The Northern Railway has released a major recruitment notification for the engagement of 4116 Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act 1961 for various divisions, units, and workshops across Northern Railway. This recruitment drive offers a significant opportunity for aspiring candidates who have completed their Matriculation and ITI in relevant trades to undergo apprenticeship training in one of India’s largest railway networks. The online application process opens on 25 November 2025 and closes on 24 December 2025. Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility conditions, including age, educational qualifications, and reservation requirements, before submitting the online form. The selection will be based purely on merit, calculated from the marks obtained in Matriculation and ITI, with equal weightage to both. Training under the Railway system does not ensure any subsequent employment; it strictly follows the norms of the Apprentices Act. Candidates must read all instructions carefully before applying to avoid rejection due to errors or incomplete documentation.
Important Dates
- Online Application Opening Date: 25 November 2025 (12:00 hrs)
- Online Application Closing Date: 24 December 2025 (23:59 hrs)
- Expected Merit List Display: February 2026
Applicants are strongly advised to complete the registration process well before the last date to avoid internet congestion or technical difficulties that commonly occur during the final days of online application submission.
Total Vacancy
Northern Railway has announced a total of 4116 Act Apprentice vacancies across various divisions and workshops.
The trade-wise and unit-wise distribution is provided in the official detailed breakup (Annexure A).
Vacancies will be filled as per reservation rules for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen categories. If sufficient candidates are not available in certain reserved categories, vacancies may be filled as per relaxation rules applicable under the Apprentices Act and Railway guidelines.
Trade Details
Applicants must apply only for the trade in which they possess an ITI certificate. It is essential to select the correct cluster and unit where training slots for the specific ITI trade are available.
If a candidate applies for a unit where their ITI trade is not available, the application will be rejected.
No changes in submitted applications will be allowed later, and application fees for invalid selections will not be refunded.
Essential Educational Qualification
As of 18 November 2025, candidates must have:
- Passed Matriculation / SSC / 10th Class or its equivalent under the 10+2 system with at least 50% aggregate marks, from a recognized board.
- Possessed an ITI certificate in the relevant trade, issued by NCVT or SCVT.
Important Rules:
- Candidates awaiting their 10th or ITI results as of the notification date are not eligible.
- The qualification must already be completed before the notification date.
Age Limit
As on 24 December 2025, candidates must be:
- Minimum Age: 15 years
- Maximum Age: 24 years
Age Relaxation:
- SC / ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- Persons with Disability: 10 years
- Ex-Servicemen: Extended age relaxation based on service rendered, plus 3 years, subject to conditions
- Community certificate and NCL certificate (for OBC) must be issued in valid central government format.
Application Fee
- Application Fee: Rs. 100
- Payment Mode: Online only
Exempted Categories (No fee required):
- SC
- ST
- Women candidates
- PwBD candidates
Fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances. Candidates must ensure the transaction is fully successful, as incomplete payments will not be considered.
Pay Scale
| S. No | Trade / Course | Qualification | Monthly Stipend (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fitter | ITI (Fitter) | 8,000 – 9,000 |
| 2 | Electrician | ITI (Electrician) | 8,000 – 9,500 |
| 3 | Welder | ITI (Welder) | 7,500 – 9,000 |
| 4 | Mechanic Diesel | ITI (Mechanic Diesel) | 8,500 – 10,000 |
| 5 | Carpenter | ITI (Carpenter) | 7,000 – 8,500 |
| 6 | Electronics Mechanic | ITI (Electronics) | 8,000 – 9,500 |
| 7 | Machinist | ITI (Machinist) | 7,500 – 8,500 |
| 8 | Painter | ITI (Painter) | 6,800 – 7,800 |
| 9 | Computer / IT | Diploma / ITI | 9,000 – 12,300 |
| 10 | Sheet Metal Worker | ITI (Sheet Metal) | 7,000 – 8,000 |
Mode of Selection
The selection of candidates for apprenticeship training will be done purely on merit. There will be:
- No written examination
- No interview
- No viva voce
Selection Method:
- Combined merit list prepared using average of percentage marks from:
- Matriculation (with minimum 50% marks)
- ITI examination
Equal weightage is given to both.
- Tie-breaking rules:
- Candidate older in age will be preferred.
- If the date of birth is the same, the candidate who passed matriculation earlier will be considered.
- Final Merit List:
Prepared trade-wise, unit-wise, and community-wise.
Important Note:
Any discrepancy found between online-entered marks and original certificates during document verification will result in rejection.
Medical Fitness and Physical Standards
Candidates must satisfy the medical fitness standards prescribed in:
- Apprentices Act 1961
- Apprentice Rules 1992 (as amended)
They must produce a medical fitness certificate signed by a government-authorized doctor (not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon) at the time of document verification.
Special Rules for PwBD Candidates:
Only specific categories of disabilities are permitted trade-wise.
Examples include:
- Locomotor disability
- Visual impairment (within certain limits)
- Hearing impairment
Candidates must apply only if their disability matches the trade requirements.
Period of Training and Stipend
The training period and stipend will follow existing rules under the Apprentices Act and Railway Board guidelines.
- Stipend is paid monthly as per government apprenticeship regulations.
- Training does not guarantee employment after completion.
The apprenticeship is solely a training process and not a job appointment.
Agreement of Training
Before training begins, each selected candidate must sign an Apprenticeship Training Contract.
In case a candidate is a minor, their parent or guardian must sign the agreement on their behalf.
General Instructions
- Vacancies are tentative and may increase or decrease.
- Registering online does not guarantee selection.
- Railway Administration reserves the right to accept or reject applications.
- No TA/DA or accommodation will be provided for document verification.
- Candidates must bring all originals and self-attested photocopies on the day of verification.
- Incorrect information, impersonation, forged documents, or suppression of facts will result in disqualification and possible legal action.
- Those debarred from Railway recruitment processes must not apply.
- All communication will occur through the RRC website; candidates must check regularly.
- No requests for changes in division or unit will be entertained.
- No hostel accommodation will be provided during training.
- All certificates must be uploaded online; original certificates must not be mailed to the RRC.
Invalid Application Conditions
Applications will be rejected immediately if:
- They are incomplete.
- The photograph, signature, or thumb impression is missing or unclear.
- The application lacks required documents.
- Fee is not paid or is underpaid.
- Candidate is underage or overage.
- Community certificates are not in proper format.
- Multiples applications are submitted.
- Documents are not uploaded correctly.
- Educational qualifications are not completed.
- Applications are submitted in languages other than English or Hindi.
How to Apply – Step-by-Step Online Process
- Visit the official RRC website and click on the link for Apprentice Engagement.
- Register by entering name, father’s name, DOB, mobile number, email, community, and category.
- Receive login password via email and SMS.
- Login to the candidate dashboard.
- Fill in the application form completely.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Upload the required documents:
- Photo, signature, thumb impression (10–50 KB JPG)
- Educational certificates
- Community certificate
- PwBD certificate
- Ex-servicemen documents
- Submit the application.
- Take a printout of the application and fee receipt for personal use.
Documents to Upload
- Proof of Date of Birth (10th certificate)
- 10th mark sheet and certificate
- ITI consolidated mark sheet
- National Trade Certificate issued by NCVT / SCVT
- SC / ST / OBC / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen certificates
- Disability certificate (where applicable)
- Discharge or serving certificate (for Ex-Servicemen and wards)
Certificates in languages other than English or Hindi must include translated and attested copies.
