The Northern Railway has announced a recruitment drive to engage 4,116 Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This initiative aims to provide practical training in various divisions, units, and workshops across Northern Railway. It is important to note that undergoing apprenticeship training does not guarantee employment in the railway after completion. The engagement is purely for training purposes, and apprentices are not obliged to accept employment even if offered. Aspiring candidates must carefully review the notification details, ensure eligibility, and apply online within the stipulated dates.
Important Dates
- Start Date of Online Application: 25th November 2025, 12:00 Hrs
- Closing Date of Online Application: 24th December 2025, 23:59 Hrs
- Expected Date of Merit List Display: February 2026
Candidates are advised to submit their applications well in advance to avoid last-minute technical issues or heavy traffic on the website.
Total Vacancies
The Northern Railway has announced a total of 4,116 vacancies across various trades, divisions, and workshops. These vacancies include reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), and Ex-Servicemen (Ex-SM). The number of training slots is provisional and may increase or decrease based on administrative requirements.
Application Fee
- General Candidates: ₹100 (Non-refundable)
- Exempted Categories: SC/ST, PwBD, and Women candidates are not required to pay any fee.
The application fee must be paid online during the application process. Cash, cheque, or other offline payment methods will not be accepted. Candidates are responsible for transaction charges and must retain the e-receipt generated after payment.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification:
- Candidates must have passed 10th class (SSC/Matriculation) with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a recognized board.
- Candidates must also have passed ITI in the relevant trade issued by NCVT/SCVT recognized by the Government of India.
- Candidates whose results are awaited for SSC or ITI are not eligible to apply.
Age Limit (as on 24th December 2025):
- Minimum Age: 15 years
- Maximum Age: 24 years
- Relaxations:
- SC/ST: +5 years
- OBC: +3 years
- PwBD: +10 years
- Ex-Servicemen: Up to additional 10 years for the duration of service in Defence plus 3 years, subject to minimum 6 months of service.
Category Certificates:
- SC/ST candidates must produce caste certificates in the prescribed Central Government format.
- OBC candidates must provide caste certificate and Non-Creamy Layer certificate valid for 2025-26.
- Ex-Servicemen must provide discharge certificates, and children of Ex-Servicemen must provide appropriate proof of parent’s service.
- PwBD candidates must provide disability certificates issued by a competent authority.
Mode of Selection
The selection of apprentices will be purely merit-based, with no written test or interview. The merit will be calculated based on the average percentage of marks in 10th class and ITI examinations, with equal weightage to both.
- In case of a tie, the older candidate will be preferred.
- If the date of birth is also the same, preference will be given to the candidate who passed the 10th examination earlier.
Candidates are required to enter accurate marks in their online applications; any discrepancies found during document verification may lead to rejection. Boards with a grading system will have marks calculated based on the midpoint of grade ranges.
Training and Stipend
- The period of training and stipend will be as per the extant Apprentices Act rules.
- Before commencing training, selected candidates must sign a Contract of Apprenticeship Training. If the candidate is a minor, the guardian must sign the contract.
Trades and Divisions
Northern Railway has provided vacancies across multiple clusters and units. The major clusters include Lucknow, Delhi, Firozpur, Ambala, and Moradabad, with vacancies in diverse trades such as Mechanic (Diesel), Electrician, Fitter, Carpenter, Welder, Painter, Machinist, Turner, Data Entry Operator, Stenographer, and more.
Cluster Lucknow (LKO): 1,397 vacancies
- Mechanic Diesel, Electrician, Fitter, Electronics Mechanic, Carpenter, Painter, Trimmer, Machinist, Welder, Mechanic Motor Vehicle
Cluster Delhi (DLI): 1,137 vacancies
- Fitter, Carpenter, Welder, Electrician, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Wireman, Data Entry Operator, Stenographer, Computer Operator & Programming Assistant
Cluster Firozpur (FZR): 632 vacancies
- Electrician, Mechanic Diesel, Turner, Carpenter, Painter, Welder, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Plate Fitter, Machine Operator, Slinger
Cluster Ambala (UMB): 934 vacancies
- Carpenter, Welder, Blacksmith, Mason, Fitter, Painter, Electrician, Wireman, Mechanic Diesel, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Electronics Mechanic, Data Entry Operator, Hammer Man, Turner, Crane Operator, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Cluster Moradabad (MBD): 16 vacancies
- Data Entry Operator, Stenographer
Reservations are provided for SC/ST/OBC, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen as per government norms.
Medical Fitness and Physical Standards
All candidates must meet the minimum physical fitness standards for the relevant trade as prescribed under the Apprentices Act, 1961. PwBD candidates will be considered only if their disability is suitable for the applied trade. A government-authorized medical certificate is required at the time of document verification.
Trade-specific disability criteria include:
- Locomotor Disability (LD)
- Visually Impaired (VI)
- Hearing Impaired (HI)
- Multiple Disabilities (MD)
How to Apply
- Visit the online portal and register as a candidate.
- Fill in personal details, trade, division preference, and educational qualifications.
- Pay the application fee online (if applicable).
- Upload required documents:
- Date of Birth proof
- SSC/Matriculation Certificate & Marksheet
- ITI Certificate & Marksheet
- Caste/Disability/Ex-Servicemen certificates (if applicable)
- Submit the application and take a printout for reference.
Note: Applications with incomplete information or missing documents will be rejected. Only one application per candidate is allowed. Multiple applications will lead to disqualification.
Important Instructions
- No TA/DA or hostel accommodation will be provided.
- Candidates must bring original documents along with self-attested copies for verification.
- Misrepresentation or submission of false documents will lead to rejection and legal action.
- The Railway Administration reserves the right to change training slots, dates, or cancel the process if necessary.
Key Abbreviations
- UR – Unreserved
- SC – Scheduled Caste
- ST – Scheduled Tribe
- OBC – Other Backward Class
- PwBD – Person with Benchmark Disability
- Ex-SM – Ex-Servicemen
