RRC Western Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 5,349 Vacancies, Salary, Eligibility & Selection Process
For millions of young aspirants across India, securing a Sarkari Naukri (government job) in the Indian Railways is the ultimate career milestone. If you are a 10th-pass student with an ITI certificate, your golden opportunity has arrived. The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Western Railway, has released the official notification for the RRC Western Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026. With a massive 5,349 vacancies across various trades, this recruitment drive is your direct ticket to acquiring technical expertise, earning a steady monthly stipend, and securing a powerful advantage for future permanent Railway jobs.+1
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover every detail you need to know about the RRC Western Railway Apprentice 2026 notification—from the official apply online link and exact salary structure to the trade-wise vacancy breakdown and the merit-based selection process.
Overview of RRC Western Railway Apprentice 2026
Before diving into the specifics, here is a quick summary of this highly anticipated recruitment drive. This table is essential for candidates looking for a quick overview before applying.
| Recruitment Detail | Information |
| Organization Name | Railway Recruitment Cell, Western Railway (RRC WR) |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice (Various Trades) |
| Total Vacancies | 5,349 Posts |
| Notification Number | RRC/WR/04/2025 |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Online Application Starts | February 21, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | March 23, 2026 (05:00 PM) |
| Selection Process | Direct Merit List (No Written Exam) |
| Official Website | www.rrc-wr.com |
Why You Must Apply: The “20% Group D Quota” Advantage
Many candidates mistakenly believe that an apprenticeship is just a temporary training program. However, in the Indian Railways, it is a strategic stepping stone.
Under the revised rules by the Ministry of Railways, candidates who successfully complete their Act Apprenticeship training and obtain the National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) are granted a massive 20% reservation quota in all future Level-1 (RRB Group D) direct recruitments.
This means when the next massive RRB Group D vacancy drops, your competition is slashed significantly. You will be competing within this reserved 20% pool rather than against the millions in the open market. Furthermore, Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAA) are often exempted from the grueling Physical Efficiency Test (PET) during Group D selections.
RRC Western Railway Apprentice Salary and Stipend 2026
A major question for applicants from smaller towns and rural areas is regarding the financial support during the training period. The RRC WR provides a fixed monthly stipend to help trainees support themselves.
While apprentices are not permanent employees and do not receive allowances like Dearness Allowance (DA) or House Rent Allowance (HRA), the stipend is highly competitive for the training phase:
- For 10th Pass Candidates: Approximately ₹6,000 per month.
- For ITI Pass Candidates: Approximately ₹7,000 to ₹8,000 per month (depending on the specific trade and prevailing government directives).
This stipend ensures you can focus entirely on upskilling yourself during the one-year training period without financial stress.
Detailed Eligibility Criteria
To ensure your application is not rejected during the document verification phase, you must strictly meet the following eligibility conditions as of the closing date (March 23, 2026).
1. Educational & Technical Qualifications
- Matriculation: You must have passed the 10th Class examination (under the 10+2 system) with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a recognized educational board.
- ITI Certificate: You must possess a National Trade Certificate (ITI) in the notified trade issued by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT).
2. Age Limit (As of March 23, 2026)
The candidate must be at least 15 years old and should not have completed 24 years of age.
Age Relaxations Apply:
- OBC Candidates: 3 years relaxation (Upper age limit: 27 years).
- SC/ST Candidates: 5 years relaxation (Upper age limit: 29 years).
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 years relaxation.
- Ex-Servicemen: Up to 10 years + length of service.
Trade-Wise Vacancy Breakdown
The 5,349 vacancies are distributed across various divisions (Mumbai Central, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Ratlam, Rajkot, Bhavnagar) and major workshops. Here are some of the most in-demand trades with the highest number of seats:
- Fitter: ~1,614 Posts
- Electrician: ~1,217 Posts
- Welder (Gas & Electric): ~705 Posts
- Mechanic (Diesel): ~207 Posts
- Painter (General): ~190 Posts
- Carpenter: ~184 Posts
- Refrigerator & AC Mechanic: ~184 Posts
- Pipe Fitter: ~176 Posts
- Plumber: ~136 Posts
- Wireman: ~126 Posts
Note: For the exact division-wise breakdown, please refer to the official notification PDF.
Selection Process: How the Merit List is Prepared
One of the biggest advantages of the RRC WR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is that there is NO WRITTEN EXAM and NO INTERVIEW. The selection is purely transparent and based on your past academic performance.
The merit list is formulated using a weighted average:
- 50% Weightage is given to the percentage of marks obtained in your 10th Class (Matriculation).
- 50% Weightage is given to the marks obtained in your ITI examination.
Example Calculation: If you scored 70% in your 10th boards and 80% in your ITI practicals/theory, your aggregate merit score will be 75%. Candidates at the top of the merit list will be called directly for Document Verification (DV) and a basic Medical Fitness Examination.
Application Fee Details
The application fee structure is designed to be highly accessible:
- General / OBC / EWS Candidates: ₹100/- (Non-Refundable)
- SC / ST / PwBD / Women Candidates: ₹0/- (Fully Exempted)
The fee must be paid online via the integrated payment gateway using a Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
How to Apply Online for RRC WR Apprentice 2026 (Step-by-Step)
Don’t wait until the last minute, as government servers often experience heavy traffic near the deadline. Follow these simple steps to secure your application:
Step 1: Registration
Visit the official Western Railway portal at www.rrc-wr.com. Click on the “Engagement of Act Apprentices 2025-26” link. Register using your active mobile number, valid email ID, and Aadhaar Card number.
Step 2: Fill in the Details
Log in with your new credentials. Enter your personal details, educational qualifications (10th marks), and technical qualifications (ITI marks). Carefully select your preferred Division or Workshop.
Step 3: Document Uploads
You will need to upload scanned copies of:
- Recent passport-size color photograph.
- Your signature.
- 10th Class Marksheet & Certificate.
- ITI Marksheet & NCVT/SCVT Certificate.
- Caste Certificate (if claiming age relaxation/fee exemption).
Step 4: Fee Payment & Final Submission
Pay the application fee of ₹100 (if applicable). Verify all details in the preview section and hit “Submit.” Download and print the final confirmation page for future reference during the Document Verification stage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is the RRC Western Railway Apprentice a permanent government job?
A: No, it is a one-year training program. However, completing it gives you a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) and a 20% reservation quota in future RRB Group D permanent recruitments.+1
Q2: Can 12th-pass candidates apply without an ITI?
A: No. A valid ITI certificate in the relevant trade is strictly mandatory along with a 10th-class pass certificate.
Q3: What is the last date to apply for the WR Apprentice 2026?
A: The online application window closes at 05:00 PM on March 23, 2026.
Q4: Will there be any written test or CBT for this selection?
A: No. Selection is strictly based on a merit list calculated from your 10th and ITI percentage marks.
Q5: Are candidates from other states eligible to apply?
A: Yes, Indian citizens from any state can apply, provided they meet the educational and age criteria.