East Coast Railway (ECoR), Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar (RRC/BBS)
Last Date: 15 September 2026

ECoR Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview

ECoR Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Quick Intro

East Coast Railway (ECoR) has announced its 2026-27 centralized Act Apprentice recruitment, offering 1,599 posts across 25 ITI trades at 5 work centres in Odisha. The notification was issued by the Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Bhubaneswar, on 21 August 2026. Online applications open on 26 August 2026 and close on 15 September 2026 and the selection is based solely on Class 10 and ITI marks, with no written examination or interview involved.

East Coast Railway (ECoR) operates its railway network from Bhubaneswar and maintains its technical workforce through workshops and maintenance facilities at Mancheswar, Khurda Road, Sambalpur, and Rayagada. Every year, the Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) of East Coast Railway engages ITI-qualified apprentices to gain practical training alongside regular railway staff. This year's notification offers 1,599 apprentice slots, making it a significant recruitment drive for ITI-qualified candidates. The timing also gives candidates multiple options, as South Eastern Railway and Southern Railway have announced their own apprentice recruitments during the same period, offering 1,785 and more than 3,500 posts respectively. Candidates can therefore compare the eligibility and vacancy details across these ongoing apprentice opportunities.

An Act Apprentice is not a regular Railway employee. The training is carried out for a fixed period under the Apprentices Act, 1961, during which candidates receive a monthly stipend rather than a regular salary. It is also important to note that completion of the apprenticeship doesn't guarantee permanent employment with the Railways. However, candidates gain practical workshop experience and receive the relevant National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC), which can be useful when applying for eligible Railway recruitment opportunities in the future.

Vacancy Details

The 1,599 Act Apprentice vacancies are distributed across 5 work centres. The complete unit-wise, trade-wise, and category-wise vacancy distribution is provided below:

Note: 50 seats are reserved horizontally for PwBD candidates and 42 for Ex-Servicemen, with both reservations included within the above category-wise totals rather than added separately.

The trade-wise vacancy distribution varies considerably for example, Fitter has the highest number of vacancies with 367 posts, accounting for nearly a quarter of the total and being available at all five work centres. Other major trades include Welder with 168 vacancies, Blacksmith with 133, Mason with 120, and Electrician with 119. At the lower end, Turner has only 6 vacancies, while Draftsman (Mechanic) has just 2, both available only at Khurda Road Division.

Application Fee

The application fee is Rs.100 and is non-refundable once paid. However, SC, ST, PwBD, and women candidates are exempted from paying the application fee. Payment must be made online through the application portal using Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, or Net Banking, with any applicable transaction charges borne by the candidate.
Note: Candidates should review the application carefully before making payment, as no changes can be made to the form once the fee is paid. If the fee is deducted but the application confirmation or download does not appear due to a connectivity issue, candidates should use the “Verify Payment” option rather than making another payment immediately.

Age Limit

Candidates must be 15 to 24 years old as on 15 September 2026, the closing date of the application window. The upper-age relaxation is as follows:
SC/ST: 5 years
OBC: 3 years
PwBD: 10 years
Ex-Servicemen: Their period of military service plus 3 years, provided they have completed at least 6 months of continuous service.

Note: The minimum age of 15 years is notably lower than the usual 18-year threshold seen in many government recruitments and this is because the position is an apprenticeship training opportunity and not a regular employment, allowing eligible candidates to enter training soon after completing their ITI qualification.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed Matriculation (Class 10) with at least 50% aggregate marks from a recognised board, along with an ITI certificate in the relevant trade from an institute affiliated with NCVT. Both qualifications must have been obtained on or before 21 August 2026.

*A few trades have additional qualification requirements that candidates should check carefully:
1. Laboratory Technician (Pathology): Candidates must have Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, with at least 50% marks in both Class 10 and Class 12.
2. Secretarial Assistant and Stenographer: The ITI qualification must specifically be a National Trade Certificate (NTC) issued by NCVT or SCVT.
3. Computer Operator and Programming Assistant: Candidates need the prescribed basic training under a Centre of Excellence scheme in Computer Hardware or Networking, along with the required NCVT or SCVT National Trade Certificate.

Note: Candidates whose Class 10 or ITI results are still awaited are not eligible to apply, even provisionally. Both qualifications must already be completed by the prescribed cut-off date and engineering graduates and diploma holders are not eligible under this Act Apprentice recruitment, as they fall under a separate apprenticeship scheme. 

Selection Process

There is no written examination or interview for this recruitment and selection is based entirely on a merit list prepared from the candidate's Matriculation (Class 10) marks. The percentage is calculated using marks obtained in all subjects mentioned on the marksheet,and not only the best 5 subjects. In case of a tie in marks, the older candidate will get preference and if the dates of birth are also identical then preference is given to the candidate who passed Class 10 earlier.

After the trade-wise and location-wise merit list is prepared, shortlisted candidates are called for Document Verification at ECoR Headquarters in Bhubaneswar, along with the required medical fitness certificate and since there is no written examination or interview, candidates must ensure that all application details are accurate. Because any mismatch between the marks entered in the application and the original marksheet, or discrepancies in name or date of birth across documents, may lead to rejection during Document Verification.

Salary, Job Location, and Service Conditions

As an apprentice, candidates receive a monthly stipend rather than a regular salary, in accordance with the Apprentices Act, 1961 and applicable Railway Board instructions. The exact stipend amount has not been officially disclosed in this ECoR notification but based on stipend patterns reported for Act Apprentices in other Railway zones, ITI trade apprentices have generally received around Rs.7,000 to Rs.9,600 per month, depending on the trade and training year. However, these figures are only a general reference and should not be treated as the confirmed ECoR stipend and candidates should verify the applicable stipend rate from official ECoR/Railway Board instructions after selection.

No hostel or accommodation is provided during the apprenticeship training, so selected candidates must arrange their own stay near the allotted Division or Workshop. Candidates should also note that Daily Allowance, Conveyance Allowance, and Travelling Allowance will not be provided for attending Document Verification, so travel and related expenses must be managed by the candidate. The training is conducted under a formal Apprenticeship Contract, and completing the apprenticeship doesn't create an automatic right to permanent Railway employment.

Candidates can select only one Division or Workshop while submitting the application, and this preference becomes final after submission. Selected candidates cannot request a change of Division or Workshop after selection, so the choice should be made carefully.

How to Apply

1. Go to the official website at www.rrcbbs.org.in
2. Register using a valid personal email ID and an active mobile number, and do not change either during the process
3. Log in and fill in your personal details, trade preference, Aadhaar number, Matriculation marks or CGPA, and your one choice of Division and Workshop
4. Upload your photograph sized 3.5 cm by 3.5 cm, in JPG or JPEG format at 100 DPI, between 20 KB and 70 KB, taken within the last 3 months
5. Upload your signature in the same dimensions and format, sized between 20 KB and 30 KB
6. Upload your Matriculation marksheet and certificate, ITI or NTC certificate, and any category certificate that applies to you
7. Review every field carefully, since no edits are allowed once the fee is paid
8. Pay the 100 rupee fee online, unless you fall under an exempted category
9. Download and save your submitted application form and registration number for future reference

Required Documents and Important Instructions

Keep clear scanned copies of the following documents ready before starting the application:
1. Matriculation marksheet and pass certificate
2. Separate date-of-birth proof, if the Matriculation certificate doesn't mention the date of birth
3. Consolidated ITI marksheet or provisional National Trade Certificate (NTC)
4. Caste certificate for candidates claiming SC, ST, or OBC reservation
5. Income and Asset Certificate for candidates applying under EWS
6. Disability certificate for PwBD candidates
7. Discharge certificate or serving certificate for candidates applying under the Ex-Servicemen category
*Candidates should ensure that the scanned documents are clear, readable, and in the format and size prescribed in the official application instructions.

 

A few important instructions in this recruitment are as follows:
> Candidates can submit only one application. Submitting multiple applications may lead to disqualification. However, eligible candidates may be able to indicate more than one trade where permitted by their ITI qualification.
> The name, father's name, and date of birth should match exactly across the application and supporting documents. Because discrepancies found during Document Verification may result in cancellation of candidature and further action as per the rules.
> Certificates issued in a language other than English or Hindi should be accompanied by an attested translation in the prescribed manner.
> RRC Bhubaneswar has not authorised any agent or intermediary for this recruitment. Therefore, candidates should be cautious of anyone claiming to guarantee selection or offering recruitment assistance in exchange for money.

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❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many vacancies are available in ECoR Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

There are 1599 Act Apprentice posts on offer, spread across 25 trades at five locations under East Coast Railway.

What is the last date to apply for this recruitment?

Online applications close on 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM. Applications opened on 26 August 2026 at the same time.

Who is eligible to apply?

Candidates aged 15 to 24 years as on the closing date, who hold Matriculation with 50 percent marks and a relevant NCVT-affiliated ITI certificate, can apply.

What is the age limit, including relaxations?

The base limit is 15 to 24 years as on 15 September 2026. SC and ST candidates get 5 years relaxation, OBC candidates get 3 years, PwBD candidates get 10 years, and Ex-servicemen get their service period plus 3 years.

What educational qualification is required?

You need Class 10 with at least 50 percent aggregate marks from a recognized board, plus an ITI certificate in your trade. Laboratory Technician, Secretarial Assistant, and Computer Operator posts carry additional specific requirements.

What does the selection process involve?

Selection is purely merit-based on your Matriculation percentage. There is no written test or interview, and shortlisted candidates go straight to Document Verification.

What is the stipend for ECoR apprentices?

The notification states a stipend will be paid as per the Apprentices Act and Railway Board rules but does not mention the exact amount. This will be confirmed at the time of engagement.

What is the application fee?

The fee is 100 rupees, payable online only. SC, ST, PwBD, and women candidates are exempt from paying it.

How can candidates apply online?

Applications go through www.rrcbbs.org.in only. You register, fill in your details, upload documents and photographs, and pay the fee before the closing date.

What is the official website for this recruitment?

The official website is www.rrcbbs.org.in, run by the Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar.

Is there a written exam or interview in this recruitment?

No. ECoR has confirmed there will be no written test or viva for this cycle, and selection depends entirely on your Class 10 percentage.

What if my SSC or ITI result is still awaited, or I hold an engineering diploma?

Candidates awaiting their Class 10 or ITI result cannot apply this cycle. Engineering graduates and diploma holders are also not eligible, since they fall under a separate apprenticeship scheme.

Conclusion

We hope the information above has helped you understand this Act Apprentice recruitment clearly. Since there is no written examination, so the application timeline is particularly important. Applications open on 26 August 2026 and close on 15 September 2026. After the application window closes, candidates should watch the official ECoR website for the Document Verification shortlist, rather than expecting a conventional examination admit card. (You can also bookmark this page for quick reference and follow our Telegram and WhatsApp channels to receive important recruitment updates and notifications without missing any major announcement)

 

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.