The South Eastern Railway has announced a major recruitment drive for the engagement of Act Apprentices for the training year 2025-26. This opportunity is open to Indian nationals who wish to undergo apprenticeship training in various trades such as Fitter, Electrician, Turner, Welder, Mechanic Diesel, Carpenter, Painter, Refrigerator & AC Mechanic, Machinist, Wireman and others across multiple workshops and units under the South Eastern Railway zone. The recruitment is completely merit-based and the online application process is open from 18 November 2025 to 17 December 2025. Candidates who meet the required age, educational qualifications, and medical fitness standards can apply for a total of 1785 apprenticeship seats across Kharagpur, Chakradharpur, Adra, Ranchi, Sini, Bondamunda, Jhargram, Tatanagar, and other units.
Important Dates
- Online Application Start Date: 18 November 2025
- Online Application Last Date: 17 December 2025 (till 17:00 hours)
Total Vacancies
South Eastern Railway is offering 1785 Act Apprentice posts across 30 different workshops and establishments. These include:
- Kharagpur Workshop
- Signal & Telecom Workshop, Kharagpur
- Track Machine Workshop, Kharagpur
- Carriage & Wagon Depot
- Diesel Loco Sheds
- Electric Loco Sheds
- TRD Depots
- Electrical Departments
- Workshops at Sini and Bondamunda
- Units under Chakradharpur, Adra and Ranchi divisions
The training slots are distributed among General, OBC, SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, and Persons with Disabilities categories as per rules.
Application Fees
- Rs. 100 (Non-Refundable) for General, OBC, and other applicable categories
- No Fee for SC, ST, Women, and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) candidates
- Payment must be made online using Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, UPI or Wallets
- Transaction charges, if any, must be paid by the candidate
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 15 years
- Maximum Age: 24 years (as on 01 January 2026)
Age Relaxation
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- PWD: 10 years
- Ex-Servicemen: Additional 10 years + service rendered in Defence Forces (minimum 6 months service)
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have:
- Matriculation / 10th Class in 10+2 examination system with
- Minimum 50% aggregate marks
- From a recognized Board
- ITI Certificate
- In the relevant trade
- Issued by NCVT/SCVT
Both 10th marks and ITI qualification must match the trade for which the apprenticeship is sought.
Medical Fitness
All candidates must satisfy the medical fitness standards prescribed under the Apprentices Act, 1961 and Apprenticeship Rules, 1992.
A Railway Medical Officer must certify the candidate’s medical fitness in the prescribed format.
Disability Eligibility
Only the following categories of persons with disabilities are eligible:
- Locomotor disability / Cerebral Palsy (minimum 40%)
- Hearing impaired (60 dB or more)
Trades permitted for PWD candidates include Fitter, Welder, Electrician, Carpenter, Diesel Mechanic, Machinist, Painter, Turner, and AC Mechanic, depending on the specific disability patterns described.
Selection Process
The selection of Act Apprentices is based purely on merit. The following steps apply:
1. Preparation of Merit List
- Merit list is prepared trade-wise based on marks obtained in Matriculation (10th Class).
- Minimum requirement: 50% aggregate marks.
- Marks of all subjects will be considered.
2. Tie-Breaking Rules
If two candidates have the same marks:
- The candidate older in age will be given preference.
- If age is also same, the one who passed 10th earlier will be preferred.
3. Shortlisting for Document Verification
- Candidates are shortlisted 1.5 times the total vacancies for each trade.
- They must appear with original documents for verification.
4. Final Selection
- Final merit list will be prepared trade-wise and category-wise.
- Candidates must pass the medical fitness test before joining.
5. Reservation Rules
If reserved category slots remain unfilled:
- Unfilled OBC → UR
- Unfilled SC ↔ ST
- If still vacant → moved to UR category
This is as per the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992.
Stipend (Salary During Training)
Selected apprentices will be paid stipends at the rate prescribed under the Apprentices Act and Government norms.
The stipend amount is revised periodically and depends on the year of apprenticeship and trade. Rs 62500 to 126100 Salary
How to Apply Online
Candidates must apply only through the official online system. No physical applications are allowed.
Steps to Apply
- Visit the official portal of Railway Recruitment Cell (SER).
- Read the instructions carefully.
- Fill in personal details such as name, date of birth, category, and email ID.
- Enter educational details including 10th marks and trade-specific ITI certificate.
- Upload
- Recent colour photograph (JPG/JPEG)
- Full signature (JPG/JPEG)
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Disability certificate (if applicable)
- Choose three preferences for training establishments.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Submit the application and take a printout for future reference.
Important Notes
- Details must match exactly with the Matriculation Certificate.
- Photograph should be clear, without sunglasses or cap.
- Signature must be valid — applications without signature will be rejected.
- Keep email ID and mobile number active for communication.
Training Conditions
1. No Job Guarantee After Training
Completing apprenticeship does not guarantee employment in Railways.
However, trained apprentices receive preference for 20% of Level-1 (erstwhile Group D) vacancies, provided they clear the written examination.
2. Documentation Requirements
- All certificates must be valid and uploaded in the correct format.
- Candidates must produce originals during document verification.
3. Anti-Fraud Warning
Selection is purely merit-based.
Candidates must not trust any individual, agent, or coaching centre offering job guarantees.
Detailed Overview of Major Training Units (Summary)
1. Kharagpur Workshop – 360 Vacancies
- Fitter: 100
- Turner: 22
- Electrician: 80
- Welder (G&E): 70
- Mechanic (Diesel): 33
- Machinist: 27
- Painter (G): 18
- Refrigerator & AC Mechanic: 10
2. Signal & Telecom Workshop, Kharagpur – 87 Vacancies
- Electrician: 47
- Electronics Mechanic: 36
- Painter (G): 2
- Cable Jointer / Crane Operator: 2
3. Track Machine Workshop, Kharagpur – 120 Vacancies
- Fitter: 54
- Electronics Mechanic: 30
- Mechanic (Diesel): 25
- Welder (G&E): 11
4. SSE Works, Engineering, Kharagpur – 28 Vacancies
- Carpenter: 14
- Painter: 14
5. Carriage & Wagon Depot, Kharagpur – 121 Vacancies
- Fitter: 70
- Welder (G&E): 40
- Carpenter: 7
- Painter: 2
- Turner: 1
- Machinist: 1
6. Diesel Loco Shed, Kharagpur – 50 Vacancies
- Fitter: 5
- Electrician: 15
- Welder (G&E): 4
- Mechanic (Diesel): 23
- Painter (G): 1
- Cable Jointer/Crane Operator: 1
- Carpenter: 1
7. Sr. DEE (G), Kharagpur – 90 Vacancies
- Electrician: 30
- Mechanic (Diesel): 4
- Wireman: 15
- Winder (Armature): 12
- Refrigerator & AC Mechanic: 14
- Lineman: 15
8. TRD Depot, Electrical, Kharagpur – 40 Vacancies
- Electrician: 20
- Fitter: 20
9. EMU Shed, TPKR – 40 Vacancies
- Fitter: 10
- Electrician: 10
- Welder (G&E): 10
- Machinist: 10
10. Electric Loco Shed, Santragachi – 36 Vacancies
- Fitter: 10
- Electrician: 10
- Welder (G&E): 8
- Machinist: 8
11. Sr. DEE (G), Chakradharpur – 93 Vacancies
- Electrician: 34
- Mechanic (Diesel): 4
- Wireman: 20
- Winder (Armature): 10
- Refrigerator & AC Mechanic: 15
- Lineman: 10
12. Electric Traction Depot, Chakradharpur – 30 Vacancies
- Electrician: 20
- Fitter: 10
13. Carriage & Wagon Depot, Chakradharpur – 65 Vacancies
- Fitter: 40
- Welder (G&E): 20
- Carpenter: 1
- Machinist: 1
- Painter: 1
- Turner: 1
- Trimmer: 1
14. Electric Loco Shed, TATA – 72 Vacancies
- Fitter: 25
- Electrician: 22
- Welder (G&E): 15
- Machinist: 10
15. Engineering Workshop, Sini – 100 Vacancies
- Fitter: 30
- Turner: 5
- Electrician: 20
- Welder (G&E): 30
- Machinist: 5
- Mechanic Machine Tool Maintenance (MMTM): 5
- Forger & Heat Treater: 5
16. Track Machine Workshop, Sini – 7 Vacancies
- Fitter: 5
- Electrician: 2
17. SSE Works, Engineering, Chakradharpur – 26 Vacancies
- Carpenter: 13
- Painter: 13
18. Electric Loco Shed, Bondamunda – 50 Vacancies
- Fitter: 15
- Electrician: 15
- Welder (G&E): 10
- Machinist: 10
19. Diesel Loco Shed, Bondamunda – 52 Vacancies
- Fitter: 32
- Electrician: 16
- Welder (G&E): 1
- Mechanic (Diesel): 1
- Painter (G): 1
- Carpenter: 1
20. Sr. DEE (G), Adra – 30 Vacancies
- Electrician: 12
- Mechanic (Diesel): 2
- Wireman: 4
- Winder (Armature): 4
- Refrigerator & AC Mechanic: 5
- Lineman: 3
21. Carriage & Wagon Depot, Adra – 65 Vacancies
- Fitter: 40
- Welder (G&E): 20
- Painter: 2
- Carpenter: 2
- Machinist: 1
22. Diesel Loco Shed, BKSC – 33 Vacancies
- Fitter: 5
- Electrician: 6
- Welder (G&E): 10
- Mechanic (Diesel): 12
23. TRD Depot, Electrical, Adra – 30 Vacancies
- Electrician: 20
- Fitter: 10
24. Electric Loco Shed, BKSC – 31 Vacancies
- Fitter: 10
- Electrician: 9
- Welder (G&E): 8
- Machinist: 4
25. Electric Loco Shed, ROU – 25 Vacancies
- Fitter: 5
- Turner: 6
- Electrician: 2
- Welder (G&E): 5
- MMTM: 5
- Painter (G): 2
26. SSE Works, Engineering, Adra – 24 Vacancies
- Carpenter: 12
- Painter: 12
27. Carriage & Wagon Depot, Ranchi – 30 Vacancies
- Fitter: 20
- Welder (G&E): 10
28. Sr. DEE (G), Ranchi – 30 Vacancies
- Electrician: 10
- Mechanic (Diesel): 1
- Wireman: 6
- Winder (Armature): 6
- Refrigerator & AC Mechanic: 5
- Lineman: 2
29. TRD Depot, Electrical, Ranchi – 10 Vacancies
- Electrician: 5
- Fitter: 5
30. SSE Works, Engineering, Ranchi – 10 Vacancies
- Carpenter: 5
- Painter: 5
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Ensure eligibility before applying.
- Applications with incorrect or mismatched information will be rejected.
- Keep printout of the application form for document verification.
- Choose training preferences carefully — allocation depends on merit.
- The Railway Administration is not responsible for delays or non-receipt of emails/SMS.
- Apprenticeship does not guarantee a job, but provides valuable experience and preference in future Level-1 recruitment.
