Good news for ITI-holders and 10th-pass aspirants across the country. The Railway Recruitment Cells (RRC) of the various zonal railways engage thousands of Act Apprentices every year under the Apprentices Act, 1961, and fresh zonal notifications are expected to open from July 2026 onward. Several zones have already completed their 2026 cycle, and the remaining zones along with the next 2026-27 round are lined up shortly. Interested aspirants are advised to keep their ITI and matriculation documents ready and apply the moment their zone’s notification goes live.
Kindly note that this is an upcoming/rolling recruitment. The dates and vacancy figures given below are framed as expected, based on the previous cycle, and candidates are advised to confirm every detail from the official notification of their respective zone before applying.
Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Zonal Railways under Ministry of Railways |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice (Trade Apprentice) |
| Category | Railway Jobs / Apprenticeship (Training) |
| Total Vacancies | Varies zone-wise; thousands nationwide (Expected, based on previous cycle) |
| Job Location | Respective zonal railway divisions and workshops across India |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | www.rrcb.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date (Expected where marked) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 2026 onward, zone-wise (Expected) |
| Application Start | As per each zone’s notification (Expected) |
| Last Date to Apply | Usually 30 days from start (Expected) |
| Exam Date | Not applicable (no written exam) |
| Merit List / Admit Card | Merit list after last date; DV call letter thereafter (Expected) |
Vacancy Details
RRC apprentice vacancies are notified zone by zone, and the numbers differ substantially from one zonal railway to another. As a reference, in the previous cycle Western Railway notified around 5,349 posts, South Central Railway about 2,801 posts, Northern Railway around 4,116 posts, South East Central Railway roughly 1,644 posts, while Central Railway ran a smaller supplementary drive. The exact zone-wise vacancy break-up will be confirmed in each fresh notification, and posts are distributed across various trades such as Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Machinist, Turner, COPA, Diesel Mechanic and more, with reservation applied as per Government of India norms.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
As per the standard RRC apprentice notification, candidates must have:
- Passed the Matriculation (10th) examination or its equivalent with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a recognised board; and
- Possess a National Trade Certificate (ITI) in the relevant/notified trade, issued by NCVT or SCVT.
Candidates are advised to apply only for the trade in which they hold a valid ITI certificate.
Age Limit
The candidate must have completed 15 years and must not have crossed 24 years of age, calculated as on the closing date of application (as specified in the notification). Age relaxation is available as per rules:
- SC / ST: 5 years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
- PwBD candidates: 10 years (with applicable category add-ons)
Kindly verify the exact relaxation table in your zone’s official notification.
Application Fee
The application fee is generally Rs 100/- for candidates of the general/OBC/EWS category. No fee is charged from SC, ST, women, PwBD, minority and economically backward (EBC) candidates, as per the applicable notification. The fee is to be paid online through net banking, debit/credit card or UPI during the application process.
Salary / Pay Scale
Kindly note that apprenticeship is a training engagement, not a permanent Railway job, so apprentices receive a fixed monthly stipend rather than a Level pay scale, DA, HRA or other regular allowances. The stipend typically ranges from around Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,600 per month depending on the qualification and the zone’s prescribed rate, paid for the one-year training period. Importantly, on completion of training (CCAA status), apprentices become eligible for valuable benefits in future Level-1 (Group D) recruitment, including reservation for ex-apprentices, exemption from the Physical Efficiency Test and weightage of NCVT marks, as per Railway Board directives.
Selection Process
Selection is purely merit-based — there is no written examination and no interview/viva. A merit list is prepared for each trade and community by taking the average of the percentage of marks obtained in the 10th (Matriculation) and the ITI examination, giving equal weightage to both. Shortlisted candidates are then called for document verification (DV) and a medical examination before final engagement.
Exam Pattern & Syllabus Highlights
Since selection is entirely on merit, there is no exam pattern or syllabus to prepare. However, candidates are advised to focus on the following aspects that decide their selection chances:
- 10th marks percentage — a higher aggregate directly improves merit position.
- ITI marks percentage — trade certificate marks carry equal weight in the merit formula.
- Correct trade selection — apply strictly in your certified trade to avoid rejection at DV.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official Railway Recruitment portal at www.rrcb.gov.in and navigate to your zonal RRC’s apprentice notification.
- Read the full notification (PDF) carefully and check your eligibility for the notified trade.
- Click on “Apply Online / New Registration” and register using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in your personal, educational and trade details exactly as per your certificates.
- Upload a scanned photograph, signature and required documents in the prescribed format and size.
- Pay the application fee of Rs 100/- online (where applicable) and note the transaction ID.
- Submit the form, then download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
- Apply through the official website only: https://www.rrcb.gov.in
Admit Card & Result
As there is no written examination, no exam admit card is issued. After the last date, the concerned zonal RRC prepares and publishes a provisional merit list trade-wise and community-wise. Shortlisted candidates receive a call letter for document verification and medical examination, which can be downloaded from the official website using login credentials. The final selection list is released after DV. Candidates are advised to check the official website and their registered email/SMS regularly for updates.
Preparation Tips & Document Checklist
Because merit depends on your existing marks, the smartest preparation is to keep your documentation flawless and apply early. Kindly keep the following ready:
- Matriculation (10th) marksheet and certificate
- ITI (NCVT/SCVT) provisional/marksheet and National Trade Certificate
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) and PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Aadhaar / valid photo ID
- Recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format
- Active email ID and mobile number for OTP and notices
Double-check that the marks entered in the form exactly match your certificates, as any mismatch can lead to rejection at the document verification stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the notification come?
Fresh RRC zonal apprentice notifications are expected to be released from July 2026 onward on a rolling, zone-wise basis. Aspirants should monitor the official website for their specific zone’s announcement.
Is there any written exam for RRC Apprentice?
No. Selection is 100% merit-based on the average of your 10th and ITI percentages. There is no written test or interview.
What is the age limit for Railway Apprentice 2026?
Candidates should generally be between 15 and 24 years as on the closing date, with standard age relaxation for SC/ST, OBC and PwBD candidates as per the notification.
Is apprenticeship a permanent railway job?
No, it is a one-year training engagement with a monthly stipend. However, completed apprentices enjoy reservation and other benefits in future Group D recruitment.
Which is the official website to apply?
Candidates must apply only through the official Railway Recruitment portal at www.rrcb.gov.in and their respective zonal RRC link.
Important Links
Official Website / Apply Online
Disclaimer: The above information is compiled for the guidance of aspirants and is subject to change. Dates, vacancies and eligibility marked as “expected” are based on the previous cycle and are not confirmed. Candidates are strongly advised to read and verify all details on the official website (www.rrcb.gov.in) and the concerned zonal RRC’s official notification before applying.