The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has released a large-scale apprenticeship notification for ITI-qualified candidates seeking hands-on training within one of India’s major railway zones. The NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026, issued under Centralized Notification No. NFR/NAPS/ACT APP./2026, invites applications for 6777 Act Apprentice training slots under the Apprentices Act, 1961, covering the training cycles 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
The notification was released on 14 July 2026, and the online application process began on 20 July 2026, remaining open until 19 August 2026 (5:30 PM). These apprenticeship opportunities are spread across eight divisions and workshops of NFR located in Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar, including Katihar, Alipurduar, Rangiya, Lumding, Tinsukia, New Bongaigaon, Dibrugarh, and the NFR Headquarters at Maligaon.
Like most Act Apprentice recruitments on Indian Railways, this drive involves no written examination or interview. Selection is based purely on a merit list prepared from candidates’ academic marks in Matriculation and their ITI trade certificate, or Class 12 Science marks for Medical Laboratory Technician trades. Below is a complete overview of important dates, application fee, age limit, unit-wise vacancy details, eligibility, selection process, and the step-by-step application procedure, along with official links.
NFR Apprentice 2026: Short Details
This recruitment offers apprenticeship training rather than direct permanent employment, giving ITI-certified candidates practical, on-the-job exposure within Indian Railways’ technical and workshop functions. Candidates can indicate their unit preference in order of choice while applying, and slot numbers are provisional, subject to change based on the Railway Board’s actual administrative requirements.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 14 July 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 20 July 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 19 August 2026 (5:30 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 19 August 2026 |
| Merit List | To be announced on the official website |
| Document Verification | To be announced after merit list |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | Rs. 100/- |
| SC / ST / PwBD | No Fee (Rs. 0/-) |
Payment can be made online through debit card, credit card, net banking, IMPS, or mobile wallet. A modification fee of Rs. 50/- is applicable for each instance if candidates wish to correct their submitted application.
Age Limit
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Reckoned As On | 19 August 2026 |
| Minimum Age | 15 Years |
| Maximum Age | 24 Years |
| Age Relaxation | Applicable for SC/ST, OBC, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen categories as per rules |
Unit-Wise Vacancy Details (Total 6777 Posts)
| NFR Unit / Division | Total Posts |
|---|---|
| Lumding (LMG) – S&T, Workshop, MLG (PNO) & Track | 1274 |
| Katihar (KIR) & Tindharia (TDH) Workshop | 1103 |
| New Bongaigaon Workshop (NBSQ) & EEWS, BNGN | 881 |
| Tinsukia (TSK) | 860 |
| Dibrugarh Workshop (DBWS) | 763 |
| Rangiya (RNY) | 750 |
| Alipurduar (APDJ) | 651 |
| NFR Headquarters (HQ) / Maligaon | 495 |
These 6777 slots are distributed across trades such as Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Machinist, Turner, Carpenter, Plumber, Painter, Mechanic Diesel, Computer Operator & Programming Assistant, and Medical Laboratory Technician, among others. The detailed trade-wise breakup for each unit is available in Annexures I to VIII of the official notification.
Eligibility Criteria
- For Technical Trades (Fitter, Turner, Welder, Electrician, Plumber, Machinist, Carpenter, Painter, and similar trades): Candidates must have passed Matriculation (Class 10th) with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a recognized board, along with a National Trade Certificate (NCVT/SCVT ITI) in the relevant trade.
- For Medical Laboratory Technician (Pathology/Radiology) Trades: Candidates must have passed Class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB), with a minimum of 50% marks in both Class 10th and Class 12th.
- Candidates must meet the prescribed age limit of 15 to 24 years, as on 19 August 2026, with relaxation applicable for reserved categories.
Selection Process
- Preparation of Merit List (based on Matriculation + ITI average marks, or Class 10th + Class 12th Science marks for MLT trades)
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
There is no written examination or interview for this recruitment. Selection is based purely on the merit prepared from candidates’ academic marks.
Documents Required for Application
- Matriculation (Class 10th) mark sheet and certificate
- ITI/NCVT/SCVT trade certificate, or Class 12th (PCB) mark sheet for Medical Laboratory Technician trades
- Valid ID proof, such as Aadhaar card
- Recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature
- Category certificate, where applicable
- Active mobile number and email ID for registration and communication
How to Apply for NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official NFR recruitment portal.
- Register using a valid email ID and mobile number to generate your login credentials.
- Log in and fill in your personal, educational, and trade-related details carefully.
- Select your preferred units/divisions in order of priority.
- Upload your photograph, signature, and required documents in the prescribed format.
- Pay the applicable application fee through the available online payment methods, if not exempted.
- Review the entire application form carefully before final submission, since a modification fee applies for any later corrections.
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page for your future reference.
Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| NFR Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When does the NFR Apprentice online application close?
The last date to apply online and pay the fee is 19 August 2026 (5:30 PM).
2. How many vacancies are there under NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
A total of 6777 Act Apprentice training slots have been announced across eight divisions and workshops of Northeast Frontier Railway.
3. Is there a written exam for NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
No, there is no written examination or interview. Selection is based purely on a merit list prepared from academic marks.
4. What is the eligibility criteria for NFR Apprentice 2026?
Candidates need Class 10th with 50% aggregate marks along with a relevant NCVT/SCVT ITI certificate; Medical Laboratory Technician trades require Class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, with 50% marks in both Class 10th and 12th.
5. What is the age limit for this recruitment?
The minimum age is 15 years and the maximum age is 24 years, calculated as on 19 August 2026, with relaxation for reserved categories.
6. What is the application fee for NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The fee is Rs. 100/- for General, OBC, and EWS candidates, while SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are exempted from the fee.
7. Which units/divisions have the highest number of vacancies?
Lumding (1274 posts) and Katihar & Tindharia Workshop (1103 posts) have the highest number of vacancies under this recruitment.
8. Can candidates choose their preferred unit while applying?
Yes, candidates can indicate their unit preference in order of choice at the time of application.
9. What is the selection process for NFR Apprentice 2026?
Selection involves preparation of a merit list based on academic marks, followed by document verification and a medical examination.
10. What is the official website to apply for NFR Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Candidates can apply through the official NFR recruitment portal, with more information available at nfr.indianrailways.gov.in.