Railway Recruitment 2026: Over 4,600 Vacancies in Railways – No Written Exam Required; Applications Open November 11

Northern Railway has announced recruitment for 4,651 apprentice positions. Candidates who have completed the 10th grade and hold an ITI (Industrial Training Institute) certificate are eligible to apply; selection will be based on merit rather than a written examination. Read on for all the essential details regarding this recruitment.

For young individuals preparing for government jobs, this presents an excellent opportunity to gain practical training and experience within the Railways. Notably, candidates are not required to appear for any written examination. The Railways has announced over 4,600 vacancies, with the application process set to begin on November 11, 2026.

Candidates who have passed the 10th grade and possess an ITI qualification are eligible to apply. This recruitment could prove highly beneficial for those who have long been seeking opportunities within the Railway sector. It is important to note, however, that this is not a regular government job, but rather a recruitment for apprenticeship training.

Recruitment for 4,651 Positions

The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) for the Northern Railway zone has issued a notification for 4,651 apprentice positions. This recruitment is being conducted under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Through this program, selected candidates will receive training across various Railway divisions, workshops, and units. The application process begins on November 11, 2026, and candidates may submit their applications online until December 11, 2026. Applications must be submitted via the official Northern Railway website.

Vacancies by Location

Under this recruitment drive, the Lucknow cluster has the highest number of vacancies, with 1,525 positions, while the Delhi cluster will see recruitment for 1,312 positions. There are 979 vacancies in the Ambala cluster and 740 in the Firozpur cluster. Additionally, candidates will be selected for 63 positions in the Moradabad cluster and 32 in the Jammu cluster. In total, 4,651 apprentice positions will be filled across all six clusters of Northern Railway.

Who can apply?

To apply for this recruitment, candidates must have passed the 10th-grade examination from a recognized board, with a minimum of 50% marks. Furthermore, an ITI certificate in the relevant trade is mandatory. The ITI qualification must be obtained from an institution recognized by the NCVT or SCVT. Regarding the age limit, candidates must be between 15 and 24 years old. Age relaxation will be provided to reserved categories as per government regulations: five years for SC/ST candidates and three years for OBC candidates.

Selection without an examination

A key feature of this recruitment is the selection process; candidates are not required to appear for any written examination or interview. Selection will be based on a merit list, for which marks obtained in the 10th grade and ITI will be given equal weightage. The merit list will be prepared by calculating the average percentage of marks from both. Shortlisted candidates will then be called for document verification and must also meet the prescribed medical standards. Essentially, candidates with strong academic performance in both the 10th grade and their ITI course will have a better chance of selection.

How to apply online

General and OBC category candidates are required to pay an application fee of ₹100, while the application process is free of charge for SC, ST, PwD (persons with disabilities), and female candidates. The fee can be paid online. To apply, visit the official Northern Railway website, click on the "Apprentice Recruitment 2026" link on the homepage, and complete the online registration process. Next, fill in the personal and academic information requested in the application form. Upload the required documents, a photograph, and your signature. After paying the prescribed application fee, submit the form and keep a printout for your records.

No guarantee of a permanent job after training

It is important to note that completing an apprenticeship does not guarantee a permanent job with the Railways. The objective is to provide youth with technical and practical training, enabling them to gain work experience in the relevant field. Therefore, candidates should carefully read all the terms and conditions in the official notification before applying.