Rail Coach Factory Recruitment 2026 - Act Apprentices (Total 734 Posts)

Rail Coach Factory (Kapurthala), under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has invited online applications for the engagement of 734 Act Apprentices for training under the Apprenticeship Act, 1961. Eligible candidates with 10th qualification and ITI certification can apply online through the official RCF website up to 05/09/2026.

Post Details

Important Dates

Application Fee

The application fee is non-refundable and must be paid online through the payment gateway integrated with the application process. Payment may be made through debit card, credit card, internet banking or SBI Challan. The fee is to be paid after the application form has been successfully completed, through the link provided in the form, generally after two working days. Cash, cheque, money order, postal order and demand draft will not be accepted. Transaction charges, if applicable, shall be borne by the candidate.

Age Limit

Age relaxation is applicable as follows:

• SC/ST candidates: 5 years in the upper age limit.
• OBC candidates: 3 years in the upper age limit.
• Persons with Disabilities: 10 years in the upper age limit.
• Ex-servicemen: Up to an additional 10 years, or the period of service rendered in the Defence Forces plus 3 years, subject to the conditions prescribed in the notification.

Vacancy Details

PwD reservation is 4% of the total seats and reservation for ex-servicemen, their children and children of Armed Forces personnel is 3%, subject to the applicable rules. PwD candidates must have at least 40% disability and produce a disability certificate issued by a competent authority.

Eligibility / Qualification

Candidates must fulfil the following conditions:

• The candidate must have passed the 10th class examination or its equivalent under the 10+2 examination system with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a recognised Board.
• The candidate must possess a National Trade Certificate in the relevant notified trade issued by the National Council for Vocational Training, or a provisional certificate issued by the National Council for Vocational Training.
• Candidates claiming SC/ST reservation must produce a valid caste certificate at the time of document verification.
• Candidates claiming OBC reservation must produce a valid caste certificate along with a valid Non-Creamy Layer certificate.
• Candidates claiming ex-servicemen or Armed Forces personnel benefits must produce the prescribed discharge or service certificates.
• Candidates must satisfy the prescribed physical fitness and medical standards.

Calculation of Marks

Selection merit is based on the simple average of the percentage marks obtained in matriculation and ITI. Marks obtained in all subjects of matriculation are considered for calculating the matriculation percentage. For ITI, the marks mentioned in the provisional or final certificate are considered.

Where CGPA is awarded, the percentage is calculated by multiplying the CGPA by 9.5. For example, a CGPA of 7.4 is treated as 70.3%. If the matriculation percentage is 70% and the ITI percentage is 80%, the combined percentage for merit will be 75%.

Selection Process

1. Preparation of a trade-wise and community-wise merit list.
2. Merit calculation based on the simple average of matriculation and ITI marks.
3. Tie-breaking: the older candidate will be preferred. If the dates of birth are also the same, the candidate who passed the matriculation examination earlier will be preferred.
4. Document verification and scrutiny of original certificates.
5. Medical examination and verification of physical fitness.
6. Final engagement and execution of the Apprenticeship Contract before commencement of training.

The final merit list will contain candidates equal to the number of available training slots, arranged in descending order of merit. Candidates may be called for document verification or scrutiny up to 1.5 times the number of identified slots. The result is expected to be declared within 45 days from the closing date for receipt of applications, subject to the prescribed procedure.

Medical and Physical Fitness Standards

Candidates called for document verification must bring a medical fitness certificate in the prescribed format. The certificate must be issued and signed by a Government-authorised Gazetted Doctor not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon of a Central or State Hospital.

The prescribed standards include:

• Minimum height: 137 centimetres.
• Minimum weight: 25.4 kilograms.
• Chest expansion: at least 3.8 centimetres, irrespective of chest size.
• The candidate must be free from contagious or infectious diseases, tuberculosis and diseases likely to be aggravated by service.
• Eyes must be free from serious disease or abnormality. Colour vision is not required.
• Hearing must be good in both ears and hearing aids are not permitted.
• There should be no acute or chronic skin disease, chronic ulceration or significant speech impediment.
• The candidate must have sufficient healthy natural teeth for mastication.
• There should be no relevant disease of the cardiovascular, respiratory, genito-urinary, skeletal, nervous or glandular systems.
• Blood pressure should not exceed 140 systolic and 85 diastolic; systolic blood pressure below 100 may lead to rejection.

A candidate who does not meet a stated physical standard may still be considered if certified physically fit for the particular trade in writing by a Medical Officer not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon (Gazetted), as permitted under the Apprentices Act, 1961.

Training Period and Stipend

Training will be provided under the Apprenticeship Act, 1961, and the applicable Apprenticeship Rules. The stipend will be paid as per the extant rules and directives issued by the Railway Board from time to time. No hostel accommodation will be provided, and selected candidates must make their own accommodation arrangements. Candidates will be released on completion of the training.

Documents and Application Instructions

• Candidates must keep the registration number issued after submission of the online application safely for future correspondence.
• The name, father's name and date of birth entered in the application must exactly match the matriculation or equivalent certificate. Any discrepancy found during document verification may result in cancellation of candidature and debarment.
• An active mobile number and valid email ID must be provided and kept active throughout the engagement process.
• More than one application submitted with different personal, educational, technical or contact details may be rejected.
• Candidates must retain a printout of the submitted application and produce it during document verification if called.
• A recent colour passport-size photograph measuring 3.5 cm × 3.5 cm, in JPG/JPEG format, 100 DPI and file size between 20 KB and 70 KB, must be uploaded. The photograph should be clear, not older than three months and without a cap or sunglasses.
• The signature image should be 3.5 cm × 3.5 cm, in JPG/JPEG format, 100 DPI and file size between 20 KB and 30 KB.
• Candidates should retain additional copies of the uploaded photograph for document verification.
• Enrolment with the Employment Exchange is required, except for wards of RCF/Kapurthala employees. Engagement will be from among candidates registered with the nearest Employment Exchange.
• Selected candidates or their guardians, where the candidate is a minor, must enter into a Contract of Apprenticeship before training begins.

Important Instructions

• Training in Railway does not confer any right to absorption or regular employment in Railway after successful completion of apprenticeship.
• The Railway administration's decision regarding eligibility, acceptance or rejection of applications and selection will be final.
• Canvassing in any form will disqualify the candidate.
• Candidates must produce original testimonials and certificates during verification. Candidature may be cancelled for discrepancies or submission of false documents.
• No daily allowance, conveyance allowance or travelling allowance will be paid for document verification.
• Fee once paid will not be refunded or kept in reserve for any other examination or selection.
• Waiting-list provisions will operate according to the prescribed merit procedure, and the waiting list will stand cancelled one month after commencement of training.

Help Desk

For problems related to online submission or printing of the application, candidates may contact Rail Coach Factory at 01822-285095 or 01822-285096, extension 92793, between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, excluding Sundays and holidays.