Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has published Centralized Notification No. NFR/NAPS/ACT APP./2026 (dated 14 July 2026) for engagement of 6,777 Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961 across eight divisions and workshops in Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar. Eligible 10th pass + ITI (NCVT/SCVT) candidates can apply online from 20 July 2026 to 19 August 2026 once the portal goes live on the official NFR website.
UPCOMING — Apply online opens 20 July 2026 (09:00 hrs) · Last date 19 August 2026 (17:30 hrs) · 6,777 ITI training slots · Merit-based selection — no written exam · Fee ₹100 (exempted categories apply)
This is a centralized zonal apprenticeship drive — one of the largest railway ITI training intakes in North-East India for 2026. Training spans 2025–26 and 2026–27 cycles. Bookmark this page and the NFR Act Apprentice notification section before the apply link activates.
Browse more alerts on our Railway Jobs page and Latest Job Notifications.
Official Links — NFR Act Apprentice 2026
| Resource | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online (UPCOMING — from 20 Jul 2026) | NFR Act Apprentice notification page |
| Download Notification PDF | Click here to download notification PDF |
| NFR Official Website | Click here to visit official website |
| Personnel Department — Apprentice notices | Act Apprentice Notification section |
Download the official PDF and read Annexures I–XVI (unit-wise trade tables and certificate formats) before selecting preferences on the application portal.
NFR Act Apprentice 2026 — Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Personnel Department, Maligaon (HQ) |
| Notification | NFR/NAPS/ACT APP./2026 — Centralized engagement under Apprentices Act, 1961 |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice (trade training) |
| Total Slots | 6,777 (provisional) |
| Training Cycles | 2025–26 and 2026–27 |
| Application Mode | Online only (via NFR official website) |
| Selection | Merit list → Document Verification (1.5× vacancies) |
| Written Exam | None |
| Apply Status | UPCOMING — portal opens 20 July 2026 |
| Official Website | nfr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Important Dates — NFR Act Apprentice 2026
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Notification released | 14 July 2026 | Completed |
| Online application starts | 20 July 2026, 09:00 hrs | Upcoming |
| Last date to apply online | 19 August 2026, 17:30 hrs | Upcoming |
| Merit list publication | To be announced on NFR website | Upcoming |
| Document verification | After merit list (schedule TBA) | Upcoming |
Plan to submit your application at least 3–4 days before 19 August 2026 to avoid last-minute server congestion when the NFR portal opens for the first time.
Unit-Wise Apprenticeship Slots — 6,777 Total
NFR has distributed 6,777 provisional Act Apprentice slots across its operating divisions and workshops. Final allotment follows merit rank, trade availability, and your preference order.
| Division / Workshop | Apprentice Slots | Annexure |
|---|---|---|
| Katihar (KIR) & Tindharia (TDH) Workshop | 1,103 | Annexure-I |
| Lumding (LMG) | 1,274 | Annexure-IV |
| New Bongaigaon (NBQS) & Engineering Workshop (EWS/BNGN) | 881 | Annexure-VI |
| Tinsukia (TSK) | 860 | Annexure-V |
| Rangiya (RNY) | 750 | Annexure-III |
| Dibrugarh Workshop (DBWS) | 763 | Annexure-VII |
| Alipurduar (APDJ) | 651 | Annexure-II |
| Headquarters (HQ) / Maligaon | 495 | Annexure-VIII |
| Grand Total | 6,777 | — |
Slots may increase or decrease based on administrative requirements. The complete trade-wise and community-wise break-up for each unit is in Annexures I–VIII of the notification PDF.
Category-Wise Vacancy Summary (All Units Combined)
| Category | Slots |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 2,686 |
| OBC | 1,832 |
| SC | 1,056 |
| ST | 515 |
| EWS | 688 |
| ESM (horizontal, within total) | 677 |
| PwBD (horizontal, within total) | 271 |
| Grand Total | 6,777 |
Notified Trades & Departments
Apprenticeships are advertised department-wise (Mechanical, Electrical, Engineering, S&T, Personnel, Accounts, Medical, Stores) and trade-wise for each of the eight units.
Common ITI trades across most NFR units include:
- Fitter · Electrician · Wireman · Lineman · Welder (Gas & Electric)
- Turner · Machinist · Carpenter · Plumber · Mason (Building Constructor)
- Mechanic Diesel · Mechanic Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
- Mechanic Electrical Instruments · COPA (Computer Operator & Programming Assistant)
- Draughtsman (Civil) · Surveyor · Secretarial Assistant · Health Sanitary Inspector
- Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology / Radiology)
New Bongaigaon and Dibrugarh workshops also notify specialised trades such as TIG/MIG Welder, Structural Welder, CNC Programmer cum Operator, Instrument Mechanic, and Quality Assurance Assistant.
Your ITI NTC trade must match the apprenticeship slot you preference. Applying for a non-matching trade leads to disqualification at document verification even with a high merit score.
What Is NFR Act Apprenticeship Training?
An Act Apprentice on Indian Railways is a trainee engaged under the Apprentices Act, 1961 for structured workshop and depot training in a notified trade. Key facts:
- This is apprenticeship training, not direct recruitment to a permanent railway post.
- Trainees receive a government-notified monthly stipend — not full 7th CPC employee salary.
- Successful completion makes you a Course Completed Act Apprentice (CCAA), strengthening eligibility for future railway recruitment with apprentice quotas.
- Northeast Frontier Railway operates across Assam, parts of West Bengal, Tripura, Nagaland, and Bihar — training locations include Katihar, Lumding, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Rangiya, Alipurduar, and Maligaon HQ.
If you are a fresh ITI pass-out in North-East India, this 6,777-slot drive is among the most significant railway apprenticeship opportunities in 2026.
Eligibility Criteria — Who Can Apply?
Educational Qualification
| Trade Category | Minimum Qualification |
|---|---|
| All trades except MLT (Pathology/Radiology) | Matriculation (Class 10) with minimum 50% aggregate from a recognized board plus valid NCVT/SCVT NTC (or equivalent ITI pass certificate) in the notified trade |
| Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology & Radiology) | 12th (10+2) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology — 50% in both 10th and 12th |
Important rules:
- The 50% Matriculation requirement is waived for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates.
- Merely completing ITI training is insufficient — you must hold your ITI pass certificate / NTC as on 14 July 2026 (notification date).
- Nationality/domicile is not specified as a separate eligibility filter in the notification — verify any unit-specific conditions in the PDF.
Trade Matching Rule
| If You Hold ITI In | You May Preference Apprenticeship In |
|---|---|
| Electrician | Electrician trade slots |
| Fitter | Fitter trade slots |
| Welder | Welder (Gas & Electric) slots |
| COPA | Computer Operator & Programming Assistant slots |
Other Conditions
- Must be an Indian citizen (or meet citizenship norms in the notification).
- Must be medically fit for railway workshop/field training.
- Only one application permitted — duplicate submissions cause summary disqualification.
Age Limit — As on 19 August 2026
| Category | Age Criteria |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 15 years |
| Maximum age (General) | 24 years |
| SC / ST | Upper age relaxed by 5 years |
| OBC (NCL) | Upper age relaxed by 3 years |
| PwBD | Upper age relaxed by 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (self-applicants) | 10 years + 3 years (to extent of Defence service rendered; minimum 6 months continuous service) |
Age is calculated against the closing date of application — 19 August 2026. Children of ex-servicemen receive relaxation as per their community category (UR/SC/ST/OBC), not the Ex-SM quota.
Selection Process — Merit-Based, No Written Test
NFR Act Apprentice selection is fully merit-driven. There is no CBT, no interview, and no skill test.
Stage 1 — Merit List Preparation
For standard trades, merit uses the average percentage of:
- Matriculation aggregate marks (all subjects, minimum 50% for UR/OBC/EWS), and
- ITI trade marks (average across all semesters or NTC consolidated marks).
For Medical Laboratory Technician trades, merit uses Matriculation marks + 12th Science (PCB) marks.
Merit lists are prepared unit-wise, trade-wise, and community-wise in descending order, equal to notified slot counts.
Stage 2 — Document Verification
Candidates are called for document verification to the extent of 1.5 times the notified vacancies per unit/trade/community.
Preference & Allotment Rule
You may indicate Unit–Department–Trade preferences in priority order. Once selected against a higher preference, all lower preferences are automatically cancelled. A candidate is considered for only one final combination.
Tie-Breaking
When merit percentages are identical:
- Older candidate (by date of birth) ranks higher.
- If DOB is also the same, the candidate who passed Matriculation earlier ranks higher.
Application Fee — Category-Wise
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (male) | ₹100 (non-refundable) |
| SC / ST | Exempted |
| PwBD | Exempted |
| EBC (with valid certificate) | Exempted |
| All Female candidates | Exempted |
EBC fee exemption: Family income must be below ₹50,000 per annum. Upload Annexure-XVI certificate issued on or after 1 April 2026.
Application correction: ₹50 per occasion if you modify the form after submission (registration details cannot be changed).
Stipend Structure — NFR Act Apprentice 2026
| Training Year | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| 1st year (NTC/STC holders) | ₹9,600 (per G.S.R. 610(E), effective 11 Sep 2025) |
| 2nd year (where curriculum exemption applies) | ₹10,560 (+10%) |
| 3rd year (where applicable) | ₹11,040 (+15%) |
- Stipend rates are subject to revision by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
- No hostel accommodation — apprentices arrange their own lodging during training.
- Apprentices are not entitled to regular railway employee allowances (HRA, TA, pension) during training.
Documents Required for Application & Verification
Keep these ready in scanned format for upload when the portal opens:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Recent colour photograph & signature | Online form upload |
| 10th mark sheet & pass certificate | Eligibility & merit marks |
| 12th mark sheet with PCB (MLT trades only) | MLT trade eligibility |
| ITI semester mark sheets / consolidated sheet | Merit calculation |
| NCVT NTC or Provisional Trade Certificate | Trade proof |
| Date-of-birth proof (if not on 10th certificate) | Age verification |
| Caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC) | Category & fee exemption |
| EWS certificate | EWS reservation claim |
| PwBD disability certificate | Relaxation & fee exemption |
| EBC certificate (Annexure-XVI, dated ≥ 1 Apr 2026) | Fee exemption |
| Ex-Servicemen discharge/serving certificate | ESM quota & age relaxation |
Certificates in languages other than English or Hindi must include an attested English/Hindi translation. Carry originals at document verification.
How to Apply Online — Step-by-Step (When Portal Opens)
The online form is UPCOMING until 20 July 2026. Once active, follow these steps:
- Visit nfr.indianrailways.gov.in and open General Info → Departments → Personnel → Act Apprentice Notification.
- Click the online application / registration link on the Act Apprentice page.
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number you will keep active for 12+ months.
- Note your registration number and password securely.
- Log in and fill personal details exactly as on your 10th certificate.
- Enter educational marks carefully — these directly determine your merit score.
- Set Unit–Department–Trade preferences in strict priority order (highest preference first).
- Upload photograph, signature, and certificates in the prescribed format.
- Pay ₹100 online if applicable (General/OBC/EWS male).
- Review every field before final submit.
- Submit once — duplicate applications are rejected.
- Download and print the confirmation page; preserve your registration number.
Official apply page (UPCOMING): NFR Act Apprentice Notification
Merit Score Strategy — Maximise Your Rank
Because selection is purely marks-based, optimise before the portal opens:
| Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Enter correct 10th and ITI percentages | Data entry errors become permanent merit errors |
| Preference only matching ITI trades | Wrong trade = rejection at DV |
| Target units with larger slot counts | Lumding (1,274) and Katihar (1,103) offer wider merit cut-off room |
| Keep NTC and originals ready | DV delays benefit wait-listed candidates |
| Apply early after 20 July | Avoid last-day portal overload |
There is no advantage to delaying submission hoping for a lower cut-off — merit is fixed by your marks, not application timing.
NFR Act Apprentice vs RRC NCR Apprentice 2026
Both are merit-based ITI apprenticeship drives on Indian Railways in 2026:
| Factor | NFR Act Apprentice 2026 | RRC NCR Act Apprentice 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Vacancies | 6,777 training slots | 1,853 training slots |
| Zone | Northeast Frontier Railway | North Central Railway |
| States | Assam, West Bengal, Bihar | UP, MP, Rajasthan, Delhi fringe |
| Apply window | 20 Jul – 19 Aug 2026 (UPCOMING) | 8 Jul – 7 Aug 2026 |
| Selection | Merit of 10th + ITI marks | Merit of 10th + ITI marks |
| Apply portal | NFR official website | examerp.com via RRC NCR |
Eligible candidates may apply for both drives if they meet respective age and trade criteria — but only one application per notification.
Common Mistakes That Cause Rejection
- Submitting more than one application (automatic disqualification).
- Selecting a trade different from your ITI NTC.
- Entering incorrect percentage marks in the online form.
- Applying before holding ITI pass certificate as on notification date.
- Missing 50% aggregate in 10th (UR/OBC/EWS) without qualifying exemption.
- Uploading an invalid EBC certificate (must be dated on/after 1 April 2026).
- Waiting until 17:30 hrs on 19 August when servers are overloaded.
- Using third-party websites instead of the official NFR portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NFR Act Apprentice 2026 application open now?
Not yet. The notification is released, but online registration is UPCOMING and opens on 20 July 2026 at 09:00 hrs. Bookmark the official NFR Act Apprentice page.
Can final-year ITI students apply?
Only if you have received your ITI pass certificate / NTC on or before the notification date (14 July 2026) and can upload proof. Provisional candidates without final NTC should verify eligibility in the PDF.
Will female candidates pay the application fee?
No. All female candidates are exempted from the ₹100 fee regardless of category.
Is railway experience required?
No prior railway experience is required. This drive targets fresh ITI-qualified youth for apprenticeship training across NFR workshops and divisions.
How do I check the merit list?
Merit lists will be published on the official NFR website under the Act Apprentice Notification section after the application window closes. Check regularly from late August 2026 onward.
Related Recruitment Alerts
- RRC NCR Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 — 1,853 Posts
- RRB Technician Recruitment 2026 — 6,565 Posts
- RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2026 — 119 Posts
- NHSRCL Technician Recruitment 2026 — 237 Posts
- Railway Jobs — all RRB & RRC alerts
- Government Jobs — central & state notifications
EasyApplications.in publishes this guide for informational purposes only. Northeast Frontier Railway is the sole authority on eligibility, trade-wise vacancies, merit rules, and dates. Always verify details in the official notification PDF and apply only through the official NFR website once the UPCOMING online window opens on 20 July 2026.