Introduction
East Central Railway (Railway Recruitment Cell) invites online applications from eligible candidates for selection of apprentices for Apprenticeship Training under the Apprentice Act, 1961. This centralized notification aims to fill 1149 available slots in various designated trades across different divisions/units under East Central Railway's jurisdiction.
Important Dates
- Online Application Start Date: 26.09.2025
- Online Application Last Date & Time: 25.10.2025, 23:59 hrs
Application Process
Interested candidates must apply online through the official website: www.ecr.indianrailways.gov.in > Hajipur H.Q. > RRC/Patna. All applications must be fully completed and submitted online by the last date.
Selection Method
- Merit List: The selection for apprenticeship training will be based on a merit list prepared for all applicants who apply for a specific division/unit under this notification.
- Calculation: The merit list will be prepared based on marks obtained by candidates in Matriculation (with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks) and ITI examination, giving equal weightage to both.
- Tie-Breaking: In case of a tie in marks between two candidates, the older candidate will be given preference. If the date of birth is also the same, the candidate who passed Matriculation earlier will be considered first.
- Final Evaluation: Final selection will involve evaluation of eligibility, document verification, and fulfilling the minimum standards of medical fitness as prescribed by the relevant Act and Rules.
Vacancy Details (Division/Unit-wise)
Candidates can only opt for one division/unit. The detailed trade-wise slot distribution is as follows:
- Danapur Division: Total 675 slots
- Fitter: 201
- Welder: 8
- Mechanic (Diesel): 37
- Refrigeration & AC Mechanic: 75
- Forger & Heat Treater: 24
- Carpenter: 9
- Electronics Mechanic: 142
- Painter (General): 7
- Electrician: 146
- Wireman: 26
- Dhanbad Division: Total 156 slots
- Fitter: 41
- Turner: 23
- Machinist: 7
- Carpenter: 4
- Welder (Gas & Electric): 44
- Mechanic Diesel (Fitter): 15
- Wireman: 22
- DDU Division: Total 62 slots
- Fitter: 37
- Welder: 3
- Electrician: 6
- Turner: 1
- Wireman: 1
- Electronics Mechanic: 10
- Mechanic (Diesel): 4
- Sonpur Division: Total 47 slots
- Fitter: 21
- Blacksmith: 5
- Welder: 6
- Carpenter: 6
- Painter: 9
- Samastipur Division: Total 42 slots
- Fitter: 6
- Mechanical (Diesel): 6
- Electrician: 18
- Electronics/Mechanical: 4
- Welder: 2
- Painter: 2
- Carpenter: 2
- Turner: 2
- Plant Depot / Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay: Total 29 slots
- Fitter: 22
- Machinist: 2
- Welder (Gas & Electric): 1
- Electrician: 1
- Machinist/Grinder: 1
- Turner: 1
- Mechanic (Diesel): 1
- Carriage Repair Workshop/Harnaut: Total 110 slots
- Fitter: 74
- Machinist: 12
- Welder: 16
- Electrician: 8
- Mechanical Workshop/Samastipur: Total 28 slots
- Fitter: 9
- Welder: 9
- Machinist: 6
- Electrician: 4
Reservation Notes
- PwBD: 4% reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (hearing, visual, orthopedic disabilities) in designated trades.
- Ex-servicemen (ESM): 3% reservation limit for ex-servicemen, their children, and children of armed forces personnel. ESM and PwBD slots are included in the total vacancies, not separate.
- EWS: 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (General category).
- Interchangeability: In case of insufficient SC/ST candidates, slots may be filled by candidates from the other category (ST/SC respectively). If still vacant, they will be filled by unreserved candidates. Similarly, unfilled OBC and EWS reserved slots will be converted to unreserved.
Eligibility Criteria
- Age: Candidates must be between 15 and 24 years of age as of 25.10.2025.
- Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST communities: 5 years.
- OBC community: 3 years.
- PwBD: 10 years for unreserved, 13 years for OBC, and 15 years for SC/ST.
- Ex-servicemen: Relaxation equal to the total military service period plus 3 years, provided they have rendered at least six months of regular service.
- Caste/EWS Certificates: Candidates claiming reservation must submit certificates issued by competent authorities in the Central Government format (Annexure-I for SC/ST, Annexure-II for OBC, Annexure-III for EWS) during document verification. EWS candidates must have a gross annual family income below ₹8 lakh and not possess specified assets.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed Matriculation (10th class or equivalent under 10+2 system) with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a recognized board AND possess an ITI certificate in the relevant trade issued by NCVT (National Council for Vocational Training) or SCVT (State Council for Vocational Training).
Application Fee
- Fee: ₹100 (non-refundable).
- Payment: Online payment via payment gateway integrated into the application process.
- Exemption: SC/ST, PwBD, and female candidates are exempt from paying the application fee.
Medical Fitness
- Candidates must meet the minimum physical fitness standards prescribed under the Apprentice Act, 1961, and Apprentice Rules, 1992.
- A medical fitness certificate in the prescribed format (Annexure-V) from a Government Authorized Doctor (Gazetted, not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon of Central/State Hospital) will be required during document verification.
How to Apply
- Visit the official RRC/ECR website: www.ecr.indianrailways.gov.in > Hajipur H.Q. > RRC/Patna.
- Log in and carefully fill in your personal details/biodata.
- Candidates must provide their 12-digit Aadhaar number during registration. Those who have enrolled for Aadhaar but not received it can provide the 28-digit Aadhaar enrolment ID. (This provision does not apply to residents of Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya, and Assam, who can use other valid government ID proofs).
- Ensure that all details such as name, father's name, date of birth, and marks in Matriculation/ITI match the respective certificates. Discrepancies may lead to disqualification.
- Keep your registered mobile number and email ID active throughout the selection process, as all important communications will be sent via email/SMS.
- Changes to personal details, educational/technical qualifications, or contact information are not permitted after submission. Multiple applications with altered details will be summarily rejected.
- Candidates must keep a printout of their online application. This printout will be required during document verification if shortlisted.
Scanned Documents
- Photograph: Recent color photograph (3.5 cm x 3.5 cm), not older than three months from the application date, in JPG/JPEG format, 100 DPI quality, file size 20 KB to 70 KB. Must be without cap or sunglasses, with a clear frontal view of the candidate's face.
- Signature: Scanned signature (3.5 cm x 1.5 cm) in JPG/JPEG format, 100 DPI quality, file size 10 KB to 30 KB.
Documents Required at the Time of Document Verification
Candidates shortlisted for document verification must present the following original documents:
- Secondary School (10th standard) or equivalent mark sheet.
- Date of Birth proof (10th standard certificate, mark sheet, or school leaving certificate with DOB).
- Consolidated mark sheets of all semesters/sessions of the applied ITI trade, along with the National Trade Certificate (Provisional certificates are also acceptable).
- National Trade Certificate issued by NCVT or SCVT.
- Caste Certificate (Annexure-I for SC/ST, Annexure-II for OBC) and EWS Certificate (Annexure-III), wherever applicable.
- Disability Certificate (Annexure-IV) for PwBD candidates.
- Discharge Certificate / Service Certificate for Ex-servicemen quota applicants.
- In case of certificates issued in languages other than English or Hindi, attested English/Hindi translations must also be provided.
Training Period and Stipend
- The training will be organized as per the standards and syllabus prescribed by the Central Apprenticeship Council.
- Selected candidates will receive a stipend at the prevailing rates applicable during the apprenticeship, subject to changes as per Railway Board rules.
- No hostel accommodation will be provided; selected candidates must make their own arrangements for stay.
Training Agreement
- Selected candidates will be required to enter into an apprenticeship training agreement prior to the commencement of training.
- As per Apprentice Rules, 1992, if the contract is terminated due to employer's failure to adhere to rules, the candidate will be entitled to Apprentice Compensation.
- Successful completion of training does not guarantee employment in the establishment, nor is the trainee obligated to accept employment.
- If the selected candidate is a minor, their guardian must sign the apprenticeship agreement with the employer.
Help Desk
For any issues with online application or printing, candidates can call 0612-2200035 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on working days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays).
Important Guidelines
- The decision of the Railway Administration regarding eligibility, acceptance/rejection of applications, and selection method will be final.
- Training does not confer any right to absorption into Railway service after successful completion.
- No correspondence regarding selection will be entertained.
- Canvassing in any form or providing false information will lead to disqualification.
- The Railway Administration will not be responsible for replying to candidates not selected or not called for selection.
- No allowances will be paid to candidates called for document verification.
- Candidates are not required to send hard copies or printouts of their applications or certificates by post.
- No requests for change of division/unit will be considered after selection.
- In case of any dispute, the English version of the job notification shall be considered valid.
- The jurisdiction for any legal disputes will be the Hon'ble Central Administrative Tribunal, Patna.
- Candidates are advised to regularly check the RRC/Patna official website for the latest updates.