East Coast Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 1,599 Posts, Check Eligibility, Dates and Selection Process

East Coast Railway (ECoR) has announced recruitment for 1,599 Act Apprentice training slots for the 2026-27 cycle. The recruitment is being conducted through the Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar (RRC/BBS) under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Eligible candidates will be able to submit their applications online for apprenticeship engagement across various divisions, workshops and establishments under East Coast Railway.

The centralized notification is identified as ECoR/Pers/RRC/Act Apprentice/2026-27 and is dated 21 August 2026. According to the recruitment details, the online application window will open on 26 August 2026 at 5:00 PM and remain available until 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

The recruitment covers 25 designated trades, giving eligible candidates with the required Class 10 and ITI qualifications an opportunity to seek apprenticeship training in different technical and related fields. The selection will not involve a written examination or interview. Instead, candidates will be shortlisted through a merit list prepared on the basis of their Matriculation marks, subject to the other eligibility and document-verification requirements.

East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Key Details

The ECoR Act Apprentice recruitment is intended for candidates seeking apprenticeship engagement under the provisions of the Apprentices Act, 1961. The Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar is responsible for processing the applications and selection for the notified training slots.

The recruitment includes 1,599 Act Apprentice slots across five establishments or units under East Coast Railway. The application process is completely online, and applicants are required to submit their forms through the designated RRC/BBS portal.

The notification date is 21 August 2026, while the application process begins on 26 August 2026 at 17:00 hours. The final deadline is 15 September 2026 at 17:00 hours.

Candidates should pay particular attention to the cut-off dates because the recruitment notification specifies different dates for certain eligibility conditions. Age and eligibility are generally reckoned as of 15 September 2026, the closing date of the application process. However, the essential educational and technical qualification must have been obtained by 21 August 2026, the date of notification.

ECoR Apprentice Vacancy 2026

East Coast Railway has notified a total of 1,599 apprenticeship slots. These positions are spread across five units or establishments.

The largest share of the vacancies is available under the Khurda Road Division, including the ELS, Angul and IOH Depot, where 773 slots have been notified. The division covers departments including Engineering, Signal and Telecommunication, Electrical, Medical and Mechanical.

The RGDA Division has 292 slots, covering Engineering, Electrical and Medical departments.

The Sambalpur Division, including Coaching and BLGR, has 262 vacancies covering Engineering, Signal and Telecommunication, Electrical, Mechanical and Medical areas.

The Carriage Repair Workshop at Mancheswar, Bhubaneswar has 250 slots in Mechanical and Electrical areas.

The East Coast Railway Headquarters at Bhubaneswar has 22 slots, covering Personnel, Accounts, IT Cell and Medical areas.

Together, these five establishments account for the total 1,599 apprenticeship slots notified for the recruitment.

Category-Wise Distribution of Vacancies

The notification also provides a category-wise distribution of the total training slots.

Out of the 1,599 notified positions, the breakup includes 633 Unreserved (UR) slots, 251 Scheduled Caste (SC) slots, 116 Scheduled Tribe (ST) slots, 435 Other Backward Classes (OBC) slots and 164 Economically Weaker Section (EWS) slots.

The notification separately mentions 50 slots for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) and 42 slots for Ex-Servicemen (ESM). These are horizontal reservations and are included within the overall notified number rather than being additional vacancies.

The number of training slots is described as provisional. According to the recruitment information, the number may increase or decrease depending on the actual requirements of the administration at the time of finalising the selection process.

25 Trades Included in ECoR Apprentice Recruitment

The 1,599 apprenticeship opportunities have been distributed among 25 designated trades.

The trades listed under the recruitment include:

• Fitter

Applicants should carefully verify that their ITI qualification corresponds to the trade for which they intend to apply. The recruitment rules also allow candidates possessing ITI qualifications in more than one trade to apply separately for each relevant trade.

However, candidates must note that they can select only one Division/Workshop, and the choice made in the application is final and binding.

Educational Qualification for ECoR Apprentice Recruitment

Candidates applying for the East Coast Railway Act Apprentice recruitment must satisfy both the prescribed educational and technical qualification requirements.

For the general apprenticeship trades, applicants must have passed Matriculation or Class 10 under the 10+2 system with at least 50% aggregate marks from a recognised Board.

The required qualification must have been obtained by 21 August 2026.

In addition to Class 10, applicants must possess an ITI certificate in the relevant trade. The ITI qualification must be affiliated with NCVT or SCVT, as applicable under the Apprentices Act, 1961.

Candidates whose SSC or ITI results were still awaited on the notification date are not eligible under the recruitment. The notification also states that candidates who have failed their ITI course should not apply. If such a candidate is inadvertently engaged, the apprenticeship can be terminated immediately.

Special Qualification Requirements for Certain Trades

Some of the designated trades have additional qualification requirements.

For Laboratory Technician (Pathology), applicants must have passed Class 12 under the 10+2 system with Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The recruitment information specifies a minimum of 50% marks in both Class 10 and Class 12 for this trade.

For Secretarial Assistant (Stenography), candidates are required to possess a National Trade Certificate (NTC) approved by NCVT or SCVT.

For Computer Operator & Programming Assistant, applicants must have board-based basic training in the IT sector under the Centre of Excellence scheme, specifically covering hardware, networking repair and maintenance, along with an NTC approved by NCVT or SCVT.

These additional requirements mean that candidates should not rely only on the general Class 10 and ITI criteria. Applicants should confirm that they meet the trade-specific conditions before submitting the application.

Engineering Graduates and Diploma Holders Not Eligible

The recruitment notification specifically excludes engineering graduates and diploma holders from this particular apprenticeship recruitment.

According to the recruitment information, such candidates fall under a separate apprenticeship scheme and therefore are not eligible to apply against these ECoR Act Apprentice slots.

This distinction is important for applicants who possess higher technical qualifications but are considering applying because they also have an ITI qualification. Candidates should ensure that their eligibility is determined according to the conditions of the specific notification rather than assuming that a higher qualification automatically makes them eligible.

ECoR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Age Limit

The prescribed age range for applicants is 15 to 24 years.

Age is calculated as of the closing date, 15 September 2026.

The notification provides relaxation in the upper age limit for specified categories. SC/ST candidates receive an upper-age relaxation of five years, while OBC candidates receive a relaxation of three years.

For PwBD candidates, the upper-age relaxation is 10 years.

Specific provisions are also given for Ex-Servicemen. The notification provides an additional period of 10 years to the extent of defence service rendered, along with three years, subject to the stated condition of at least six months of service at a stretch. The provision is applicable to the Ex-Serviceman applicant personally and not to their children.

The recruitment information also includes provisions concerning children of deceased or disabled Ex-Servicemen, children of Ex-Servicemen, children of serving Jawans and children of serving Officers under the specified categories, with age relaxation according to their community.

Important Dates for ECoR Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Candidates planning to apply should keep the important dates in mind.

The recruitment notification was issued on 21 August 2026.

The online application process is scheduled to commence on 26 August 2026 at 5:00 PM.

The last date and time for submitting the online application is 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

The recruitment information also specifies that age and other eligibility conditions are generally considered as of the closing date, while the essential qualification must have been obtained by the notification date.

Candidates should therefore ensure that their Class 10 and ITI qualifications were already available on 21 August 2026 rather than waiting for results after that date.

ECoR Apprentice Application Fee

Candidates from the General, OBC and EWS categories who are male applicants are required to pay a ₹100 non-refundable application fee.

The application fee is nil for SC, ST, PwBD and women candidates.

Payment must be completed online through the payment gateway integrated into the application system. The available payment methods include Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI and Internet Banking.

Any transaction charges applicable to the payment are to be borne by the applicant.

Candidates should make sure that the payment process is successfully completed before considering their application submitted.

ECoR Apprentice Stipend

Selected apprentices will receive a monthly stipend during the training period.

The stipend will be paid at the rate prescribed under the applicable rules and directives issued by the Railway Board from time to time. The recruitment notification does not specify an exact monthly stipend amount.

Applicants should therefore not assume a particular stipend figure based on other apprenticeship advertisements.

The notification also states that hostel accommodation will not be provided during the apprenticeship. Selected candidates will have to make their own arrangements for accommodation during training.

Selection Process for East Coast Railway Apprentice Recruitment

One of the major features of the ECoR Apprentice recruitment is that there is no written examination and no interview.

Selection is based on a merit list prepared using Matriculation marks, subject to the minimum educational qualification and other requirements.

The percentage is calculated using marks obtained in all subjects. The selection process does not use a best-five calculation.

Candidates whose Class 10 result is expressed as CGPA must convert the CGPA into the equivalent percentage according to the applicable procedure.

A trade-wise and community-wise merit list will be prepared. Candidates will then be called for Document Verification (DV) according to their merit and the trade preferences submitted in the application.

The document verification process will be conducted at East Coast Railway Headquarters, Bhubaneswar.

Tie-Breaking Rules in Merit List

The recruitment notification also specifies how ties between candidates with the same marks will be resolved.

Where two or more candidates have identical marks, preference will be given to the older candidate.

If the candidates also have identical dates of birth, preference will then be given to the candidate who passed Matriculation earlier.

This tie-breaking mechanism will be used while preparing the merit list for the apprenticeship selection.

Role of Trade and Unit Preference

Candidates are shortlisted according to their academic merit as well as the order of preference for Unit–Department–Trade entered in the application.

The recruitment rules provide that a candidate is considered for only one combination.

Once a candidate is selected against a higher preference, the lower preferences are automatically cancelled.

Because the Division/Workshop selection is final and binding, candidates should carefully review their available choices before submitting the application. Requests to change the trade, division or workshop after selection will not be entertained.

Document Verification and Medical Fitness

Being included in the merit list does not by itself complete the selection process.

Candidates called for Document Verification must produce the required original documents. Final selection is subject to verification of the original records and submission of a Medical Fitness Certificate.

Candidates on the standby list may receive call letters if vacancies arise because of absenteeism, unfitness or rejection. Such candidates will be considered strictly according to merit.

The recruitment information also makes it clear that candidates called for Document Verification will not receive TA/DA for attending the verification process.

Documents Required

Applicants should keep the required documents ready before beginning the online application process.

The documents specified for the recruitment include the Matriculation/Class 10 mark sheet and pass certificate or equivalent document.

Where the date of birth is not mentioned in the Matriculation certificate, separate proof of date of birth may be required.

Candidates must also provide their consolidated ITI mark sheet for all semesters of the relevant trade or a Provisional National Trade Certificate.

The National Trade Certificate issued by NCVT or the relevant Provisional Trade Certificate is also among the required documents.

Additional documents may be necessary depending on the category claimed by the candidate. These include caste certificates for SC, ST and OBC applicants, the applicable EWS Income and Asset Certificate, disability certification for PwBD candidates and relevant discharge or serving certificates for candidates applying under the Ex-Servicemen quota.

Photograph, Signature and Aadhaar Requirements

Applicants also need to prepare scanned copies of their photograph and signature in the prescribed format.

The recruitment information specifies a photograph size of 3.5 cm × 3.5 cm, in JPG/JPEG format at 100 DPI, with a file size of 20–70 KB.

The signature should also be 3.5 cm × 3.5 cm, in JPG/JPEG format at 100 DPI, with a file size of 20–30 KB.

Candidates must provide their 12-digit Aadhaar number. If the Aadhaar card has not yet been received, the notification permits the use of a 28-digit Aadhaar Enrolment ID.

Applicants should ensure that the uploaded documents are clear and comply with the prescribed specifications.

How to Apply for ECoR Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar website at www.rrcbbs.org.in.

The application process begins with registration on the recruitment portal.

After registration, candidates need to log in and enter their personal information and other required details.

Applicants must provide information relating to their trade, Aadhaar number, Class 10 marks or CGPA and their preferred Division/Workshop.

Candidates should be particularly careful while entering their Division/Workshop preference because only one Division/Workshop can be selected and the choice is final.

After entering the required information, applicants must upload their photograph, signature and supporting certificates or documents.

Eligible applicants who are required to pay the fee must complete the online payment of ₹100 through the integrated payment gateway.

After completing all stages, candidates should submit the application and retain a printout or copy of the submitted form for their records.

Only One Application Allowed

Candidates must pay attention to the rule concerning multiple applications.

An applicant is permitted to submit only one application. Multiple applications for the same trade containing different particulars will be summarily rejected.

Candidates should therefore avoid submitting repeated applications simply because they want to modify information that has already been entered.

The recruitment process is online, and applicants are not required to send hard copies of the application form or documents by post.

Details Must Match Matriculation Certificate

Candidates should ensure that their personal information is entered exactly as it appears in their Matriculation certificate.

The recruitment instructions specify that the candidate's name, father's name and date of birth must match the Matriculation certificate.

Any discrepancy detected during Document Verification may result in cancellation of candidature.

Applicants should therefore check these details carefully before final submission rather than relying on corrections at a later stage.

Registered Mobile Number and Email ID

Candidates must also take care while providing their contact details.

The recruitment instructions state that applicants should not change their registered mobile number or email ID during the selection process.

These details may be used for communication relating to the recruitment, and candidates should therefore maintain access to the registered contact information throughout the process.

No Change in Trade, Division or Workshop After Selection

The recruitment notification does not permit changes to the selected trade, Division or Workshop after selection.

This makes the preference entered during the application stage particularly important.

Applicants who have multiple eligible options should review the available Unit–Department–Trade combinations carefully before submitting the form. Once the selection is made according to the applicable preference and merit rules, requests for changes will not be entertained.

Important Warning for Applicants

The recruitment instructions state that candidates found to be ineligible or candidates who are erroneously engaged can have their apprenticeship terminated without prior notice at any stage.

The notification also states that canvassing in any form will result in disqualification.

RRC/BBS has not appointed agents for the recruitment. Candidates are therefore cautioned against touts and job racketeers.

Applicants should use only the official recruitment process and should carefully verify information before making any payment or submitting personal documents.

No Automatic Railway Job After Apprenticeship

Candidates should also understand the nature of the apprenticeship engagement.

Completion of the apprenticeship under this scheme does not create a claim to employment with the Railways.

The recruitment is for apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961, and candidates should not treat selection as direct appointment to a regular Railway post.

The notification separately states that candidates who complete apprenticeship training and hold a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) may receive preference for up to 20% of future Level-1 direct-recruitment vacancies, subject to the eligibility conditions prescribed by the relevant RRB/RRC recruitment process. This is a separate benefit and is not part of the present apprentice selection itself.

Legal Jurisdiction

The recruitment notification specifies that any legal matter arising from the notification will fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Cuttack.

Candidates should refer to the official notification for the complete terms and conditions governing the apprenticeship recruitment.

Apprenticeship Duration

The recruitment provides for apprenticeship engagement under the applicable provisions of the Apprentices Act, 1961.

The notification states that the duration will be according to the prevailing rules. It does not specify a single fixed duration for all the notified trades in the recruitment information.

Candidates should therefore refer to the applicable trade-specific provisions and official notification for the precise training conditions.

ECoR Apprentice Recruitment 2026: What Candidates Should Check Before Applying

Before submitting the application, candidates should confirm that they satisfy all the prescribed requirements.

First, applicants should verify that they have passed Class 10 with at least 50% aggregate marks, wherever the general qualification applies.

Second, they must ensure that their ITI qualification is in the relevant trade and is affiliated with NCVT/SCVT as required.

Third, candidates should check their age as on 15 September 2026 and apply any applicable relaxation according to their category.

Fourth, applicants should verify that their essential qualification was already available by 21 August 2026.

Candidates should also carefully select their preferred Division/Workshop because only one can be chosen and that choice is final.

The photograph, signature, Aadhaar information and certificates should be prepared according to the prescribed requirements before starting the online application.

ECoR Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Important Points at a Glance

The recruitment offers 1,599 Act Apprentice training slots under East Coast Railway.

Applications are being handled by the Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar.

The notification number is ECoR/Pers/RRC/Act Apprentice/2026-27, dated 21 August 2026.

The online application window is scheduled from 26 August 2026 at 5:00 PM to 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

The general age requirement is 15 to 24 years, calculated as on the closing date.

The general educational requirement is Class 10 with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks, together with an ITI qualification in the relevant trade.

There are 25 designated trades covered under the recruitment.

Selection is based on Matriculation merit, meaning that no written examination or interview is conducted.

The application fee is ₹100 for General/OBC/EWS male applicants, while SC/ST/PwBD and women candidates are exempted from the fee.

Selected apprentices will receive a stipend at the applicable prescribed rate, but the notification does not specify an exact amount.

No hostel accommodation will be provided during the apprenticeship.

Engineering graduates and diploma holders are not eligible under this particular notification.

Candidates must submit only one application, and no hard copy needs to be sent by post.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many vacancies have been announced by East Coast Railway?

East Coast Railway has notified 1,599 Act Apprentice training slots for the 2026-27 recruitment cycle.

When will the ECoR Apprentice application process begin?

The online application process is scheduled to begin on 26 August 2026 at 5:00 PM.

What is the last date to apply?

Eligible candidates can submit their online applications until 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

What is the age limit?

The general age limit is 15 to 24 years, with applicable relaxations for eligible reserved categories. Age is calculated as on 15 September 2026.

What qualification is required?

For the general trades, candidates need Class 10 or Matriculation with at least 50% aggregate marks, along with an ITI certificate in the relevant trade affiliated to NCVT/SCVT.

Is there a written examination?

No. The selection is based on a merit list prepared from Matriculation marks. There is no written examination or interview.

What is the application fee?

The fee is ₹100 for General/OBC/EWS male applicants. SC/ST/PwBD and women candidates do not have to pay the application fee.

Can engineering graduates apply?

No. Engineering graduates and diploma holders are not eligible under this particular Act Apprentice notification because they fall under a separate apprenticeship scheme.

Will selected apprentices receive a stipend?

Yes. Selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend at the rate prescribed under the applicable rules and Railway Board directives. The exact stipend amount is not specified in the notification.

Will accommodation be provided?

No hostel accommodation is provided during the apprenticeship. Selected candidates must make their own accommodation arrangements.

Can a candidate choose more than one Division or Workshop?

No. Candidates can choose only one Division/Workshop, and the choice is final and binding.

Can candidates submit multiple applications?

No. Only one application is permitted. Multiple applications for the same trade with different particulars will be summarily rejected.

Is a Railway job guaranteed after completing the apprenticeship?

No. Apprentices trained under this scheme have no claim to employment with the Railways after completion of training.

Where can candidates apply?

Candidates should use the official Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar website at www.rrcbbs.org.in to complete the online application process.

The East Coast Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 provides 1,599 apprenticeship opportunities across 25 designated trades and five establishments under ECoR. The recruitment is open to candidates meeting the prescribed Class 10, ITI and age requirements, with selection based on Matriculation merit rather than a written examination or interview.

The application window is scheduled to run from 26 August 2026 at 5:00 PM to 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM. Candidates should carefully verify their educational qualification, ITI trade, age, category requirements and preferred Division/Workshop before submitting the application.

Applicants should also remember that the apprenticeship is a training engagement and does not guarantee regular Railway employment after completion. The official recruitment process is online, and candidates should rely on the prescribed RRC/BBS process rather than intermediaries or agents.

For the most accurate application instructions, candidates should refer to the official ECoR/RRC Bhubaneswar notification and recruitment portal before submitting their forms.