Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, a production unit of Indian Railways under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has released Notice No. A-1/2026 dated 07 August 2026 inviting online applications for 734 Act Apprentice posts across 9 ITI trades at the Technical Training Centre, RCF Kapurthala, Punjab, under the Apprenticeship Act, 1961. The trades covered are Fitter (180), Welder G&E (220), Machinist (60), Painter G (40), Carpenter (40), Electrician (110), AC and Refrigeration Mechanic (44), Mechanic Motor Vehicle (20) and Electronic Mechanic (20). Candidates must have passed Class 10 with at least 50% aggregate marks and hold an NCVT National Trade Certificate (NTC) in the relevant trade. Age is 15 to 24 years as on 5 September 2026. Applications are open from 7 August 2026 to 5 September 2026 at midnight (24:00 hours). Application fee is Rs. 100 for UR and OBC male candidates; SC, ST, PwD and Women are exempt. Selection is by merit list based on the simple average of Matric and ITI marks – no written exam and no interview. No hostel accommodation is provided.
Important Note: Three things every applicant must act on before 5 September 2026. First, both your Class 10 percentage and your ITI percentage matter equally – the merit formula is the simple average of the two: (Matric % + ITI %) divided by 2. For example, if your Matric is 70% and ITI is 80%, your merit score is 75%. Both subjects are equally weighted, so a high ITI score combined with a moderate Matric score can still give a competitive average. Ensure you have your exact percentage calculated correctly. If your marks are in CGPA, multiply by 9.5 to get the equivalent percentage (e.g., CGPA 7.4 = 70.3%). Second, the application fee of Rs. 100 must be paid within 2 working days of successfully completing the form – it cannot be paid at any other time. Once the form is submitted without fee payment being completed within this window, the application is treated as invalid. Do not delay the payment step. Third, no hostel or accommodation is provided by RCF Kapurthala – you must arrange your own stay in Kapurthala for the duration of the training. Kapurthala is a small city in Punjab with limited private accommodation options; plan well in advance if you are from outside the area.
RCF Kapurthala Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, Ministry of Railways, Government of India |
| Notice No. | A-1/2026 dated 07 August 2026 |
| Post | Act Apprentice (under the Apprenticeship Act, 1961) |
| Total Vacancies | 734 |
| Trades | Fitter, Welder G&E, Machinist, Painter G, Carpenter, Electrician, AC and Ref. Mechanic, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Electronic Mechanic |
| Training Location | Technical Training Centre, RCF Kapurthala, Punjab |
| Qualification | Class 10 with minimum 50% aggregate plus NCVT NTC in the relevant trade |
| Age Limit | 15 to 24 years as on 5 September 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online only at rcf.indianrailways.gov.in |
| Application Fee | Rs. 100 for UR and OBC male candidates; Nil for SC, ST, PwD, Women |
| Fee Payment Window | Within 2 working days of completing the application form |
| Selection Process | Merit list (average of Matric % and ITI %) – no written exam, no interview |
| No Hostel | Candidates must arrange own accommodation |
| Application Opens | 7 August 2026 |
| Last Date | 5 September 2026, 24:00 hours (midnight) |
| Official Website | rcf.indianrailways.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 07 August 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 07 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application | 5 September 2026, 24:00 hours (midnight) |
| Fee Payment Window | Within 2 working days of completing the online application form |
After 24:00 hours on 5 September 2026, the online application link will be deactivated and no further applications will be accepted.
Vacancy Details – Trade-wise
| S. No. | Trade | Total Seats |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Welder (G&E) | 220 |
| 2 | Fitter | 180 |
| 3 | Electrician | 110 |
| 4 | Machinist | 60 |
| 5 | AC and Refrigeration Mechanic | 44 |
| 6 | Painter (G) | 40 |
| 7 | Carpenter | 40 |
| 8 | Mechanic (Motor Vehicle) | 20 |
| 9 | Electronic Mechanic | 20 |
| Total | 734 |
Reservation within each trade includes 4% horizontal reservation for Persons with Disability (PwD) and 3% horizontal reservation for Ex-Servicemen, children of Ex-Servicemen and Armed Forces personnel, as per the official notification.
Eligibility Criteria
| Particulars | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Academic Qualification | Class 10 (Matriculation) or equivalent under the 10+2 system, with minimum 50% aggregate marks from a recognised Board |
| Technical Qualification | National Trade Certificate (NTC) in the relevant trade, issued by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) |
| CGPA Conversion | Multiply CGPA by 9.5 to get equivalent percentage (e.g., CGPA 7.4 = 70.3%) |
| Nationality | Indian National |
Age Limit (as on 5 September 2026)
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General (Minimum) | 15 years |
| General (Maximum) | 24 years |
| SC and ST | 5 years relaxation (upper limit 29 years) |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years relaxation (upper limit 27 years) |
| Persons with Disability (PwD) | 10 years relaxation |
| Ex-Servicemen | Up to 10 years, covering service rendered plus 3 years (minimum 6 months of continuous service required) |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| UR (General) and OBC male candidates | Rs. 100 (non-refundable) |
| SC, ST, PwD and Women candidates | Nil – fully exempted |
Payment is online only through Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking or SBI Challan integrated with the application form. Fee must be paid within 2 working days of successfully completing and submitting the application. No other mode (cash, cheque, demand draft, money order) is accepted. Fee once paid is non-refundable and cannot be adjusted against any other examination.
Merit Calculation and Selection Process
No written examination and no interview. Selection is based entirely on merit.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Merit Formula | Simple average of (Matric percentage + ITI or NTC percentage) divided by 2 |
| Example | Matric 70% + ITI 80% = average 75% |
| Minimum Matric Marks | 50% aggregate (marks in all subjects considered, not a selected group) |
| CGPA Conversion | Multiply CGPA by 9.5 |
| Tie-breaking – 1st | Older candidate ranked higher |
| Tie-breaking – 2nd | If date of birth is also the same, candidate who passed Matriculation earlier is ranked higher |
| Final Merit List | Prepared trade-wise and community-wise in descending order of merit, equal to number of available seats |
| Shortlisting for DV | Up to 1.5 times the seats may be called for Document Verification |
Document Verification (DV)
Candidates shortlisted based on the merit list are called for Document Verification, where original certificates and a medical fitness certificate are checked. Candidates must produce:
- Matriculation or Class 10 certificate and marksheets
- ITI certificate and marksheets (NTC in the relevant trade, NCVT)
- Age proof
- Caste or non-creamy layer certificate (SC, ST, OBC, as applicable) from a competent authority
- PwD certificate from a competent authority (if applicable)
- Ex-Servicemen discharge certificate (if applicable)
- Medical fitness certificate as per the standards under the Apprenticeship Act, 1961 and Apprenticeship Rules, 1992
Stipend
As per Railway Board directives in force at the time of training. The official notification states stipend is “as per extant rules and directives issued by Railway Board from time to time” and does not print a fixed figure. Check the official notification on rcf.indianrailways.gov.in for the current Railway Board stipend rates for Act Apprentices.
Accommodation
No hostel or accommodation is provided by RCF Kapurthala. Selected candidates must make their own arrangements for stay in Kapurthala, Punjab during the training period.
How to Apply for RCF Kapurthala Apprentice Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official RCF Kapurthala website – Click Here
- Click on the Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 link and read the detailed notification.
- Open the online application portal – Click Here
- Register and fill in personal details and bio-data carefully. The name, father’s name and date of birth must exactly match the Matriculation certificate.
- Upload a passport-size colour photograph (3.5 cm x 3.5 cm, taken within the last 3 months, JPG or JPEG, 100 DPI, 20 KB to 70 KB, without cap or sunglasses).
- Upload a signature scan (3.5 cm x 3.5 cm, JPG or JPEG, 100 DPI, 20 KB to 30 KB).
- Verify all details thoroughly. No changes are allowed after the fee is paid.
- Pay the application fee of Rs. 100 (if applicable) through the online payment gateway within 2 working days of completing the form.
- Submit and save or print the e-receipt and completed application form.
No physical or offline application needs to be sent to RCF. Only the online submission is valid.
Important Instructions
- Both Matric and ITI certificates are mandatory. A candidate holding only one of the two is not eligible.
- Minimum 50% aggregate in Class 10 is required. This is calculated across all subjects, not a selected group.
- Fee payment window is only 2 working days after form submission. Do not delay.
- No hostel or accommodation is provided. Arrange accommodation in Kapurthala independently.
- Name, father’s name and date of birth in the application must exactly match the Matriculation certificate.
- No written exam and no interview. Merit is determined purely by the average of Matric and ITI percentages.
- After 24:00 hours on 5 September 2026, the link is deactivated permanently.
- All updates are published only on rcf.indianrailways.gov.in.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| RCF Kapurthala Official Website | Click Here |
RCF Kapurthala Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
Q1. What is RCF Kapurthala Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
✅ It is Notice No. A-1/2026 dated 07 August 2026 by Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, Ministry of Railways for engagement of 734 Act Apprentices across 9 ITI trades at the Technical Training Centre, RCF Kapurthala, Punjab, under the Apprenticeship Act, 1961.
Q2. What is the last date to apply?
✅ 5 September 2026 at 24:00 hours (midnight). After this time the application link is permanently deactivated. The application fee must be paid within 2 working days of completing the form.
Q3. What qualification is required?
✅ Class 10 (Matric) with minimum 50% aggregate marks from a recognised Board, plus an NCVT National Trade Certificate (NTC) in the relevant trade. Both are mandatory.
Q4. What is the age limit?
✅ 15 to 24 years as on 5 September 2026. Relaxation: 5 years for SC and ST, 3 years for OBC-NCL, 10 years for PwD, and service plus 3 years for Ex-Servicemen (minimum 6 months of continuous service required).
Q5. What is the application fee?
✅ Rs. 100 for UR and OBC male candidates. Nil for SC, ST, PwD and Women candidates. Payment is online only within 2 working days of form completion.
Q6. How is merit calculated and is there a written exam?
✅ No written exam and no interview. Merit is the simple average of Class 10 percentage and ITI NTC percentage, calculated as (Matric % + ITI %) divided by 2. Tie-breaking: older candidate first, then earlier Matric pass.
Q7. Which trade has the most vacancies?
✅ Welder G&E with 220 seats is the largest trade, followed by Fitter (180) and Electrician (110).
Q8. Is accommodation provided at RCF Kapurthala?
✅ No. RCF Kapurthala does not provide hostel or accommodation. Selected candidates must make their own arrangements for stay in Kapurthala during the training period.
Q9. What is the CGPA conversion formula?
✅ Multiply your CGPA by 9.5 to get the equivalent percentage. For example, CGPA 8.0 = 76.0% and CGPA 7.4 = 70.3%.
Q10. Can I apply for more than one trade?
✅ The notification does not allow multiple trade applications in the same cycle. Apply for the trade for which you hold the NCVT NTC certificate.
Disclaimer
The information above relates to Notice No. A-1/2026 dated 07 August 2026 issued by Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, Ministry of Railways, Government of India, for 734 Act Apprentice vacancies across 9 trades under the Apprenticeship Act, 1961, as published on the official RCF Kapurthala website rcf.indianrailways.gov.in. Stipend is as per Railway Board directives in force and is not specified as a fixed amount in the notification. No hostel or accommodation is provided. Merit is calculated as the simple average of Matric and ITI percentages. All updates are published only on rcf.indianrailways.gov.in. All links above lead only to the official RCF Kapurthala website and the official online application portal on railnet.gov.in, both of which are official Government of India railway portals.
