East Coast Railway opens applications for 1599 apprentice positions

The East Coast Railway has released an official notification under Advertisement Number ECoR/Pers/RRC/Act Apprentice/2026-27 to fill 1,599 Act Apprentice vacancies for the 2026-27 period. The Railway Recruitment Cell in Bhubaneswar is managing this recruitment drive, offering job seekers a valuable opportunity to receive hands-on training within the railway sector.

Interested individuals can submit their applications through the official website rrcbbs.org.in. The online application window opens on August 26, 2026, at 5:00 PM and closes on September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Candidates belonging to the General and OBC categories must pay a non-refundable application fee of ₹100, whereas SC, ST, PwBD, and female applicants are completely exempt from paying this fee.

Eligibility Criteria and Age Limits

To apply for these apprenticeship roles, candidates must have passed their matriculation examination under the 10+2 system with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. Additionally, applicants must hold an ITI certificate in a relevant trade issued by an NCVT or SCVT-affiliated institution. It is important to note that engineering graduates and diploma holders are not eligible to apply. Applicants must be between 15 and 24 years of age as of September 15, 2026. Standard upper age relaxations are applicable, providing 5 years for SC and ST candidates, 3 years for OBC candidates, and 10 years for Persons with Disabilities.

Selection Process and Training Details

The selection of candidates for the apprenticeship program will be made strictly on the basis of a merit list derived from 10th-grade examination marks. There will be no written test or viva voce conducted for this recruitment. Selected candidates will undergo professional training as per the Apprentices Act of 1961 across various operational units, which include the Carriage Repair Workshop in Mancheswar, Khurda Road Division, Sambalpur Division, Rayagada Division, and the East Coast Railway headquarters in Bhubaneswar. Successful trainees will receive a monthly stipend as per government regulations, though the railway administration will not provide hostel accommodation during the training period.