Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Central Railway has invited online applications for engagement of 2,861 Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961 for the 2026-27 training year. Notification No. RRC/CR/AA/2026 was issued on 3 November 2026. The online application window opened on 3 November and will close at 5:00 PM on 2 December 2026. The vacancies are distributed across Central Railway clusters and units in trades including Fitter, Welder, Electrician, Machinist and other designated trades.
RRC Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Recruiting organisation | Railway Recruitment Cell, Central Railway |
|---|---|
| Notification number | RRC/CR/AA/2026 |
| Notification date | 3 November 2026 |
| Training engagement | Act Apprentice under the Apprentices Act, 1961 |
| Total slots | 2,861 |
| Application start | 3 November 2026, 11:00 AM |
| Last date | 2 December 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Minimum qualification | Class 10 / Matriculation with at least 50% aggregate marks and relevant ITI trade certificate |
| Application mode | Online |
| Selection | Merit based on Matriculation and ITI marks, followed by document and medical verification |
| Training period | Generally one year, depending on the trade shown in the notification |
Vacancy and Trade Details
The notification provides cluster-, unit- and trade-wise training slots. Trades include Fitter, Welder, Carpenter, Painter, Tailor, Electrician, Machinist, Turner, Instrument Mechanic, Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic Diesel, Programming and Systems Administration Assistant, and other trades listed in the official vacancy tables. Candidates must check the detailed unit-wise table in the notification before choosing a cluster and trade. The total advertised intake is 2,861 slots.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational qualification
Applicants must have passed the 10th class examination under the 10+2 system with at least 50% aggregate marks and hold an ITI certificate in the relevant trade issued by NCVT or SCVT. The ITI trade must match the trade for which the candidate is applying. The detailed notification contains trade-specific eligibility requirements.
Age limit
The age conditions, date for calculating age and category-wise relaxation are governed by the official notification. Candidates should check the notification’s eligibility section and applicable Railway rules before submitting the form. Do not rely on an age calculation from a third-party summary.
Selection Process
There is no written examination described for this apprentice engagement. RRC will prepare a merit list using the average of the candidate’s Matriculation percentage and ITI percentage in the relevant trade. Matriculation requires at least 50% aggregate marks. The notification explains how percentage marks are calculated where a board uses grades. Shortlisted candidates are subject to verification of original documents and medical fitness requirements.
Application Fee
Refer to the fee instructions in the online application and the official notification for the applicable category-wise fee and exemptions. Complete payment, where applicable, before submitting the application.
Documents to Keep Ready
- Class 10 marksheet and certificate
- ITI marksheets and certificate in the relevant trade
- NCVT/SCVT trade certificate or provisional certificate, as applicable
- Recent photograph and signature
- Identity proof and address details
- Category, disability or other supporting certificates, if claiming applicable benefits
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official RRC Central Railway website.
- Open the 2026-27 Act Apprentice application section.
- Read the English or Hindi notification and check the cluster, unit and trade-wise slots.
- Register and complete the online application with accurate personal, educational and ITI details.
- Choose only one cluster and check that the selected unit has slots for your trade.
- Upload the required documents, pay the fee if applicable and submit before 2 December 2026 at 5:00 PM.
- Save the registration number and a copy of the submitted application.
Important Links
Apply online: RRC Central Railway application page
Official notification (English): Download Notification No. RRC/CR/AA/2026
Official website: Railway Recruitment Cell, Central Railway
Recruitment details checked on 10 November 2026. The official notification and subsequent addenda/corrigenda prevail if any detail changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many apprentice slots are available?
Central Railway has notified 2,861 Act Apprentice training slots for 2026-27.
What is the last date to apply?
The online application closes on 2 December 2026 at 5:00 PM.
What qualification is required?
Applicants generally need Class 10 with at least 50% aggregate marks and an NCVT/SCVT ITI certificate in the relevant trade. Check the notification for trade-specific requirements.
Is there a written examination?
The notification describes merit-based selection using Matriculation and ITI marks, followed by verification and medical fitness checks.
Can I select more than one cluster?
No. The notification instructs candidates to choose only one cluster. Review unit and trade availability before submitting the form.
Is this a permanent railway job?
No. This notification is for apprentice training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. It should not be described as a regular permanent railway appointment.
