Northeast Frontier Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 has opened online applications for 6777 apprenticeship positions across eight units in Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar. The notification, released on 14/07/2026, offers roles in trades ranging from Fitter and Electrician to Computer Operator and Medical Laboratory Technician, with a stipend starting at ₹9,600 per month. Applications opened on 20/07/2026 and closed on 19/08/2026.
Applications remain open until 19/08/2026, with only 30 days to submit your form. Eligible candidates should prioritise completing their online application early to avoid last-minute portal congestion.
The official notification has been published by https://www.nfr.indianrailways.gov.in, with full vacancy breakdowns and trade-wise allocations detailed in the Annexures to Notification No. NFR/NAPS/ACT APP./2026.
NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 | Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Personnel Department |
| Notification No. | NFR/NAPS/ACT APP./2026 |
| Notification Date | 14/07/2026 |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice (Multiple Trades) |
| Total Vacancies | 6777 |
| Apprenticeship Cycle | 2025-2026 & 2026-2027 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Job Location | Assam, West Bengal, Bihar |
| Official Website | https://www.nfr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Important Dates for NFR Act Apprentice Recruitment
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Opening Date for Online Application | 20/07/2026, 09:00 hrs |
| Closing Date for Online Application | 19/08/2026, 17:30 hrs |
| Admit Card Release Date | As per the official notification |
| Document Verification Date | As per the official notification |
NFR Apprentice Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates with Matriculation or equivalent qualification plus an ITI National Trade Certificate or Provisional Certificate in the notified trade are eligible to apply. The minimum 50% aggregate marks requirement is waived for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.
Educational Qualification Required
| Trade Category | Minimum Qualification |
|---|---|
| All Trades (except Medical Laboratory Technician) | Passed Matriculation or equivalent with minimum 50% marks, plus National Trade Certificate (NTC) or Provisional Certificate (STC) from NCVT/SCVT in the notified trade |
| Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology/Radiology) | Passed 12th Class under the 10+2 system with Physics, Chemistry and Biology; minimum 50% marks in both Class 10 and Class 12 |
As per Notification No. NFR/NAPS/ACT APP./2026 released by Northeast Frontier Railway on 14/07/2026, merely completing an ITI course is not sufficient; candidates must hold their ITI pass certificate, National Trade Certificate, or Provisional Trade Certificate as of the notification date (14/07/2026).
Age Limit for NFR Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 15 years (as on 19/08/2026) |
| Maximum Age | 24 years (as on 19/08/2026) |
| SC/ST Age Relaxation | 5 years |
| OBC Age Relaxation | 3 years |
| PwBD Age Relaxation | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen Age Relaxation | 10 years plus actual service period (minimum 6 months continuous service required) |
Ex-Servicemen applying for themselves receive relaxation of 10 years plus their actual service tenure in the Defence Forces. Children of Ex-Servicemen receive age relaxation only as per their respective community (UR/SC/ST/OBC), without the additional ex-servicemen relaxation.
Is This Recruitment Right for You?
- ITI pass holders with a National Trade Certificate or Provisional Trade Certificate in any of the notified trades (Fitter, Electrician, Wireman, Welder, Mechanic, COPA, etc.) meet the core eligibility requirement.
- Candidates aged 15 to 24 years on 19/08/2026 are eligible; SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates receive age relaxation as listed above.
- The recruitment spans eight NFR units across three states (Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar), so candidates willing to work in these regions should apply.
- No prior railway experience is required; training is provided under the Apprentices Act 1961 for two to three years, depending on the trade.
- Women candidates are exempt from the application fee and face no gender-based restrictions on eligible trades.
NFR Act Apprentice Vacancy Details 2026 | Unit-wise Breakdown
| Unit (Division/Workshop) | Slots |
|---|---|
| Katihar (KIR) & Tindharia (TDH) Workshop | 1103 |
| Alipurduar (APDJ) | 651 |
| Rangiya (RNY) | 750 |
| Lumding (LMG) | 1274 |
| Tinsukia (TSK) | 860 |
| New Bongaigaon Workshop (NBQS) & Engineering Workshop | 881 |
| Dibrugarh Workshop (DBWS) | 763 |
| Headquarters (HQ)/Maligaon | 495 |
Category-wise Vacancy Breakdown
| Category | Total Slots |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 2686 |
| OBC | 1832 |
| SC | 1056 |
| ST | 515 |
| EWS | 688 |
| ESM (Horizontal) | 677 |
| PwBD (Horizontal) | 271 |
| Grand Total | 6777 |
About the Act Apprentice Role at Northeast Frontier Railway
Apprentices under the Apprentices Act 1961 train in specialised trade skills for two to three years, depending on curriculum design and prior qualifications. Roles span mechanical disciplines (Fitter, Welder, Machinist, Turner, Mechanic), electrical trades (Electrician, Wireman, Lineman), civil and infrastructure (Draughtsman, Surveyor, Mason), and technical support functions (COPA, Instrument Mechanic, Quality Assurance). The work environment is field and workshop-based, with apprentices rotating through actual railway operations under senior technician supervision. Successful completion grants a National Trade Certificate recognised nationally. Railway apprenticeships provide a structured pathway to further employment consideration-20% of subsequent Group D (Level-1) vacancies are reserved for Act Apprentices meeting eligibility at the time of future recruitment.
NFR Apprentice Stipend and Benefits 2026
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Monthly Stipend (NTC/STC Holders) | ₹9,600 (effective 11/09/2025) |
| 2nd Year Stipend | ₹10,560 (10% increase) |
| 3rd Year Stipend | ₹11,040 (15% increase) |
| Hostel Accommodation | Not provided; apprentices arrange their own accommodation |
| Revision | Subject to government notification from time to time |
Stipend rates are notified by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Apprentices receive no daily allowance, conveyance allowance, or travelling allowance, and no hostel facilities are provided during the training period. Stipend increases apply only where curriculum exemptions are granted (typically for candidates with prior qualifications or advanced ITI certifications).
NFR Apprentice Application Fee 2026
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS (Male) | ₹100 |
| SC/ST/PwBD Candidates | Exempted |
| Women Candidates (All Categories) | Exempted |
| Economically Backward Class (EBC) | Exempted (certificate required, issued on/after 01/04/2026) |
The application fee is non-refundable. Candidates seeking fee exemption under the EBC category must upload a certificate issued on or after 01/04/2026 showing family income below ₹50,000 per annum. If a candidate needs to correct or modify their application after initial submission, an additional fee of ₹50 is charged per correction occasion; however, registration details such as name and date of birth cannot be modified after submission.
NFR Act Apprentice Selection Process 2026
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Merit List Preparation | Merit-based solely on marks: average of Matriculation percentage and ITI/12th marks (trade-specific) |
| Merit Calculation | All subjects of Matriculation/12th counted; average ITI marks across all semesters or NTC percentage |
| Unit-Trade-Department Allocation | Merit lists prepared unit-wise, trade-wise, and community-wise (UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS) in descending order |
| Tie-Breaking Rule | Older candidate (by age) ranked higher; if DOB identical, candidate with earlier Matriculation pass date ranked higher |
| Document Verification Call | Candidates shortlisted to 1.5 times the notified vacancies per unit-trade-category |
| Medical Fitness Examination | A government-authorised doctor (Assistant Surgeon minimum rank) must certify fitness; DV cannot proceed without it |
| Final Selection | Candidates allotted one unit-department-trade combination; lower preferences auto-cancelled upon selection |
Medical fitness certification must be submitted at Document Verification using the format specified in Annexure-XI of the official notification. A candidate is considered for only one combination of unit, department, and trade based on merit ranking and stated preferences; once selected against a preference, all lower-ranked preferences are automatically cancelled.
NFR Apprentice Documents Required
- Matriculation (Class X) mark sheet and pass certificate, or equivalent
- Senior Secondary (Class XII) mark sheet and pass certificate with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (Medical Laboratory Technician posts only)
- Proof of date of birth (if not in the Matriculation certificate)
- Consolidated mark sheet for all ITI semesters, or Provisional National Trade Certificate, showing marks
- National Trade Certificate (NTC) issued by NCVT, or Provisional Trade Certificate (STC) issued by NCVT/SCVT
- Caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC candidates)
- EWS certificate (EWS candidates)
- Disability certificate (PwBD candidates)
- Discharge or serving certificate (Ex-Servicemen candidates)
- EBC certificate issued on or after 01/04/2026 (EBC candidates seeking fee exemption)
- Colour photograph and scanned signature in website-specified format
- Medical fitness certificate signed by a Government-authorised doctor (minimum Assistant Surgeon rank) at Document Verification
All certificates in languages other than English or Hindi must include an attested English or Hindi translation. Original documents must be produced at Document Verification; photocopies alone are not accepted.
How to Apply for NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official NFR website at www.nfr.indianrailways.gov.in.
- Navigate to the recruitment section and locate the Act Apprentice Notification link.
- Click on the application portal link and register with your valid email address and mobile number.
- Log in using the credentials generated and fill in all personal, educational, and trade-related details carefully.
- Select your preferred Unit-Department-Trade combinations in order of choice; only your top preference will be considered if you are selected.
- Upload your colour photograph (size and format as specified), signature, and all required certificates in PDF or JPG format.
- Review all details for accuracy before final submission; false or incomplete information leads to disqualification.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee of ₹100 (if applicable) through the online payment gateway using debit card, credit card, or net banking.
- After successful payment, complete any remaining verification steps and download/print your final application acknowledgement.
- Save your Registration Number and credentials for all future correspondence with NFR.
Submit your application well before 19/08/2026, 17:30 hrs, as no applications are accepted after the deadline. The NFR portal is likely to experience high traffic on the final dates; applying at least 2-3 days before the closing date reduces the risk of technical issues or session timeouts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying for NFR Apprentice Recruitment
- If a photograph or signature is uploaded outside the website’s specified size, format, or dimension limits, the form will be rejected at Document Verification if documents do not meet technical requirements.
- Selecting the wrong ITI trade or indicating a trade for which you do not hold a valid National Trade Certificate-this mismatch leads to outright rejection during merit calculation.
- Misrepresenting caste or category status at the time of application, false claims are grounds for immediate and permanent disqualification.
- Changing your registered email address or mobile number after submission; these cannot be altered during the selection process and must remain consistent for all official communications.
- Submitting more than one application, NFR conducts a deduplication check and cancels all duplicate registrations without a refund of the application fee.
- Omitting the medical fitness certificate at Document Verification (DV) cannot proceed without certification from a Government-authorised doctor; your candidature will be rejected if the certificate is absent.
What Happens After You Apply
- Application window closes on 19/08/2026 at 17:30 hrs; no applications accepted after this time.
- NFR prepares merit lists unit-wise, trade-wise, and category-wise (UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS) based on Matriculation and ITI marks.
- Shortlisted candidates (approximately 1.5 times the notified vacancies per unit-trade-category) are called for Document Verification at their respective NFR units.
- Candidates must present original certificates, a colour photograph, a signature, and medical fitness certification at Document Verification.
- The final selection list is released unit-wise and published on the official NFR website and individual candidate portals.
- Selected apprentices receive appointment orders and joining instructions with a reporting date and training details.
- Apprenticeship training begins at the allotted unit under the Apprentices Act 1961 for 2-3 years, depending on the trade and prior qualifications.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Official Notification PDF | Download Notification |
| Official NFR Website | Visit Website |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the Northeast Frontier Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026, and who should apply?
Ans. Northeast Frontier Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is an apprenticeship program offering 6777 positions across eight NFR units in Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar. Candidates aged 15-24 years with Matriculation plus an ITI National Trade Certificate in a notified trade should apply. Reserved categories receive age relaxation.
Q2. What trades are available under this recruitment, and are they offered at all units?
Ans. Common trades include Fitter, Electrician, Wireman, Lineman, Welder, Machinist, Carpenter, COPA, Draughtsman, and Surveyor. Specialized trades such as CNC Programmer, TIG/MIG Welder, and Quality Assurance Assistant are also notified at certain workshops. Trade availability varies by unit; candidates must check Annexures I-VIII of the notification for unit-wise and trade-wise vacancy details.
Q3. Is it necessary to have an ITI certificate before applying, or can I apply after passing my ITI course?
Ans. Candidates must be in possession of their ITI pass certificate, National Trade Certificate (NTC), or Provisional Trade Certificate (STC) as on the notification date (14/07/2026). Simply enrolling in an ITI course or expecting to pass it later is not sufficient-you must hold the actual certificate before applying.
Q4. What is the selection process, and is there a written examination?
Ans. Selection is purely merit-based with no written examination. Merit is calculated as the average of your Matriculation percentage and ITI marks (or 12th Science marks for Medical Laboratory Technician roles). Merit lists are prepared unit-wise, trade-wise, and category-wise. Shortlisted candidates are called for Document Verification and medical fitness examination.
Q5. Can I indicate more than one unit or trade in my application, and will I be allotted all of them?
Ans. Yes, you can indicate multiple Unit-Department-Trade combinations in order of preference during application. However, you will be allotted only one combination based on your merit rank and the number of notified vacancies. Once you are selected against a preference, all lower-ranked preferences are automatically cancelled.
Q6. What is the monthly stipend for Act Apprentices, and is hostel accommodation provided?
Ans. The base monthly stipend for NTC/STC holders is ₹9,600 (effective 11/09/2025), with increases to ₹10,560 in the 2nd year and ₹11,040 in the 3rd year where curriculum exemptions apply. No hostel accommodation is provided; apprentices must arrange their own lodging during training.
Q7. Are women candidates charged an application fee, and do they face any restrictions on trades?
Ans. Women candidates of all categories are exempted from the ₹100 application fee. There are no gender-based trade restrictions; women are eligible for all notified trades, including mechanical, electrical, and technical roles.
Q8. Does completing an Act Apprenticeship guarantee employment with Indian Railways?
Ans. Completing Act Apprenticeship does not guarantee permanent railway employment. However, NFR reserves 20% of all subsequent Group D (Level-1) vacancies for Course Completed Act Apprentices who meet the eligibility criteria at the time of future recruitment. This provides a priority consideration pathway, but does not ensure automatic appointment.
Your Next Step
Apply through the official NFR portal before 19/08/2026 at 17:30 hrs. Ensure your ITI certificate, Matriculation mark sheet, and other documents are scanned and ready before starting the form to avoid delays. After the application window closes, NFR will release merit lists on the official website. Monitor the portal regularly for your Document Verification call letter, as missing the DV date will result in automatic rejection. Follow our free job alert service at MyNaukriAlert.com to receive instant notifications for NFR recruitment updates and other railway apprenticeship opportunities.
