The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), East Central Railway (ECR), Patna, has officially released Notification No. RRC/ECR/HRD/Act. Apprentice/2025-26 dated 26th September 2025 for the engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This recruitment drive offers a golden opportunity for ITI-qualified candidates across multiple trades to secure apprenticeship training at various divisions and units under East Central Railway.
A total of 1,149 apprenticeship slots are available across divisions including Danapur, Dhanbad, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Sonpur, Samastipur, Plant Depot, Carriage Repair Workshop (Harnaut), and Mechanical Workshop (Samastipur). Interested and eligible candidates can submit their applications only through the online mode on the official RRC/ECR website.
The online application portal opens on 26th September 2025 and will remain active until 25th October 2025 (23:59 hrs). Candidates are advised to apply well before the last date to avoid last-minute technical glitches.
Key Highlights of East Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2025–26
- Recruiting Body: Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), East Central Railway, Patna
- Total Vacancies: 1,149 apprenticeship slots
- Job Type: Apprenticeship Training (Act Apprentices under Apprentices Act, 1961)
- Mode of Application: Online only
- Application Start Date: 26th September 2025
- Last Date to Apply Online: 25th October 2025 (till 23:59 hrs)
- Selection Process: Merit-based (marks of 10th & ITI considered)
- Training Location: Various divisions/units under ECR
- Stipend: As per Government rules during training
Divisions/Units and Vacancy Details
The apprenticeship training opportunities are distributed across multiple divisions and workshops. Candidates can apply for only one division/unit of their choice. Trade-wise and category-wise vacancies are as follows:
1. Danapur Division – 675 slots
- Fitter: 201
- Welder: 08
- Mechanic (Diesel): 37
- Refrigeration & AC Mechanic: 75
- Forger & Heat Treater: 24
- Carpenter: 09
- Electronic Mechanic: 142
- Painter (General): 07
- Electrician: 146
- Wireman: 26
2. Dhanbad Division – 156 slots
- Fitter: 41
- Turner: 23
- Machinist: 07
- Carpenter: 04
- Welder (Gas & Electric): 44
- Mechanic Diesel (Fitter): 15
- Wireman: 22
3. Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Division – 62 slots
- Fitter: 37
- Welder: 03
- Electrician: 06
- Turner: 01
- Wireman: 01
- Electronics Mechanic: 10
- Mechanic (Diesel): 04
4. Sonpur Division – 47 slots
- Fitter: 21
- Blacksmith: 05
- Welder: 06
- Carpenter: 06
- Painter: 09
5. Samastipur Division – 42 slots
- Fitter: 06
- Mechanic (Diesel): 06
- Electrician: 18
- Electronics Mechanic: 04
- Welder: 02
- Painter: 02
- Carpenter: 02
- Turner: 02
6. Plant Depot/ Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya – 29 slots
- Fitter: 22
- Machinist: 02
- Welder (G&E): 01
- Electrician: 01
- Machinist/Grinder: 01
- Turner: 01
- Mechanic (Diesel): 01
7. Carriage Repair Workshop, Harnaut – 110 slots
- Fitter: 74
- Machinist: 12
- Welder: 16
- Electrician: 08
8. Mechanical Workshop, Samastipur – 28 slots
- Fitter: 09
- Welder: 09
- Machinist: 06
- Electrician: 04
Total Slots = 1,149
Reservation Rules
- SC/ST/OBC/EWS reservations apply as per government norms.
- PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities): 4% of total slots.
- Ex-servicemen: 3% reservation.
- EWS: 10% reservation.
- Unfilled reserved slots may be filled by candidates from other categories as per guidelines.
What is the typical stipend for railway apprentices (based on recent norms)
Based on publicly available sources, here is the typical stipend / salary range for railway apprentices and other apprentices under central schemes in India in 2025:
| Source / Context | Approx Monthly Stipend | Notes / Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| Bharatgeek — Railway Apprentice (ITI) | ₹7,000 to ₹9,000 per month | For apprentices in ICF, RRC CR, NFR and other zones. |
| IPSEdu / general guides | ₹7,000 to ₹12,000 | Some guides mention that stipends for apprentices range in this band, depending on trade & location. |
| Proposed revision by Central Apprenticeship Council | ₹6,800 to ₹12,300 | The government has recommended increasing the stipend range under apprenticeship schemes from the current ~₹5,000–₹9,000 band to this higher range. |
| Railway Board / BLW / ALWC references | Stipend revision notices exist | There are references to revision of rates for trainees / apprentices in railway internal documents (e.g. BLW website) though not always broken down publicly. |
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit (as on 25th October 2025)
- Minimum Age: 15 years
- Maximum Age: 24 years
Age Relaxations:
- SC/ST: +5 years
- OBC: +3 years
- PwBD: +10 years (UR), +13 years (OBC), +15 years (SC/ST)
- Ex-servicemen: Length of service in Armed Forces + 3 years (subject to completion of 6 months regular service).
Educational Qualification
- Must have passed Matric/10th class examination or equivalent (under 10+2 system) with minimum 50% marks.
- Must have ITI certificate in relevant trade issued by NCVT/SCVT.
Selection Process
The selection will be purely merit-based, without any written test or interview.
- Merit List Preparation:
- Based on average percentage of marks in 10th (Matriculation) and ITI.
- Equal weightage will be given to both.
- Tie-Breaker Rules:
- Older candidates will be preferred if marks are the same.
- If birthdates are also same, candidates who passed matriculation earlier will be considered.
- Document Verification & Medical Fitness:
- Shortlisted candidates will undergo document verification at the division/unit selected.
- Candidates must satisfy the minimum medical fitness standards prescribed under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
Application Fee
- General/OBC/EWS candidates: ₹100/- (non-refundable)
- SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates: Exempted from fee
- Mode of Payment: Online (Debit/Credit card, Net Banking, UPI)
Training & Stipend
- Training will be conducted as per the Central Apprenticeship Council guidelines.
- Apprentices will be paid stipend at the prescribed government rates (subject to revision).
- No hostel accommodation will be provided — apprentices must make their own arrangements.
Important Documents to Upload
Candidates must upload scanned copies of the following during online application:
- Matriculation (10th) marksheet & certificate (for DOB & marks).
- Consolidated ITI marksheet or Provisional/National Trade Certificate.
- Caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC) in prescribed format.
- Non-Creamy Layer Certificate for OBC (issued on or after 01.04.2025).
- EWS Certificate (Annexure-III format).
- PwBD Certificate (if applicable).
- Ex-servicemen/Armed Forces Service Certificate (if applicable).
- Aadhaar Card or alternate government ID (for J&K, Assam, Meghalaya residents).
- Recent passport-size color photograph (20–70 kb, JPG/JPEG).
- Signature in running handwriting (10–30 kb, JPG/JPEG).
How to Apply for East Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2025–26
Eligible candidates must submit their application online only through the official RRC/ECR website. Follow these steps:
- Visit the official website.
- Go to Hajipur H.Q. → RRC/Patna section.
- Click on “Apply Online – Apprentice Recruitment 2025–26” link.
- Register using Aadhaar Number/Enrolment ID and fill in personal details.
- Upload scanned documents, photograph, and signature.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable) via online gateway.
- Submit and take a printout of the application form for future reference.
Note: Candidates can apply for only one division/unit. Multiple applications will lead to rejection.
Important Dates
- Notification Release Date: 26th September 2025
- Opening of Online Application: 26th September 2025
- Closing of Online Application: 25th October 2025 (23:59 hrs)
- Document Verification: To be announced later on official website
Medical Standards
Candidates must submit a Medical Fitness Certificate signed by a Government-authorized doctor (not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon). The certificate should conform to the standards laid down under the Apprentices Act, 1961 and Apprenticeship Rules, 1992.
Key Instructions for Applicants
- Applying does not guarantee employment after apprenticeship completion.
- Canvassing in any form will lead to disqualification.
- Candidates should ensure all details match their certificates (name, father’s name, DOB, marks, etc.).
- No TA/DA will be paid for document verification.
- RRC/ECR reserves the right to cancel candidature if false information is provided.
- Candidates must regularly check the official website for updates.
