West Central Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2025-26: Complete Guide to Apply Online

The West Central Railway (WCR) has released the official notification Engagement of Act Apprentices under the provisions of the Apprentices Act, 1961, for the 2025–2026 training session. This centralized recruitment drive aims to select eligible candidates across various divisions and units of West Central Railway for apprenticeship training in designated trades. A total of 2,865 apprenticeship slots are available across multiple units, including Jabalpur Division (JBP), Bhopal Division (BPL), Kota Division (KOTA), CRWS Bhopal, WRS Kota, and HQ/JBP. The recruitment process emphasizes skill development, merit-based selection, and adherence to government regulations.

Important Dates

It is crucial for candidates to keep track of the important dates to avoid missing deadlines:

• Notification Date: 20/08/2025
• Online Application Opening Date: 30/08/2025
• Online Application Closing Date & Time: 29/09/2025 at 23:59 hrs

Candidates must ensure that their applications are submitted online only before the closing date. No other mode of application submission will be entertained.

Available Apprenticeship Slots

The West Central Railway has allocated 2,865 apprenticeship slots across different units and divisions. These include slots reserved for PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) and ex-servicemen. The division-wise breakdown is as follows:

Total Slots: 2,865
Total PwBD Reserved Slots: 85

These vacancies cover all major trades under the Apprentices Act and include opportunities for candidates from diverse backgrounds, ensuring equitable representation.

Eligibility Criteria

The West Central Railway has clearly defined eligibility conditions related to age, educational qualification, and disability status. Candidates must carefully verify these criteria to ensure they qualify.

Age Limit

The age limit for applicants is determined as on 20/08/2025, the date of notification issuance.

• Minimum Age: 15 years
• Maximum Age: 24 years

Age Relaxation as per Category:

Notes:

• Candidates must provide relevant documents during document verification to avail reservation and age relaxation benefits.
• SC/ST candidates must submit Caste Certificates in Central Government format.
• OBC candidates must submit both Caste Certificate and Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate.
• Ex-servicemen and their children must produce Discharge Certificates or Armed Forces service certificates.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess the following qualifications:

1. 10th Class Pass:
   Candidates must have passed the 10th class examination (or equivalent under 10+2 system) with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate from a recognized board.
2. National Trade Certificate (NTC):
   Applicants must hold an NCVT/SCVT certificate in the relevant trade applied for.

Eligibility for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)

Candidates with PwBD status should possess a minimum of 40% disability in the relevant category. In the case of hearing-impaired candidates, the hearing loss must be 60 decibels or more in the better ear within the conversational frequency range.

Category-wise Trade-specific Eligibility:

• Locomotor Disability (LD):
  Suitable for trades like Computer Operator, Electrician, Fitter, Plumber, Welder, etc., depending on the level of limb impairment.
• Visual Impairment (VI):
  Applicable for trades like Blacksmith, Computer Operator, Electrician, Fitter. Low vision is defined as having a best-corrected visual acuity between 6/18 and 6/60, or experiencing particular impairments within the visual field.
• Hearing Impairment (HI):
  Suitable for trades including Blacksmith, Computer Operator, Electrician, Fitter, Machinist, Plumber, Welder. Includes deaf, dumb, or deaf & dumb individuals.
• Multiple Disabilities (MD):
  Candidates with more than one disability will be considered under this category.

PwBD candidates seeking reservation must produce a certificate issued by a competent medical authority, such as a government medical board.

Salary

First Year: ₹9,100 per month

Second Year: ₹9,100 per month

Third Year: ₹9,400 per month

Fourth Year: ₹9,700 per month

Reservation and Merit Consideration

West Central Railway strictly adheres to government norms for reservation and merit-based selection:

• Merit will be determined by the average of marks secured in the 10th grade and ITI/Trade examinations.
• Division-wise, trade-wise, and community-wise merit lists will be prepared.
• In the event that multiple candidates achieve identical scores, priority will be accorded to the older applicant. If the date of birth is also the same, the candidate who passed matriculation earlier will be considered first.
• Reserved PwBD seats, if unfilled due to non-availability of eligible candidates, may be filled by non-PwBD candidates based on merit.

Application Process

Mode of Application

Applications are only accepted online through the official West Central Railway portal:

Steps to Apply Online

1. Register/Login: Candidates must create an account on the portal.
2. Fill Personal Details: Enter name, date of birth, contact details, and trade preference carefully.
   • Ensure names match matriculation certificate.
   • Use an active email and mobile number.
3. Upload Documents:
   • Photograph: Passport size, JPG, 50–200 KB, pixel size 100×120
   • Signature: JPG, 50–200 KB, pixel size 160×70
   • Documents Needed: Mark sheet and pass certificate of 10th grade, caste certificate (if relevant), PwBD certificate (if applicable), and ITI certificate with its mark sheet.
4. Pay Application Fee:

• The fee may be paid using net banking, debit or credit cards, or through UPI.
• Keep the e-receipt for reference.
• If payment fails, try again after 24 hours. No refunds for multiple payments.

5. Submit Application: Verify details, submit, and take a printout of the completed form for document verification.

Selection Procedure

The selection of apprentices will be based on merit in academics:

1. Merit Calculation: Average of 10th class marks + ITI/Trade marks.
2. Trade-wise, Division-wise, and Community-wise Lists: Candidates are selected according to merit in their specific category.
3. Document Verification: Only shortlisted candidates will be called for verification at the applied unit.
   • Units include Jabalpur Division, Bhopal Division, Kota Division, CRWS Bhopal, WRS Kota.
   • Requests for change of verification venue will not be entertained.
4. Tie-breakers:
   • Older candidate gets preference
   • If age is identical, candidate who passed matriculation earlier is preferred
5. Final Merit List: Prepared equal to the number of available slots in descending order of percentage.

Training Period and Stipend

Selected apprentices will undergo practical training in their chosen trades:

• Duration: As prescribed for the trade under the Apprentices Act, 1961
• Stipend: Paid according to government rules during the training period
• Accommodation: No hostel or lodging facilities provided. Candidates must arrange their own stay.

Agreement and Medical Fitness

Before the start of apprenticeship:

• Candidates or guardians (if minor) must sign a Contract of Apprenticeship with the employer.
• Medical Certificate: Must be issued by a government-authorized doctor, not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon (Annexure F).

Important Instructions for Candidates

1. Eligibility Check: Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility conditions before applying.
2. Document Authenticity: Any false or fake documents will lead to immediate disqualification, even after selection.
3. No Traveling Allowance: Candidates attending document verification will not receive TA/DA.
4. Engineering Graduates/Diploma Holders: Not eligible under this notification; they have a separate apprenticeship scheme.
5. Application Rejection:
   • Without photograph/signature
   • Without relevant certificates
   • Incorrect caste/PwBD certificates or outdated documents
   • Any irregularities will lead to rejection
6. No Obligation for Employment: West Central Railway is not obliged to provide employment after training.