East Coast Railway (ECoR) has released a centralized notification for the engagement of 1,599 Act Apprentices for the training year 2026–27. The recruitment is being conducted through the Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Bhubaneswar under the Apprentices Act, 1961. The official notification is ECoR/Pers/RRC/Act Apprentice/2026-27, dated 21 August 2026. Eligible candidates with 10th/Matriculation and ITI qualification in the relevant trade can apply online. The application window will open on 26 August 2026 at 5:00 PM and close on 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM. Importantly, this is an apprenticeship training opportunity, not a regular permanent Railway job. Selection is based on Matriculation merit, and there is no written examination or interview.
East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | East Coast Railway (ECoR) |
| Recruiting Authority | Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar |
| Post | Act Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 1,599 |
| Notification No. | ECoR/Pers/RRC/Act Apprentice/2026-27 |
| Notification Date | 21 August 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start | 26 August 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Last Date | 15 September 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Minimum Qualification | 10th + ITI |
| Age Limit | 15–24 years |
| Application Fee | ₹100 |
| Selection | Matriculation Merit |
| Official Website | RRC Bhubaneswar |
The recruitment covers 25 designated trades across various East Coast Railway divisions, workshops and headquarters.
Vacancy Details
A total of 1,599 Act Apprentice training slots are available.
| Unit / Establishment | Total Slots |
|---|---|
| Carriage Repair Workshop, Mancheswar, Bhubaneswar | 250 |
| RGDA Division | 292 |
| Khurda Road Division – ELS, Angul & IOH Depot | 773 |
| Sambalpur Division – Coaching, BLGR | 262 |
| Headquarters, ECoR, Bhubaneswar | 22 |
| Total | 1,599 |
Category-wise Vacancy
| Category | Slots |
|---|---|
| UR | 633 |
| SC | 251 |
| ST | 116 |
| OBC | 435 |
| EWS | 164 |
| PwBD* | 50 |
| Ex-Servicemen* | 42 |
*PwBD and Ex-Servicemen reservations are horizontal reservations included within the overall vacancies, not additional posts.
Trades Available
The recruitment covers 25 designated trades, including:
- Fitter
- Welder
- Turner
- Machinist
- Electrician
- Carpenter
- Painter
- Mechanic (Diesel)
- Secretarial Assistant/Stenography
- Blacksmith
- Driller
- Bridge Erector
- Sheet Metal Worker
- Electronics Mechanic
- Wireman
- Refrigeration & AC Mechanic
- Plumber
- Draftsman (Civil)
- Mechanic (Motor Vehicle)
- Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA)
- Laboratory Technician (Pathology)
- Sarang
- Grinder
- Mason
- Draftsman (Mechanic)
Candidates must check the trade-specific qualification requirements in the notification before applying.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must satisfy both the academic and technical qualification requirements.
1. Matriculation
The candidate must have passed 10th Class/Matriculation under the 10+2 system with at least 50% aggregate marks from a recognized Board.
The required educational qualification must have been obtained by 21 August 2026, the date of notification. Candidates whose 10th or ITI result was still awaited on the relevant date are not eligible.
2. ITI Qualification
Candidates must possess an ITI certificate in the relevant trade affiliated to NCVT or SCVT, as prescribed for the selected trade.
For example, candidates applying for Fitter posts should have the prescribed Fitter ITI qualification.
Special Qualification
For Laboratory Technician (Pathology), candidates must have passed 12th with Physics, Chemistry and Biology and satisfy the prescribed marks requirements.
Candidates applying for specialized trades should carefully check Annexure A of the official notification.
Age Limit
The age of candidates is calculated as on 15 September 2026.
- Minimum Age: 15 years
- Maximum Age: 24 years
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As prescribed under the applicable rules |
Candidates should verify their exact date of birth eligibility from the official notification before submitting the application.
Application Fee
The application fee is ₹100 for candidates who are required to pay the fee.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS Male | ₹100 |
| SC/ST | Nil |
| PwBD | Nil |
| Women | Nil |
The fee is non-refundable and is paid online through the integrated payment gateway.
Stipend
Selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend at the rate prescribed under the applicable Apprenticeship Act/Railway Board rules.
The notification does not specify a fixed stipend amount, so candidates should not rely on unofficial websites quoting a particular monthly salary.
This recruitment is for apprenticeship training, so it should not be treated as a regular Railway employee appointment.
Selection Process
The East Coast Railway Apprentice selection process is comparatively simple.
There is:
- No written examination
- No CBT
- No interview
Selection is primarily based on a merit list prepared using the percentage of marks obtained in Matriculation.
The broad process is:
10th Merit → Trade/Category Merit List → Document Verification → Medical Fitness → Apprentice Engagement
In case candidates have equal marks, tie-breaking rules specified in the notification are applied.
Candidates are considered according to their selected Unit–Department–Trade preference.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 21 August 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 26 August 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 September 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Age Cut-off Date | 15 September 2026 |
| Qualification Cut-off | 21 August 2026 |
Candidates are advised not to wait until the final day because the application portal closes at 5:00 PM on 15 September 2026.
Documents Required
Candidates should keep the following documents ready:
- 10th/Matriculation marks card
- 10th pass certificate
- ITI marks cards
- ITI/NCVT/SCVT certificate
- Aadhaar Card
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Candidate’s signature
- Caste certificate, if applicable
- OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate, where applicable
- EWS certificate, where applicable
- PwBD certificate, where applicable
- Ex-Servicemen documents, where applicable
- Date-of-birth proof, if required
- Other trade-specific certificates, if applicable
The name, father’s/mother’s name and date of birth should match the Matriculation certificate. Candidates should also keep the original documents available for Document Verification.
How to Apply Online
Eligible candidates can apply online by following these steps:
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Go to the official Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar website:
RRC Bhubaneswar Official Website
Step 2: Find the Apprentice Recruitment
Look for the notification titled “ECoR/Pers/RRC/Act Apprentice/2026-27.”
Step 3: Register
Complete the registration process using your personal details, mobile number and email ID.
Step 4: Fill the Application Form
Enter your:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Educational details
- 10th marks
- ITI details
- Category
- Aadhaar details
- Preferred unit/workshop
- Trade preference
Fill these details carefully because incorrect information can result in cancellation.
Step 5: Upload Documents
Upload the photograph, signature and other required certificates in the prescribed format.
Step 6: Pay the Fee
Pay the ₹100 application fee, if applicable.
SC/ST, PwBD and women candidates are exempt from the fee.
Step 7: Submit the Application
Review all information carefully and submit the application.
Step 8: Save the Application
Download and keep a copy of the completed application and payment receipt for future reference.
Apply Online Link
Candidates should apply only through the official RRC Bhubaneswar website.
Official Apply/Recruitment Portal:
RRC Bhubaneswar – Official Website
The online application is scheduled to open on 26 August 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Important Note for Candidates
The 1,599 posts are apprenticeship training slots, not permanent Railway vacancies. Completion of apprenticeship does not automatically guarantee a permanent job in Indian Railways.
Candidates should also be careful about fake websites and agents. The application should be completed only through the official RRC Bhubaneswar portal.
FAQs East Coast Railway Apprentice Vacancy 2026
1. How many vacancies are available in East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
There are 1,599 Act Apprentice training slots under the 2026–27 recruitment.
2. What is the last date to apply?
The last date is 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
3. When does the online application start?
The application process starts on 26 August 2026 at 5:00 PM.
4. What is the qualification for ECoR Apprentice Recruitment?
Candidates generally need 10th/Matriculation with at least 50% marks and ITI in the relevant trade from an NCVT/SCVT-affiliated institution.
5. What is the age limit?
The prescribed age is 15 to 24 years as on 15 September 2026, with applicable relaxation for reserved categories.
6. What is the application fee?
The fee is ₹100 for applicable candidates. SC/ST, PwBD and women candidates are exempt from the application fee.
7. Is there a written examination?
No. Selection is based on the Matriculation merit list. There is no written examination or interview.
8. What is the stipend?
Apprentices receive a stipend according to the applicable Apprenticeship Act and Railway Board rules. The notification does not specify one fixed stipend amount.
9. Can engineering graduates or diploma holders apply?
No. Engineering graduates and diploma holders are not eligible under this particular Act Apprentice notification because they fall under separate apprenticeship schemes.
10. Where can I apply for East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Applications should be submitted through the official Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar website: