NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 6,777 Posts, Eligibility, Last Date and Selection Process
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has released a major apprenticeship opportunity for candidates who have completed Class 10 and ITI. Under NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026, the Railway has announced 6,777 Act Apprentice training slots across various divisions, workshops and units for the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 training cycles.
The recruitment is being conducted under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the NFR website. The application process started on July 20, 2026, and the last date to apply is August 19, 2026, up to 5:30 PM.
Candidates interested in railway apprenticeship training should complete the application before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.
NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Highlights
| Particular | Details |
| Recruiting Organisation | Northeast Frontier Railway |
| Recruitment | NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 |
| Post | Act Apprentice |
| Notification No. | NFR/NAPS/ACT APP./2026 |
| Total Training Slots | 6,777 |
| Training Cycles | 2025–26 & 2026–27 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | July 20, 2026 |
| Last Date | August 19, 2026 |
| Closing Time | 5:30 PM |
| Minimum Age | 15 years |
| Maximum Age | 24 years |
| Qualification | 10th + ITI |
| Selection | Merit-based |
| Written Exam | No |
| Interview | No |
The official notification is dated July 14, 2026, with publication scheduled for July 16, while online applications opened on July 20.
NFR Apprentice Vacancy 2026
NFR has announced 6,777 training slots under this recruitment drive.
The vacancies are distributed among different divisions and workshops of Northeast Frontier Railway:
| Division/Workshop | Training Slots |
| Katihar (KIR) & Tindharia (TDH) Workshop | 1,103 |
| Alipurduar (APDJ) | 651 |
| Rangiya (RNY) | 750 |
| Lumding (LMG) | 1,274 |
| Tinsukia (TSK) | 860 |
| New Bongaigaon Workshop & Engineering Workshop | 881 |
| Dibrugarh Workshop (DBWS) | 763 |
| Headquarters/Maligaon Units | 495 |
| Total | 6,777 |
The detailed notification contains the trade-wise and unit-wise distribution of these slots.
NFR Apprentice Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must fulfil the prescribed educational and age requirements to apply.
AAI Apprentice 2026: apply now
Educational Qualification
For most designated technical trades, candidates should have:
- Passed Matriculation/Class 10 examination with at least 50% aggregate marks.
- Possess a National Trade Certificate (NTC) issued by NCVT/SCVT or a provisional certificate in the relevant trade.
The ITI trade should correspond to the apprenticeship trade for which the candidate is applying.
For certain medical laboratory-related trades, additional Class 12 Science requirements apply. Candidates should check the trade-wise qualification in the official notification before applying.
NFR Apprentice Age Limit 2026
The candidate’s age should be between 15 and 24 years as on August 19, 2026.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| General | No relaxation |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per applicable rules |
The exact age calculation and relaxation provisions are governed by the official notification.
NFR Apprentice 2026 Application Fee
The application fee is ₹100 for candidates who are required to pay the fee.
Candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD, EBC and women categories are exempt from payment of the application fee, subject to the conditions specified in the notification.
| Category | Fee |
| General/Other applicable candidates | ₹ 100 |
| SC | Exempted |
| ST | Exempted |
| PwBD | Exempted |
| EBC | Exempted |
| Women | Exempted |
NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification Publication | July 16, 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | July 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM |
| Last Date to Apply | August 19, 2026 at 5:30 PM |
The official notification specifically states that applications must be submitted online and that candidates can submit only one application.
NFR Apprentice 2026 Trade List
The recruitment covers a wide range of ITI trades. Some of the trades included are:
- Fitter
- Electrician
- Welder
- Wireman
- Turner
- Machinist
- Carpenter
- Plumber
- Mason
- Mechanic Diesel
- Mechanic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- Instrument Mechanic
- Electronics Mechanic
- Mechanic Electrical Instruments
- COPA
- Surveyor
- Draughtsman (Civil)
- CNC Programmer-cum-Operator
- Secretarial Assistant
- Health Sanitary Inspector
- Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology)
- Medical Laboratory Technician (Radiology)
- Structural Welder
- TIG/MIG Welder
- Quality Assurance Assistant
The exact availability of a particular trade depends on the selected NFR division/workshop. Candidates should therefore check the unit-wise trade vacancy table before submitting their choices.
NFR Apprentice Selection Process 2026
NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Selection Process and Merit List
Apprentices will be selected based on unit-wise, trade-wise and community-wise merit. For most trades, the merit list will be prepared using the percentage of marks secured in Matriculation/Class 10 and ITI in the relevant trade.
The final merit score will be calculated by taking the average of the percentage of marks obtained in Matriculation and ITI. Candidates must have secured at least 50% aggregate marks in Matriculation.
For Laboratory Technician (Pathology) and Laboratory Technician (Radiology) trades, the merit will instead be calculated using marks obtained in Matriculation and Class 12 Science, with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as the relevant subjects.
For calculating the Matriculation/Class 12 percentage, marks obtained in all subjects will be considered. The calculation will not be based on only one subject or a selected group of subjects.
Similarly, for ITI candidates, the Railway will consider the average marks for all semesters of the relevant trade, as mentioned in the consolidated marks statement, or the marks stated in the provisional National Trade Certificate (NTC) issued by NCVT/SCVT.
Candidates must enter their marks accurately in the application form. Any false or incorrect declaration of marks may result in immediate disqualification from the recruitment process.
Tie-Breaking
If two candidates have the same merit score, the prescribed tie-breaking rules are applied. The official notification provides for preference based on age and, where required, the date of passing the matriculation examination.
NFR Apprentice Stipend 2026
Selected apprentices receive a stipend during the apprenticeship training period as per the applicable apprenticeship rules.
Recent details for this recruitment indicate a minimum stipend of around ₹9,600 per month for eligible NTC/STC holders, with applicable increases in subsequent years where the apprenticeship duration and rules provide for them.
It is important to understand that an apprenticeship is training and not the same as regular Railway employment. Selection as an apprentice does not automatically guarantee appointment to a permanent Railway post.
How to Apply for NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates can apply online by following these steps:
Step 1: Visit the NFR Website
Go to the official Northeast Frontier Railway website.
Northeast Frontier Railway Official Website
Step 2: Find the Apprentice Notification
Go to:
General Info → Departments → Personnel → Act Apprentice Notification
The official notification provides the application link and detailed instructions.
Step 3: Complete the Application
Enter the required details, including:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Personal details
- Class 10 marks
- ITI qualification
- Trade
- Nursing/medical qualification where applicable
- Category details
- Contact information
Step 4: Select Training Unit/Trade
Candidates should carefully check the available units and trades and enter their choices according to the instructions in the notification.
Step 5: Upload Documents
Upload the required photograph, signature and supporting documents in the prescribed format.
Step 6: Pay the Fee
Pay ₹100 where applicable. Candidates exempt from the fee do not need to make the payment.
Step 7: Submit the Form
Review the application carefully before final submission.
Candidates should download and retain a copy of the submitted application for future reference.
NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Hurry Before August 19
The NFR Apprentice application window will close on August 19, 2026, at 5:30 PM. With 6,777 training slots available, this is a significant opportunity for eligible 10th-pass and ITI candidates looking to gain practical training experience in the Indian Railways ecosystem.
Since there is no written examination, candidates should pay particular attention to their Class 10 and ITI marks, eligibility and correct submission of documents.
Candidates should also avoid waiting until the final hours because incomplete applications or applications submitted after the closing time may not be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are available in NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Northeast Frontier Railway has announced 6,777 Act Apprentice training slots.
What is the last date to apply for NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The last date is August 19, 2026, up to 5:30 PM.
Is there an exam for NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
No. Selection is based on merit prepared using the prescribed Class 10 and ITI marks.
What is the age limit for NFR Apprentice 2026?
Candidates should generally be 15 to 24 years old as on August 19, 2026, with relaxation for eligible categories.
What qualification is required?
For most trades, candidates need Class 10 with at least 50% marks and an ITI/NTC qualification in the relevant trade.
What is the application fee?
The applicable fee is ₹100. SC, ST, PwBD, EBC and women candidates are exempt as per the notification conditions.
Is NFR Apprentice a permanent Railway job?
No. It is apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act. Completion of apprenticeship does not by itself guarantee regular employment in Indian Railways.
Conclusion
NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 offers 6,777 apprenticeship training opportunities for eligible candidates across various trades and NFR units. With no written examination or interview, the selection is based on the prescribed academic merit calculation.
Candidates who meet the 10th + ITI eligibility requirements should check the trade-wise vacancies carefully and submit their application before the August 19, 2026, 5:30 PM deadline.
Official Website: Northeast Frontier Railway