR/Pers/RRC/Act Apprentice/2026-27 |
| Training Year | 2026–27 |
| Post/Engagement | Act Apprentice |
| Total Slots | 1,599 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 26 August 2026 |
| Application Start Time | 5:00 PM |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 September 2026 |
| Closing Time | 5:00 PM |
| Selection Process | Merit-Based |
| Written Exam | No |
| Viva | No |
| Official Website | rrcbbs.org.in |
East Coast Railway has notified 1,599 Act Apprentice slots for training in designated trades under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
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East Coast Railway Apprentice Vacancy 2026
The total 1,599 apprentice slots are distributed across different units and departments.
| Unit / Division | Total Slots |
|---|---|
| Carriage Repair Workshop, Mancheswar, Bhubaneswar | 250 |
| RGDA Division | 292 |
| Khurda Road Division | 773 |
| Sambalpur Division | 262 |
| Headquarters, East Coast Railway, Bhubaneswar | 22 |
| Grand Total | 1,599 |
The detailed trade-wise vacancy table is provided in Annexure-A of the official notification. The overall category-wise breakup is UR 633, SC 251, ST 116, OBC 435, EWS 164, PwBD 50 and ESM 42.
Major Trades
Candidates can apply for eligible trades including:
- Fitter
- Welder
- Turner
- Machinist
- Electrician
- Carpenter
- Painter
- Sheet Metal Worker
- Mechanic Diesel
- Mechanic Motor Vehicle
- Black Smith
- Plumber
- Wireman
- Refrigeration & AC Mechanic
- Bridge Erector
- Driller
- Mason
- Draftsman Civil
- Draftsman Mechanic
- Electronics Mechanic
- Computer Operator & Programming Assistant
- Secretarial Assistant (Stenography)
- Laboratory Technician (Pathology)
- Sarang
- Grinder
The exact availability of each trade depends on the concerned Division/Workshop and category-wise vacancy table in Annexure-A.
East Coast Railway Apprentice Eligibility 2026
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have already passed the prescribed qualification by 21 August 2026, the date of issue of the notification.
The general educational qualification is:
- Passed Matriculation (10th Class) under the 10+2 examination system.
- Minimum 50% aggregate marks from a recognized Board.
- Possess an ITI certificate in the relevant trade affiliated to NCVT/SCVT, as applicable under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
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Important Qualification Conditions
Candidates whose SSC/10th or ITI results are awaited on the date of notification are not eligible.
Candidates who have failed ITI should not apply.
Engineering graduates and diploma holders are also not eligible under this particular notification, as they fall under a separate apprenticeship scheme.
Special Qualification for Laboratory Technician
For Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology), candidates must have passed 12th Class under the 10+2 system with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with minimum 50% marks in both 10th and 12th.
Secretarial Assistant / Stenographer
For Secretarial Assistant and Stenographer-related engagement, the candidate must possess the prescribed National Trade Certificate (NTC) approved by NCVT/SCVT.
Computer Operator & Programming Assistant
Candidates for Computer Operator & Programming Assistant must meet the specific IT-sector training and NTC requirements prescribed in the notification.
Age Limit for East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
The candidate’s age should be 15 to 24 years as on 15 September 2026, which is the closing date of the online application.
Age Relaxation for East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
| Category | Upper Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| OBC | 3 Years |
| PwBD | 10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per notification/rules |
The notification also contains specific provisions relating to Ex-Servicemen and eligible children of Armed Forces personnel.
Application Fee for East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
The application fee is ₹100.
However, SC, ST, PwBD and Women candidates are exempted from payment of the application fee.
The applicable fee must be paid online through the integrated payment gateway using options such as Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI or Internet Banking.
East Coast Railway Apprentice Selection Process 2026
Selection for Act Apprentice engagement will be made through a merit list.
There will be:
- No written examination
- No interview/viva
The merit list for each unit will be prepared on the basis of the percentage of marks obtained in Matriculation, subject to the minimum 50% aggregate requirement.
Marks obtained in all subjects will be considered. The calculation will not be based on a “best of five” method.
Tie-Breaking
If two candidates secure the same marks:
- The older candidate will be given preference.
- If dates of birth are also identical, the candidate who passed Matriculation earlier will receive priority.
The final selection will remain subject to document verification and medical fitness.
Training Period and Stipend
Selected candidates will undergo apprenticeship training according to the applicable rules.
During the training period, apprentices will receive a stipend at the prescribed rate in accordance with the prevailing rules and Railway Board directives. The notification does not specify a fixed stipend amount in the general training section.
Candidates should also note that hostel accommodation will not be provided during training, and apprentices will have to make their own arrangements.
Documents Required for East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Candidates need to upload clear scanned copies of the required documents, including:
- Matriculation/Class 10 marksheet and certificate
- Proof of date of birth, if required
- Consolidated ITI semester marksheet or provisional NTC showing marks
- NCVT NTC or provisional NCVT/SCVT certificate
- SC/ST/OBC certificate, wherever applicable
- EWS Income & Asset Certificate, wherever applicable
- PwBD certificate, wherever applicable
- Discharge/Serving Certificate for Ex-Servicemen quota
- Fee-exemption certificate, wherever applicable
- Recent photograph
- Scanned signature
Original documents must be produced during Document Verification.
Photograph and Signature Requirements
The notification specifies that the recent colour photograph should be:
- 3.5 cm × 3.5 cm
- JPG/JPEG format
- 100 DPI
- File size between 20 KB and 70 KB
- Taken not earlier than three months before application
The scanned signature should also be 3.5 cm × 3.5 cm, JPG/JPEG format at 100 DPI, with file size between 20 KB and 30 KB.
How to Apply for East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates can apply online through the Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar website.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official RRC/BBS website.
- Open the East Coast Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026–27 application link.
- Complete the registration process.
- Log in using the registration credentials.
- Enter personal, educational and ITI details carefully.
- Select the eligible trade and preferred Division/Workshop as permitted.
- Upload the required photograph, signature and certificates.
- Pay the applicable application fee.
- Verify all details carefully.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
- Download and print the final application form for future reference.
Only one application is permitted for a candidate in the prescribed manner. Candidates should preserve their registration number and final application printout.
Important Point About Division/Workshop Choice
Candidates are required to exercise their preference carefully. The notification states that a candidate will be considered for only one Unit–Department–Trade combination based on merit and preference.
Once selected against a higher preference, lower preferences will automatically be treated as cancelled. After selection, requests for changing the trade, division or workshop will not be entertained.
Is East Coast Railway Apprentice a Permanent Railway Job?
No. This notification is for Act Apprentice training under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
Completion of apprenticeship does not create an automatic right to employment in the Railways. The notification specifically states that the employer is not obligated to offer employment after completion of training.
East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 21 August 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 26 August 2026 at 5:00 PM |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM |
| Document Verification | To be notified |
| Training | As per applicable apprenticeship rules |
The Railway Recruitment Cell advises candidates to submit applications well before the closing date to avoid problems caused by heavy website traffic.
East Coast Railway Apprentice 2026 – Important Instructions
Candidates should carefully check the following before submitting the application:
- Enter all information exactly as mentioned in certificates.
- Name, father’s name and date of birth should match the Matriculation certificate.
- Upload clear documents.
- Do not submit multiple applications in violation of the notification.
- Keep the registered mobile number and email ID active throughout the process.
- No hard copies of the application/documents are required to be sent by post.
- Produce original documents during Document Verification.
- Incorrect information or discrepancies may lead to rejection.
- Candidates should beware of fake websites and agents.
The Railway Recruitment Cell has specifically advised candidates to use only the official RRC/BBS website for this recruitment.
East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Official Website
Official Website: RRC Bhubaneswar – www.rrcbbs.org.in
Candidates should apply only through the official RRC/BBS online application portal and should avoid unofficial websites or agents.
Conclusion for ECoR Apprentice Recruitment 2026
The East Coast Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 offers a major apprenticeship opportunity with 1,599 training slots across Mancheswar, RGDA, Khurda Road, Sambalpur and East Coast Railway Headquarters.
Candidates with 10th/Matriculation qualification and relevant ITI certification can apply for eligible trades. Selection will be made purely on academic merit, with no written examination or viva. The online application window will open on 26 August 2026 at 5:00 PM and close on 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Eligible candidates should complete the application carefully and upload all required documents before the deadline.
Important Links
| Particular | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
FAQs – East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Q1. How many vacancies are available in East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
A total of 1,599 Act Apprentice slots are available.
Q2. When will the online application start?
The online application starts on 26 August 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Q3. What is the last date to apply?
The last date is 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Q4. What is the age limit?
The general age limit is 15 to 24 years as on 15 September 2026, with applicable relaxation for reserved categories.
Q5. What is the educational qualification?
Candidates generally need 10th/Matriculation with at least 50% aggregate marks and relevant ITI qualification.
Q6. Is there any written exam?
No. Selection is based on the Matriculation merit list, and there is no written test or viva.
Q7. What is the application fee?
The fee is ₹100. SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates are exempted.
Q8. Is the apprenticeship a permanent Railway job?
No. Completion of apprenticeship does not provide an automatic right to permanent Railway employment.
Q9. Where can candidates apply?
Applications are submitted online through the official RRC/BBS website at rrcbbs.org.in.
Q10. What is the total vacancy breakup?
The notification provides 1,599 total slots, including 633 UR, 251 SC, 116 ST, 435 OBC, 164 EWS, 50 PwBD and 42 ESM slots.