The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), East Coast Railway (ECoR) in Bhubaneswar has published the official notification for Act Apprentice recruitment for the 2026–27 training year. The drive offers 1,599 apprentice training positions across various divisions, workshops, and headquarters units.
Candidates who have passed Class 10 with at least 50% aggregate marks and hold a valid ITI certificate in the relevant trade are eligible to apply. Online registration starts on 26 August 2026 and ends on 15 September 2026.
There is no written exam or viva, selection will be made solely on the basis of Class 10 academic marks. Completing this apprenticeship also gives candidates a 20% preference quota in open‑market Level‑1 Railway recruitments.
East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Notification: Overview
The table below gives a brief summary of the important details about this recruitment drive.
| Recruitment Authority | Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), East Coast Railway (ECoR) |
| Notification Number | ECOR/Pers/RRC/Act Apprentice/2026-27 |
| Post / Engagement Name | Act Apprentices (Under Apprentices Act, 1961) |
| Total Training Slots | 1,599 Slots |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Selection Process | Merit-Based (Matriculation Marks) followed by DV & Medical Check |
| Official Website | www.rrcbbs.org.in |
East Coast Railway Apprentice Vacancy 2026
East Coast Railway has announced 1,599 apprenticeship slots across five units and divisions. Applicants can choose trades like Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Machinist, Carpenter, Wireman, and more, depending on the available seats.
| Unit / Division Name | Departments Available | Total Slots |
| Carriage Repair Workshop (CRW), Mancheswar | Mechanical & Electrical | 250 Slots |
| Rayagada (RGDA) Division | Engineering, Electrical & Medical | 292 Slots |
| Khurda Road (KUR) Division (ELS, Angul & IOH) | Engineering, S&T, Electrical, Mechanical & Medical | 773 Slots |
| Sambalpur (SBP) Division (Coaching, BLGR) | Engineering, S&T, Electrical, Mechanical & Medical | 262 Slots |
| Headquarters, ECoR, Bhubaneswar | Personnel/Accounts/IT Cell & Medical | 22 Slots |
| Grand Total | All Participating Units | 1,599 Slots |
Eligibility Criteria for East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Applicants must meet the required standards for education, age, and medical fitness by the cutoff date.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold the required educational and technical qualifications from recognized boards or councils, and these must be completed on or before the notification date.
| Post / Trade Category | Prescribed Educational & Technical Qualifications |
| Designated ITI Trades (Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Wireman, Machinist, Carpenter, Painter, Plumber, Mason, etc.) | Matriculation (Class 10) under 10+2 system with minimum 50% aggregate marks from a recognized Board, PLUS a National Trade Certificate (NTC) / ITI Certificate issued by NCVT/SCVT in the relevant designated trade. |
| Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA) | Class 10 passed with 50% aggregate marks, plus National Trade Certificate (NTC) in COPA or Broad-Based Basic Training in IT sector under the Centre of Excellence scheme. |
| Secretarial Assistant (Stenography) | Class 10 pass with at least 50% aggregate marks, plus National Trade Certificate (NTC) approved by NCVT/SCVT. |
| Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology) | Passed Class 12th under 10+2 system with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB), with at least 50% marks in both Class 10th and Class 12th. |
Note: Engineering and diploma holders are not eligible for this apprentice scheme, and candidates waiting for their final results also cannot apply.
Age Limit and Age Relaxation
Applicants must be within the set age range as of 15 September 2026, which is the closing date for applications. Reserved category candidates will receive upper age relaxations as per government rules.
| Category | Age Limit / Relaxation Criteria |
| General / Unreserved / EWS | Minimum 15 Years and Maximum 24 Years (as on 15/09/2026) |
| SC / ST Candidates | Upper age relaxation of 5 Years (up to 29 years) |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | Upper age relaxation of 3 Years (up to 27 years) |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | Upper age relaxation of 10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | Defense service duration + 3 years (up to an additional 10 years) |
East Coast Railway Apprentice Salary
Apprentices selected under this notification will get monthly financial support and official learning benefits during their one‑year training. The payment will be given as a stipend, not as a regular government salary.
- Monthly Stipend: Selected apprentices will receive a fixed monthly stipend during the training tenure as per the Apprenticeship Rules and directives issued by the Ministry of Railways/Railway Board.
- National Apprenticeship Certificate: After successful completion of the training period and clearing the trade proficiency test conducted by NCVT, candidates receive the National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC).
- Railway Recruitment Preference (20% Quota): Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAA) trained in railway establishments are given preference for up to 20% of vacancies in open-market Level-1 (Pay Band ₹18,000 – ₹56,900) recruitments conducted by RRB/RRC.
- Practical Industrial Training: Candidates gain direct, hands-on technical exposure working in state-of-the-art railway workshops, coaching depots, and loco sheds.
- Free Travel Pass: Eligible SC and ST candidates will receive free second-class railway travel passes for appearing during Document Verification.
Selection Process of East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
The selection process is fully transparent and based only on merit. No written exams or interviews are conducted, as candidates are shortlisted through a computer‑generated merit list.
Stage 1 (Merit List Preparation): The initial shortlisting is done only on the basis of Class 10 marks, with candidates needing at least 50% aggregate across all subjects.
Stage 2 (Document Verification): Shortlisted candidates will be called to the East Coast Railway Headquarters in Bhubaneswar for verification of their original certificates, based on the trade and unit they have chosen.
Stage 3 (Medical Fitness Assessment): Candidates must submit a physical fitness certificate issued by a Gazetted Government Doctor (Assistant Surgeon rank or above) to confirm medical suitability.
Application Fee of East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Applicants must pay the non‑refundable processing fee through the online payment gateway provided on the portal. The exact fee for each reservation category is given below.
| Candidate Category | Application Fee Amount |
| General (UR) / OBC / EWS (Male Candidates) | ₹100 (Non-Refundable) |
| SC / ST Candidates | Nil (Exempted) |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | Nil (Exempted) |
| Female Candidates (All Categories) | Nil (Exempted) |
How to Apply Online for East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Candidates should carefully follow each step to avoid mistakes that could lead to rejection.
Step 1: Visit the official website of RRC Bhubaneswar at www.rrcbbs.org.in and locate the Act Apprentice 2026-27 application link.
Step 2: Click on new registration and enter your primary details, active email address, mobile number, and Aadhaar card number.
Step 3: Note down the generated Registration Number and password received on your registered credentials.
Step 4: Log in to fill out personal details, postal address, community category, academic marks, and ITI trade qualifications.
Step 5: Choose your preferred Division/Workshop and trade combination with care, as only one division can be selected.
Step 6: Upload clear scanned copies of your recent passport-size photograph, signature, Class 10 mark sheet, ITI certificate, and community certificate.
Step 7: Pay the application fee of ₹100 online if applicable, submit the completed form, and save a printed copy for future reference.
Documents Required for East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Candidates must keep clear digital scans of their original documents ready before filling the online form. These same originals will also need to be shown during certificate verification.
- Passport Photograph: Recent color photograph (3.5 cm x 3.5 cm, JPG format, 20 KB to 70 KB, taken within the last 3 months) showing a clear front view without cap or tinted glasses.
- Scanned Signature: Clear signature on white paper with black ink (3.5 cm x 3.5 cm, JPG format, 20 KB to 30 KB).
- Class 10 (Matriculation) Certificate & Mark Sheet: For verification of aggregate marks and proof of date of birth.
- ITI Certificate & Mark Sheets: National Trade Certificate (NTC) issued by NCVT/SCVT or provisional trade certificates with consolidated mark sheets.
- Community / Caste Certificate: Valid Central Government format certificate for SC, ST, or OBC-NCL candidates (issued on or after 01/04/2026 for OBC candidates).
- EWS Income & Asset Certificate: Valid income certificate issued by a competent authority for Economically Weaker Section applicants.
- Disability / Discharge Certificate: Applicable certificate for PwBD candidates or discharge certificate for Ex-Servicemen applicants.
Important Links
- Apply Online: RRC Bhubaneswar Application Portal
- Official Notification PDF: ECoR Act Apprentice Notification 2026-27
- Official Website: East Coast Railway Official Website
Source: Official East Coast Railway Apprentices Notification 2026.
Important Dates for East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Candidates are advised to submit their applications well before the deadline to avoid heavy server traffic at the last moment. The recruitment schedule is given below.
| Event Description | Key Date / Timeline |
| Notification Release Date | 21 August 2026 |
| Online Application Opening Date & Time | 26 August 2026 at 17:00 hrs |
| Online Application Closing Date & Time | 15 September 2026 at 17:00 hrs |
| Document Verification Schedule | To be notified on the official website |
| Declaration of Merit List | To be announced post-scrutiny |
Medical Standards for East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Apprentices must meet the required health standards, including physical fitness and clear eyesight, before their engagement is confirmed. A medical certificate must be issued by a Gazetted Medical Officer to validate these conditions.
| Medical Parameter | Required Standard / Benchmark |
| Minimum Height & Weight | Minimum Height: 137 cm, Minimum Weight: 25.4 kg, Chest expansion not less than 3.8 cm. |
| Visual Acuity (Standard Bee-One) | 6/9, 6/12 with or without glasses, normal color vision, and binocular vision. |
| Hearing & Speech | Free from suppurative ear diseases, speech without severe impediment. |
| General Physical Health | Free from contagious diseases, cardiovascular abnormalities, hernia and active or healed tuberculosis. |
Final Thought
East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a great opportunity for ITI-qualified candidates who want hands-on industrial experience with Indian Railways.
Trainees will receive a monthly stipend and learn practical trade skills, and completing the training gives a 20% preference in future Level-1 Railway recruitments.
Selection is based only on Class 10 academic marks, with no entrance exam, so eligible applicants should prepare their documents and submit their online applications by 15 September 2026.
Note: The recruitment details on this page have been checked against the official East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026. Candidates are advised to verify the latest updates on the official East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 website before applying.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many apprentice vacancies are available under East Coast Railway Recruitment 2026?
A total of 1,599 training slots have been announced across various divisions and workshops of East Coast Railway.
Is there any written examination or interview for this apprentice recruitment?
No, there is no written test or viva; candidates are selected strictly on academic merit based on their Class 10 marks.
Are Diploma or Engineering degree holders eligible to apply?
No, Engineering graduates and Diploma holders are not eligible for this Act Apprentice engagement, as separate schemes exist for them.
What is the application fee for female and SC/ST candidates?
Female candidates and applicants belonging to SC, ST, and PwBD categories are completely exempt from paying the application fee.
What is the age limit for East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The candidate must be between 15 and 24 years of age as of 15 September 2026, with relaxations for reserved categories (5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, and 10 years for PwBD).
