IRCTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 44 Graduate & COPA Seats
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| IRCTC East Zone has announced 44 one-year apprentice training seats for 2026-27. Representative illustration. |
By Daily Jobs Updates | Last checked: 11 October 2026
IRCTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 offers 44 training seats at the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited, East Zone, Kolkata. The 2026-27 intake includes 34 Graduate Apprentices and 10 Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA) apprentices. Applications opened on 9 October and close on 26 October 2026.
Graduates and eligible ITI candidates can use this opportunity to gain workplace experience during a 12-month apprenticeship. Selection depends on academic merit and document verification, with no written examination or viva. This guide explains the qualifications, monthly stipend, application portals and checks to complete before submitting an application.
Know what you are applying for: This is apprenticeship training with a monthly stipend. Completing the programme does not give an apprentice a right to regular employment in IRCTC.
IRCTC East Zone Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Key Details
| Organisation | Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited, East Zone |
|---|---|
| Notification number | IRCTC/EZ/HRD/Apprentices/2026-27 |
| Notification date | 9 October 2026 |
| Total seats | 44: Graduate Apprentice - 34; COPA - 10 |
| Training period | 12 months |
| Online application period | 9 to 26 October 2026 |
| Age and qualification cut-off | 9 October 2026 |
| Selection | Academic merit followed by original document verification |
| Application fee | The official notification does not specify an application fee |
| Official portals | Apprenticeship India and NATS |
Vacancies, Qualifications and Monthly Stipend
| Apprentice category | Seats | Qualification | Monthly stipend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | 34 | Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university, with at least 50% aggregate marks | ₹12,300 |
| COPA Apprentice | 10 | Matriculation and an ITI certificate affiliated to NCVT/SCVT; the notice specifies at least 50% aggregate marks from a recognised board | ₹9,600 |
For the graduate category, the advertisement accepts any discipline rather than restricting eligibility to engineering or computer science. For the COPA category, check that your ITI trade matches the advertised opportunity; possession of an unrelated ITI certificate should not be treated as automatic eligibility.
The qualifying education must be held by the cut-off date. Candidates awaiting results should compare their result declaration date with 9 October 2026 before applying. The vacancy count may change according to IRCTC's requirements, so check the official website for revisions.
Age Limit and Category Relaxations
Applicants must have attained 15 years of age and must be under 25 years on 9 October 2026, before applying the permitted category relaxation. The upper limit should not be read as including everyone who is already 25.
| Category | Upper-age relaxation stated in the notice |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Persons with disabilities | 10 years, under applicable Government of India guidelines |
| Ex-servicemen | 10 years, under applicable Government of India guidelines |
Use the date of birth on your Class 10 certificate when checking age. Candidates claiming a relaxation or reservation benefit should keep the relevant certificate ready and follow the certificate conditions in the official advertisement.
How to Apply Online for IRCTC Apprenticeship
The notification names both government apprenticeship portals. Graduate candidates should start by checking NATS, while ITI COPA candidates should start with Apprenticeship India. Confirm the live opportunity listing and its portal instructions before submitting.
- Read the official PDF. Match the notification number, category, qualification cut-off and deadline with the opportunity you intend to select.
- Register or sign in to the appropriate portal. Use an email address and mobile number that you can access throughout selection.
- Complete your candidate profile. Enter personal and educational details carefully, using the same name and date of birth as your certificates.
- Search for IRCTC East Zone. Check the establishment, location and apprentice category. Avoid selecting a different IRCTC zone merely because its name appears in the results.
- Enter academic marks and upload documents. Check each mark sheet against the percentage entered in the form.
- Submit the application by 26 October 2026. Save the acknowledgement and confirm that the opportunity shows an application status.
- Monitor email and the portal. Keep your registration details available for document verification.
Registration is only the first step. Creating a portal account or completing a profile does not by itself confirm that you have applied to the IRCTC opportunity. Check the submitted application record before closing the portal.
Documents to Keep Ready
- Class 10 mark sheet, certificate and proof of date of birth.
- Degree mark sheets and graduation certificate for Graduate Apprentice applications.
- ITI mark sheet and NCVT/SCVT trade certificate or provisional certificate for COPA applications.
- Class 12 documents, where applicable.
- SC/ST/OBC, disability, EWS or ex-servicemen documents, where the benefit is claimed.
- A recent colour photograph and any additional upload requested by the portal.
The notice prescribes a recent 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm photograph in JPG/JPEG format, at 100 DPI and between 20 KB and 70 KB. Read its photograph and certificate requirements before uploading. For verification, carry originals and two sets of self-attested photocopies.
Selection Process: Academic Merit and Verification
IRCTC will prepare a merit list using the percentage of marks. There is no written test or viva. Final selection depends on verification of original documents. If marks are equal, the older applicant receives preference; if the dates of birth are also equal, earlier passing of Matriculation is considered.
The notice does not provide a separate 50:50 formula combining Class 10 and ITI marks. Do not assume a weighting formula from another railway recruitment. Enter the marks requested by the live portal and retain documents supporting those entries.
Practical marks check: Use the aggregate shown on your records or the university's official conversion method. Avoid using only your best semester. If your result is in CGPA, keep the institution's conversion rule available so you can explain the percentage entered in the application.
Training Locations and Planning Before Joining
The notification lists IRCTC offices at Kolkata, Guwahati, Patna, Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol, New Jalpaiguri, Ranchi and Tatanagar. Candidates should be willing to train at the listed offices. Applying does not guarantee allocation to a preferred city.
Before deciding to relocate, compare the monthly stipend with your likely accommodation, food and travel expenses. Keep funds available for attending verification: the notice states that travel, conveyance and daily allowances will not be paid for that visit. Choose a training opportunity you can realistically attend for the full year.
Important Official Links
| Resource | Official link |
|---|---|
| IRCTC East Zone notification PDF | Read the official 2026-27 advertisement |
| Apprenticeship India | Candidate registration and opportunity search |
| NATS | Graduate apprenticeship portal |
| IRCTC corporate website | Check official updates and revisions |
Use the official opportunity to apply. Daily Jobs Updates provides information and does not collect recruitment applications. IRCTC states that it has appointed no agents for this selection.
Related Reading on Daily Jobs Updates
- Browse apprenticeship articles to compare qualification and training requirements.
- Find IOCL recruitment and apprentice updates.
- Explore graduate job updates alongside training opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many seats are available?
The intake has 44 seats: 34 Graduate Apprentices and 10 COPA apprentices, subject to official revisions.
What is the last date to apply?
The online application deadline is 26 October 2026.
Can a graduate from a non-engineering discipline apply?
Yes. The graduate category accepts any discipline from a recognised university with at least 50% aggregate marks, subject to the other eligibility conditions.
Is there an examination or interview?
The notification provides for selection by academic merit without a written test or viva, followed by original document verification.
How much is the monthly stipend?
Graduate Apprentices receive ₹12,300 and COPA apprentices receive ₹9,600 per month during the prescribed training period.
Is the application fee confirmed as zero?
The notification does not specify an application fee. Follow the official portal instructions and avoid paying anyone who promises selection.
Will apprenticeship lead to a permanent IRCTC job?
The notice states that trainees have no right to claim regular employment after completing the apprenticeship.
Before You Submit
Check your qualification and age against 9 October 2026, choose the correct apprentice category and verify every uploaded document. Apply through the listed government portal by 26 October 2026, retain proof of submission and keep your email accessible for selection updates.
Source: IRCTC East Zone notification IRCTC/EZ/HRD/Apprentices/2026-27, dated 9 October 2026. This guide was checked against the official PDF on 11 October 2026. Later IRCTC notices and portal instructions take precedence.
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