Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Ministry of Railways
Last Date: 19 August 2026

Northeast Frontier Railway has opened one of its biggest Act Apprentice drives in recent years. The zone is inviting online applications against 6,777 training slots spread across 8 divisions and workshops in Assam, West Bengal and Bihar, with the application window from 20 July 2026 to 19 August 2026.

Northeast Frontier Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview

Northeast Frontier Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Quick Intro

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is one of the major railway zones of Indian Railways, operating passenger and freight services across Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, and the northeastern region of India, and its apprenticeship recruitment is one of the largest ITI-linked training programme in the region. A centralised notification issued on 14 July 2026, NFR has invited online applications for 6,777 Act Apprentice training positions under the Apprentices Act, 1961. The recruitment covers the 2025-26 and 2026-27 training cycles and offers apprenticeship opportunities across 8 railway divisions and workshops. 

This recruitment is noticeably bigger than NFR's recent apprentice recruitment cycles. The zone had notified 4,499 apprentice slots in 2020 and 5,647 in its last drive that closed in December 2024. Therefore, this year's 6,777 is approximately a 20% increase from that 2024-25 batch. For ITI-qualified candidates, this recruitment provides one of the largest apprenticeship opportunities announced by Northeast Frontier Railway in recent years, and with 6,777 training positions, eligible candidates from Northeastern region & neighbouring states have a good opportunity to apply for apprenticeship training under Indian Railways.

Vacancy Details

The total of 6,777 vacant slots are available in this Act Apprentice training and the complete Division, Department, Trade & Category-wise vacancy breakdown is as follows: 

Note: Within this total of 6,777 slots, around 677 (about 10%) apprenticeship positions are reserved for Ex-Servicemen, while about 271 (approx 4%) positions are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). These horizontal reservations are adjusted within the existing category-wise vacancies and do not increase the total number of apprenticeship positions.

Among all the divisions, Lumding Division has the highest number of apprenticeship positions in this recruitment. A large share of these vacancies is available in the Engineering Department, making it one of the major training locations under the Northeast Frontier Railway apprenticeship programme.  A full trade-wise and department-wise breakup for every division are available in Annexures I to VIII (page no. 13) of the official notification (available in the Important Links section toward end of the page). 

Application Fee

The application fee is Rs. 100, non-refundable, payable online through the payment gateway linked on NFR's website once the form is complete. However, SC, ST, PwBD, Economically Backward Class (EBC), and women candidates are fully exempted from paying the application fee.

Candidates applying under the Economically Backward Class (EBC) category for the application fee exemption must produce a valid family income certificate (income below Rs. 50,000 a year) issued on or after 1 April 2026, and also if a candidate needs to correct any detail after final submission, NFR allows one modification for Rs. 50, but the information entered during initial registration process cannot be changed later. Therefore, candidates should carefully verify all registration details before completing the registration.

Age Limit

Candidates must be not below 15 years and not above 24 years of age as on the closing date, 19 August 2026, that means candidates born on or after 20 August 2001 and on or before 19 August 2011 are eligible. Category wise age aelaxation is detailed below:

Note: Candidates belonging to the SC, ST, and OBC (NCL) categories who wish to claim reservation benefits must upload their valid caste certificate in the prescribed format (as per Annexure-IX & X page no.27 & 28 of the official notification available in the Important Links section below) while submitting the online application, and these original caste certificate must also be produced during the document verification process.
There is 10% reservation for candidates belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category, and candidates claiming the EWS reservation must upload a valid EWS certificate issued on or after 1 April 2026 in the prescribed format (as per Annexure-XII page no.31 of the official notification available in the Important Links section below) while submitting the online application.
If enough eligible candidates are not available in a reserved category, the unfilled apprenticeship slots will be filled according to the reservation rules:- if required number of SC candidates is not available, then remaining vacancies will be offered to ST candidates, and vice versa, but if reserved vacancies still remain unfilled, they will be filled by Unreserved (UR) candidates. Similarly, any unfilled vacancies reserved for OBC or EWS candidates will also be filled by candidates from the UR category.

Educational Qualification

For most trades:

Candidates must have passed Class 10 (Matriculation) or its equivalent under the 10+2 system with at least 50% aggregate marks. This percentage is calculated based on all subjects, not just the highest-scoring ones. In addition, candidates must possess a National Trade Certificate (NTC) issued by NCVT or a Provisional Certificate issued by NCVT or SCVT in the relevant trade for which they are applying. It is also important to note that minimum 50% marks requirement in Class 10 is not applicable to candidates belonging to the SC, ST, and PwBD categories.

For Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology and Radiology):

These two posts have a different eligibility requirement from the other apprenticeship trades. For these two trades, candidates must have passed Class 12 (10+2) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) and secured at least 50% marks separately in both Class 10 and Class 12. Also no ITI certificate is required for these two trades.

Note: Candidates should also note that completing an ITI or diploma course alone is not sufficient for eligibility and applicants must already have their final pass certificate, National Trade Certificate (NTC), or State Trade Certificate (STC), wherever applicable, on the date of the notification, but candidates whose ITI or diploma results are still pending, or who haven't yet received the required final certificate, won't be eligible to apply for this apprenticeship recruitment.

Selection Process

Selection happens in three stages: preparation of a merit list, document verification, and a medical fitness check. There is no written examination and no interview anywhere in this process.

The merit list is prepared unit-wise, trade-wise and community-wise, using the simple average of a candidate's Matriculation percentage and ITI trade percentage (for Lab Technician posts, Matriculation and 12th Science percentage instead). If two or more candidates secure the same merit score, the older candidate is given preference and if the tie still remains, then candidate who passed Class 10 earlier will be ranked higher. Candidates shortlisted up to 1.5 times the notified vacancies for each unit are then called for document verification, and after successful verification, they must submit a medical fitness certificate issued by an authorised government medical officer before final engagement.

Since there is no written examination or interview, selection depends entirely on the merit list prepared from the prescribed academic qualifications. Therefore, candidates should focus on submitting the application carefully and ensuring that all required documents and certificates are uploaded in the correct format. Candidates should also choose their Unit, Department, and Trade preferences thoughtfully while filling out the application form, because once the application is submitted, these preferences may not be changed later, so reviewing all details before final submission is important.

Salary, Job Location and Service Conditions

Selected apprentices holding National Trade Certificate (NTC) or State Trade Certificate (STC) will receive a monthly stipend of ₹9,600, effective from 11 September 2025 under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship's order (G.S.R. 610(E)) issued under Section 37 of the Apprentices Act, 1961. In cases where the training period is reduced due to prior institutional training, the stipend is ₹10,560 per month for the 2nd year and ₹11,040 per month for the 3rd year, wherever applicable. Candidates should note that stipend rates are decided by the Govt. and may be revised from time to time.

Apprentices will be trained at various Northeast Frontier Railway divisions, workshops, and units located across Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar. Now one important thing candidates should note that Northeast Frontier Railway doesn't provide hostel or accommodation facilities during the training period and selected apprentices must make their own arrangements for accommodation near the allotted training unit, therefore, before applying, candidates are advised to consider the location of their preferred unit carefully, as they may have to stay there for the entire training period. The apprenticeship duration is one year for most trades, while it is one year and three months for the Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology) and Medical Laboratory Technician (Radiology) trades.

Note: completing this apprenticeship doesn't guarantee a job in the Indian Railways. However, candidates who successfully complete the apprenticeship and obtain the required NCVT certificate may become eligible for benefits available under the applicable Railway recruitment rules such as, 20% of future Level-1 (previously known as Group D) vacancies are reserved for eligible Course Completed Act Apprentices who also qualify in the prescribed recruitment examination.

How to Apply

1. Go to the official website at www.nfr.indianrailways.gov.in
2. Navigate to General Info, then Departments, then Personnel, and open the Act Apprentice Notification link
3. Register using a valid email ID and an active mobile number and do not change these during the selection process
4. Fill in the application form with your personal and educational details, and list your Unit-Department-Trade preferences carefully in order
5. Upload the required documents in the format and file size specified on the website
6. Pay the Rs. 100 application fee through the payment gateway, unless you fall under an exempted category
7. If payment goes through but the application does not reflect it, use the "Verify Payment" option before trying again
8. Review the entire form carefully, since only one application is allowed per candidate and a second submission leads to disqualification
9. Submit the form and download the confirmation for your own record

Required Documents and Important Instructions

Keep scanned, legible copies of the following ready before you start the Application form:

• Matriculation (Class 10) mark sheet and pass certificate
• Class 12 mark sheet and pass certificate with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, only for Medical Laboratory Technician applicants
• Proof of date of birth, if it is not already on the Matriculation certificate
• Consolidated ITI mark sheet for all semesters, along with the NCVT/SCVT National Trade Certificate or Provisional Certificate
• Caste certificate for SC, ST or OBC candidates, in the specific format attached to the notification rather than a generic certificate
• EWS certificate issued on or after 1 April 2026, for candidates claiming that reservation
• Disability certificate for PwBD candidates, in the prescribed Form II, III or IV (Page no. 32, 33, 34 respectively of the official notification pdf) depending on the disability
• Discharge or serving certificate for candidates applying against the Ex-Servicemen quota
• EBC income certificate issued on or after 1 April 2026, for those seeking fee exemption
   
  Candidates should carefully read the important instructions below:
  > Certificates in any language other than English or Hindi need an attested translation attached.
  > The medical certificate required at document verification must be signed by a government-authorised Gazetted doctor, not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon at a Central or State hospital, and document verification simply will not proceed without it.
  > No daily allowance, conveyance allowance or travelling allowance is paid for attending document verification.
  > In addition, candidates are advised not to trust agents or middlemen claiming to offer guaranteed selection. Any such fraudulent activity should be reported to the appropriate authorities such as, local police and the Sr. Divisional General Manager's office.

To understand this apprenticeship recruitment better, read the important points below:

Why Your Preference Order Is Important

Candidates can submit only one application for this recruitment and while filling out the application form, they must arrange their Unit, Department, and Trade preferences in the order of their choice. If a candidate is allotted a seat based on a higher preference, all the remaining lower preferences will be cancelled automatically. Therefore, candidates should select their preferences carefully after considering factors such as vacancies, training location, and distance from home. Since Northeast Frontier Railway doesn't provide hostel accommodation, selected candidates will have to arrange their own stay near the allotted training unit for the entire training period.

How This Apprenticeship Helps in the Future

Completing this apprenticeship does not guarantee a permanent job in the Indian Railways, but candidates who successfully complete the apprenticeship and obtain the required NCVT certificate may receive benefits under the applicable Railway recruitment rules such as, 20% of future Level-1 (erstwhile Group D) vacancies are reserved for eligible Course Completed Act Apprentices who also qualify in the prescribed recruitment examination. For candidates planning a long-term career in the Railways, this apprenticeship can be a valuable opportunity to gain training and become eligible for these future recruitment benefits.

Related Reading: 

• RRC North Central Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 1853 Posts Before 7 August
• RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2026: CEN 03/2026 Opens 119 Vacancies, Apply by August 14.
• Guwahati High Court Stenographer Grade-II Recruitment 2026: Apply for 35 Posts, Last Date 30 July
• Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) Recruitment 2026: 259 Mining Sirdar and Surveyor Posts, Apply from July 14 to August 5.

❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many vacancies are available under NFR Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

NFR has notified 6,777 Act Apprentice slots for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 cycles combined, spread across Katihar, Alipurduar, Rangiya, Lumding, Tinsukia, New Bongaigaon, Dibrugarh and NFR Headquarters. These figures are provisional and may shift slightly before final selection.

What is the last date to apply for NFR Act Apprentice 2026?

Online applications close on 19 August 2026 at 5:30 PM. The window opened on 20 July 2026 at 9:00 AM, giving candidates about a month to apply.

Who is eligible to apply for this recruitment?

Candidates who passed Matriculation with at least 50 percent aggregate marks and hold an ITI National Trade Certificate in the notified trade can apply. Medical Laboratory Technician applicants instead need 12th pass with Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

What is the age limit, including relaxations, for this recruitment?

Candidates need to be between 15 and 24 years old as on 19 August 2026. SC/ST candidates get 5 years relaxation, OBC candidates get 3 years, PwBD candidates get 10 years, and Ex-Servicemen get up to 13 years combined relaxation on their own applications.

What qualification is required for NFR Act Apprentice posts?

Most trades need Class 10 pass with 50 percent aggregate marks plus a matching ITI certificate from NCVT or SCVT. This 50 percent requirement is waived for SC, ST and PwBD candidates.

What does the selection process for NFR Act Apprentice involve?

Selection runs entirely on a merit list built from the average of Matriculation and ITI trade percentages, with no written exam or interview anywhere. Candidates shortlisted up to 1.5 times the vacancies are then called for document verification.

What is the stipend paid during NFR Act Apprentice training?

Apprentices holding NTC or STC certificates currently get Rs. 9,600 per month, effective from 11 September 2025. Where a shortened training period applies, this rises to Rs. 10,560 in the second year and Rs. 11,040 in the third.

What is the application fee for NFR Act Apprentice 2026?

The fee is Rs. 100, paid online through the payment gateway on NFR's website. SC, ST, PwBD, EBC and women candidates are fully exempted from this fee.

How can candidates apply online for NFR Act Apprentice 2026?

Applications go through www.nfr.indianrailways.gov.in, under General Info, Departments, Personnel, and then the Act Apprentice Notification link. Only one application is allowed per candidate for the entire recruitment.

What is the official website for this recruitment?

The official website is www.nfr.indianrailways.gov.in, where the notification, application link, and future updates including the merit list will be posted. 

Can a candidate apply for more than one division or trade in this notification?

No. Each candidate submits a single application and ranks Unit-Department-Trade choices in order of preference within it. Filing more than one separate application leads to summary disqualification.

Does completing this apprenticeship guarantee a job with NFR?

No, apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act does not by itself create any right to employment. NFR does, however, reserve 20 percent of future Level-1 vacancies for Course Completed Act Apprentices who meet the qualifying criteria in that later recruitment.

Conclusion

We have shared the most important details of this NFR Act Apprentices Recruitment to help you understand the recruitment process more easily, now before submitting your application, make sure that your ITI trade exactly matches the trade mentioned in the official notification. Candidates should also keep all the required documents, such as Class 10 and ITI mark sheets, caste or EWS certificate (if applicable), and other necessary certificates, ready in the prescribed format before the last date of application.

After the application process closes on 19 August 2026, candidates should regularly visit the official Northeast Frontier Railway website for updates regarding the merit list, document verification schedule, and other important announcements. (you can also bookmark this page and follow our social media handles such as telegram and WhatsApp for quick updates)

This article is based on the official notification and simplified for easy understanding. For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official website.