The East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 application process has started for 1,599 Act Apprentice slots across different divisions, workshops and departments of East Coast Railway. Eligible candidates can now submit their applications online through the Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Bhubaneswar portal.
The online application window opened on August 26, 2026, at 5:00 PM and will remain available until September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Candidates who meet the prescribed Class 10 and ITI requirements should complete the application well before the closing deadline.
RRC Bhubaneswar released the centralised notification on August 21 for apprenticeship training during 2026-27. Candidates should note that this is apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961, and not recruitment to a permanent Railway post. Selection will be made on the basis of Class 10 marks without a written examination or interview.
Table of Contents
East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | East Coast Railway |
| Recruitment | Act Apprentice 2026-27 |
| Total Slots | 1,599 |
| Application Status | Applications Open |
| Application Start Date | August 26, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Last Date to Apply | September 15, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Age Limit | 15 to 24 years |
| Qualification | Class 10 with 50% and relevant ITI |
| Application Fee | ₹100 |
| Selection Process | Class 10 merit |
| Written Examination | No |
| Application Mode | Online |
Eligible candidates can now access the application facility through the Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar website.
East Coast Railway Apprentice Vacancy Details
A total of 1,599 apprenticeship slots have been announced across five major units of East Coast Railway.
| Unit/Division | Apprentice Slots |
|---|---|
| Carriage Repair Workshop, Mancheswar | 250 |
| Rayagada Division | 292 |
| Khurda Road Division | 773 |
| Sambalpur Division | 262 |
| ECoR Headquarters, Bhubaneswar | 22 |
| Total | 1,599 |
The Khurda Road Division has the highest number of vacancies with 773 slots. Positions are available across mechanical, electrical, engineering, signal and telecommunication, medical and other departments.
Category-Wise Vacancy Distribution
| Category | Slots |
|---|---|
| UR | 633 |
| SC | 251 |
| ST | 116 |
| OBC | 435 |
| EWS | 164 |
| Total | 1,599 |
The notification also provides 50 PwBD slots and 42 Ex-Servicemen quota slots as horizontal reservations within the total notified vacancies.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | August 21, 2026 |
| Online Application Started | August 26, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Current Application Status | Open |
| Last Date to Apply | September 15, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Age Calculation Date | September 15, 2026 |
Candidates have approximately three weeks to complete the application process and should avoid waiting until the final day.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy both the educational and technical qualification requirements prescribed for their selected trade.
Educational Qualification
Applicants should have passed Matriculation/Class 10 under the 10+2 examination system with at least 50% aggregate marks from a recognised board.
Candidates must also possess the prescribed ITI qualification in the relevant trade, supported by the required NCVT or SCVT trade certification.
Applicants whose Class 10 or ITI results were awaited on August 21, 2026, are not eligible.
Engineering graduates and diploma holders are not eligible under this particular Act Apprentice notification, as they are covered under a separate apprenticeship scheme.
Qualifications for Medical Laboratory Technician
Candidates applying for Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology) should have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, along with at least 50% marks in both Class 10 and Class 12.
Trades Available
The recruitment includes apprenticeship opportunities in trades such as:
- Fitter
- Welder
- Turner
- Machinist
- Electrician
- Carpenter
- Painter
- Mechanic Diesel
- Secretarial Assistant/Stenography
- Black Smith
- Driller
- Bridge Erector
- Sheet Metal Worker
- Electronics Mechanic
- Wireman
- Refrigeration and AC Mechanic
- Plumber
- Draftsman Civil
- Motor Vehicle Mechanic
- Computer Operator and Programming Assistant
- Laboratory Technician (Pathology)
- Sarang
- Grinder
- Mason
- Draftsman Mechanic
Applicants should check the trade-wise vacancy position for their preferred Division or Workshop before submitting the form.
East Coast Railway Apprentice Age Limit 2026
Candidates should be between 15 and 24 years of age as of September 15, 2026.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| UR | No relaxation |
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per the prescribed rules |
Eligible Ex-Servicemen may receive additional relaxation based on the period of defence service in accordance with the notification.
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹100 |
| SC | No Fee |
| ST | No Fee |
| PwBD | No Fee |
| Women Candidates | No Fee |
The ₹100 application fee is non-refundable and can be paid online through the available payment gateway.
Selection Process
There will be no written examination or interview for the East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026.
The merit list for each unit will be prepared based on the percentage of marks secured in Class 10, subject to the minimum qualifying requirement of 50% aggregate marks.
Marks obtained in all Class 10 subjects will be considered while calculating the percentage. The best-of-five method will not be followed.
In case two candidates secure the same marks:
- Preference will be given to the older candidate.
- If their dates of birth are also the same, preference will be given to the candidate who passed Matriculation earlier.
Candidates shortlisted through the merit list will subsequently be called for Document Verification and medical fitness verification.
Training and Stipend
Selected candidates will undergo apprenticeship training for the period prescribed under the Apprentices Act and applicable Railway rules.
Apprentices will receive a monthly stipend at the prescribed rate during their training period. The notification does not specify one uniform stipend amount, as payment will be governed by the applicable apprenticeship and Railway Board rules.
No hostel accommodation will be provided.
Candidates must also understand that completion of apprenticeship training does not automatically provide a right to permanent employment with Indian Railways.
How to Apply for East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
The online application process is now active. Eligible candidates can complete their registration through the RRC Bhubaneswar portal before September 15.
- Visit the Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar website.
- Open the Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27 section.
- Click on the online application/registration option.
- Complete the initial registration process.
- Log in using the generated credentials.
- Enter personal, educational and ITI details carefully.
- Provide Aadhaar or permitted Aadhaar enrolment details.
- Select the relevant trade and Division/Workshop preference.
- Upload the prescribed photograph, signature and certificates.
- Pay the ₹100 fee, where applicable.
- Review all details carefully before final submission.
- Submit the application and retain a copy of the completed form and registration number.
Candidates should submit only one application in accordance with the conditions prescribed in the notification. Duplicate or incorrect applications may be rejected.
Documents Required
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before starting the application:
- Class 10 mark sheet and pass certificate
- Proof of date of birth, where required
- ITI consolidated mark sheet
- National/Provisional Trade Certificate
- SC/ST/OBC certificate, where applicable
- EWS Income and Asset Certificate
- PwBD certificate, where applicable
- Ex-Servicemen or serving certificate, where applicable
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Scanned signature
- Aadhaar details
The photograph should be 3.5 cm × 3.5 cm, in JPG/JPEG format and between 20 KB and 70 KB. The scanned signature should also measure 3.5 cm × 3.5 cm and should be between 20 KB and 30 KB.
Important Instructions for Applicants
Candidates can select only one Division or Workshop, and their choice will become final after submission.
Applicants should therefore verify that vacancies are available for their ITI trade in the selected Division or Workshop before completing the application.
Original certificates will be required during Document Verification. Shortlisted candidates will also have to produce the prescribed medical fitness certificate issued by an authorised government doctor.
The notified 1,599 apprenticeship slots are provisional and may be increased or decreased depending on East Coast Railway’s requirements.
What Candidates Should Do Now
The East Coast Railway Apprentice application window is currently open, so eligible Class 10 and ITI-qualified candidates can complete their forms without waiting for any further notification.
Applicants should first confirm that their ITI trade is available in the preferred Division or Workshop, prepare the necessary certificates, and enter their Class 10 marks accurately, as these marks will directly determine the merit ranking.
The final deadline is September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Since no written examination will be conducted, candidates should focus on submitting an error-free application before the portal closes.
