Western Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – 5,349 Vacancies | Apply Online

══════════════ 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 ══════════════ Western Railway, under the Ministry of Railway of the Government of India, is inviting online applications for engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This is a centralized notification released by the Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway, specifically designed to recruit talented individuals for apprenticeship training across multiple technical trades. The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC-WR) has been designated as the nodal agency for this entire recruitment process. The engagement is valid for the training year 2025-2026, with apprenticeship training conducted at various divisions and workshops across Western Railway's jurisdiction. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates to gain professional training in industrial trades while receiving stipend support during their one-year training period. ═════════════ 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 ═════════════ This apprenticeship program offers hands-on training in multiple designated trades under industrial supervision. Selected candidates will work directly under skilled professionals while learning practical aspects of their chosen trade. The training combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience, enabling candidates to develop industry-ready skills. The apprenticeship is structured as a one-year commitment, with candidates receiving stipend support throughout their training period. Upon successful completion, candidates will be awarded a Certificate of Proficiency by the National Council for Training in Vocational Trades (NCVT), subject to passing the proficiency test. ═══════════════════ 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐑 – 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 ═══════════════════ Candidates can apply for apprenticeship training in any of the following designated trades: • Fitter • Electrician • Welder • Mechanic (Diesel) • Mechanic (Motor Vehicle) • Electronics Mechanic • Wireman • Painter (General) • Carpenter • Turner • Machinist • Machinist (Grinder) • Pipe Fitter • Plumber • Draftsman (Civil) • Stenographer • Programming & System Administration Assistant • Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic • Forger and Heat Treater ═══════════════ 𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 ═══════════════ Total Apprenticeship Slots Notified: 5,349 📌 Breakdown (Approximate Reservation): Unreserved (UR): 2,166 positions Other Backward Classes (OBC): 1,435 positions Scheduled Caste (SC): 800 positions Scheduled Tribe (ST): 396 positions Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 552 positions Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 4% reservation (within total vacancies) Ex-Servicemen: 3% reservation (within total vacancies) The trade-wise and division-wise distribution of these slots is available in the official notification. Each division and workshop maintains separate slots for different categories. Candidates must note that these numbers are provisional and may increase or decrease based on administrative requirements. ══════════════════════ 📅 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 ══════════════════════ Notification Release Date: February 18, 2026 Application Opening Date & Time: February 21, 2026 at 11:00 AM Application Closing Date & Time: March 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM Document Verification: To be scheduled post merit-list finalization Training Commencement: As per division/workshop notification Training Duration: One year (12 months) ═════════════════════════ 🎓 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 ═════════════════════════ Age Criteria (As on March 23, 2026): Candidates must have completed 15 years of age and must not have attained 24 years of age. Age relaxations are provided as follows: • SC/ST Candidates: Upper age limit relaxed by 5 years (up to 29 years) • OBC Candidates: Upper age limit relaxed by 3 years (up to 27 years) • Persons with Disabilities (PWD): Upper age limit relaxed by 10 years (up to 34 years) • Ex-Servicemen: Additional relaxation of 10 years plus length of military service (up to 10 years) and an additional 3 years, provided minimum 6 months continuous service in Defence Forces Educational Qualifications: Candidates must have successfully passed: 1. Matriculation (10th Class) or equivalent under the 10+2 examination system with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a recognized board. Results must not be awaited at the time of application. 2. ITI Certificate in the relevant trade affiliated to NCVT. The ITI qualification must be completed and passed before application submission. The applicant must possess the specific ITI trade certificate matching the designated trade for which they are applying. Essential Requirements: • Valid Aadhaar Card (12-digit or 28-digit Enrolment ID) • Active email ID throughout the recruitment process • Date of birth must match exactly with matriculation/equivalent certificate • Must not have failed in ITI examination • Engineering graduates and diploma holders are not eligible ═════════════════════════ 📝 Selection Process ═════════════════════════ Selection is purely merit-based with no written test or interview. The merit list is calculated using the following methodology: Merit = Average of (Matriculation percentage + ITI examination percentage) ÷ 2, with equal weightage given to both qualifications. In case of tie (same marks), preference is given to the older candidate. If dates of birth are identical, the candidate who passed the Matriculation examination earlier receives priority. ══════════════════════════ 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 (𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩) ══════════════════════════ Step 1: Online Application Submission Eligible candidates must apply exclusively through the RRC-WR website (https://www.rrc-wr.com) between February 21 and March 23, 2026. No offline or physical applications will be accepted. Step 2: Merit List Preparation Trade-wise and community-wise merit lists are prepared by respective divisions/units based on the calculation formula mentioned above. The merit list is released on the official website. Step 3: Document Verification Call Selected candidates and standby candidates are called for document verification at their respective assigned division/workshop. Candidates must report with original documents and copies. Step 4: Medical Fitness Examination Shortlisted candidates must undergo medical examination by a Government-authorized doctor not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon from a Central or State Government Hospital. The medical certificate must be submitted in the prescribed format. Step 5: Final Engagement After successful document verification and medical clearance, candidates are formally engaged as apprentices. An Apprenticeship Contract must be signed between the candidate (or guardian if minor) and Western Railway. Step 6: Training Commencement Selected apprentices join their assigned division/workshop for one-year apprenticeship training in their designated trade. ══════════════════════ 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝘀 ══════════════════════ Application Fee Structure: General (UR/OBC/EWS) Candidates: Rs. 100/- (Non-refundable) Fee Exemption: The following categories are exempt from paying any application fee: • SC/ST Candidates • Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) • Women Candidates (all categories) Payment Method: Online payment only through the integrated payment gateway on the RRC-WR website. Accepted payment methods include Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, and Internet Banking. Any transaction charges will be borne by the applicant. ════════════════════════════ 📄 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 ════════════════════════════ Required Documents to Upload: Candidates must upload legible, self-attested scanned copies of: • SSC/Matriculation marksheet and certificate with date of birth • Consolidated ITI marksheet for all semesters of applied trade • National Trade Certificate or Provisional National Trade Certificate (NCVT) • Caste Certificate for SC/ST/OBC applicants (if applicable) • Disability Certificate for PwBD applicants (if applicable) • Discharge Certificate or Serving Certificate for Ex-Servicemen (if applicable) • Income & Asset Certificate for EWS category applicants • Recent color photograph (3.5 cm x 3.5 cm, JPG/JPEG format, 100 DPI, 20-70 KB) • Signature scan (3.5 cm x 3.5 cm, JPG/JPEG format, 100 DPI, 20-30 KB) Application Filling Instructions: • Candidates must fill details very carefully, as merit list is generated automatically • Name, Father's name, and date of birth must match exactly with original certificates • Correct calculation of percentage marks is mandatory • Select only one division/workshop (final and binding) • Candidates with multiple ITI trades may apply separately for each trade • All discrepancies detected during document verification result in rejection ══════════════════════ 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐛 ══════════════════════ Candidates pursue this apprenticeship for multiple compelling reasons: 1. Structured Professional Development: The program provides systematic training in a regulated industrial environment, ensuring comprehensive skill acquisition. 2. Government Sector Experience: Working with Indian Railways, a premier government organization, provides credibility and government-standard work discipline training. 3. Financial Support: Monthly stipend reduces financial burden on candidates while gaining professional experience. 4. National Certification: NCVT certificate enhances employability across numerous sectors, from railways to private manufacturing units. 5. Career Foundation: Successfully completing apprenticeship significantly improves prospects for permanent employment in railways or other sectors. 6. Skill Diversity: Multiple trade options allow candidates to choose based on personal interest and aptitude, from technical to administrative roles. 7. Merit-Based Selection: Fair, transparent selection process based purely on academic performance, eliminating unfair practices. 8. Inclusive Opportunity: Comprehensive reservation system ensures equal opportunity for marginalized sections of society.

Key Highlights ══════════════ ✓ Largest Apprenticeship Opportunity: 5,349 slots across 19+ technical trades ✓ Government of India Initiative: Conducted by Western Railway under Ministry of Railway ✓ Merit-Based Selection: No written test or interview; purely academic performance-based ✓ One-Year Structured Training: Hands-on learning in industrial environment ✓ Stipend Support: Monthly stipend throughout training period as per Railway guidelines ✓ National Certification: Certificate of Proficiency from NCVT upon completion ✓ Inclusive Recruitment: Comprehensive reservations for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen ✓ Multiple Locations: Training available across various divisions and workshops ✓ Career Pathway: Training foundation for future employment prospects ══════════════════════ 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 ═════════════════════ This apprenticeship program represents a significant pathway for Indian youth to gain industry-recognized technical skills. The Western Railway's apprenticeship scheme bridges the gap between academic qualification and practical professional competency. Trainees receive direct mentorship from experienced railway professionals while working with modern industrial equipment and technologies. The program's importance lies in its comprehensive skill development approach, ensuring that graduates possess both theoretical knowledge and practical expertise demanded by modern industries. Successfully completing this apprenticeship enhances job prospects across private and public sectors, as NCVT certification is widely recognized nationally. 🎯ODISHAJOBSPHERE TEAM "Your dreams are our mission. Your success is our celebration." Stay tuned for more updates, notifications, and job opportunities. Visit us regularly at www.odishajobsphere.in 🌐 Connect with us | Support you | Guide you | Empower you 🌐