For candidates with 10th and ITI qualifications, East Coast Railway has announced a major apprenticeship opportunity with 1,599 training slots across multiple trades. The ECoR Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 covers workshops, railway divisions and other establishments under East Coast Railway. Applications will open on 26 August 2026, and eligible candidates can apply until 15 September 2026. This article explains the vacancies, eligibility, age limit, fee, selection process and application procedure.
Recruitment Overview
The East Coast Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is being conducted through Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar. The recruitment is intended for engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961 across 25 designated trades.
The biggest advantage for eligible applicants is that there is no written examination or interview. Candidates will be shortlisted primarily on their Matriculation marks, followed by document verification and medical fitness requirements.
Summary of ECoR Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026
The recruitment covers several railway establishments in Odisha and offers opportunities in technical as well as selected support trades. Candidates should carefully choose their preferred unit, department and trade because the preference submitted in the application is important for the selection process.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | East Coast Railway |
| Recruiting Authority | Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar |
| Recruitment | ECoR Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 |
| Notification No. | ECoR/Pers/RRC/Act Apprentice/2026-27 |
| Total Vacancies | 1,599 |
| Number of Trades | 25 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start | 26 August 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Last Date | 15 September 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Age Limit | 15 to 24 years |
| Qualification | 10th with minimum 50% + relevant ITI |
| Selection | Matriculation merit |
| Application Fee | ₹100 for applicable candidates |
| Job/Training Area | East Coast Railway units |
| Official Website | RRC Bhubaneswar |
The recruitment is an apprenticeship opportunity rather than a direct permanent Railway appointment. Completion of apprenticeship does not automatically provide employment in Indian Railways.
Vacancy Details
There are 1,599 Act Apprentice slots distributed among five major establishments. Khurda Road Division has the largest share of vacancies, with 773 slots.
| Unit / Establishment | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Carriage Repair Workshop, Mancheswar, Bhubaneswar | 250 |
| Rayagada Division | 292 |
| Khurda Road Division, including ELS, Angul and IOH Depot | 773 |
| Sambalpur Division | 262 |
| ECoR Headquarters, Bhubaneswar | 22 |
| Total | 1,599 |
Trades Available
Candidates can find opportunities in trades including Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Electrician, Carpenter, Painter, Diesel Mechanic, Stenography, Blacksmith, Driller, Bridge Erector, Sheet Metal Worker, Electronics Mechanic, Wireman, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic, Plumber, Draftsman, Motor Vehicle Mechanic, COPA, Laboratory Technician, Sarang, Grinder and Mason.
The exact trade availability varies by establishment, so candidates should check the official notification before selecting their preferred unit and trade.
Eligibility Criteria
The ECoR Act Apprentice Eligibility requirements are based mainly on Class 10 and ITI qualifications.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed Class 10 or Matriculation under the 10+2 system with at least 50% aggregate marks from a recognized Board.
In addition, applicants must possess an ITI certificate in the relevant trade issued through NCVT or SCVT as applicable under the Apprentices Act.
The required educational qualification must already have been obtained by the notification date, 21 August 2026. Candidates whose Class 10 or ITI results were still awaited on that date are not eligible.
Engineering graduates and diploma holders should not apply under this particular Act Apprentice notification because they are covered under separate apprenticeship arrangements.
Special Trade Requirements
For Laboratory Technician, candidates need 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, along with the prescribed marks requirement.
For Secretarial Assistant, the required National Trade Certificate in the relevant approved trade is necessary.
Candidates applying for Computer Operator and Programming Assistant must meet the specific IT sector training and NTC requirements mentioned in the notification.
Applicants who possess ITI qualifications in multiple trades may apply for each relevant trade, subject to the rules stated in the notification.
Age Limit
The age will be calculated as on 15 September 2026.
| Category | Age Requirement |
|---|---|
| General | 15 to 24 years |
| SC/ST | Upper age relaxation of 5 years |
| OBC | Upper age relaxation of 3 years |
| PwBD | Upper age relaxation of 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per applicable rules |
Candidates should verify their exact age against the prescribed cut-off date before submitting the application.
Application Fee
The application fee is relatively low compared with many recruitment examinations.
| Candidate Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS Male | ₹100 |
| SC/ST | Nil |
| PwBD | Nil |
| Women | Nil |
The applicable fee must be paid online through the payment gateway available in the application system. Any transaction charges are to be borne by the applicant.
ECoR Act Apprentice Stipend
Selected apprentices will receive a monthly stipend according to the rates applicable under the prevailing apprenticeship rules and Railway Board instructions.
The notification does not provide a single fixed stipend figure in the recruitment details. Therefore, candidates should not rely on unofficial figures circulating online and should refer to the applicable rules for the amount payable during training.
Accommodation is not provided as part of the apprenticeship arrangement, so selected candidates will need to make their own arrangements.
Selection Process
One of the most important features of this recruitment is that there is no written examination or interview.
Selection is based on a merit list prepared primarily using the marks obtained in Matriculation. The percentage is calculated using marks from all subjects rather than simply taking the best five subjects.
The broad selection process is:
- Matriculation-based merit preparation.
- Trade and community-wise shortlisting.
- Document Verification.
- Medical fitness verification.
- Final engagement as an Act Apprentice.
In the event of equal marks, the prescribed tie-breaking rules will be applied. Candidates are considered according to their selected unit, department and trade preferences.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 21 August 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | 26 August 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 September 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Merit/Document Verification | To be announced |
Candidates should submit the application well before the closing time to avoid technical or payment-related problems.
Documents Required
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before beginning the online form:
- Class 10 marksheet and certificate
- Proof of date of birth
- ITI marksheets
- NCVT/SCVT National Trade Certificate or provisional certificate
- Caste certificate, where applicable
- Valid OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate, where applicable
- EWS Income and Asset Certificate, where applicable
- PwBD certificate, where applicable
- Ex-Servicemen-related documents, where applicable
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Scanned signature
- Aadhaar Card or valid Aadhaar enrolment identification details
- Any other certificate required for the selected trade
Applicants should ensure that their name, father’s name and date of birth match the Class 10 certificate.
How to Apply for ECoR Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Candidates can complete the application online through the Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar website.
- Visit the official RRC Bhubaneswar website.
- Open the ECoR Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification and application link.
- Complete the registration using the required personal information.
- Enter your Class 10 marks and other academic details accurately.
- Provide ITI qualification and trade information.
- Select the preferred Division or Workshop.
- Choose the applicable trade and preference details carefully.
- Upload the photograph, signature and required certificates.
- Pay the ₹100 fee if applicable.
- Review all information before final submission.
- Submit the application within the prescribed deadline.
- Download or print the completed application for future reference.
Only one application should be submitted by a candidate. Multiple applications containing different information can lead to rejection.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Candidates should take special care while filling out the application because several details cannot be changed after submission.
- Entering a name different from the Class 10 certificate.
- Selecting a trade without checking the ITI requirement.
- Choosing the wrong Division or Workshop.
- Uploading an unclear photograph or signature.
- Providing incorrect Matriculation marks.
- Applying despite not having the required ITI certificate.
- Submitting multiple applications.
- Waiting until the final hours to complete payment and submission.
A careful review before final submission can significantly reduce the possibility of rejection.
Who Should Apply?
This recruitment is particularly suitable for candidates who have completed Class 10 and obtained an ITI qualification in one of the notified trades.
ITI candidates from trades such as Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Turner, Machinist, COPA, Mechanic and other listed disciplines should examine the trade-wise vacancies carefully. Candidates looking for practical industry exposure in the railway environment may also find the apprenticeship valuable.
The opportunity is not limited to candidates seeking office-based work. Many of the available trades are directly connected with workshop, engineering, electrical, mechanical and maintenance activities.
However, candidates should remember that apprenticeship training is not equivalent to permanent Railway employment.
CareerAlert24 Insight
The biggest attraction of ECoR Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is the sheer number of available training slots. With 1,599 positions and no written examination, the recruitment provides an accessible opportunity for eligible ITI candidates to enter a structured technical training environment.
The absence of an examination does not mean selection will be easy. Since merit is determined mainly by Class 10 marks, candidates with stronger academic scores may have an advantage in competitive trades and locations.
Another important point is the preference system. Applicants should not select a Division or trade casually. Before submitting the form, candidates should compare the available trades and choose an option that matches both their ITI qualification and career interests.
Preparation Tips
Because there is no written examination, preparation should focus on documentation and application accuracy rather than traditional exam study.
- Check your Class 10 percentage carefully.
- Confirm that your ITI certificate matches the selected trade.
- Arrange all original documents before the application deadline.
- Check whether your category certificate is valid for the required period.
- Compare unit-wise and trade-wise vacancies before selecting preferences.
- Keep the registered mobile number and email active.
- Save a copy of the submitted application.
- Prepare the original certificates for Document Verification.
- Maintain medical fitness before the verification stage.
Candidates should also remember that academic merit is central to selection, so the Class 10 percentage should be entered exactly as required.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification | ECoR Act Apprentice Notification |
| Apply Online | RRC Bhubaneswar Application Portal |
| Official Website | East Coast Railway |
| WhatsApp Channel | Join CareerAlert24 WhatsApp Channel |
| Telegram Channel | Join CareerAlert24 Telegram Channel |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many vacancies are available in ECoR Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
East Coast Railway has announced 1,599 Act Apprentice training slots across 25 designated trades.
2. What qualification is required for ECoR Apprentice Recruitment?
Candidates generally need Class 10 with at least 50% aggregate marks along with an ITI certificate in the relevant trade from NCVT or SCVT.
3. What is the age limit for ECoR Act Apprentice Recruitment?
The standard age limit is 15 to 24 years as on 15 September 2026, with applicable relaxations for reserved and other eligible categories.
4. Is there a written examination for ECoR Apprentice Recruitment?
No. Candidates are selected through a merit-based process using their Matriculation marks, followed by document verification and medical fitness requirements.
5. What is the application fee?
The fee is ₹100 for applicable candidates. SC, ST, PwBD and women candidates are exempt from the application fee.
6. Can diploma holders apply for this recruitment?
No. Engineering diploma holders and graduates are not eligible under this particular Act Apprentice notification. They may need to look for recruitment under the relevant apprenticeship scheme.
7. What is the last date to apply?
The online application must be submitted by 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
8. Does apprenticeship guarantee a Railway job?
No. Completing apprenticeship training does not create an automatic right to permanent employment with Indian Railways.
Conclusion
The ECoR Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a significant opportunity for 10th-pass ITI candidates who want practical training in the railway sector. With 1,599 slots spread across multiple divisions, workshops and 25 trades, applicants have several options to consider. Since selection is based on Matriculation merit rather than a written examination, candidates should focus on accurate academic details and proper documentation. The choice of Division, Workshop and trade also deserves careful attention because it can affect the selection preference. Before submitting the application, candidates should read the official notification carefully and confirm that their qualification, age, ITI trade and documents meet all requirements.
