Western Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Notification Out For 5,349 Posts

Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway Recruitment 2026 – Overview

The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway has released the official notification for engagement of 5,349 Act Apprentices under Notification No. RRC/WR/04/2025 for the training year 2025-2026. This recruitment drive is conducted under the Apprentices Act, 1961 and is applicable across major divisions and workshops including Mumbai Central, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Ratlam, Bhavnagar, and Sabarmati. For candidates in Gujarat, this is a major opportunity to secure technical training within Indian Railways in divisions such as Ahmedabad (ADI), Vadodara (BRC), Rajkot (RJT), Bhavnagar (BVP), Dahod Workshop, and Sabarmati Workshops. The apprenticeship is a one-year structured training program with monthly stipend benefits. It does not offer direct permanent employment but provides valuable railway work exposure and preference in future Level-1 Railway recruitments.

Eligibility, Selection Process & Key Highlights

Applicants must have passed 10th class with minimum 50% aggregate marks and hold an ITI certificate (NCVT affiliated) in the relevant trade as on 18/02/2026. The age limit is 15 to 24 years as on 23/03/2026, with relaxation for SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen as per Government rules. Selection is completely merit-based with no written examination. The merit list is prepared by averaging the percentage marks obtained in Matriculation and ITI. The stipend for ITI-qualified apprentices is ₹9,600 per month as per revised Railway Board guidelines. After successful completion and obtaining the National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC), candidates receive preference in future Railway Level-1 recruitments, where 20% vacancies are reserved for Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAA). This makes the opportunity highly beneficial for ITI candidates seeking a long-term career path in Indian Railways.

About Important Dates of Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway Recruitment 2026

The application window for Western Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 opens on 21 February 2026 at 11:00 AM and closes on 23 March 2026 at 05:00 PM. Candidates must complete both registration and fee payment before the deadline, as the portal will automatically deactivate after the closing time. There is no correction window provided, so applicants should carefully verify their details before final submission. Since the selection is purely merit-based, there will be no admit card or written examination. Freshers are strongly advised not to wait until the last date due to heavy traffic on the official RRC Western Railway portal (www.rrc-wr.com). Applying early helps avoid server issues, payment failures, and data entry mistakes.

About Application Fees of Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway Recruitment 2026

The registration fee for General, OBC, and EWS candidates is ₹100, while SC, ST, PwBD, and Women candidates are fully exempted from payment. The fee must be paid online through Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, or Net Banking via the integrated payment gateway. The registration fee is strictly non-refundable under any circumstances. If the transaction amount is deducted but the application status does not update, candidates should use the “Verify Payment” option available on the portal before attempting another payment. Applicants must keep the payment receipt or transaction reference number safely until the completion of the recruitment process for future reference during document verification.

About Vacancy Details of Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway Recruitment 2026

The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway has announced a total of 5,349 Act Apprentice seats, making it one of the largest apprenticeship notifications in the railway zone for 2026. The vacancies are distributed across multiple divisions including Mumbai Central, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Ratlam, and major workshops in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The total seats are allocated category-wise as per Government of India reservation rules for UR, SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates. Additionally, 4% reservation for PwBD and 3% for Ex-Servicemen is provided on a horizontal basis. Due to the high number of total seats, competition will be strong, especially in popular trades like Fitter, Electrician, and COPA. Candidates should carefully choose their preferred division while applying, as allotment is based on merit rank.

About Eligibility Criteria of Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway Recruitment 2026

For Western Railway Act Apprentice qualification, candidates must have passed 10th class with at least 50% aggregate marks and must hold an ITI certificate in the relevant trade approved by NCVT. A recognized Board means any State Board, CBSE, or equivalent authority recognized by the Government of India. Candidates should note that the age limit for Western Railway Act Apprentice is calculated as on 23 March 2026. The minimum age is 15 years and the maximum age is 24 years, with applicable relaxations. Most importantly, both the 10th and ITI results must have been declared on or before 18 February 2026. Candidates awaiting results are not eligible. Meeting the correct eligibility criteria is essential to avoid rejection during document verification.

About Category Wise Posts of Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway Recruitment 2026

The total 5,349 Act Apprentice seats are distributed category-wise as per Government of India reservation rules. UR, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS candidates are allotted posts according to prescribed percentages, while PwBD (4%) and Ex-Servicemen (3%) reservations are applied horizontally within each category. Category-wise distribution plays a crucial role in determining cut-off marks because merit lists are prepared separately trade-wise and category-wise. Candidates must upload valid caste certificates, Non-Creamy Layer certificates for OBC (issued on or after 01/04/2025), and EWS Income & Asset Certificates for 2025-26. Applying under the wrong category or submitting invalid documents can lead to rejection during document verification. Therefore, applicants should carefully verify their eligibility before final submission.

About Exam Pattern of Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway Recruitment 2026

The selection process for Western Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 does not include any written examination or interview. Instead, selection is purely merit-based. In Stage I, a computerized merit list is generated by calculating the average percentage of 10th and ITI marks. Candidates should ensure accurate entry of marks, as even minor discrepancies can affect ranking. Stage II involves document verification, where original certificates are checked. Stage III is a medical fitness examination as per Railway standards. Since there is no competitive exam, the key strategy is securing strong academic and ITI marks. Candidates should also prepare all documents in advance to avoid last-minute disqualification.

About Physical Eligibility Criteria of Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway Recruitment 2026

The Western Railway Act Apprentice recruitment requires candidates to meet basic medical and physical standards as prescribed under Railway Medical Schedule-II. The minimum height is 137 cm, weight 25.4 kg, and chest expansion must be at least 3.8 cm. Blood pressure and overall physical health are strictly checked during the medical examination stage. Certain technical trades may require full binocular vision, so candidates should ensure their eyesight meets the standards before applying. It is advisable for applicants to measure their height and chest expansion at home and undergo a basic health check-up to avoid disqualification during the final medical test. Since medical fitness is mandatory for engagement, even high-merit candidates can be rejected if found medically unfit.

About Salary of Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway Recruitment 2026

The selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend of ₹9,600 during the one-year apprenticeship training as per the latest Railway Board order. This is not a permanent salary but a training stipend under the Apprentices Act, 1961. No Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), or other benefits are provided during the training period. However, after successful completion and obtaining the National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC), candidates become eligible for preference in Level-1 Railway jobs, where the pay scale ranges from ₹18,000 to ₹56,900 under the 7th Pay Commission. In regular railway service, the gross salary includes basic pay plus allowances, while the in-hand salary depends on deductions. Therefore, this apprenticeship acts as a strong foundation for long-term career growth in Indian Railways.

About Syllabus of Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway Recruitment 2026

There is no written examination in Western Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026. Selection is purely merit-based, calculated from the average percentage of 10th and ITI marks. This means candidates do not need to prepare for competitive exams, but they must ensure accurate mark entry while applying. During the one-year apprenticeship training, candidates follow the NCVT-prescribed syllabus which includes Trade Theory, Workshop Calculation & Science, Engineering Drawing, and Practical Skill training. The difficulty level depends on the chosen ITI trade. Technical subjects are practical-oriented, so strong fundamentals in ITI concepts are important. The final proficiency test after training evaluates both theory and hands-on skills. Therefore, candidates should focus on strengthening their technical knowledge and workshop safety practices.

About How to Fill Application Form for Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway Recruitment 2026

Filling the Western Railway Apprentice application form correctly is very important because there is no correction window. Candidates should use an active email ID and mobile number, as all communication regarding document verification will be sent there. While uploading documents, ensure that the photograph is recent, clear, and without caps or goggles. Avoid blurry scans and incorrect file sizes, as this can lead to rejection. Always double-check marks entered in the form because merit ranking depends on them. After fee payment, keep the transaction receipt safely. Taking a printout of the final application form is strongly recommended, as it will be required during document verification. Applying early helps avoid server issues and last-minute technical problems.

About Mode of Selection for Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway Recruitment 2026

The selection process for Western Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is completely merit-based. In Stage I, a computerized merit list is prepared by calculating the average percentage of marks obtained in 10th and ITI examinations. There is no written test or interview, so accuracy in entering marks is extremely important. Higher academic performance directly improves ranking chances. Shortlisted candidates are then called for Stage II Document Verification, where original certificates are checked. Stage III includes a mandatory medical examination as per Railway standards. Only candidates who clear all stages are finally engaged. Since selection depends purely on merit, candidates should ensure there are no discrepancies in marks or category details to avoid rejection during verification.

About Documents Required for Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway Recruitment 2026

Document verification is a critical stage where candidates must present original documents along with self-attested photocopies. The 10th marksheet serves as proof of age, and the consolidated ITI certificate confirms trade eligibility. Category certificates must be valid and in the prescribed format; for OBC candidates, the Non-Creamy Layer certificate must be issued on or after 01/04/2025, and EWS certificates must be valid for the 2025-26 financial year. Any mismatch in name, date of birth, or category details between Aadhaar and educational certificates can lead to disqualification. Candidates should carefully check spellings and ensure documents are genuine. Submitting forged or invalid certificates can result in permanent debarment from Railway recruitment.

Beyond the standard recruitment details, the Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway notification contains several crucial points that candidates must thoroughly understand before proceeding with their application:

Nature of Apprenticeship and Long-Term Career Implications

The Act Apprentice engagement under Western Railway is not a permanent government job. It is a one-year training program governed by the Apprentices Act, 1961. Candidates receive a monthly stipend during training, but they are not treated as regular railway employees. This means no pension, no permanent service benefits, and no automatic absorption after completion. However, the long-term advantage lies in the National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC). Candidates who successfully complete training are given preference in future Level-1 Railway recruitments, where 20% of vacancies are reserved for Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAA). For ITI holders aiming for a railway career, this apprenticeship acts as a structured entry route. It provides practical exposure in railway workshops and divisions, which strengthens future job prospects. Applicants must clearly understand that this is a training opportunity with career benefits, not a guaranteed permanent appointment.

Trade-Specific Technical Requirements and Medical Standards

Western Railway has clearly specified that only candidates with ITI certificates affiliated with NCVT are eligible. Engineering graduates and diploma holders are not allowed under this scheme because separate apprenticeship frameworks exist for them. The authority insists on a minimum of 50% marks in 10th and a valid ITI in the relevant trade. This ensures that selected candidates already possess foundational technical knowledge before entering the workshop environment. Medical standards are also strictly enforced. Minimum height, chest expansion, vision, and blood pressure criteria are prescribed under Railway Medical Schedule-II. For certain technical trades, proper vision is essential because workshop and electrical duties involve machinery, wiring, and safety-sensitive operations. These requirements are not formalities; they are practical safety measures. Candidates should assess their physical fitness and technical eligibility carefully before applying to avoid rejection at the medical or document verification stage.

Posting Policy, Agreement Conditions, and Financial Liability

Selected apprentices will be posted only within the division or workshop they have opted for during application. The choice of division is final and cannot be changed later. Western Railway has clearly stated that no hostel or accommodation facility will be provided. Candidates must arrange their own stay during the one-year training period. Another important point is the Apprenticeship Contract. Selected candidates are required to sign a formal agreement. If the apprentice leaves training without valid reasons, financial recovery of stipend and training cost may be initiated as per rules. Similarly, if the employer fails to comply with the agreement, compensation provisions exist. These operational clauses show that the apprenticeship is a structured legal contract, not a casual engagement. Candidates should be prepared for full-time training attendance and discipline throughout the period.

Document Verification Nuances and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Document verification is one of the most critical stages of the Western Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 process. Candidates must carry original documents along with self-attested photocopies. The name and date of birth mentioned in the 10th certificate, Aadhaar, and ITI documents must match exactly. Even minor spelling differences can cause complications. OBC candidates must ensure that the Non-Creamy Layer certificate is issued on or after 01/04/2025, and EWS certificates must be valid for the financial year 2025-26. Many candidates get rejected due to outdated certificates or incorrect formats. Self-attestation should be clear, with signature and date on each copy. Uploading blurred photographs, using capital letters for signatures, or submitting forged documents can lead to permanent debarment. A practical tip is to arrange all documents in a folder well in advance and cross-check them with the official notification before appearing for verification.