Central Railway has released a notification for engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Central Railway is inviting online applications for 2,861 Apprentice training slots in various designated trades across workshops and units under Central Railway.
Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the RRC Central Railway website from 03 November 2026 at 11:00 HRS. The last date to apply online is 02 December 2026 up to 17:00 HRS.
This is an apprenticeship training opportunity rather than a regular Railway appointment. Candidates who are already undergoing or have already undergone apprenticeship training are not eligible to apply against this notification.
Official Notification PDF: Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Central Railway |
| Recruiting Body | Railway Recruitment Cell, Central Railway |
| Notification No. | RRC/CR/AA/2026 |
| Post | Act Apprentice |
| Total Training Slots | 2,861 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 03 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 02 December 2026 |
| Training Period | 1 Year |
| Stipend | ₹9,600 per month |
| Official Website | www.rrccr.com |
Central Railway Apprentice Vacancy 2026
A total of 2,861 training slots are available under the Central Railway Apprentice recruitment. The slots are distributed across different clusters, divisions, workshops and units.
The major clusters covered by the notification are:
- Mumbai Cluster
- Bhusawal Cluster
- Pune Cluster
- Nagpur Cluster
- Solapur Cluster
The notification contains detailed trade-wise and unit-wise vacancy tables for these clusters. Candidates must check the available slots against their ITI trade before selecting a cluster and unit.
Central Railway Apprentice Trades 2026
The recruitment covers a wide range of ITI trades. Depending on the selected unit, candidates can find training opportunities in trades such as:
| Major Trades | Examples of Eligible ITI Trade |
|---|---|
| Engineering & Mechanical | Fitter, Turner, Machinist, Welder, Carpenter, Painter, Blacksmith, Mason |
| Electrical | Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, Wireman |
| Automobile/Diesel | Mechanic Diesel, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Mechanic Auto Electrical & Electronics |
| Electronics & Communication | Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic Radio and TV, Communication Equipment Maintenance |
| Computer/IT | Programming & Systems Administration Assistant, Information & Communication Technology System Maintenance |
| Other Trades | Stenographer, Tailor, Sheet Metal Worker, Cable Jointer and others |
The exact eligible ITI trade differs by training unit. For example, the Mumbai cluster tables include Fitter, Welder, Carpenter, Painter, Tailor, Electrician, Machinist, Turner, Instrument Mechanic, Electronics Mechanic, Programming & Systems Administration Assistant and Mechanic Diesel among others.
The notification also lists specialized trades under Signal and Telecom departments, including Cable Jointer, Wireman, Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic-cum-Operator and Information and Communication Technology System Maintenance.
Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Eligibility Criteria
Candidates applying for the Central Railway Apprentice recruitment must satisfy the age and educational qualification requirements prescribed in the notification.
Age Limit
The candidate should have completed 15 years of age and should not have completed 24 years of age as on 03 November 2026.
| Category | Eligible Date of Birth |
|---|---|
| UR | 03 November 2002 to 03 November 2011 |
| SC | 03 November 1997 to 03 November 2011 |
| ST | 03 November 1997 to 03 November 2011 |
| OBC | 03 November 1999 to 03 November 2011 |
The upper age limit is relaxable by 5 years for SC/ST candidates and 3 years for OBC candidates. Persons with Disability receive an additional 10-year relaxation, while applicable Ex-Servicemen candidates are eligible for the relaxation specified in the notification.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed the 10th class examination or its equivalent under the 10+2 examination system with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a recognized Board.
In addition, candidates must possess a National Trade Certificate in the notified trade issued by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT), or a Provisional Certificate issued by NCVT/SCVT.
Engineering Graduates and Diploma holders are not eligible to apply for apprenticeship under this notification because they are covered under separate apprenticeship schemes.
Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Selection Process
Selection will be based on a merit list. There is no written examination or interview mentioned as the selection method for these Apprentice slots.
The merit list will be prepared using the percentage of marks obtained in:
- Matriculation/10th examination, subject to the minimum 50% aggregate requirement.
- ITI examination in the relevant trade.
The panel will be prepared using the simple average of the Matriculation and ITI marks.
How Merit Is Calculated
The Matriculation percentage is calculated using the aggregate marks obtained by the candidate. Individual subjects or groups of subjects are not separately considered.
For ITI, the average marks mentioned in the consolidated statement of marks for all semesters of the relevant trade, or the marks mentioned in the Provisional National Trade Certificate issued by NCVT/SCVT, will be considered.
Where an education board uses letter grades instead of percentage marks, candidates must convert the grades into percentage as instructed in the notification. The notification provides examples for calculating the midpoint of the applicable grade range.
Tie-Breaking Rule
If two candidates obtain the same marks, the older candidate will be preferred. If their dates of birth are also the same, the candidate who passed the Matriculation examination earlier will be placed higher.
Final Merit List
The final merit list will be prepared cluster-wise, unit-wise, trade-wise and community-wise in descending order of the percentage of marks obtained by candidates.
Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Cluster Selection
Candidates can choose only one cluster. They can provide preferences for units that fall within the geographical jurisdiction of the selected cluster.
| Cluster | Major Units/Locations |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | Wadi Bunder, Kalyan, Kurla, Parel, Matunga, Byculla and other units |
| Bhusawal | Bhusawal, Manmad, Nasik Road and other units |
| Pune | Pune, Daund and other units |
| Nagpur | Ajni and other Nagpur units |
| Solapur | Kurduwadi and other Solapur units |
The notification specifically warns candidates to check the available training slots against their ITI trade before selecting the cluster and unit. A candidate cannot change these choices after final submission. Multiple applications are also not permitted; multiple applications will be summarily rejected.
Central Railway Apprentice Training Period
The training period for all notified trades is one year.
Selected Act Apprentices will receive a stipend according to the applicable Railway Board rules. The notification specifies a stipend of ₹9,600 per month for National or State Certificate Holders.
No hostel accommodation will be provided. Selected candidates will have to make their own arrangements for accommodation during the training period.
Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Other Applicable Candidates | ₹100 |
| SC/ST/PwBD/Women | No Fee |
The application fee is ₹100 and is non-refundable. Candidates must pay the fee online through the payment gateway integrated into the application process. SC, ST, PwBD and Women candidates are exempt from payment of the application fee.
Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Application Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 03 November 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 03 November 2026 at 11:00 HRS |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 02 December 2026 up to 17:00 HRS |
The notification advises candidates to submit their applications well before the closing date to avoid difficulties caused by heavy website or internet traffic.
How to Apply for Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Eligible candidates have to submit their applications online only through the Railway Recruitment Cell, Central Railway website.
- Visit the official RRC Central Railway website.
- Open the Central Railway Apprentice recruitment notification.
- Read the complete notification and check your eligible ITI trade.
- Select the appropriate cluster.
- Select the available unit preferences within that cluster.
- Complete the online registration/application form.
- Enter your Matriculation and ITI marks carefully.
- Upload the required photograph, signature and documents.
- Pay the applicable application fee online.
- Verify all details before final submission.
- Submit the application before 02 December 2026 at 17:00 HRS.
- Download and retain the completed application and registration details.
RRC Central Railway will issue a registration number during the online application process. Candidates should preserve this number for future stages of the engagement process and correspondence.
Documents to Be Uploaded
Candidates are required to upload clear scanned copies of the documents specified in the notification, including:
- 10th/SSC or equivalent mark sheet
- Proof of Date of Birth
- Consolidated ITI mark sheet
- National Trade Certificate or Provisional National Trade Certificate
- Caste certificate, wherever applicable
- Disability certificate, wherever applicable
- Discharge/Serving Certificate for eligible Ex-Servicemen candidates
- Recent colour photograph
- Scanned signature
The notification specifies that the photograph should be a recent colour photograph in JPG/JPEG format, while the signature also has prescribed dimensions, format and file-size requirements.
Original documents must be produced during Document Verification. Candidates whose documents are not produced or whose uploaded documents are found to be improper may have their candidature cancelled.
Medical Fitness
Candidates finally enlisted for engagement will have to undergo the required document verification and produce the prescribed medical certificate.
The medical certificate must be issued by a Government-authorized doctor, Gazetted and not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon of a Central/State Hospital. Candidates without the prescribed medical certificate will not be allowed to undergo document verification and their candidature may be cancelled.
Is Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment a Permanent Railway Job?
No. This notification is for apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Completion of apprenticeship training does not give the candidate an automatic right to employment in Central Railway.
The notification clearly states that the Railway administration is not obligated to offer employment to an apprentice after completion of training, and the apprentice is also not obligated to accept employment from the employer.
Important Instructions for Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
- Only online applications will be accepted.
- Candidates can select only one cluster.
- Multiple applications will be rejected.
- Applicants should verify that their ITI trade has available training slots in the selected cluster/unit.
- Cluster and unit preferences cannot be changed after final submission.
- Candidates who are already undergoing or have already undergone apprenticeship training should not apply.
- Incorrect or false information can result in cancellation of candidature.
- Original documents are mandatory during document verification.
- Selected candidates must provide the prescribed medical fitness certificate.
- No hostel accommodation will be provided.
- Training in Central Railway does not guarantee absorption into Railway service.
- No application printout or certificates need to be sent to RRC by post.
