Northeast Frontier Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 6,777 Vacancies | Apply by 19 August, Northeast India

Last Updated on July 21, 2026 by Admin

Northeast Frontier Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 has been announced for the engagement of Act Apprentices in designated trades across NFR divisions, workshops and administrative units. A total of 6,777 provisional apprenticeship training slots are available under the Apprentices Act, 1961, for the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 training cycles.

The centralized notification, numbered NFR/NAPS/ACT APP./2026, was dated 14 July 2026 and published on 16 July 2026. Online applications opened at 9:00 AM on 20 July 2026 and will close at 5:30 PM on 19 August 2026. Applications must be submitted through the official Northeast Frontier Railway recruitment portal.

This recruitment provides apprenticeship opportunities for eligible ITI candidates in mechanical, electrical, civil engineering, signal and telecommunications, information technology, personnel, accounts, stores and medical departments. Selection is merit-based, and no written examination or interview has been specified in the notification.

NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Overview

Important Dates

Candidates should apply well before the closing date to avoid payment failures, server congestion or last-minute network problems.

NFR Apprentice Unit-Wise Vacancy Distribution

The notified slot count is provisional and may increase or decrease according to the administrative requirements existing when the selection process is finalized.

Departments and Apprentice Trades

Apprenticeship opportunities are available across Mechanical, Electrical, Engineering, Signal and Telecommunications, Personnel, Accounts, Medical and Stores departments.

Major designated trades include:

• Fitter
• Electrician, Wireman and Lineman
• Plumber and Pipe Fitter
• Carpenter and Wood Work Technician
• Welder, Gas Cutter, TIG/MIG Welder, Structural Welder and Advanced Welder
• Turner and Machinist
• Mechanic Diesel
• Mechanic Machine Tool Maintenance
• Mechanic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
• Electronics Mechanic and Instrument Mechanic
• CNC Programmer-cum-Operator
• Operator Advanced Machine Tool
• Painter General
• Surveyor
• Draughtsman Civil
• CAD/CAM Operator-cum-Programmer
• Mason Building Constructor
• Building Maintenance Technician
• Sanitary Hardware Fitter
• Quality Assurance Assistant
• Jigs and Fixtures Maker
• Industrial Automation Maintenance Mechanic
• Computer Operator and Programming Assistant
• Information and Communication Technology System Maintenance
• Computer Networking Technician
• Secretarial Assistant
• Health Sanitary Inspector
• Medical Laboratory Technician in Pathology or Radiology

Applicants should check the official notification annexures carefully because eligible ITI trade names, department-wise slots, reservation distribution and training locations vary for each unit.

Educational Qualification

For Most ITI Apprentice Trades

Candidates must satisfy both of the following requirements:

• Passed Class 10 or an equivalent examination under the 10+2 system with at least 50% aggregate marks from a recognized board.
• Possess a National Trade Certificate, provisional NTC or ITI certificate in the relevant notified trade issued by NCVT or SCVT.

The minimum 50% aggregate requirement in Class 10 does not apply to SC, ST and PwBD candidates. Applicants must have completed the prescribed qualification and possess the relevant ITI pass certificate, NTC or STC as of the notification date.

For Medical Laboratory Technician Trades

Candidates applying for Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology) or Medical Laboratory Technician (Radiology) must have passed Class 12 under the 10+2 system with Physics, Chemistry and Biology. At least 50% aggregate marks are required in both Class 10 and Class 12.

Age Limit

The applicant must be at least 15 years old and not more than 24 years old as of 19 August 2026.

Upper-Age Relaxation

A minimum of six months of continuous service is required for the specified ex-servicemen relaxation. Candidates should consult the official notification for community reservation, ex-servicemen priority and PwBD trade-suitability conditions.

Reservation

The notification provides reservation for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, Ex-Servicemen and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities according to applicable government rules.

• EWS candidates must upload the prescribed income and asset certificate issued on or after 1 April 2026.
• PwBD candidates must possess a valid disability certificate issued by a competent medical authority.
• A horizontal reservation of 4% applies to PwBD candidates.
• A horizontal reservation of 10% applies to Ex-Servicemen.
• Reserved-category certificates must be produced in original during document verification.

NFR Apprentice Application Fee

The non-refundable application fee is ₹100, payable online through the payment gateway available on the recruitment portal.

Application fee exemption is available for:

• SC candidates
• ST candidates
• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities
• Economically Backward Class candidates
• Women candidates

EBC candidates seeking fee exemption must have an annual family income below ₹50,000 and upload the prescribed certificate issued on or after 1 April 2026.

Candidates may modify or correct an already-submitted application by paying ₹50 for each modification attempt. Details submitted during registration cannot be modified.

NFR Apprentice Selection Process

No written examination has been specified. Candidates will be shortlisted unit-wise, trade-wise and community-wise according to academic merit and the order of Unit–Department–Trade preferences entered in the online application.

Merit Formula for ITI Trades

The merit score will be calculated using the average of:

• Percentage obtained in Class 10, calculated using marks in all subjects; and
• Percentage obtained in all semesters of the relevant ITI trade or marks recorded on the provisional National Trade Certificate.

Merit Formula for Medical Laboratory Technician Trades

For Pathology and Radiology Laboratory Technician trades, merit will be based on the average of Class 10 marks and Class 12 Science marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

Tie-Breaking Rule

Where two or more candidates obtain equal merit marks, the older candidate will be ranked higher. If the dates of birth are also identical, the candidate who passed the Class 10 examination earlier will receive preference.

Shortlisted applicants will normally be called for document verification up to 1.5 times the number of notified slots. Final engagement will depend on verification of original certificates and submission of the prescribed medical fitness certificate.

Apprenticeship Training Period

Most designated trades have a training duration of one year. Industrial automation maintenance trades may have a six-month training period, while Medical Laboratory Technician trades in Pathology and Radiology have a training period of one year and three months.

The exact duration depends on the designated trade, prior institutional training and any exemption permitted under the prescribed apprenticeship curriculum.

NFR Apprentice Stipend

Selected apprentices will receive a monthly stipend according to the applicable apprenticeship rules.

The stipend rates are subject to revision by the competent authority. Hostel accommodation will not be provided, and apprentices must arrange their own accommodation during training.

Documents Required for NFR Apprentice Application

Applicants should upload clear and legible scanned copies of the applicable documents:

• Class 10 mark sheet and passing certificate
• Class 12 mark sheet and certificate with Physics, Chemistry and Biology for Medical Laboratory Technician trades
• Date-of-birth certificate where the date is not recorded on the Class 10 certificate
• Consolidated ITI mark sheet for all semesters
• National Trade Certificate or provisional trade certificate issued by NCVT or SCVT
• SC, ST or OBC-NCL certificate, where applicable
• EWS income and asset certificate, where applicable
• PwBD disability certificate, where applicable
• Discharge or serving certificate for ex-servicemen quota applicants
• EBC certificate for applicants claiming fee exemption
• Recent colour photograph showing a clear front view
• Scanned signature in the prescribed format

Certificates issued in a language other than English or Hindi must be accompanied by an attested English or Hindi translation. All original documents must be produced during document verification.

Medical Fitness Requirements

Shortlisted candidates must submit a medical certificate in the prescribed format during document verification. The certificate must be signed by a government-authorized gazetted medical practitioner not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon of a Central or State Government hospital.

Document verification may not be conducted without the prescribed medical certificate, and failure to produce it can result in cancellation of candidature.

How to Apply for NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026

1. Visit the official Northeast Frontier Railway Act Apprentice page.
2. Open the link for Notification No. NFR/NAPS/ACT APP./2026.
3. Read the official notification, unit-wise annexures and trade-eligibility conditions.
4. Open the NFR online application portal.
5. Complete the initial registration using an active mobile number and email address.
6. Log in and enter personal, educational, ITI and category details.
7. Select preferred Unit–Department–Trade combinations in the correct order.
8. Upload the prescribed photograph, signature and supporting documents.
9. Pay the application fee, where applicable.
10. Verify all information before final submission.
11. Download and print the completed application form for future reference.

The official NFR page confirms that online application submission is live from 20 July 2026. Only one application is permitted per candidate. Submitting multiple applications can lead to disqualification.

Important Instructions for Applicants

• Only one online application may be submitted.
• The registered mobile number and email address should remain active throughout the selection process.
• The registration number must be preserved for future communication.
• Marks must be entered correctly; false or inaccurate declarations can result in immediate disqualification.
• Applicants should carefully prioritize Unit–Department–Trade combinations.
• Selection against a higher preference automatically cancels all lower preferences.
• No printed application or certificate copies should be sent by post.
• No travel allowance, conveyance allowance or daily allowance will be paid for document verification.
• Canvassing or using unauthorized selection agents will disqualify the candidate.
• Apprenticeship training does not automatically create a right to permanent employment in Indian Railways.

Does NFR Apprenticeship Guarantee a Railway Job?

No. Completion of apprenticeship training does not guarantee appointment in Indian Railways. The employer is not obligated to offer employment after the apprenticeship, and the apprentice is not obligated to accept employment.

However, eligible Course Completed Act Apprentices trained in railway establishments may receive preference for a prescribed percentage of Level-1 vacancies, subject to recruitment rules, written examination performance and other eligibility requirements.

Career Preparation Resources for Applicants

Candidates preparing for apprenticeship document verification, technical interviews and future railway or construction-sector careers can use ConstructionCareerHub.com. The platform provides an Interview Copilot, Resume Lab, ATS Resume Score, Career Planner, Salary Calculator, LinkedIn Profile Optimizer and construction job alerts.

Applicants can also monitor upcoming construction and engineering walk-in interviews and browse the latest government engineering job opportunities.

Recommended Career eBooks

The following Digitslick resources may help candidates improve their career planning, technical interview preparation and job-search strategy:

• Hidden Construction Careers That Pay More Than Engineering – a career-transition guide covering lesser-known opportunities in construction and engineering.
• The Remote Job Hunting System – a structured guide to finding and applying for legitimate remote career opportunities.
• Civil Engineering Interview Questions and Answers eBook – technical interview questions for civil engineering freshers and job seekers.

Optional Courses for Skill Development

These courses are not mandatory for NFR apprenticeship eligibility. They may support broader technical development and future career progression:

• Introduction to Engineering Mechanics by Georgia Tech on Coursera – covers the fundamental principles used to solve engineering mechanics problems.
• Construction Management Specialization by Columbia University on Coursera – suitable for candidates seeking knowledge of construction planning, scheduling and project management.
• Electrical Engineering Courses on edX – includes learning options in basic circuits, electronics and electrical engineering principles.
• Industrial Maintenance on Udemy – introduces mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic maintenance planning concepts.

High-Authority External Resources

Applicants can review the Government of India Apprenticeship Training Portal for general information about apprenticeship training and contracts. The Directorate General of Training apprenticeship resource explains designated trades, apprentice categories and the structure of practical training. Official railway updates are available through the Indian Railways portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many vacancies are available in NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

Northeast Frontier Railway has notified 6,777 provisional Act Apprentice training slots across eight divisions, workshops and headquarters units.

What is the last date to apply for NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

The last date to submit the online application is 19 August 2026 at 5:30 PM.

Is there a written examination for NFR apprentices?

No written examination has been specified. Selection will be based on academic merit, unit and trade preferences, document verification and medical fitness.

What qualification is required for NFR Act Apprentice posts?

For most trades, applicants must have passed Class 10 with the required marks and possess an NCVT- or SCVT-recognized ITI certificate in the relevant trade. Medical Laboratory Technician applicants require Class 12 Science with Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

What is the age limit for NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

Candidates must be between 15 and 24 years old as of 19 August 2026. Relaxations apply to SC, ST, OBC, PwBD and eligible ex-servicemen candidates.

What is the application fee?

The application fee is ₹100. SC, ST, PwBD, EBC and women candidates are exempt from paying the fee, subject to the conditions in the notification.

What stipend will NFR apprentices receive?

The notified minimum stipend for NTC or STC holders is ₹9,600 per month. Higher rates of ₹10,560 and ₹11,040 may apply where second- or third-year curriculum exemptions are admissible.

Can candidates submit more than one application?

No. Each candidate is permitted to submit only one application. Multiple applications may result in disqualification.

Will accommodation be provided during training?

No hostel accommodation will be provided. Selected apprentices must arrange accommodation at their own cost.

Does completing the apprenticeship guarantee permanent railway employment?

No. Apprenticeship training does not guarantee permanent employment with Northeast Frontier Railway or Indian Railways.

Where can candidates apply online?

Candidates should access the application portal only through the official Northeast Frontier Railway Act Apprentice notification page.

Conclusion

NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a major training opportunity for Class 10, ITI and eligible Class 12 Science candidates seeking practical experience in railway workshops, engineering units, maintenance departments and technical trades. With 6,777 provisional slots and merit-based selection, eligible applicants should review the unit-wise annexures, confirm their ITI trade eligibility and submit the online form before 19 August 2026.

Disclaimer: This article summarizes the official recruitment notification for informational purposes. Vacancy numbers, eligibility, reservation, trade suitability and training conditions may be revised by Northeast Frontier Railway. Applicants must read the official notification and follow instructions published on the official NFR website before applying.