An ITI certificate is not a ticket to a permanent railway job. It can lead to paid workshop training. An Indian Railways apprenticeship operates under the Apprentices Act, 1961, with selection usually based on Class 10 and ITI marks.
North Western Railway’s revised notice of 21 October 2026 offers 2,008 training slots. Applications run from 23 October to 22 November, following the cancellation of an earlier notice.
Key Highlights
- Railway apprentices learn a notified trade in workshops or divisions; they are not recruited as permanent staff.
- For the latest North Western Railway drive, Class 10 aggregate marks must be at least 50%, alongside an eligible ITI certificate.
- Selection uses an average of Class 10 and ITI percentages.
- Applicants must select one eligible unit and apply online through RRC Jaipur.
- The training stipend follows railway rules; no permanent job is promised.
What Does a Railway Apprentice Actually Do?
A fitter apprentice trains in mechanical work; an electrician follows another syllabus. The selected trade and workshop shape the practical work.
The Directorate General of Training lists Railways among apprenticeship establishments. Successful applicants sign a training contract and receive a stipend.
That is not a regular salary. The October 2026 North Western Railway notification does not publish a single fixed monthly stipend; it says training duration and payment follow prevailing Railway Board rules. It also states that trainees must arrange their own accommodation.
Training does not guarantee railway employment. Permanent posts require separate recruitment.
Who Can Apply After ITI in 2026?
For North Western Railway’s current drive, the eligibility conditions are specific:
- Education: Class 10 passed with at least 50% aggregate marks, plus an NCVT- or SCVT-issued trade certificate matching a notified vacancy.
- Age: At least 15 years old but not yet 24 on 22 November 2026. Upper-age relaxations include five years for SC/ST, three for OBC and ten for eligible PwBD applicants.
- Trade: Seats include fitter, electrician, welder, carpenter, and COPA, but not every division offers every trade.
- Fee: ₹100 for applicants required to pay; SC/ST, PwBD and women candidates are exempt.
An unrelated ITI trade will not qualify. Neither will rounding Class 10 marks up to 50%: the notice expressly forbids it.
Other zones may use different eligibility dates. Consult each official notice.
How Can ITI Students Apply Online for Railway Apprenticeship?
The RRC Jaipur recruitment website currently lists Notification 04/2026 (NWR/AA). Open the revised official notification dated 21 October 2026, rather than the cancelled version issued in September.
To submit an application:
- Read the unit-by-unit training-seat table and pick one unit that actually offers your ITI trade. Multiple applications can be rejected.
- Register through the official online application link. Keep Aadhaar and the Class 10 and ITI records ready; enter names and dates exactly as they appear in the certificates.
- Upload the prescribed photo and signature, pay the applicable fee, and save the completed application with its registration number.
The closing time is 11:59 pm on 22 November 2026. Applications are online only; sending a printed copy to the railway office will not count.
A useful last check is the trade selection. RRC Jaipur warns that selecting a unit with no slot for your trade may leave the application ineffective, and changes are not permitted after final submission.
How Are Railway Apprentices Selected, and What Happens Next?
North Western Railway prepares merit lists separately by unit, trade, and category. The calculation is straightforward: the average of the Class 10 percentage and the relevant ITI percentage. Someone with 70% in Class 10 and 80% in ITI, for instance, would have a 75% selection score. It is an illustration, not a cut-off.
Shortlisted candidates face document verification and a prescribed medical-fitness check. When scores tie, older applicants receive preference; if dates of birth match, the earlier Class 10 passer ranks ahead.
Trainees sign a contract and are released after training, barring separate recruitment.
For this October opening, check the official RRC Jaipur notice and application status rather than relying on claims of an automatic railway appointment.
FAQs
Is there a written exam for railway apprenticeships?
In the October 2026 North Western Railway intake, selection relies on Class 10 and ITI merit scores, followed by verification and medical requirements, not a written test.
Can a student apply with only a Class 10 certificate?
Not for North Western Railway’s current ex-ITI vacancies. The 2026 notice requires a relevant NCVT or SCVT trade certificate as well as qualifying Class 10 marks.
What is the age limit for railway apprentice recruitment?
For RRC Jaipur’s revised 2026 notification, applicants must be at least 15 but below 24 on 22 November, with upper-age relaxations for eligible reserved categories.
How much stipend does an Indian Railways apprentice get?
There is no single universal amount in the current RRC Jaipur notice. Payment follows applicable Railway Board rules, which candidates should review before joining training.
Does railway apprenticeship guarantee a permanent job?
No. The revised notice explicitly says training does not create a right to a railway job. Candidates must qualify through a separate recruitment route where applicable.
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