Indian Railways RRC WR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Recruitment Details

The Railway Recruitment Cell, Western Railway, has published a huge Apprentice notification for 2026. This means there are thousands of training prospects under the Apprentice Act. This recruitment is done under the Indian Railways, one of the biggest railway networks in the world. This is a good opportunity for Class 10 and ITI pass students to enter the railway industry.

This recruitment is different from the typical railway recruitment as it’s focused on apprenticeship training. This means the selected candidates will not become permanent employees right away. However, they will receive substantial vocational training in railway divisions and workshops, which increases their technical skills and employability greatly.

Key Dates for the RRC WR Apprentice 2026

The applicants should make a note of the official dates to avoid disappointment. Railway recruitment are known for not accepting late applications.

The engagement of apprentices notifications came out in February 2026. The application process started on 21 February 2026 and ends on 23 March 2026 (5:00 PM). The last day to pay application fees is also 23 March 2026. Applicants shouldn’t wait for the last day to submit their applications as there could be portal traffic.

Total number of vacancies and trades for 2023

Western Railway has announced a total of 5,349 vacancies for apprentices for 2023 across different divisions and workshops. This number is for trades that are imperative for the functioning and maintenance of the workshop and railway operation.

Available trades are Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Electronic Mechanic, Mechanic Diesel, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Carpenter, Painter, Plumber, Pipe Fitter, Draftsman Civil, and Stenographer. The apprenticeships are located in divisions of Mumbai Central, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Ratlam and also other workshop units of Western Railway.

The vacancies for each trade differ in number in each division, so it’s best for candidates to read the official notification carefully before deciding on a preferred unit.

Western Railway Apprentice 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Western Railway Apprentice 2026 eligibility criteria look at age and education requirements. The eligibility criteria will lead to an instant rejection during document verification.

Now, applicants must have passed Class 10 (Matriculation) with at least 50% marks from a recognized educational board and also hold ITI in the respective trade from NCVT or SCVT-recognized institutions.

With the age requirements, 15 years is the minimum age and 24 years is the maximum age as on 23 March 2026. As per government rules, age relaxation is as provided to Reserved Category candidates. Which includes SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen.

Application Fee and Payment Process

The submission of an application has to be done online. For those exempted under category rules, they will be able to submit the application without paying. For everyone else, the application fee has to be paid before the submission of the application.

The fee payment for the General, OBC, and EWS categories is 100 rupees. However, SC and ST candidates, as well as women and candidates falling under the PwBD category, do not need to pay any fee. Payment can be made via any of the online methods: debit and credit cards, net banking, or UPI. Once the fee is paid, it is usually non-refundable, so applicants are advised to double-check their details before final submission.

Recruitment Process and Final List of Candidates

It is certainly unique to this type of recruitment that there is no writing test or oral interview. This makes the selection process entirely based on performance, and so it makes academics that much more critical.

The final list of candidates is determined by the average score obtained in Class 10 and ITI in the relevant trade. Each of the two has equal weightage in determining the final merit score. If two candidates achieve the same score, the older candidate is given priority. If the tie persists, the candidate who completed Matriculation earlier is given consideration.

The candidates who are selected from the final list are invited to verify their documents and undergo a medical test. Final engagement will take place only after the documents and medical fitness are verified and do not fall below railway standards.

Details of the Training Period and Stipend

Selected applicants will be trained through the apprenticeship program in a specific division or workshop. The training duration varies based on the type of trade and is determined by the Apprentices Act.

For training duration, apprentices earn a stipend monthly, as per government rules. Based on the trade and training formulation, the stipend is typically between ₹9,000 and ₹15,000. Although apprentices are not considered railway employees, the experience acquired is essential as it significantly enhances the chances of securing employment in both government and private jobs.

Steps to Apply for RRC Western Railway Apprentice 2026

The application can be done easily but it should be done carefully.

Visit the RRC Western Railway official website, and complete the registration to create an account using a mobile number and email. Following this, the candidate should fill in the form by providing the personal details and the educational and ITI trade details correctly. The application will then be accompanied by the scanned copies of one’s own photograph, signature, and the photocopies of the required certificates, as prescribed.

Candidates will verify the information before payment, if required, and submit the application form. It is recommended to keep a printout of the application form that has been successfully submitted for future reference.

Conclusion

For youngsters with an ITI qualification, the Western Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on industrial exposure in the railway sector. As this recruitment drive has more than 5,000 vacancies, it is anticipated to draw many applications from the length and breadth of the country.

It is advised that candidates who are eligible apply as soon as possible, and check to ensure that each field in the form is completed with the correct and appropriate information. This is because an application form with errors or omissions will be rejected.