Vacancies: 1599 · Posts: Act Apprentice (25 trades) · Type: Apprenticeship (Training) · Mode: Online · Fee: ₹100 (Gen/OBC/EWS Male); Nil for SC/ST/PwBD/Women · Apply: 26 Aug–15 Sep 2026 · Stipend: ₹9,600/month (as per Railway Board) · Selection: Merit on Matric marks · Location: Odisha (ECoR units)
East Coast Railway has opened 1,599 Act Apprentice training seats under the Apprentices Act, 1961, through the Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar. Applications run from 26 August 2026 (5:00 PM) to 15 September 2026 (5:00 PM) on rrcbbs.org.in. Candidates with Matriculation (minimum 50% aggregate) plus ITI in the relevant trade can apply for slots across Khurda Road, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Mancheswar Workshop and Headquarters.
This drive covers 25 designated trades and offers structured industrial training with a monthly stipend fixed by the Railway Board. Selection is purely on 10th-class marks—no written exam or interview. Training locations are within Odisha divisions and workshops of East Coast Railway.
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Who Should Apply?
10th pass (50% aggregate) + ITI (NCVT/SCVT) in relevant trade → Act Apprentice seats across Mechanical, Electrical, Engineering, S&T and Medical units – 1,599 seats
Special cases:
- Laboratory Technician (Pathology) → 12th with Physics, Chemistry & Biology + 50% in both 10th and 12th
- Secretarial Assistant (Stenography) → NTC approved by NCVT/SCVT
- Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA) → Centre of Excellence scheme training in hardware/networking + NTC
Who cannot apply: Engineering graduates or diploma holders, candidates awaiting 10th/ITI results, those who failed ITI, and applicants who select more than one unit-department-trade combination.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 21 August 2026 |
| Online application opens | 26 August 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Online application closes | 15 September 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Age & eligibility cut-off | 15 September 2026 |
| Qualification must be held as of | 21 August 2026 |
| Document verification | To be notified (ECoR HQ, Bhubaneswar) |
Quick Overview – ECoR Act Apprentice 2026
- Organisation: East Coast Railway (Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar)
- Notification No.: ECoR/Pers/RRC/Act Apprentice/2026-27
- Sector: Indian Railways / Transport Infrastructure
- Total seats: 1,599
- Job Location: Khurda Road Division, Rayagada (RGDA) Division, Sambalpur Division, Carriage Repair Workshop Mancheswar, Headquarters Bhubaneswar (all in Odisha)
- Official Website: RRC Bhubaneswar portal
- Last Date: 15 September 2026 (5:00 PM)
- Apply Online: Apply for ECoR Act Apprentice 2026 on RRC Bhubaneswar portal
- Notification PDF: Download ECoR Act Apprentice 2026-27 Notification PDF
What Posts Are Available? – ECoR Vacancy & Eligibility 2026
East Coast Railway offers 1,599 Act Apprentice training seats. Khurda Road Division accounts for nearly half the seats (773). Candidates may select only one Unit–Department–Trade combination; the choice is final and binding.
Unit-wise Training Seats
| Division / Workshop | Seats |
|---|---|
| Khurda Road Division (ELS Angul & IOH Depot) | 773 |
| Rayagada (RGDA) Division | 292 |
| Sambalpur Division (Coaching, BLGR) | 262 |
| Carriage Repair Workshop, Mancheswar | 250 |
| Headquarters, ECoR Bhubaneswar | 22 |
| Total | 1,599 |
Category-wise Breakup (Horizontal reservations included)
| Category | Seats |
|---|---|
| UR | 633 |
| SC | 251 |
| ST | 116 |
| OBC | 435 |
| EWS | 164 |
| PwBD (4% horizontal) | 50 |
| ESM (3% horizontal) | 42 |
| Total | 1,599 |
Trades Available
Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Electrician, Carpenter, Painter (General), Mechanic (Diesel) (TMO), Secretarial Assistant (Stenography), Black Smith, Driller, Bridge Erector, Sheet Metal Worker, Electronics Mechanic / Electronics Mechanic (TMO), Wireman / Electrician, Mechanic Refrigeration & AC, Plumber, Draftsman (Civil), Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Computer Operator & Programming Assistant, Laboratory Technician (Pathology), Sarang, Grinder, Mason, Draftsman (Mechanic).
The complete trade-wise × unit-wise × category matrix is given in the annexures of the official notification PDF. Most trades appear in only one or two units—check carefully before locking your choice.
Qualification note: Matriculation under 10+2 system with minimum 50% aggregate marks (all subjects counted; CGPA converted to percentage) from a recognised Board + ITI / National Trade Certificate in the relevant trade affiliated to NCVT/SCVT. Engineering graduates and diploma holders are not eligible.
What Is the Age Limit?
Age is reckoned as on 15 September 2026.
| Category | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 15 years | 24 years |
| OBC | 15 years | 27 years |
| SC / ST | 15 years | 29 years |
| PwBD | 15 years | 34 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Additional relaxation equal to service rendered + 3 years (minimum 6 months continuous service) | As per rules |
Examples: ✅ A 23-year-old UR candidate born on 16 September 2002 — eligible (within 24-year limit as on 15 September 2026). ❌ A 25-year-old UR candidate born on 14 September 2001 — not eligible (exceeds maximum age by 1 year).
Use our Age Eligibility Calculator to check instantly.
What Is the Stipend? – ECoR Act Apprentice 2026
Apprentices receive a monthly stipend as prescribed by the Railway Board under the Apprentices Act, 1961 and Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules, 2025.
- Current minimum stipend for NTC/STC holders: ₹9,600 per month (effective from 11 September 2025, RBE No. 116/2025).
- Where one or two years’ exemption is admissible, rates rise to ₹10,560 (2nd year) and ₹11,040 (3rd year).
- Stipend is payable subject to attendance, applicable rules and successful continuation of training.
- No hostel accommodation is provided; candidates make their own arrangements.
- This is a training stipend only — not a regular salary. No claim to permanent railway employment arises on completion.
What Is the Application Fee?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹100 (non-refundable) |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women | Nil |
Payment is online only through the application portal.
How to Apply?
- Visit the RRC Bhubaneswar official portal between 26 August 2026 (5:00 PM) and 15 September 2026 (5:00 PM).
- Register with a valid mobile number and email.
- Fill in personal details, Aadhaar, 10th marks/CGPA, ITI particulars and select only one Unit–Department–Trade combination.
- Upload photograph (3.5 cm × 3.5 cm, JPG/JPEG, 20–70 KB) and signature (20–30 KB). Use our Photo & Signature Resizer if needed.
- Pay the fee online (if applicable) and submit.
- Note the application number and take a printout for future reference. No hard copy is required.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Selecting more than one unit or trade — multiple applications are rejected.
- Entering 10th marks incorrectly (all subjects must be counted; CGPA must be converted properly).
- Uploading photo/signature outside the prescribed size or format.
- Applying without holding the essential qualification as on 21 August 2026.
- Waiting till the last day — portal congestion is common.
ଇଷ୍ଟ କୋଷ୍ଟ ରେଳୱେ ଆକ୍ଟ ଆପ୍ରେଣ୍ଟିସ୍ ଭର୍ତ୍ତି ୨୦୨୬ – ୧୫୯୯ ପ୍ରଶିକ୍ଷଣ ସିଟ୍ ପାଇଁ ଅନଲାଇନ୍ ଆବେଦନ
ଇଷ୍ଟ କୋଷ୍ଟ ରେଳୱେ ରେଳ ଭର୍ତ୍ତି କୋଷ (RRC ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱର) ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ଆପ୍ରେଣ୍ଟିସ୍ ଆଇନ ୧୯୬୧ ଅଧୀନରେ ୧,୫୯୯ଟି ପ୍ରଶିକ୍ଷଣ ସିଟ୍ ପାଇଁ ବିଜ୍ଞପ୍ତି ଜାରି କରିଛି। ଖୋର୍ଦା ରୋଡ୍, ରାୟଗଡ଼ା, ସମ୍ବଲପୁର, ମାଞ୍ଚେଶ୍ୱର ୱର୍କସପ୍ ଏବଂ ମୁଖ୍ୟାଳୟରେ ପ୍ରଶିକ୍ଷଣ ହେବ। ଆବେଦନ ୨୬ ଅଗଷ୍ଟରୁ ୧୫ ସେପ୍ଟେମ୍ବର ୨୦୨୬ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଅନଲାଇନ୍ କରାଯିବ।
କିଏ ଆବେଦନ କରିପାରିବେ? ଦଶମ ଶ୍ରେଣୀରେ ଅତି କମରେ ୫୦% ମାର୍କ ସହିତ ସମ୍ପୃକ୍ତ ଟ୍ରେଡ୍ରେ ITI (NCVT/SCVT) ଥିବା ଉମ୍ମେଦବାର। ବୟସ ୧୫ରୁ ୨୪ ବର୍ଷ (୧୫ ସେପ୍ଟେମ୍ବର ୨୦୨୬ ଅନୁସାରେ)। SC/STଙ୍କୁ ୫ ବର୍ଷ, OBCଙ୍କୁ ୩ ବର୍ଷ ଛାଡ଼।
ବେତନ ଓ ଚୟନ ରେଳ ବୋର୍ଡ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଧାରିତ ଷ୍ଟାଇପେଣ୍ଡ (ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ନୂନ୍ୟତମ ₹୯,୬୦୦ ପ୍ରତି ମାସ)। ଚୟନ କେବଳ ଦଶମ ଶ୍ରେଣୀ ମାର୍କ ଉପରେ ହେବ — କୌଣସି ଲିଖିତ ପରୀକ୍ଷା କିମ୍ବା ଇଣ୍ଟରଭ୍ୟୁ ନାହିଁ।
କିପରି ଆବେଦନ କରିବେ? rrcbbs.org.in ରେ ରେଜିଷ୍ଟର କରନ୍ତୁ, ଗୋଟିଏ ୟୁନିଟ୍-ଟ୍ରେଡ୍ ଚୟନ କରନ୍ତୁ ଏବଂ ଫଟୋ/ସ୍ୱାକ୍ଷର ଅପଲୋଡ୍ କରନ୍ତୁ। ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ବିବରଣୀ ଅଧିକାରିକ ୱେବସାଇଟ୍ରେ ଉପଲବ୍ଧ।
How Are Candidates Selected?
Selection is a multi-stage process based solely on academic merit:
- Merit list prepared from Matriculation (10th) marks — all subjects counted, CGPA converted to percentage. Minimum 50% aggregate required.
- Trade-wise and community-wise ranking according to the candidate’s single unit-trade preference.
- Document verification at ECoR Headquarters, Bhubaneswar.
- Medical fitness certificate as per railway standards.
- Final engagement and signing of Apprenticeship Contract.
Tie-breaker: older candidate preferred; if date of birth is same, earlier year of passing. No written test or interview is conducted. Standby list is maintained in merit order. No TA/DA is paid for verification.
Why Does East Coast Railway Matter?
East Coast Railway is one of the 18 zonal railways of Indian Railways, headquartered at Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It operates over the states of Odisha and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, handling freight and passenger traffic on the important Howrah–Chennai and other corridors. The zone runs three major divisions — Khurda Road, Sambalpur and Rayagada — plus workshops such as Mancheswar Carriage Repair Workshop.
Apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act gives ITI holders practical exposure in real railway workshops and sheds. One limitation candidates should note: completion of apprenticeship does not confer any automatic right to permanent employment in Indian Railways, though Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAA) receive preference for up to 20% of future Level-1 vacancies under separate recruitment rules.
The SahisarkariJobs.in Analyst’s Take
Compared with other zonal railway Act Apprentice drives (Northern Railway, Central Railway or South Eastern Railway), ECoR’s 1,599 seats form a mid-sized but focused opportunity concentrated entirely in Odisha. Merit is calculated only on 10th marks, so candidates with high Matric scores and the correct ITI trade hold a clear edge over those who rely solely on ITI performance.
Best fit: Odisha-based ITI holders (especially Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Diesel Mechanic and COPA) who scored 70%+ in Matric and prefer training close to home.
Who should skip: Engineering diploma or degree holders (explicitly barred), candidates unwilling to accept that this is pure training with no job guarantee, and those who cannot afford temporary stay near the allotted unit without hostel support.
Practical tip: Lock your unit preference only after downloading the full trade-wise annexure from the notification PDF. Most trades exist in just one or two units — a wrong choice cannot be changed later.
What Documents Are Required?
- Matriculation mark sheet and certificate (showing all subjects and percentage)
- ITI / National Trade Certificate (NCVT/SCVT) in the relevant trade
- Caste / EWS / PwBD / ESM certificate (if claiming reservation)
- Aadhaar card
- Passport-size photograph and signature as per size norms
- Medical fitness certificate (at DV stage)
- Any other document specified in the call letter
What Happens After Selection?
- Shortlisted candidates receive call letters for Document Verification at ECoR Headquarters, Bhubaneswar.
- Original certificates are verified, and a medical examination is conducted.
- Selected candidates sign the Contract of Apprenticeship Training.
- Training begins at the allotted Division or Workshop for the prescribed duration under the Apprentices Act.
- Monthly stipend is paid subject to attendance and satisfactory performance.
- On successful completion, the apprentice is released. No automatic absorption into railway service occurs; however, CCAA status may help in future Level-1 recruitments.
Contact & Helpline
Recruitment-specific contact details are published on the official RRC Bhubaneswar website. For queries, visit rrcbbs.org.in and check the Act Apprentice section or Contact Us page.
Also Read: DEO Boudh Guest Teacher Recruitment 2026 – Apply Offline for 61 Posts in Odisha
⚠️ Contact details sourced from the official notification/website. Verify before contacting. NEVER pay any money over the phone or to any person claiming to offer job assistance. Report fraud to cybercrime.gov.in.
Important Links – ECoR Act Apprentice 2026
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Notification PDF | Download ECoR Act Apprentice 2026-27 Notification PDF |
| Apply Online | Apply for ECoR Act Apprentice 2026 on RRC Bhubaneswar portal |
| Official Website | Visit RRC Bhubaneswar recruitment page |
| East Coast Railway | East Coast Railway official site |
FAQs – ECoR Bhubaneswar Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Q1: What is the last date to apply for ECoR Act Apprentice 2026?
A: 15 September 2026 (5:00 PM). Late applications are not accepted. No extension has been announced as of 24 August 2026.
Q2: What is the age limit for ECoR Act Apprentice?
A: 15 to 24 years as of 15 September 2026 for UR candidates. OBC gets 3 extra years, SC/ST gets 5, and PwBD gets 10 years. Age is calculated strictly as on the cut-off date.
Q3: Is there an exam for ECoR Act Apprentice, or is it interview-based?
A: No exam and no interview. Selection is purely based on Matriculation (10th) marks. Shortlisted candidates only face document verification and medical fitness at Bhubaneswar.
Q4: What is the stipend of ECoR Act Apprentice?
A: ₹9,600 per month for NTC/STC holders as per the latest Railway Board rates (RBE 116/2025). Higher rates apply in the second and third years if exemption is granted. This is a training stipend, not regular salary.
Q5: Can final-year students or result-awaited candidates apply for ECoR 2026?
A: No. The essential qualification (10th + ITI) must be held as on 21 August 2026. Candidates awaiting results or who failed ITI are ineligible.
Q6: Is ECoR Act Apprentice a permanent government job?
A: No. This is apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Completion does not give any automatic claim to permanent railway employment.
Q7: Can candidates from other states apply for ECoR recruitment?
A: Yes. This is an all-India recruitment. Any Indian national meeting the age and qualification criteria can apply. Training, however, is only in Odisha units of East Coast Railway.
Q8: Where will I be posted if I get selected for ECoR Act Apprentice?
A: At the single Division or Workshop you selected while applying (Khurda Road, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Mancheswar or Headquarters Bhubaneswar). The choice is final.
Q9: Will I get a permanent job after ECoR apprenticeship?
A: No automatic job. Course-completed Act Apprentices receive preference for up to 20% of future Level-1 direct-recruitment vacancies under separate rules. Permanent absorption is not guaranteed.
Q10: Is ITI mandatory for ECoR apprenticeship?
A: Yes. Matriculation with 50% marks plus ITI / National Trade Certificate in the relevant trade is compulsory for almost all seats. Only Laboratory Technician has a different 12th-based path.
Q11: Is railway apprenticeship worth doing or just cheap labour?
A: Worth knowing before you apply: the stipend is modest, and there is no hostel or job guarantee. However, the structured workshop exposure and CCAA preference for future Level-1 posts make it valuable for serious ITI holders aiming for railway careers.
Q12: How much do railway apprentices earn in India?
A: Most zonal railways currently pay ₹9,600 per month to certificate-holder apprentices under the revised 2025 rates. Second-year and third-year rates are slightly higher when exemption is admissible.
Q13: What happens if I miss the last date for ECoR Act Apprentice?
A: Your application will not be accepted. The portal closes at 5:00 PM on 15 September 2026. No offline or late submission is allowed.
Pre-Apprenticeship Checklist – Before You Apply
- You meet the age (15–24 years as on 15 September 2026) and educational criteria (10th with 50% + relevant ITI).
- You understand this is contractual apprenticeship training with no automatic permanent claim after completion.
- You are ready for hands-on training in the chosen trade at an Odisha unit of East Coast Railway.
- You understand the stipend (₹9,600/month currently) and can plan living expenses without hostel support.
- You are prepared to maintain attendance and discipline as per the Apprentices Act, 1961 norms.
📄 Source: Official notification released by East Coast Railway (RRC Bhubaneswar) on 21 August 2026. All details sourced from the official notification PDF.
