The Railway Recruitment Cell has announced the RRC East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification for 1,599 Act Apprentice vacancies across 25 trades.
Class 10th pass candidates with an ITI certificate can apply online at rrcbbs.org.in until September 15, 2026.
Selection is purely merit-based on Class 10 marks, with zero written exams or viva voce required.
Training positions are available across multiple workshops and divisions under East Coast Railway in Odisha. Candidates holding valid technical qualifications can secure a one-year apprenticeship contract to gain practical industrial training under standard Railway Board guidelines.
Selection depends entirely on your Class 10 aggregate marks. Enter your matriculation percentage accurately during registration, as any mismatch during document verification leads to disqualification.
RRC East Coast Railway Apprentice Vacancy Breakdown 2026
The recruitment drive offers 1,599 vacancies distributed across reservation categories. Unreserved candidates have access to 633 seats, alongside reserved slots for OBC, SC, ST, and EWS candidates.
| Post Name | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice in Various Trades | 633 | 251 | 116 | 435 | 164 | 1599 |
The posts span 25 designated technical trades. Core engineering trades include Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Carpenter, Plumber, and Sheet Metal Worker. Non-engineering and specialized trades include Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA), Secretarial Assistant (Stenography), Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Mechanic Diesel, Electronics Mechanic, Draftsman (Civil), Draftsman (Mechanic), Laboratory Technician (Pathology), and Refrigeration & AC Mechanic.
Important Dates and Application Schedule
The official notification was published on 21 August 2026. Online registrations opened on 26 August 2026. Complete your submission before the portal closes on 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 2026-08-21 |
| Online Application Begins | 2026-08-26 |
| Online Application Closes | 2026-09-15 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 2026-09-15 |
| Merit List Released | To Be Announced |
Apply early. Server traffic rises significantly during the final 48 hours before the 15 September 2026 deadline.
Eligibility Criteria: Educational Qualification and Age Limit
To qualify for engagement, you must meet both academic and age requirements as of the cut-off date.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Class 10th (Matriculation) under 10+2 system with minimum 50% aggregate marks from a recognized Board, plus ITI Certificate in the relevant trade (NCVT/SCVT). |
| Age Limit (as on 2026-09-15) | Minimum 15 years, Maximum 24 years |
Age Relaxation Guidelines
You must be at least 15 years old and under 24 years as on 15 September 2026. Upper age relaxations apply according to standard rules:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 10 years plus service rendered in Defence Forces, plus 3 additional years (minimum 6 months continuous service required) |
Application Fee Details
Candidates applying under Unreserved (UR), OBC, and EWS categories must pay a non-refundable processing fee of ₹100 online. Reserved categories and female applicants pay no application fee.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100 |
| SC / ST / Female / PwBD | ₹0 |
Selection Process and Stipend Details
The selection mechanism is simple. There is no written test or viva voce for these apprentice posts.
- Stage 1: Merit List Preparation: Shortlisting is based on Class 10th (Matriculation) aggregate percentage marks.
- Stage 2: Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates must present original certificates, including Class 10 mark sheets, ITI trade certificates, caste documents, and identity proofs.
- Stage 3: Medical Examination: Candidates submit a Medical Fitness Certificate signed by an authorized Government Medical Officer per Railway Board standards.
| Post Name | Stipend / Pay |
|---|---|
| Act Apprentice | Stipend as per Railway Board rules |
Selected apprentices receive a monthly training stipend per current Railway Board rules during their one-year training period across Odisha divisions and workshops.
How to Apply Online at rrcbbs.org.in
Follow these steps to complete your online application:
- Visit the official Railway Recruitment Cell Bhubaneswar portal at rrcbbs.org.in.
- Locate the notification link for Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026.
- Click on the Online Application link to open the registration form.
- Enter your personal details, mobile number, email address, and select your ITI trade.
- Fill in your Class 10 aggregate marks and ITI certificate details.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, Class 10 mark sheet, ITI certificate, and category certificate if applicable.
- Pay the processing fee of ₹100 via online payment modes (exempted categories skip this step).
- Review all information and submit the application. Download and print the confirmation page for your records.
RRC East Coast Railway Apprentice: 2025 vs 2026 Comparison
Comparing this recruitment drive with the previous cycle highlights an increase in training opportunities. Total vacancies grew from 1,149 to 1,599 vacancies, marking a 39.16% expansion.
| Recruitment Year | Total Vacancies | Application Window |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1149 | September 2025 |
| 2026 | 1599 | August 26 - September 15, 2026 |
Important Links for Applicants
| Link Description | Web Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | https://www.rrcbbs.org.in |