Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has issued a Centralized Notification No. NFR/NAPS/ACT APP./2026 dated 14-07-2026 inviting online applications for engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act 1961, for the training cycles 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. The recruitment covers 6777 training slots spread across eight Divisions and Workshops of NFR in Assam, West Bengal and Bihar. Candidates who have passed Matriculation and hold an ITI trade certificate in a notified trade can apply online. This article explains the NFR Apprentice 2026 important dates, unit-wise vacancies, eligibility, age limit, fee, stipend, selection process and how to apply, based strictly on the official notification.
NFR Apprentice Notification PDF Download
The official notification is Notification No. NFR/NAPS/ACT APP./2026 dated 14-07-2026, titled "Centralized Notification for Engagement of Act Apprentices over N. F. Railway for 2025-2026 & 2026-2027." The notification, along with Annexures I to XVI (unit-wise vacancy breakup and certificate formats), is published on the official NFR website. A direct PDF download link was not specified in the source document; candidates should download it from the official website path given below.
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 (various trades) |
| Total Vacancies | 6777 |
| Apprenticeship Cycle | 2025-2026 & 2026-2027 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Job Location | Assam, West Bengal, Bihar (NFR jurisdiction) |
| Official Website | www.nfr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Also read: Check all Latest Railway Recruitment 2026 - Apply Now
NFR Apprentice Important Dates 2026
| 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 | Not specified in official notification |
| Document Verification Date | Not specified in official notification |
NFR Apprentice Vacancy Details 2026 (Unit-wise)
Slots are notified as provisional and may increase or decrease depending on actual administrative requirements. Unit-wise break-up is attached in Annexures I to VIII of the official notification.
| 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, included in total) | 677 |
| PwBD (horizontal, included in total) | 271 |
| Grand Total | 6777 |
NFR Apprentice Trades and Departments
Slots are notified department-wise (Mechanical, Electrical, Engineering, S&T, Personnel, Accounts, Medical, Stores) and trade-wise for each of the eight units. Common trades appearing across most units include Fitter, Electrician, Wireman, Lineman, Welder (Gas & Electric), Turner, Machinist, Carpenter, Plumber, Mason (Building Constructor), Mechanic Diesel, Mechanic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Mechanic Electrical Instruments, Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA), Draughtsman (Civil), Surveyor, Secretarial Assistant, Health Sanitary Inspector, and Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology/Radiology). Certain workshops (New Bongaigaon and Dibrugarh) also notify specialised trades such as TIG/MIG Welder, Structural Welder, CNC Programmer cum Operator, Instrument Mechanic, and Quality Assurance Assistant. The complete trade-wise vacancy count for each unit, along with SC/ST/OBC/EWS/ESM/PwBD break-up, is available in Annexures I to VIII of the notification.
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NFR Apprentice Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational Qualification
| Category of Trade | Minimum Qualification |
|---|---|
| All trades except Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology/Radiology) | Passed Matriculation (Class 10) or equivalent with minimum 50% aggregate marks from a recognized board, plus National Trade Certificate (ITI) or Provisional Certificate from NCVT/SCVT in the notified trade |
| Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology) & Medical Laboratory Technician (Radiology) | Passed 12th Class under 10+2 system with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with minimum 50% marks in both Class 10 and Class 12 |
The minimum requirement of 50% aggregate marks in Matriculation is not applicable to candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwBD categories. Only completing the ITI course is not sufficient - candidates must be in possession of their ITI pass certificate/NTC/STC as on the date of the notification (14-07-2026).
Nationality/Domicile
Not specified in official notification.
NFR Apprentice Age Limit 2026
Candidates must be not below 15 years and not above 24 years of age as on the closing date of application, i.e., 19-08-2026.
| Category | Upper Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (ExSM) | 10 years plus 3 years, to the extent of service rendered in Defence Forces (minimum 6 months continuous service required); applicable to self-applicants only, not to their children |
For children of ex-servicemen, the same age relaxation as applicable to their respective community (UR/SC/ST/OBC) will apply.
NFR Apprentice Stipend/Salary 2026
- Minimum stipend for NTC/STC holders: ₹9,600 per month, effective from 11-09-2025, as per G.S.R. 610(E) dated 03-09-2025 issued by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (RBE No. 116/2025).
- Where one or two years' exemption is admissible under the Apprenticeship curriculum: ₹10,560/month (2nd year, 10% increase) and ₹11,040/month (3rd year, 15% increase).
- Stipend rates are subject to revision from time to time as notified by the appropriate authority.
- No hostel accommodation is provided; apprentices must make their own arrangements during training.
NFR Apprentice Application Fee 2026
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS (male) | ₹100/- (non-refundable) |
| SC/ST/PwBD/EBC candidates | Exempted |
| Women candidates (all categories) | Exempted |
Candidates seeking fee exemption as Economically Backward Class (EBC) must have family income of less than ₹50,000/- per annum and must upload a certificate issued on or after 01-04-2026 (Annexure-XVI). If a candidate wishes to modify or correct the online application after submission, a fee of ₹50/- is charged for each occasion; however, registration details cannot be modified.
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NFR Apprentice Selection Process 2026
- Selection is purely merit-based, with no written examination. The merit list for each unit is prepared using the percentage of marks in Matriculation (minimum 50% aggregate) plus ITI marks in the relevant trade; the final panel is based on the average of the two.
- For Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology) and (Radiology), merit is based on Matriculation marks plus 12th Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) marks.
- Calculation uses marks obtained in all subjects of Matriculation/12th, not select subjects, and the average ITI marks across all semesters (or the National Trade Certificate marks).
- Merit lists are prepared unit-wise, trade-wise and community-wise, in descending order of percentage, equal to the number of notified slots.
- Shortlisted candidates are called for Document Verification (DV) to the extent of 1.5 times the notified vacancies.
- A candidate is considered for only one combination of Unit-Department-Trade based on merit and order of preference; once selected against a higher preference, all lower preferences are automatically cancelled.
- In case of a tie in marks, the older candidate (by age) is ranked higher; if date of birth is also the same, the candidate who passed Matriculation earlier is ranked higher.
NFR Apprentice Documents Required
- Mark sheet and Pass Certificate of Matriculation (Class X) or its equivalent
- Mark sheet and Pass Certificate of Senior Secondary (Class XII) with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (only for Medical Laboratory Technician posts)
- Certificate for proof of date of birth, if not mentioned in the Matriculation certificate
- Consolidated mark sheet for all ITI semesters of the relevant trade, OR Provisional National Trade Certificate indicating marks
- National Trade Certificate issued by NCVT, or Provisional Trade Certificate issued by NCVT/SCVT
- Caste certificate for SC/ST/OBC candidates
- Certificate for EWS candidates
- Disability certificate, for PwBD candidates
- Discharge certificate/Serving certificate, for candidates applying under the Ex-Servicemen quota
- Certificate for Economically Backward Class (EBC) candidates seeking fee exemption
- Colour photograph and scanned signature as per website specifications
Certificates in languages other than English or Hindi must be accompanied by an attested translation in English/Hindi. Originals of all documents must be produced at the time of Document Verification.
How to Apply for NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official NFR website: www.nfr.indianrailways.gov.in
- Navigate to General Info → Departments → Personnel → Act Apprentice Notification
- Register with your basic details and log in using the credentials generated
- Fill in the online application form carefully, indicating your Unit-Department-Trade preferences in order of choice
- Upload the required documents, colour photograph, and signature as per specifications
- Pay the non-refundable application fee of ₹100/- (if applicable) through the payment gateway link
- After successful payment, complete the remaining steps and download/print the final application form for your records
Candidates are allowed to submit only one application; submitting more than one application will lead to summary disqualification. A Registration Number is issued on submission and must be preserved for all future correspondence.
NFR Apprentice Important Instructions 2026
- Candidates must read the training slots against their ITI trade carefully and indicate Unit preferences clearly, since only one combination will be allotted.
- The candidate is responsible for the correctness of information filled in the online application; false information leads to immediate disqualification.
- Registered mobile number and email address must not be changed during the entire selection process.
- Reservation: 10% for EWS, 4% horizontal for PwBD, and 10% horizontal for Ex-Servicemen (ESM); PwBD and ESM slots are included within, not additional to, the notified total.
- If required numbers of SC candidates are unavailable, the balance is filled by ST candidates and vice versa; unfilled OBC/EWS slots are filled by UR candidates.
- A medical fitness certificate (Annexure-XI), signed by a Government-authorised doctor not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon, must be submitted at the time of Document Verification; DV will not be conducted without it.
- Training under the Apprentices Act 1961 does not, by itself, confer any right to appointment in Railway services. However, 20% of vacancies notified for erstwhile Group D (Level-1) posts are filled by giving preference to Course Completed Act Apprentices meeting eligibility conditions.
- No daily/conveyance/travelling allowance is paid for attending Document Verification.
- Canvassing in any form leads to disqualification, and no correspondence will be entertained on the matter.
- Candidates should be aware of and avoid unscrupulous elements promising selection; such instances should be reported to the SDGM/NFR and local police.
Also Read: Northeast Frontier Railway Scouts and Guides Quota Recruitment 2026 - Apply Offline for 22 Posts
NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Important Links
- Apply Online: Click here
- Official Notification PDF: Click here
- Official Website: Click here
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