Eastern Railway has officially released the notification for the engagement of Act Apprentices for various workshops and divisions for the 2025–26 training cycle. This recruitment is conducted in accordance with the Apprentices Act, 1961, and the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992. Interested candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply online for training slots in their preferred trades. This opportunity is ideal for candidates looking to start a technical career in Indian Railways while gaining valuable hands-on experience.
The Eastern Railway Act Apprentices program is designed to train candidates in various technical trades across its workshops and divisions. The selected apprentices will undergo practical and theoretical training, preparing them for a potential long-term career in the Indian Railways.
This year, Eastern Railway has opened multiple slots across divisions including Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol, Malda, Kanchrapara, Lilua, and Jamalpur, offering a wide variety of trades for candidates to choose from.
Important Dates
Candidates must keep the following dates in mind:
- Notification Release Date: 31 July 2025
- Start Date for Online Application: 14 August 2025, 11:00 AM
- Last Date for Online Application: 13 September 2025, 11:59 PM
Vacancy Details
Eastern Railway has allocated a total of 2,815+ training slots across all divisions and workshops. The exact number of slots in each trade may vary depending on operational requirements.
Here is a division-wise summary of trades and training slots:
- Howrah Division: 659 slots
- Lilua Workshop: 612 slots
- Sealdah Division: 440 slots
- Kanchrapara Workshop: 187 slots
- Malda Division: 138 slots
- Asansol Division: 412 slots
- Jamalpur Workshop: 667 slots
Popular trades include: Fitter, Welder (G&E), Electrician, Machinist, Turner, Carpenter, Painter, Wireman, Mechanic Diesel, Ref & AC Mechanic, and Electric Mechanic.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 15 years
- Maximum Age: 24 years
- Age will be calculated as per the Matriculation certificate or Birth Certificate issued by a recognized government authority.
- Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST: +5 years
- OBC-NCL: +3 years
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): +10 years
Educational Qualification
- Candidates must have passed 10th class/Secondary examination under the 10+2 system with minimum 50% aggregate marks.
- Must possess a National Trade Certificate (NTC) issued by NCVT/SCVT in the trade applied for.
- Candidates with CTS (Craftsmen Training Scheme) certificate in “Wood Work Technician” are eligible for the Carpenter trade.
Application Fees
- General and OBC Candidates: ₹100/- (Non-refundable)
- SC/ST/Women/PwBD Candidates: Exempted
- Candidates must pay the application fee online at the time of applying.
Reservation Policy
- SC/ST/OBC/EWS/ESM/PwBD reservations are applicable as per Railway Board guidelines.
- UR (Unreserved) slots are open to all eligible candidates.
- PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities): 4% of seats in each trade reserved.
Salary / Stipend
The stipend for apprentices is governed by the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992, and is subject to periodic revisions. Typically, the monthly stipend ranges between ₹6,000 to ₹9,000, depending on the trade and location. This stipend is provided to cover basic living expenses during the training period.
How to Apply
- Visit the official RRC-ER website and click on the Act Apprentices Online Application link.
- Fill in personal, educational, and trade details accurately.
- Upload scanned copies of essential documents:
- National Trade Certificate (NTC)
- Matriculation certificate / Birth certificate
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- PwBD certificate (if applicable)
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Submit the application and keep a printed copy for future use.
Note: Applications submitted via post or any offline method will not be accepted.
Key Highlights
- Total vacancies are provisional and may be adjusted based on administrative needs.
- Divisions and workshops include Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol, Malda, Kanchrapara, Lilua, and Jamalpur.
- Trades available cover a wide range of technical fields, suitable for candidates with NTC qualifications.
- Inclusive recruitment with reserved quotas for PwBD and ESM candidates.
- Age relaxation and other eligibility conditions are strictly followed according to Railway Board regulations.
Additional Information
- Candidates must ensure eligibility before applying.
- Only candidates possessing valid NTC and required educational qualifications will be shortlisted.
- All correspondence and updates will be available on the official RRC-ER website.
- Selected apprentices will get an opportunity to undergo hands-on training in real railway workshops, gaining experience in one of India’s largest railway networks.
