The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) of South Central Railway (SCR) has officially released the RRC SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification, presenting an outstanding opportunity for ITI-qualified candidates seeking a prestigious entry into India’s railway sector through the Apprentices Act framework. This recruitment drive covers 2801 Apprentice positions across various trades in the South Central Railway zone, making it one of the largest railway apprentice drives currently active in the country. Furthermore, since the online application window opened on March 12, 2026, and closes on April 11, 2026, eligible candidates must complete their registration without delay to secure their spot in this highly competitive recruitment process.
Job Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organization | Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), South Central Railway (SCR) |
| Post Name | Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 2801 Posts |
| Job Location | South Central Railway Zone (Central Government) |
| Age Limit Cut-off Date | April 11, 2026 |
| Application Start Date | March 12, 2026 |
| Application Last Date | April 11, 2026 |
| Official Website | scr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Vacancy Breakdown
Notably, all 2801 vacancies fall under the Apprentice designation across multiple ITI trades within the South Central Railway zone. The complete trade-wise and category-wise vacancy distribution, including UR, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS breakdowns, is available in the official notification PDF published on the RRC SCR official website. Candidates are therefore strongly advised to download and review the official notification to identify vacancies in their specific ITI trade before applying.
| Post Name | Total Posts |
|---|---|
| Apprentice (Various Trades) | 2801 Posts |
| Total | 2801 |
Candidates must visit the official RRC SCR website at scr.indianrailways.gov.in to access the complete trade-wise vacancy breakdown, as RRC publishes detailed trade-specific allocation tables in the official notification document.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
The age limit for RRC SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is calculated as of April 11, 2026.
| Criteria | Age |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 15 Years |
| Maximum Age | 24 Years |
Consequently, candidates born between April 12, 2002, and April 11, 2011, are eligible to apply for this recruitment. Furthermore, RRC extends age relaxation to reserved category candidates as per the Apprentices Act and applicable Railway Board regulations — SC/ST candidates typically receive 5 years of relaxation, OBC candidates receive 3 years, and PwBD candidates receive 10 years of upper age relaxation.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must fulfill the following two mandatory academic requirements to be eligible for the RRC SCR Apprentice posts:
Academic Qualification — Candidates must have passed the 10th standard (Matriculation) examination from a recognized board with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
ITI Qualification — Candidates must additionally hold an ITI certificate in the relevant trade from a recognized institution affiliated with the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT).
Candidates must match their ITI trade with the specific trade vacancies notified by RRC SCR. Applications submitted with a mismatched trade will consequently be rejected during document verification. Detailed trade-wise eligibility conditions are available in the official notification PDF.
Nationality
All candidates must be citizens of India and fulfill any additional requirements as prescribed by the Railway Recruitment Cell, South Central Railway, in the official Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100/- |
| SC / ST / Female Candidates | ₹0/- (Exempted) |
Notably, female candidates of all categories are fully exempted from the application fee, making this recruitment particularly accessible for women ITI graduates seeking a railway sector career.
Candidates can complete fee payment through Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, and Cash Card or Mobile Wallet.
Selection Process
RRC SCR follows a transparent and merit-based four-stage selection process for Apprentice posts, ensuring the most deserving ITI-qualified candidates receive appointment.
Merit List Preparation — This is the primary selection stage. RRC SCR prepares a merit list based on candidates’ performance in the 10th standard and ITI examinations. Notably, there is no separate written examination for this recruitment — selection depends entirely on academic merit. Candidates must consequently focus on maximizing their 10th and ITI percentage scores.
Document Verification — Shortlisted candidates from the merit list must appear for document verification and present all original academic certificates, ITI trade certificates, category certificates, and identity documents for thorough verification by RRC SCR officials.
Medical Examination — Candidates who successfully clear document verification must subsequently undergo a comprehensive medical fitness examination to confirm their physical suitability for railway apprenticeship training.
Final Selection and Joining — Candidates who clear all preceding stages receive their final appointment order and joining instructions for apprenticeship training at the designated South Central Railway workshop or unit.
How to Apply Online for RRC SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Since the application window is currently active, candidates must follow these steps immediately to complete their online registration before April 11, 2026:
- Open any internet browser on your mobile device or computer.
- Visit the official RRC South Central Railway website at scr.indianrailways.gov.in.
- Navigate to the Recruitment / Latest Notifications section on the homepage.
- Locate and click on the notification titled “RRC SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026”.
- Read the official notification PDF thoroughly before proceeding to the application form.
- Click on the “Apply Online” link to open the registration portal.
- Complete the registration by entering your valid email address and mobile number.
- Fill in all required personal, academic, ITI trade, and contact details accurately in the application form.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, 10th marksheet, ITI certificate, category certificate, and other required documents in the prescribed format and size.
- Proceed to the fee payment section and pay the applicable fee using your preferred online payment method.
- Review the entire application carefully for any errors before final submission.
- Click “Submit” to confirm your application and download the confirmation page for your records.
Candidates must read the official notification completely before filling the form, paying close attention to trade-specific eligibility conditions, document size specifications, and photograph and signature upload requirements to avoid rejection.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | March 12, 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | April 11, 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | April 11, 2026 |
| Exam Date | To Be Notified Soon |
| Admit Card | Before Exam (To Be Notified) |
| Result Date | To Be Announced |
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| RRC SCR Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the last date to apply for RRC SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application form is April 11, 2026. The fee payment deadline is also April 11, 2026. Since both deadlines coincide, candidates must consequently complete their entire application process including fee payment in a single session to avoid last-minute technical complications on the final day.
Is there a written examination for RRC SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
No, RRC SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 does not involve a separate written examination. Selection is based entirely on a merit list prepared from candidates’ 10th standard and ITI examination scores. Candidates with higher academic percentages in both qualifications consequently have a significantly stronger chance of making the shortlist.
What is the minimum educational qualification for RRC SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Candidates must have passed the 10th standard examination with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a recognized board. Additionally, they must hold an ITI certificate in the relevant trade from an NCVT or SCVT affiliated institution. Both qualifications are mandatory, and candidates missing either one are not eligible to apply under this RRC SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification.
Are female candidates required to pay the application fee?
No, female candidates of all categories are fully exempted from the application fee under this recruitment. Similarly, SC and ST candidates of all genders pay no application fee. Only General, OBC, and EWS male candidates are required to pay the ₹100/- application fee through available online payment modes.
How is the final merit list prepared for RRC SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
RRC SCR prepares the merit list based on candidates’ aggregate marks in the 10th standard and ITI examinations. Since there is no written test, candidates’ academic performance in these two qualifications exclusively determines their merit ranking. Ties in scores are resolved as per the tiebreaking criteria specified in the official notification, which candidates must review carefully before applying.