Introduction
Online applications are invited from eligible Indian nationals for engagement/training as Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act 1961 and Apprenticeship Rules, 1992, as amended from time to time. This is for various Workshops and other establishments of South Eastern Railway for the year 2025-26. Applications must be submitted online.
Important Dates
- Opening date for online application: 2025-11-18
- Closing date for online application: 2025-12-17 (17:00 Hrs)
Eligibility Criteria
Age
Candidates should have completed 15 years of age and not completed 24 years of age as on 2026-01-01. Age as recorded in the Matriculation or Birth certificate will be considered.
- Upper age limit relaxations:
- SC/ST candidates: 5 years
- OBC candidates: 3 years
- Physically Handicapped candidates: 10 years
- Ex-servicemen: Additional 10 years up to the extent of service rendered in Defence Forces plus 3 years, provided a minimum of 6 months service at a stretch. Ex-servicemen who have already joined Govt. Service on the Civil side are not eligible for this relaxation.
Minimum Educational Qualification
Matriculation (10th class in 10+2 examination system) from a recognized Board with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate (excluding additional subjects) and an ITI Pass certificate (in the relevant trade) granted by NCVT/SCVT.
Medical Fitness
Candidates must satisfy the minimum standards of physical fitness as prescribed in the Apprentices Act, 1961, and Apprenticeship Rules, 1992. Fitness will be certified by a Railway Medical Doctor on the prescribed format (Annexure-II).
Application Fee
- Fee: Rs. 100/- (Rupees One Hundred Only) - non-refundable.
- Exemptions: No fee for SC/ST/PWD/Women candidates.
- Payment Mode: Online through 'Payment Gateway' using Debit Card/Credit Card/Internet Banking/UPI/e-Wallets. Transaction charges (if any) will be borne by the candidate.
Mode of Selection
Selection will be based on a trade-wise merit list. The merit list will be prepared based on the percentage of marks obtained in Matriculation (minimum 50% aggregate marks). Marks from all subjects will be considered for calculating the matriculation percentage.
- Tie-breaking rules:
- Candidate with older age preferred.
- If date of birth is same, candidate who passed matriculation earlier preferred.
- Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates (1.5 times the number of vacancies) will be called for document verification.
- Final Merit List: Prepared trade-wise, community-wise, in descending order of marks.
- Medical Examination: Candidates finally enlisted will undergo document verification of original testimonials and a medical examination as per Medical Proforma (Annexure-II).
- Stipend: Engaged candidates will receive stipends at the prescribed rate.
Reservation Policy
- OBC vacancies remaining unfilled will be filled by UR candidates.
- Unfilled SC vacancies will be filled by ST candidates, and vice-versa. If still unfilled, they will be filled by UR candidates.
- Earmarking for PWD and ESM is 3% of total slots and is included in overall vacancies.
Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Reservation
Candidates claiming ESM reservation must produce a discharge certificate/serving certificate of their parent at the time of document verification. ESM and PWD candidates will be placed in their appropriate categories (UR/SC/ST/OBC).
Reservations to ESM, their children, and children of Armed Forces Personnel apply to:
- Children of deceased/disabled ESM (including those killed/disabled during peacetime).
- Children of Ex-Servicemen.
- Children of serving jawans.
- Children of serving Officers.
- Ex-Servicemen.
Unfilled ESM vacancies will be made good from other candidates.
How to Apply
Candidates must apply ONLINE via the official website: www.rrcser.co.in.
- Read detailed instructions carefully before filling the online application.
- Ensure particulars (Name, Date of Birth, etc.) match the Matriculation certificate.
- Fill in community (SC/ST/OBC) and physical disability details, and upload necessary certificates as per Annexure.
- Candidates will have 03 options for choosing Training establishments (Annexure-I) based on their ITI qualification. Allotment is strictly based on merit and available vacancies.
- Provide active mobile numbers and valid e-mail IDs for communication during the selection process.
Scanned Documents
- Photograph: Upload a good quality, contrast, color photograph (not more than 3 months old) in JPG/JPEG format. It should be clear, without cap or sunglasses, and have defined edges. Keep 3-4 copies for future use.
- Signature: Upload your full signature in JPG/JPEG format. Applications without a signature will be summarily rejected.
- Candidates are advised to take a printout of the filled online Application Form after submission for Document Verification.
- Help Desk: For problems with online application submission or printing, use the Help Desk button on the application webpage and provide e-mail IDs for response.
Other Terms and Conditions
- Training does not guarantee appointment in railway services by default.
- 20% of vacancies in erstwhile Group 'D' category posts (Grade Pay - Rs. 1800/-) shall be filled by Course Completed Act Apprentices trained in railway establishments with National Apprenticeship Certificates, subject to suitability in other aspects and minimum qualifying marks in written examination.
- Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria before applying; furnishing false information will lead to termination of engagement.
- South Eastern Railway is not responsible for sending replies to non-selected candidates.
- The decision of RRC/SER on eligibility and candidature is final.
- Selection is merit-based; railways do not appoint facilitation/coaching centers. Candidates are warned against touts/racketeers. Any such occurrences should be reported to the Chairman, Railway Recruitment Cell, South Eastern Railway, 11, Garden Reach, Kolkata-700043, or the Sr.DGM, South Eastern Railway.
Abbreviations Used
- PWD: Persons With Disabilities
- ESM: Ex-Servicemen
- Welder (G&E): Welder (Gas & Electric)
- SSE(Works): Senior Section Engineer(Works)
- Sr.DEE(G): Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer(G)
- EMU: Electric Multiple Units
Standards of Fitness for Persons With Disability (PWD)
The mentioned slots are not suitable for Low Vision candidates (specific vision impairment criteria listed).
Only Locomotor Cerebral Palsy (OH) with not less than 40% disability and Hearing Handicapped (HH) with 60 decibels or more in the better ear are eligible.
Disability Requirements for Specific Trades
- Fitter: Lower limb partially damaged from one side.
- Welder (G&E): Person without three fingers of one hand.
- Electrician: Partially lower limb.
- Carpenter: One upper and lower limb partially damaged.
- Diesel Mechanic: Upper limb damaged (little finger & ring finger) for both hands; lower limb partially damaged only one side.
- Machinist: Only small finger damaged.
- Painter: One upper and lower limb partially damaged.
- Turner: Lower limb partially damaged from one side.
- Refrigerator & AC Mechanic: Only one lower limb partially working; small finger of each hand damaged.
Medical Proforma (Annexure-II)
The document includes a Medical Fitness Certificate for Standard of physical fitness for Act Apprentice Training, detailing physical standards for candidates (e.g., height, weight, chest, eyes, ears, skin, speech, alimentary system, cardio vascular system, respiratory system, genito urinary system, skeletal system, nervous system, glandular system). This certificate must be signed by a Government authorized Doctor (Gaz) not below the rank of Asst. Surgeon of a Central/State Hospital.