The West Central Railway (WCR) Recruitment 2025 offers a significant opportunity for candidates aspiring to build a career with Indian Railways. Under Notification No. 01/2025 (Act Apprentice), the Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) Jabalpur has announced 2865 Act Apprentice posts for training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This centralized recruitment drive covers various trades across units like Jabalpur Division, Bhopal Division, Kota Division, CRWS Bhopal, WRS Kota, and HQ Jabalpur. If you’re a 10th pass candidate with an ITI certificate, this is your chance to gain valuable skills with one of India’s premier organizations. Below is a detailed guide on eligibility, application process, vacancy details, and key updates based on the official notification.
Overview of WCR Apprentice Recruitment 2025
The West Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2025 aims to engage 2865 apprentices for training in designated trades across multiple units. This is a centralized notification managed by RRC Jabalpur, and selected candidates will be assigned to divisions/units based on merit. The selection process is merit-based, relying on 10th class and ITI marks, with no written test or interview.
Key Details
- Organization: West Central Railway (WCR), Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) Jabalpur
- Notification No.: 01/2025 (Act Apprentice)
- Total Vacancies: 2865
- Post: Act Apprentice
- Application Mode: Online
- Application Start Date: August 30, 2025
- Application Closing Date & Time: September 29, 2025 (23:59 hrs)
- Official Website: wcr.indianrailways.gov.in
- Application Fee:
- General / OBC / EWS: ₹141/- (₹100/- Application Fee + ₹41/- Processing Fee, including GST)
- SC / ST / PwBD / Women: ₹41/- (Processing Fee only, including GST)
Eligibility Criteria for WCR Apprentice Recruitment 2025
To apply for the WCR Apprentice Recruitment 2025, candidates must meet the following criteria as specified in the official notification:
Educational Qualification
- Minimum Qualification: Passed 10th class examination or its equivalent (under 10+2 system) with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate (no rounding off) from a recognized board.
- Technical Qualification: Must possess a National Trade Certificate (NTC) in the notified trade issued by NCVT/SCVT.
- Note: Candidates appearing in the qualifying examination or awaiting results are not eligible. The prescribed qualification must be completed by August 20, 2025.
Age Limit (as on August 20, 2025)
- Minimum Age: 15 years
- Maximum Age: 24 years
- Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 years (15 years for SC/ST, 13 years for OBC)
- Ex-Servicemen: Additional 10 years (service rendered in Defence Forces + 3 years, provided a minimum of 6 months service at a stretch, except for those already in government service on civil side)
Nationality
- Candidates must be Indian citizens.
Reservation Requirements
- SC/ST Candidates: Must produce a caste certificate in the Central Government format (Annexure-B) during document verification.
- OBC Candidates: Must provide a caste certificate and Non-Creamy Layer certificate in the Central Government format (Annexure-C), issued within one year from September 29, 2025.
- EWS Candidates: Must submit an Income & Asset Certificate (Annexure-E) for Economically Weaker Sections.
- Ex-Servicemen: Must provide a discharge certificate. Children of Ex-Servicemen or Armed Forces Personnel must submit relevant certificates.
- PwBD Candidates: Must submit a disability certificate (Annexure-G or H) issued by a Medical Board constituted by the Central or State Government, confirming at least 40% disability (60 decibels or more for Hearing Impaired in the conversational range).
Vacancy Details for WCR Apprentice 2025
The 2865 apprentice slots are distributed across various units and trades, as detailed in Annexure-A of the official notification. Below is the category-wise and unit-wise breakdown:
Total Vacancies by Category
- Unreserved (UR): 1150
- Scheduled Caste (SC): 433
- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 215
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): 778
- Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 289
- Total: 2865
- PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities): 85 (included in total, not separate)
- Locomotor Disability (LD): 34
- Visual Impairment (VI): 21
- Hearing Impairment (HI): 28
- Multiple Disabilities (MD): 18
- Ex-Servicemen (Ex.SM): Included in total, as per provisions
Unit-Wise Vacancy Distribution
- Jabalpur Division: 1136 slots
- Bhopal Division: 558 slots
- Kota Division: 865 slots
- CRWS Bhopal: 136 slots
- WRS Kota: 151 slots
- HQ Jabalpur: 19 slots
Trade-Wise Vacancies
The following trades are available, with specific slots allocated across units:
- Blacksmith (Foundryman): 139 slots
- Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA): 316 slots
- Electrician: 727 slots
- Electronics Mechanic: 185 slots
- Fitter: 843 slots
- Machinist: 38 slots
- Mechanic (Refrigeration & Air Condition): 2 slots
- Mechanic (Motor Vehicle): 6 slots
- Plumber: 83 slots
- Turner: 26 slots
- Welder (Gas and Electric): 367 slots
- Wireman: 133 slots
For detailed trade-wise and unit-wise slots, refer to Annexure-A in the official notification.
PwBD Trade Eligibility
PwBD candidates can apply for specific trades with the following disability accommodations:
- Locomotor Disability (LD):
- Computer Operator and Programming Assistant: Both lower limbs can be accommodated.
- Electrician: Partially lower limb candidates.
- Electronics Mechanic: Without legs or leg.
- Fitter: Lower limb partially damaged from one side.
- Plumber: Without one or two fingers of foot and hand.
- Welder (Gas and Electric): Without leg and without three fingers of one hand.
- Visual Impairment (VI):
- Blacksmith (Foundryman), COPA, Electrician, Fitter: Low vision (6/18 to 6/60 with best correction or specific field impairments).
- Hearing Impairment (HI):
- Blacksmith (Foundryman), COPA, Electrician, Fitter, Machinist, Plumber, Welder (Gas & Electric), Wireman: Deaf, Dumb, or Deaf & Dumb.
- Multiple Disabilities (MD): Candidates with more than one disability as per guidelines.
If PwBD vacancies remain unfilled due to a lack of eligible candidates, they will be filled by non-PwBD candidates as per merit.
Selection Process for WCR Apprentice Recruitment 2025
The selection process is merit-based and involves the following steps:
- Merit List Preparation:
- Based on the average percentage of marks in 10th class (or equivalent) and ITI in the relevant trade.
- Prepared trade-wise, division/unit-wise, and community-wise.
- In case of equal marks, preference is given to older candidates. If dates of birth are the same, the candidate who passed 10th earlier is prioritized.
- Document Verification:
- Candidates shortlisted based on the merit list will be called for document verification at the applied unit (Jabalpur, Bhopal, Kota, CRWS Bhopal, WRS Kota, or HQ Jabalpur).
- No requests for changing the document verification venue will be entertained.
- Medical Fitness:
- Candidates must produce a medical fitness certificate (Annexure-F) signed by a Government Authorized Doctor (Gazetted, not below Assistant Surgeon rank) from a Central/State Hospital.
- Minimum standards include height (137 cm), weight (25.4 kg), chest expansion (5 cm), visual acuity (6/9, 6/12 with/without glasses), and no evidence of contagious or chronic diseases.
Note: There is no written test or interview. If a shortfall occurs in a trade or unit, RRC reserves the right to allocate waiting list candidates from other units/trades as per merit.
How to Apply for WCR Apprentice Recruitment 2025
Applications must be submitted online through the official WCR website. Follow these steps:
- Visit the Official Website: Go to wcr.indianrailways.gov.in and navigate to About Us > Recruitment > Railway Recruitment Cell > Engagement of Act Apprentices > Engagement of Act Apprentices for 2025-26.
- Register: Provide basic details (name, email, mobile number) to register.
- Fill Application Form: Enter personal, educational, and technical qualification details accurately, matching the 10th certificate.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies in JPG format (50kb-200kb):
- Recent passport-size photograph (100×120 pixels)
- Specimen signature (160×70 pixels)
- 10th mark sheet and pass certificate
- ITI certificate and mark sheet (NCVT/SCVT)
- Community certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS, if applicable)
- PwBD certificate (if applicable)
- Pay Application Fee:
- General / OBC / EWS: ₹141/- (via Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking)
- SC / ST / PwBD / Women: ₹41/-
- After payment, save/print the e-receipt. If the transaction fails, retry, but do not pay again if the fee is deducted (wait 24 hours for the receipt).
- Submit and Print: Submit the form and retain a printout of the application for document verification.
Important Notes:
- Ensure name, father’s name, and date of birth match the 10th certificate to avoid disqualification.
- Keep the registered mobile number and email active for updates.
- No refund is available for duplicate payments.
- Apply early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Important Dates
- Notification Release Date: August 20, 2025
- Online Application Start Date: August 30, 2025
- Online Application Closing Date: September 29, 2025 (23:59 hrs)
- Merit List & Document Verification: Dates to be announced on the WCR website
Stipend and Training
- Training Period: As per the designated trade under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
- Stipend: Paid as per extant railway rules during the training period.
- Accommodation: No hostel facilities are provided; candidates must arrange their own accommodation.
- Contract: Selected candidates (or guardians for minors) must sign an Apprenticeship Contract before training begins.
- No Employment Guarantee: Training does not guarantee employment with Indian Railways, nor are apprentices obligated to accept employment.
Why Apply for WCR Apprentice Recruitment 2025?
- Skill Development: Gain hands-on experience in technical trades under expert supervision.
- Career Opportunities: Training with Indian Railways enhances employability in the railway and related sectors.
- No Exam Hassle: Merit-based selection simplifies the process.
- Prestigious Organization: Work with Indian Railways, known for its legacy and opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for WCR Apprentice Recruitment 2025?
The last date is September 29, 2025, at 23:59 hrs.
Q2. How many vacancies are available?
There are 2865 Act Apprentice slots across various trades and units.
Q3. What is the eligibility for WCR Apprentice Recruitment?
Candidates must have passed 10th class with at least 50% marks (no rounding off) and hold an ITI certificate in a relevant trade issued by NCVT/SCVT.
Q4. Is there a written exam or interview?
No, selection is based on a merit list (10th and ITI marks), followed by document verification and medical examination.
Q5. How can I apply for WCR Apprentice Recruitment 2025?
Apply online via wcr.indianrailways.gov.in between August 30 and September 29, 2025.
Q6. What happens if I don’t meet the eligibility criteria?
Applications with discrepancies (e.g., incorrect documents, incomplete qualifications) will be rejected.
Help Desk
For assistance with online applications, contact:
- Email: rjbl2020@gmail.com
- Phone: 8830326982 (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, excluding Sundays and National Holidays)
The West Central Railway Recruitment 2025 for 2865 Act Apprentice posts is an excellent opportunity for 10th pass and ITI-qualified candidates to train with Indian Railways. With a straightforward merit-based selection and no written exam, this recruitment is accessible and rewarding. Apply online before September 29, 2025, through wcr.indianrailways.gov.in and take the first step toward a promising career. Regularly check the official website for updates on the merit list and document verification schedule.
Download West Central Railway Recruitment 2025 Notification pdf