East Coast Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification has been released for 1,599 Apprentice posts. Eligible candidates can apply online for the latest Railway Apprentice vacancies and check the eligibility criteria, age limit, educational qualification, selection process, stipend, important dates, and online application details before applying.
Introduction
The East Coast Railway (ECoR), through its Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar (RRC/BBS), has released a major recruitment notification for Act Apprentice training slots under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This drive offers a total of 1,599 training opportunities across 25 designated trades in various divisions and workshops under ECoR jurisdiction in Odisha and adjoining areas. For young candidates who have completed Class 10 with at least 50 percent marks and hold a relevant ITI certificate from an NCVT or SCVT recognized institution, this recruitment presents a structured pathway into the Indian Railways ecosystem.
Apprenticeship training in the Railways is widely regarded as one of the most credible skill-building programs available to ITI pass-outs in India. Selected candidates receive hands-on industrial training in mechanical, electrical, engineering, signal and telecommunication, medical, and other departments while earning a monthly stipend as per Railway Board rates. Although completion of the apprenticeship does not automatically guarantee a permanent railway job, Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) receive preferential consideration for a portion of Level-1 vacancies in future direct recruitment exercises conducted by RRBs and RRCs.
The official notification bearing number ECoR/Pers/RRC/Act Apprentice/2026-27 was published on 21 August 2026. Online registration opened on 26 August 2026 at 17:00 hours and will close on 15 September 2026 at 17:00 hours. Given the limited application window and the high volume of applications typically received for railway apprentice posts, eligible candidates are strongly advised to complete the online process well before the deadline. This comprehensive guide covers every essential detail of the East Coast Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 so that aspirants can apply with complete clarity and confidence.
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East Coast Railway Overview Table
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | East Coast Railway (ECoR) |
| Recruiting Body | Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar (RRC/BBS) |
| Notification Number | ECoR/Pers/RRC/Act Apprentice/2026-27 |
| Notification Date | 21 August 2026 |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice (25 designated trades) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,599 posts |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Online Registration Dates | 26 August 2026 (17:00 hrs) to 15 September 2026 (17:00 hrs) |
| Selection Process | Merit list based on Matriculation marks (no written exam or interview) |
| Official Website | www.rrcbbs.org.in |
East Coast Railway Post-wise Vacancy Details
The 1,599 Act Apprentice training slots are distributed across five major units and establishments under the East Coast Railway. These include workshops, divisional units, and the zonal headquarters. The distribution reflects the operational requirements of mechanical maintenance, electrical systems, civil engineering, signal and telecommunication, medical services, and administrative support functions.
Unit-wise vacancy breakup is as follows:
| Unit / Establishment | Departments Covered | Total Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Carriage Repair Workshop, Mancheswar, Bhubaneswar | Mechanical, Electrical | 250 |
| Rayagada (RGDA) Division | Engineering, Electrical, Medical | 292 |
| Khurda Road Division (ELS, Angul & IOH Depot) | Engineering, S&T, Electrical, Medical, Mechanical | 773 |
| Sambalpur Division (Coaching, BLGR) | Engineering, S&T, Electrical, Mechanical, Medical | 262 |
| Headquarters, ECoR, Bhubaneswar | Personnel / Accounts / IT Cell, Medical | 22 |
| Grand Total | 1,599 |
Category-wise reservation for the overall vacancies stands as under:
| Category | Number of Posts |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 633 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 251 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 116 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 435 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 164 |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 50 (horizontal) |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 42 (horizontal) |
| Total | 1,599 |
PwBD and Ex-Servicemen reservations are horizontal and form part of the overall notified slots rather than additional posts. The exact trade-wise and community-wise distribution within each unit is provided in Annexure-A of the official notification. Candidates must carefully examine the annexure before selecting their preferred unit, department, and trade, as the choice once submitted is final and binding. The number of training slots remains provisional and may be increased or decreased by the railway administration according to actual requirements at the time of final engagement.
The 25 designated trades include Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Electrician, Carpenter, Painter (General), Mechanic (Diesel), Secretarial Assistant (Stenography), Blacksmith, Driller, Bridge Erector, Sheet Metal Worker, Electronics Mechanic, Wireman, Mechanic Refrigeration & AC, Plumber, Draftsman (Civil), Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA), Laboratory Technician (Pathology), Sarang, Grinder, Mason, and Draftsman (Mechanic). Applicants holding ITI certificates in more than one relevant trade may apply separately for each trade, subject to the single-unit selection rule.
East Coast Railway Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed Matriculation (Class 10) under the 10+2 system from a recognized board with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks. The percentage is calculated on the basis of marks obtained in all subjects; the “best of five” method is not accepted. Candidates who have been awarded CGPA must convert it into the equivalent percentage as per the formula prescribed by their respective board.
In addition to Matriculation, candidates must possess an ITI certificate in the relevant trade issued by an institution affiliated to the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT). The essential educational and technical qualifications must have been acquired on or before the date of notification, i.e., 21 August 2026. Candidates whose Class 10 or ITI results are awaited on that date are not eligible to apply.
Special educational requirements apply to a few trades. For Laboratory Technician (Pathology), candidates must have passed Class 12 (10+2) with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, securing a minimum of 50 percent marks in both Class 10 and Class 12. For Secretarial Assistant (Stenography), a National Trade Certificate approved by NCVT/SCVT is mandatory. For Computer Operator and Programming Assistant, candidates must have undergone board-based basic training in the IT sector under the Centre of Excellence scheme (hardware/networking repair and maintenance) along with an NTC approved by NCVT/SCVT.
Engineering graduates, diploma holders, and candidates who have failed in their ITI examination are not eligible under this notification. If any such candidate is engaged inadvertently, the apprenticeship will be terminated immediately without notice. Applicants may apply for more than one trade if they hold the requisite ITI qualifications, but they can select only one Division or Workshop, and that choice remains final.
Age Limit and Relaxations
The minimum age is 15 years and the maximum age is 24 years as on the closing date of online applications, which is 15 September 2026. Age is calculated strictly on the basis of the date of birth recorded in the Matriculation certificate or a birth certificate issued by a competent government authority. No other documents such as horoscopes, affidavits, or municipal extracts are accepted for age determination.
Category-wise upper age limit relaxations are applicable as under:
- SC and ST candidates: 5 years (upper age limit 29 years)
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates: 3 years (upper age limit 27 years)
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 years (upper age limit 34 years for UR-PwBD, further relaxed for SC/ST/OBC-PwBD as per community)
- Ex-Servicemen: additional relaxation equal to the period of defence service rendered plus three years, subject to a minimum of six months continuous service (applicable to the Ex-Serviceman himself/herself)
Children of deceased or disabled Ex-Servicemen, children of serving Jawans, and children of serving Officers are also considered under the prescribed categories with community-based age relaxation. Candidates belonging to reserved categories who apply against unreserved slots are not entitled to age relaxation. It is the responsibility of every applicant to verify age eligibility with reference to the cut-off date of 15 September 2026 before submitting the online form.
Application Fee and Payment Mode
The application fee structure is designed to be inclusive while covering administrative costs for the majority of applicants. Male candidates belonging to the Unreserved (UR), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) categories are required to pay a non-refundable fee of Rs. 100. Candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), and all women candidates are completely exempted from payment of any application fee.
Payment must be made online only through the integrated payment gateway available on the application portal. Acceptable modes include Debit Card, Credit Card, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and Net Banking. Any transaction charges levied by the bank or payment gateway are to be borne by the candidate. Once paid, the fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, including rejection of application, cancellation of candidature, or non-selection. Candidates are advised to complete the fee payment well before the closing time on 15 September 2026 to avoid last-minute technical issues. A successful payment confirmation and generation of the final application printout serve as proof of submission.
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East Coast Railway Salary, Stipend and Pay Scale Details
Selected candidates under the East Coast Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 will receive a monthly stipend during the entire period of training. The stipend is paid strictly as per the rates prescribed by the Railway Board from time to time under the Apprentices Act, 1961 and the Apprenticeship Rules. The official notification does not publish a fixed rupee figure because the rates are revised periodically by the Ministry of Railways.
In addition to the basic stipend, apprentices are entitled to certain statutory benefits applicable to trainees engaged under the Apprentices Act. However, no Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, or other regular allowances admissible to permanent railway employees are payable during the apprenticeship period. Hostel accommodation is not provided by the Railway administration; candidates must make their own residential arrangements at the place of training.
It is important to note that successful completion of the apprenticeship does not confer any right to permanent employment in the East Coast Railway or any other zonal railway. Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) who obtain the National Apprenticeship Certificate become eligible for preferential consideration against a prescribed percentage of Level-1 vacancies in future RRB/RRC recruitments, subject to fulfilling the eligibility conditions of those notifications.
East Coast Railway detailed Selection Process
The selection process for East Coast Railway Act Apprentice posts is completely transparent and merit-based. There is no written examination, computer-based test, skill test, or interview at any stage.
A trade-wise and community-wise merit list is prepared solely on the basis of the percentage of marks obtained by candidates in the Matriculation (Class 10) examination. The percentage is calculated by taking the aggregate of marks in all subjects; the “best of five” formula is not applied. Candidates who have been awarded CGPA must convert it into the equivalent percentage according to the conversion formula of their respective board.
In case two or more candidates secure identical marks, the older candidate (as per date of birth) is given preference. If the dates of birth are also the same, the candidate who passed the Matriculation examination earlier is ranked higher.
Shortlisted candidates are called for Document Verification (DV) at East Coast Railway Headquarters, Bhubaneswar, strictly according to the merit order and the order of preference of Unit–Department–Trade exercised by them in the online application. Once a candidate is selected against a higher preference, all lower preferences stand automatically cancelled. Final engagement is subject to successful verification of original documents and submission of a Medical Fitness Certificate issued by a Railway Medical Officer. No Travelling Allowance or Daily Allowance is paid for attending Document Verification. Standby candidates are called only if vacancies arise due to absenteeism, medical unfitness, or rejection of higher-ranked candidates.
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East Coast Railway Complete Exam Syllabus and Exam Pattern
One of the most candidate-friendly features of the East Coast Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is the complete absence of any written examination or interview. Consequently, there is no prescribed syllabus, no question paper pattern, no negative marking, and no fixed duration of test.
Selection rests exclusively on the academic performance already achieved by the candidate in Class 10. The merit list is prepared trade-wise and community-wise using the following simple formula:
- Percentage of marks obtained in Matriculation (all subjects counted) forms the sole ranking criterion.
- Minimum aggregate of 50 percent in Class 10 is mandatory for eligibility.
- CGPA, if awarded, must be converted to percentage as per the board’s official conversion table.
Because no competitive examination is conducted, candidates do not need to prepare Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, English, or any trade-specific theory paper. The only preparation required is accurate filling of the online application form, correct calculation of percentage, and timely submission of all supporting documents. Candidates are advised to keep their original Matriculation mark sheet, ITI certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), and other relevant documents ready in advance so that Document Verification can be completed without delay.
This merit-only system eliminates the uncertainty and cost associated with competitive examinations and places every eligible ITI-qualified candidate on an equal footing based purely on past academic achievement.
Step-by-Step How to Apply for East Coast Railway Recruitment 2026?
Candidates must apply online only through the official website of Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar. Offline or postal applications will not be accepted. Follow these sequential steps carefully:
- Visit the official website www.rrcbbs.org.in.
- Locate the link for “Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27” or “Online Application for Engagement of Act Apprentices” and click on it.
- Register yourself by providing a valid mobile number and email ID. An OTP will be sent for verification.
- Log in using the credentials generated after successful registration.
- Fill in personal details exactly as they appear in the Matriculation certificate (name, father’s name, date of birth, etc.).
- Enter educational details – Class 10 percentage (all subjects), board name, year of passing, and ITI trade details.
- Select only one Division/Workshop and the preferred trade(s). The choice is final and binding.
- Upload a recent colour photograph (3.5 cm × 3.5 cm, JPG/JPEG, 20–70 KB) and signature (3.5 cm × 3.5 cm, JPG/JPEG, 20–30 KB) as per specifications.
- Upload scanned copies of required certificates (Matriculation mark sheet, ITI certificate, caste certificate, etc.).
- Pay the application fee of Rs. 100 online (if applicable) through Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, or Net Banking.
- Review the entire form carefully, submit it, and take a printout of the final application for future reference.
Candidates are permitted to submit only one application. Multiple applications for the same trade with conflicting particulars will lead to summary rejection. Do not send any hard copy of the application or documents by post.
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Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 21 August 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 26 August 2026 (from 17:00 hrs) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 15 September 2026 (upto 17:00 hrs) |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | 15 September 2026 (upto 17:00 hrs) |
| Age Calculation Cut-off Date | 15 September 2026 |
| Qualification Acquisition Cut-off Date | 21 August 2026 |
| Document Verification | To be notified later on the official website |
| Tentative Engagement / Training Start | After completion of Document Verification and Medical Examination |
Candidates must complete both registration and fee payment before the closing time on 15 September 2026. The Railway Recruitment Cell will not entertain any request for extension of the last date under any circumstances.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF Download | Official Notification PDF |
| Online Application Apply Link | Apply Here Online |
| Official Website Home Page | Official Web Portal |
| Latest Govt Jobs Page | Latest Government Jobs |
FAQs
1. Is there any written examination for East Coast Railway Act Apprentice 2026?
No. Selection is based purely on the percentage of marks obtained in Class 10. There is no written test, CBT, skill test, or interview.
2. What is the minimum educational qualification required?
Candidates must have passed Class 10 with at least 50 percent aggregate marks from a recognized board and must possess an ITI certificate in the relevant trade from an NCVT/SCVT affiliated institute. Special rules apply for Laboratory Technician, Stenography, and COPA trades.
3. Can I apply for more than one trade?
Yes, if you hold valid ITI certificates in more than one relevant trade. However, you can select only one Division or Workshop, and that choice is final.
4. What is the age limit and cut-off date?
Minimum age is 15 years and maximum age is 24 years as on 15 September 2026. Age relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, and 10 years for PwBD is applicable as per rules.
5. Is the application fee refundable?
No. The fee of Rs. 100 paid by UR/OBC/EWS male candidates is non-refundable under any circumstances.
6. Are women candidates required to pay the application fee?
No. All women candidates, irrespective of category, are completely exempted from payment of application fee.
7. Will I get a permanent job after completing the apprenticeship?
No. Completion of apprenticeship does not give any automatic right to permanent employment. However, CCAAs receive preference in a fixed percentage of future Level-1 vacancies.
8. Can I change my preferred Division or trade after submitting the application?
No. Once submitted, the choice of Division/Workshop and trade is final and binding. No request for change will be entertained.
9. What documents are required at the time of Document Verification?
Original Matriculation mark sheet and certificate, ITI certificate and mark sheets, caste certificate (if applicable), EWS certificate, PwBD certificate, Ex-Servicemen discharge book, Aadhaar card, and a Medical Fitness Certificate issued by a Railway doctor.
10. Where will Document Verification be conducted?
Document Verification will be held at East Coast Railway Headquarters, Bhubaneswar. Exact dates and venue will be published on the official website www.rrcbbs.org.in.
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Conclusion
The East Coast Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 offering 1,599 training slots is a significant opportunity for Class 10 and ITI qualified youth seeking structured skill development under the Indian Railways. With a transparent merit-based selection process, no written examination, and a clear application window from 26 August to 15 September 2026, eligible candidates should not delay the online submission process.
Apply early, fill every detail accurately, upload clear scanned documents, and keep a printout of the final application for future reference. Regularly visit the official website www.rrcbbs.org.in for updates regarding Document Verification schedules and further instructions.
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Disclaimer
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources and secondary reports related to the East Coast Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, candidates are strongly advised to verify all details, including eligibility criteria, vacancy numbers, dates, and application procedures, directly from the official notification and the website of Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar (www.rrcbbs.org.in). The author and publisher shall not be held responsible for any loss or inconvenience arising from reliance on this content. Always cross-check with the official sources before taking any action.
