East Coast Railway has announced 1,599 tentative Act Apprentice training slots for 2026-27 across its divisions and workshops. The recruitment is mainly for candidates who have passed Class 10 with at least 50% marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade. Applications will open on 26 August 2026 at 5:00 PM and close on 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
There is no written examination or viva. Selection will be based on Class 10 marks, along with the candidate’s preferred Unit–Department–Trade combination. This article covers the important dates, 1,599-slot vacancy distribution, eligible trades, age and qualification requirements, fee, stipend, selection process and application procedure.
ITI candidates can also check the latest ITI Jobs 2026 for other government and public-sector opportunities.
East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview
Particular
Details
Organization
East Coast Railway
Recruiting Agency
Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar
Training
Act Apprentice
Training Year
2026–27
Total Training Slots
1,599 (Tentative)
Application Mode
Online
Qualification
Class 10 + Relevant ITI
Minimum Class 10 Marks
50%
Age Limit
15–24 Years
Selection
Merit Based
Written Exam
No
Viva/Interview
No
Application Fee
₹100
Application Start
26 August 2026, 5:00 PM
Last Date
15 September 2026, 5:00 PM
The 1,599 figure is provisional and may increase or decrease according to the actual requirement of the Railway Administration at the time of final selection.
⚡ Instant Job Alerts on WhatsApp
Get direct exam notifications, admit cards, and PDF updates delivered daily.
The 1,599 training slots are spread across five major ECoR units:
Unit / Division
Total Slots
Carriage Repair Workshop, Mancheswar, Bhubaneswar
250
RGDA Division
292
Khurda Road Division (ELS, Angul & IOH Depot)
773
Sambalpur Division
262
East Coast Railway Headquarters, Bhubaneswar
22
Total
1,599
Khurda Road Division has the largest allocation with 773 slots, followed by RGDA with 292 and Sambalpur with 262.
Trade-wise Vacancy Details
Unit
Department
Trade
Slots
Mancheswar Workshop
Mechanical
Fitter
80
Sheet Metal Worker
20
Welder
38
Machinist
12
Mechanic (MV)
10
Carpenter
30
Painter
10
Electrical
Electrician
30
Refrigeration & A.C. Mechanic
10
Wireman
10
Mancheswar Total
250
RGDA
Engineering
Fitter
36
Welder
38
Black Smith
38
Plumber
12
Carpenter
12
Sarang
18
Grinder
36
Driller
36
Draftsman (Civil)
5
Painter
6
Mason
18
Computer Operator & Programming Assistant
6
Electrical
Electrician
14
Wireman
10
Electronics Mechanic
5
Medical
Laboratory Technician (Pathology)
2
RGDA Total
292
Khurda Road
Engineering
Fitter
57
Black Smith
95
Welder
63
Plumber
43
Mason
84
Electronics Mechanic (TMO)
12
Mechanic (Diesel) (TMO)
12
Bridge Erector
90
Draftsman (Civil)
15
S&T
Fitter
11
Electrician
19
Wireman
19
Electronics Mechanic
11
Electrical
Electrician
41
Refrigeration & A.C. Mechanic
11
Electronics Mechanic
8
Medical
Laboratory Technician (Pathology)
2
Mechanical
Welder
25
Fitter
104
Turner
6
Machinist
12
Carpenter
31
Draftsman (Mechanic)
2
Khurda Road Total
773
Sambalpur
Engineering
Fitter
44
Engineering Black Smith
32
Welder
4
Carpenter
27
Sarang
4
Painter
27
Plumber
27
Electronics Mechanic (TMO)
6
Mechanic (Diesel) (TMO)
6
Mason
18
S&T
Fitter
5
Electrician
10
Wireman
10
Electronics Mechanic
5
Electrical
Electrician
5
Mechanical
Fitter
30
Medical
Laboratory Technician (Pathology)
2
Sambalpur Total
262
ECoR Headquarters
Personnel/Accounts/IT
Computer Operator & Programming Assistant
10
Secretarial Assistant (Stenography)
10
Medical
Laboratory Technician (Pathology)
2
Headquarters Total
22
The complete Annexure-A also provides category-wise reservation for UR, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD and Ex-Servicemen. Across all 1,599 slots, the category figures are 633 UR, 251 SC, 116 ST, 435 OBC and 164 EWS; PwBD and ESM reservations are horizontal and are included within the overall slots.
East Coast Railway has also announced a separate ECoR GDCE Recruitment 2026 with 1,421 vacancies for eligible railway employees, including posts such as Assistant Loco Pilot, Station Master, Goods Train Manager and Junior Engineer.
Eligibility for East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Educational Qualification
Requirement
Details
Class 10
Passed under 10+2 system
Minimum Marks
50% aggregate
Technical Qualification
ITI in relevant trade
ITI Recognition
NCVT/recognized qualification as prescribed
Qualification Cut-off
Qualification must already be passed by 21 August 2026
Age Limit
Candidates must be 15 to 24 years old as on 15 September 2026.
Category
Upper Age Relaxation
General
24 Years
SC/ST
5 Years
OBC
3 Years
PwBD
10 Years
Ex-Servicemen
As prescribed in the notification
The notification contains additional provisions for Ex-Servicemen and eligible children of Ex-Servicemen/Armed Forces personnel.
Candidates should check these points before applying:
SSC/Class 10 or ITI results awaited on the notification date are not eligible.
Candidates who have failed ITI should not apply.
Engineering graduates and diploma holders are not eligible under this notification because they fall under a separate apprenticeship scheme.
Laboratory Technician (Pathology) candidates need Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with at least 50% marks in both Class 10 and Class 12.
Secretarial Assistant/Stenography candidates must have the prescribed NCVT/SCVT-approved NTC.
Computer Operator & Programming Assistant candidates must meet the specific IT-sector training and NTC requirements given in the notification.
Application Fee
The application fee is ₹100, and it is non-refundable.
Candidate Category
Fee
General / Other eligible candidates
₹100
SC
Nil
ST
Nil
PwBD
Nil
Women
Nil
The fee must be paid online through the payment gateway integrated with the application. Payment can be made through debit card, credit card, UPI or internet banking.
Stipend / Training Details
The notification does not specify a fixed rupee amount for the monthly stipend. It states that selected apprentices will receive the stipend at the prescribed rate under the applicable rules and Railway Board directives.
The training period will also be as per the applicable apprenticeship rules. No hostel accommodation will be provided, so selected candidates have to make their own arrangements. After completion of training, apprentices will be released.
One important point for candidates: apprenticeship completion does not guarantee a permanent Railway job. The notification specifically states that apprentices trained in Railway establishments will have no claim for employment in the Railways after completion of training.
Candidates comparing apprenticeship opportunities can also check POWERGRID Apprentice Recruitment 2026 for another major apprenticeship opportunity.
Selection Process
There is no written examination and no viva.
The merit list for each unit will be prepared using the percentage of marks obtained in Matriculation, subject to the minimum 50% requirement. Marks from all subjects are counted; ECoR will not use a best-of-five calculation.
The selection flow is:
Class 10 Marks → Merit List → Unit–Department–Trade Preference → Document Verification → Apprenticeship Engagement
If two candidates have the same marks, the older candidate gets preference. If their dates of birth are also identical, preference goes to the candidate who passed Matriculation earlier.
If you are specifically looking for recruitments where selection is based on merit or does not involve a conventional written examination, see Government Jobs Without Exam 2026.
Your Class 10 Percentage Matters
This is the most important selection point for candidates.
The percentage is calculated using the total marks of all subjects, including optional, additional and alternate subjects. Candidates with CGPA must convert it into the equivalent percentage before entering it in the application. A mismatch between the application and original marksheet can lead to rejection during Document Verification.
How to Apply for East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Applications are accepted online only through the RRC/BBS website.
Step 1: Check Your Trade and Unit
Before filling the form, check Annexure-A and confirm that your ITI trade has vacancies in the Division/Workshop you want to choose.
Step 2: Register and Fill the Application
Enter your personal details, Aadhaar number, educational marks/CGPA, ITI details and other required information.
Your name, father’s name and date of birth should match your Matriculation certificate.
Step 3: Choose the Division/Workshop Carefully
Candidates can choose only one Division/Workshop. The choice is final and binding.
The selection will consider the candidate’s academic merit and the order of preference for Unit–Department–Trade. Once a candidate is selected against a higher preference, lower preferences are automatically cancelled.
Step 4: Upload Documents
Upload the required photograph, signature, Class 10 documents, ITI documents and applicable category certificates.
Step 5: Pay the Fee
Candidates who are not exempted must pay the ₹100 application fee online.
Step 6: Submit the Form
Check all details before final submission. Take a printout of the submitted application and keep it for your records.
Do not submit multiple applications for the same trade using different details. Such applications will be rejected. Candidates who possess ITI qualifications in more than one trade may apply separately for each relevant trade, subject to the notification’s conditions.
The notification specifically advises candidates to use only the official RRC/BBS website and warns against fake websites and agents claiming to influence selection.
⚡ Instant Job Alerts on WhatsApp
Get direct exam notifications, admit cards, and PDF updates delivered daily.
PSU Jobs – Browse the latest recruitment opportunities from public-sector organizations.
FAQ : ECoR Apprentice Recruitment 2026
How many slots are available in East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
There are 1,599 tentative Act Apprentice training slots for 2026–27.
When will applications start?
The online application process starts on 26 August 2026 at 5:00 PM.
What is the last date to apply?
The last date is 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
What is the age limit?
Candidates must be 15 to 24 years old as on 15 September 2026, subject to applicable relaxation.
What qualification is required?
Candidates need Class 10 with at least 50% aggregate marks and an ITI certificate in the relevant trade.
Can Diploma or B.Tech candidates apply?
No. Engineering graduates and diploma holders are specifically excluded from this notification because they fall under a separate apprenticeship scheme.
Is there a written exam?
No. There is no written test or viva. Selection is based on Matriculation marks and the applicable Unit–Department–Trade preference.
How will Class 10 marks be calculated?
Marks from all subjects will be considered. The notification does not use a best-of-five calculation.
What is the application fee?
The fee is ₹100. SC, ST, PwBD and women candidates are exempt.
What stipend will apprentices receive?
The notification does not give a fixed amount. It states that apprentices will receive the prescribed stipend rate under the applicable rules and Railway Board directives.
Is this a permanent Railway job?
No. It is an apprenticeship training engagement, and completion of the training does not create a claim for employment in the Railways.
Can I choose more than one Division or Workshop?
No. Only one Division/Workshop can be selected, and that choice is final and binding.
Do I need to send a hard copy of the application?
No. The application and documents are submitted online. Original documents will be required later during Document Verification if shortlisted.
What happens after completing the apprenticeship?
A Trade Apprentice who completes the training can receive a Certificate of Proficiency from the National Council, subject to passing the prescribed proficiency test. This certificate does not itself guarantee Railway employment.
MEET THE EDITOR
Sandeep Dev
Founder & Editor, GovtJobDeck
Sandeep Dev researches and verifies government recruitment notifications using official advertisements, government recruitment portals, and official notifications. Every article published on GovtJobDeck is reviewed for accuracy, clarity, and timely updates before publication.
✔ Official Notification Verification✔ Editorial Review Process✔ Regular Content Updates
