NFR Apprentice 2026: Northeast Frontier Railway Announces 6777 Act Apprentice Vacancies
Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has released Centralized Notification No. NFR/NAPS/ACT APP./2026 dated 14-07-2026 for engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act 1961. The recruitment offers 6777 training slots across eight divisions and workshops in Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 training cycles. Eligible candidates holding Matriculation and ITI trade certificates can apply online through the official NFR portal.
Short Information
Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Personnel Department, invites online applications for 6777 Act Apprentice posts across various trades. The online application window opens on 20-07-2026 at 09:00 hrs and closes on 19-08-2026 at 17:30 hrs. Candidates must meet the prescribed educational qualifications and age criteria as on the closing date to be considered for this merit-based selection.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹100/- (Non-refundable) |
| SC / ST / PwBD / EBC / Women (All Categories) | Nil (Exempted) |
| Payment Mode | Online (Payment Gateway) |
Note: EBC candidates seeking fee exemption must have family income below ₹50,000 per annum and upload a valid certificate issued on or after 01-04-2026 (Annexure-XVI). A modification fee of ₹50 applies per correction after submission.
Eligibility Criteria & Vacancies
Unit-wise Vacancy Distribution (Provisional)
| Unit (Division/Workshop) | Slots | Annexure |
|---|---|---|
| Katihar (KIR) & Tindharia (TDH) Workshop | 1103 | Annexure-I |
| Alipurduar (APDJ) | 651 | Annexure-II |
| Rangiya (RNY) | 750 | Annexure-III |
| Lumding (LMG) | 1274 | Annexure-IV |
| Tinsukia (TSK) | 860 | Annexure-V |
| New Bongaigaon Workshop (NBQS) & Engineering Workshop (EWS/BNGN) | 881 | Annexure-VI |
| Dibrugarh Workshop (DBWS) | 763 | Annexure-VII |
| Headquarter (HQ)/Maligaon | 495 | Annexure-VIII |
| Total | 6777 |
Category-wise Vacancy Break-up (All Units Combined)
| Category | Total Slots |
|---|---|
| UR | 2686 |
| OBC | 1832 |
| SC | 1056 |
| ST | 515 |
| EWS | 688 |
| ESM (Horizontal) | 677 |
| PwBD (Horizontal) | 271 |
| Grand Total | 6777 |
ESM and PwBD vacancies are horizontal reservations included within the total, not additional.
Educational Qualification & Age Limit
| Trade Category | Minimum Educational Qualification | Age Limit (as on 19-08-2026) |
|---|---|---|
| All Trades (except Medical Laboratory Technician) | Matriculation (Class 10) with minimum 50% aggregate marks + NCVT/SCVT National Trade Certificate (ITI) or Provisional Certificate in notified trade | 15 – 24 years |
| Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology & Radiology) | 12th Class (10+2) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology + minimum 50% marks in both Class 10 and Class 12 | 15 – 24 years |
Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- PwBD: 10 years
- Ex-Servicemen: 10 years + 3 years (service rendered, min. 6 months continuous); self-applicants only
- Children of Ex-Servicemen: Relaxation as per their community (UR/SC/ST/OBC)
The 50% Matriculation marks requirement is relaxed for SC/ST/PwBD candidates. ITI pass certificate/NTC/STC must be in possession as on 14-07-2026.
Major Trades Notified (Indicative)
Common trades across units include: Fitter, Electrician, Wireman, Lineman, Welder (Gas & Electric), Turner, Machinist, Carpenter, Plumber, Mason (Building Constructor), Mechanic Diesel, Mechanic Refrigeration & AC, Mechanic Electrical Instruments, COPA, Draughtsman (Civil), Surveyor, Secretarial Assistant, Health Sanitary Inspector, Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology/Radiology). Specialised trades like TIG/MIG Welder, Structural Welder, CNC Programmer cum Operator, Instrument Mechanic, Quality Assurance Assistant are notified in New Bongaigaon and Dibrugarh Workshops. Complete trade-wise, unit-wise, category-wise details are in Annexures I–VIII.
Selection Process & Exam Pattern
The selection is purely merit-based with no written examination. The merit list is prepared unit-wise, trade-wise, and community-wise.
| Stage | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Merit Calculation (General Trades) | Average of: (Matriculation % aggregate marks) + (ITI trade marks average across all semesters / NTC marks) |
| Merit Calculation (MLT Pathology/Radiology) | Average of: (Matriculation % aggregate marks) + (12th Science PCB % marks) |
| Document Verification (DV) | Shortlisted candidates called to the extent of 1.5 times notified vacancies per unit/trade/category |
| Final Allotment | One Unit-Department-Trade combination allotted based on merit and candidate's preference order; lower preferences cancelled once higher preference allotted |
| Tie-Breaking | 1. Older candidate (by age) ranked higher. 2. If DOB same, candidate who passed Matriculation earlier ranked higher. |
Marks from all subjects of Matriculation/12th are considered, not select subjects. ITI marks average covers all semesters.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official NFR website (link in Important Links table).
- Navigate to General Info → Departments → Personnel → Act Apprentice Notification.
- Register using basic details (name, mobile, email) and log in with generated credentials.
- Fill the online application form carefully, entering Unit-Department-Trade preferences in order of choice.
- Upload required documents, colour photograph, and scanned signature as per specifications.
- Pay the application fee of ₹100 (if applicable) through the online payment gateway.
- After successful payment, complete remaining steps and download/print the final application form for records.
- Preserve the Registration Number for all future correspondence.
Important: Only one application is permitted. Multiple submissions lead to summary disqualification.
Required Documents Checklist
- Matriculation (Class X) Mark Sheet & Pass Certificate (or equivalent)
- Class XII Mark Sheet & Pass Certificate with PCB (only for MLT posts)
- Date of Birth proof (if not in Matriculation certificate)
- Consolidated ITI Mark Sheet (all semesters) OR Provisional NTC with marks
- National Trade Certificate (NCVT) or Provisional Certificate (NCVT/SCVT)
- Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC) in prescribed format
- EWS Certificate (if applicable)
- Disability Certificate (PwBD, if applicable)
- Discharge/Serving Certificate (Ex-Servicemen quota)
- EBC Certificate for fee exemption (Annexure-XVI, income < ₹50,000/annum, issued on/after 01-04-2026)
- Colour Photograph & Scanned Signature (as per website specs)
- Medical Fitness Certificate (Annexure-XI, signed by Govt. doctor not below Asst. Surgeon) — mandatory at DV
Certificates not in English/Hindi require attested translation. Originals must be produced at DV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many vacancies are available in NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
A total of 6777 Act Apprentice training slots are notified across eight units for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 cycles. These figures are provisional and may change based on administrative requirements.
Q2. What are the opening and closing dates for online application?
The online application opens on 20-07-2026 at 09:00 hrs and closes on 19-08-2026 at 17:30 hrs.
Q3. What is the age limit and relaxation for NFR Apprentice 2026?
Candidates must be 15 to 24 years old as on 19-08-2026. Relaxation: SC/ST (5 years), OBC (3 years), PwBD (10 years), Ex-Servicemen (10+3 years service). Children of Ex-Servicemen get community-based relaxation.
Q4. What is the educational qualification required?
For most trades: Class 10 with 50% aggregate + ITI (NCVT/SCVT) in notified trade. For Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology/Radiology): Class 12 with PCB + 50% in both Class 10 & 12. The 50% Class 10 marks condition is waived for SC/ST/PwBD.
Q5. Is there an application fee? Who is exempted?
Fee is ₹100 (non-refundable) for General/OBC/EWS male candidates. Exempted: SC, ST, PwBD, EBC (income < ₹50k/annum, valid certificate), and all women candidates.
Q6. Is there a written exam for selection?
No. Selection is purely merit-based on the average of Matriculation percentage and ITI marks (or 12th PCB marks for MLT). No written test is conducted.
Q7. What is the stipend during apprenticeship training?
Minimum stipend for NTC/STC holders: ₹9,600/month (effective 11-09-2025). With curriculum exemption: ₹10,560/month (2nd year), ₹11,040/month (3rd year). Rates subject to revision.
Q8. How many candidates are called for Document Verification?
Candidates are shortlisted for DV to the extent of 1.5 times the notified vacancies for each unit, trade, and community category.
Q9. Can I apply for multiple units or trades?
You must indicate Unit-Department-Trade preferences in order within a single application. Only one combination will be allotted based on merit and preference. Submitting multiple separate applications leads to disqualification.
Q10. Does completing this apprenticeship guarantee a railway job?
No. Training under the Apprentices Act 1961 does not confer any right to appointment. However, 20% of Level-1 (erstwhile Group D) vacancies give preference to Course Completed Act Apprentices meeting eligibility and qualifying marks in that recruitment's written exam.
Important Links
| Link Name | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Coming Soon |
| Official Notification / Advertisement | Coming Soon |
| Official Website | Click Here |