IRCTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is open for 44 apprentice posts in IRCTC East Zone: 34 Graduate Apprentices and 10 COPA apprentices. You can apply online from 9 October 2026 to 26 October 2026. No written exam will be held. Candidates will be selected purely on merit, using the marks scored in the qualifying exam.
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC), East Zone, Kolkata released this notification under the Apprentices Act for the financial year 2026-27 (Advt. No. IRCTC/EZ/HRD/Apprentices/2026-27, dated 9 October 2026). This guide explains eligibility, stipend, age limit, selection process and the complete step-by-step apply online process for graduates and 10th + ITI (COPA) pass candidates seeking a one-year paid railway apprenticeship. You can also read the complete IRCTC Apprentice Trainees notification details on our job page.
IRCTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Organisation | Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC), East Zone |
|---|---|
| Advertisement No. | IRCTC/EZ/HRD/Apprentices/2026-27 |
| Post Name | Graduate Apprentice, COPA (Computer Operator and Programming Assistant) Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 44 |
| Training Period | 12 months |
| Stipend | Rs. 12,300 (Graduate) / Rs. 9,600 (COPA) per month |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Selection | Merit list (no written test, no interview) |
| Job Location | IRCTC East Zone offices |
| Application Portals | apprenticeshipindia.gov.in / nats.education.gov.in |
IRCTC Apprentice 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 9 October 2026 |
| Online application starts | 9 October 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | 26 October 2026 |
| Cut-off date for age and qualification | 9 October 2026 |
| Document verification | Schedule will be sent by email |
Applications close on 26 October 2026, so avoid waiting until the final day. The portal tends to get heavy traffic close to the deadline. Bookmark our latest railway jobs page to track other railway openings at the same time.
IRCTC Apprentice Vacancy Details 2026
| Post Name | Vacancies | Stipend (per month) | Training Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | 34 | Rs. 12,300 | 12 months |
| COPA Apprentice | 10 | Rs. 9,600 | 12 months |
| Total | 44 | – | – |
IRCTC Apprentice Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational Qualification
- Graduate Apprentice: A degree in any discipline from a recognised university, with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.
- COPA Apprentice: Matriculation (10th pass) along with an ITI certificate in COPA affiliated to NCVT or SCVT, with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate from a recognised board.
You must already hold the qualification on 9 October 2026. If the result of your final-year exam comes out after this date, you cannot apply this time. Graduates can explore more government jobs for graduates, and ITI holders can check ITI pass government jobs.
IRCTC Apprentice Age Limit (as on 9 October 2026)
- Minimum age: completed 15 years
- Maximum age: not completed 25 years
- Date of birth (unreserved): between 10 October 2001 and 9 October 2011 (both inclusive)
| Category | Upper Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 10 years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability | 10 years |
IRCTC Apprentice Application Fee
No application fee is mentioned in the notification. IRCTC has also clearly said that it has not appointed any agents, so do not pay money to anyone who promises selection. Anyone asking you for money is most probably running a scam. Our guide on how to spot fake government job offers explains the warning signs.
IRCTC Apprentice Selection Process 2026
There is no written test and no viva for this railway apprentice recruitment. Here is how the selection works:
- Merit list: prepared on the basis of the percentage of marks in the qualifying examination.
- Tie-break: when two candidates score the same marks, preference goes to the older one. If their date of birth is also identical, the candidate who cleared Matriculation first is given preference.
- Offer of apprenticeship: issued strictly in merit order. A stand-by list will be used only to fill the places of absentees and rejected candidates.
- Document verification: of original documents after selection.
As selection is based only on marks, the percentage you enter and the mark sheets you upload will decide your result. Double-check every figure before you submit. Candidates receive training only in the trade for which they are selected.
How to Apply Online for IRCTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Complete the IRCTC apprentice apply online process before 26 October 2026 by following these steps:
- Match your details: ensure that your name, father's name and date of birth match exactly in your Matriculation certificate and your portal profile. Any mismatch found during verification will cancel your candidature and may result in debarment.
- Register on the portal: register on the Apprenticeship India portal (apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) or the NATS portal (nats.education.gov.in), as specified in the notice. Usually, ITI (COPA) apprenticeships are registered on Apprenticeship India, while graduate apprenticeships are registered on NATS.
- Find IRCTC East Zone: look for the IRCTC East Zone apprenticeship opportunity on the portal that lists it for your category, and apply.
- Enter all marks: enter the marks for every qualification starting from Matriculation, and upload year-wise mark sheets and pass certificates. Applications that are incomplete will be rejected.
- Upload documents: upload self-attested scanned copies of your documents along with a recent photograph.
- Submit: send in your application on or before 26 October 2026.
- Save your details: store your portal registration details safely. These will be required at document verification.
New to online forms? Read our guide on how to fill an online government job application form without mistakes before you start.
IRCTC Apprentice Job Location
Selected apprentices may be posted at any of the IRCTC East Zone offices: Kolkata, Guwahati, Patna, Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol, New Jalpaiguri, Ranchi or Tatanagar. Applicants must be willing to work at any of these locations, so apply only if you are prepared to relocate. Candidates from the region can also check West Bengal government jobs and Bihar government jobs.
Things to Know Before You Apply
- No daily allowance, conveyance or travel allowance will be given for attending document verification.
- This is an apprenticeship and not a permanent job. Once training ends, apprentices are released and cannot claim regular employment in IRCTC.
- The document verification schedule will be shared only by email, and candidates may need to report at short notice. Use an email ID that you check every day.
Searching for more railway apprentice openings? See the Railway RRC NWR Apprentice online form 2026 and the Southern Railway Scouts and Guides quota recruitment 2026.
Important Links
| Apprenticeship India Portal | apprenticeshipindia.gov.in |
| NATS Portal (Graduate Apprentices) | nats.education.gov.in |
| Full Notification Details | IRCTC Apprentice Trainees Recruitment 2026 |
| More Latest Jobs | Latest government jobs |
IRCTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
What is the last date for IRCTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
You can apply online until 26 October 2026. The application process began on 9 October 2026.
How many vacancies are there in IRCTC Apprentice 2026?
IRCTC East Zone has 44 vacancies in all: 34 for Graduate Apprentice and 10 for COPA Apprentice.
What is the IRCTC apprentice stipend?
Graduate Apprentices get Rs. 12,300 per month and COPA Apprentices get Rs. 9,600 per month for 12 months of training.
Is there any exam for IRCTC Apprentice selection?
No. No written test or interview will be conducted. Candidates are selected through a merit list based on the percentage of marks in the qualifying exam, followed by document verification.
What is the age limit for IRCTC Apprentice 2026?
Candidates must be between 15 and 25 years old on 9 October 2026, with relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC and 10 years for ex-servicemen and PwBD candidates.
Can final-year students apply for IRCTC Apprentice 2026?
Only if they already hold the degree or ITI qualification on 9 October 2026. Results declared after that date will not be considered.
Will I get a permanent job in IRCTC after the apprenticeship?
No. After the 12-month training, apprentices are released and have no claim to regular employment in IRCTC.
Note: All details are taken from the IRCTC East Zone apprentice notification. Always check the latest information on the official portal before you apply.
