Overview
Rail Coach Factory (RCF) Kapurthala is recruiting 550 Act Apprentices across various technical trades. This is an excellent opportunity for ITI-trained candidates to get hands-on experience in India’s premier railway manufacturing facility. If you have an ITI certification, this is your chance to build a career in the railway sector!
📋 Organization Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala |
| Post Type | Act Apprentice (Various Technical Trades) |
| Total Vacancies | 550 Posts |
| Job Type | Apprenticeship (Contract-Based) |
| Location | Kapurthala, Punjab |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Official Website | www.rcf.indianrailways.gov.in |
📍 Vacancy Details by Trade
| Trade | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Fitter | 150 |
| Welder (G&E) | 180 |
| Electrician | 70 |
| Painter (G) | 30 |
| Carpenter | 30 |
| AC & Refrigeration Mechanic | 30 |
| Machinist | 20 |
| Mechanic (Motor Vehicle) | 20 |
| Electronic Mechanic | 20 |
| TOTAL | 550 |
🎓 Educational Qualifications
To apply for this apprenticeship, you need:
Essential Requirements:
- 10th Class Pass: Passed 10th Standard examination or equivalent (under 10+2 system) with minimum 50% aggregate marks from a recognized board
- ITI Certification: Possess a National Trade Certificate (NTC) in the specific trade issued by National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) from a recognized ITI institution
Eligible Trades for Apprenticeship:
- Fitter
- Welder (General & Electrical)
- Electrician
- Machinist
- Painter (General)
- Carpenter
- AC & Refrigeration Mechanic
- Mechanic (Motor Vehicle)
- Electronic Mechanic
Your ITI trade should match one of the available apprenticeship positions.
💰 Stipend / Salary Details
Apprentice Stipend: As per extant rules & directives issued by Railway Board from time to time
The exact stipend amount will be announced during the training period. Typically, railway apprentices receive a monthly stipend while training. Please check with RCF for the current stipend structure.
Important: This is an apprenticeship, not a regular job. Upon completion of training (usually 1-2 years), there’s no guarantee of permanent employment.
⏳ Age Limit (as on 07 January 2026)
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 24 years |
| SC/ST Candidates | 29 years (relaxation of 5 years) |
| OBC Candidates | 27 years (relaxation of 3 years) |
| Persons with Disability (PwD) | 34 years (relaxation of 10 years) |
| Ex-Servicemen | Up to additional 10 years + 3 years (depending on service) |
Minimum Age: 15 years
Age relaxation is provided to reserved categories as per government rules. Keep your proof of birth date ready.
📅 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 09 December 2025 |
| Online Application Starts | 09 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 07 January 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Merit List Declaration | Within 15 days of application closure |
Important: Make sure to apply before the deadline. No applications will be accepted after 07 January 2026.
💵 Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount | Payment Mode |
|---|---|---|
| General/OBC/Others | ₹100 | Online Only |
| SC/ST Candidates | Free (Exempted) | – |
| PWD Candidates | Free (Exempted) | – |
| Women Candidates | Free (Exempted) | – |
Payment Method: Online payment only through credit card, debit card, or net banking. RCF does NOT accept cash, cheque, money order, or demand draft.
🎯 Selection Process
The selection is based on pure merit and is completely transparent:
- Merit List Preparation – Your selection is based on:
- 50% Marks from 10th Standard (minimum 50% marks required)
- 50% Marks from your ITI Certificate in the trade
- Simple average of both marks
- Tie-Breaking – If two candidates have the same marks:
- Older candidate is preferred first
- If dates of birth are also same, who passed 10th earlier is selected
- Trade-Wise & Community-Wise Merit List – Separate merit lists are prepared for:
- Each trade (Fitter, Welder, Electrician, etc.)
- Each community category (UR, SC, ST, OBC, EWS)
- Document Verification – Your original certificates will be verified:
- 10th standard certificate
- ITI certificate
- Age proof
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- Medical Examination – You must pass a fitness test to be declared finally selected
Important: Selection is strictly based on merit. No interview or written exam is conducted.
📑 How to Apply
Applying online is simple and straightforward. Follow these steps:
- Visit Official Website – Go to www.rcf.indianrailways.gov.in
- Find Apprentice Recruitment Section – Look for “Act Apprentice Recruitment 2025” or apprentice notification
- Click Apply Online – Open the online application portal
- Register Yourself – Create a new account using:
- Valid Email ID (you’ll receive all updates here)
- Active Mobile Number (SMS notifications will be sent)
- Create a strong password
- Fill Personal Details – Enter:
- Your full name (exactly as in 10th certificate)
- Father’s name (exactly as in certificate)
- Date of birth (exactly as in 10th certificate)
- Category (General/SC/ST/OBC/EWS)
- Choose your preferred trade
- Upload Documents – Scanned copies of:
- Passport-size colored photograph (3.5 x 3.5 cm, 100 DPI, JPG format, 20-70 KB)
- Signature (3.5 x 3.5 cm, 100 DPI, JPG format, 20-30 KB)
- Must be dated within 3 months before application
- Review All Details – Double-check everything carefully:
- Name, father’s name, date of birth must EXACTLY match your certificates
- Any deviation will lead to cancellation
- Pay Application Fee – Pay ₹100 (if applicable) through online mode
- Submit Application – Click final submit button
- Save Confirmation – Download and print your application receipt
Important Instructions:
- Apply only once with correct details. Duplicate applications with different information will be rejected
- Your email and mobile must remain active throughout the process
- Keep the printout of your application for future use
- Only online applications will be accepted. No physical copies needed
- Match your name, father’s name, and date of birth exactly with certificates
⚙️ Key Documents Required
For Online Application (Scanned Copies):
- Passport-size color photograph (3.5 x 3.5 cm, not older than 3 months, JPG format, 100 DPI, file size 20-70 KB)
- Signature (3.5 x 3.5 cm, JPG format, 100 DPI, file size 20-30 KB)
For Document Verification (Original + Self-Attested Copies):
- 10th Standard Certificate (for date of birth verification)
- 10th Standard Mark Sheet
- ITI Certificate from NCVT
- ITI Mark Sheet in your trade
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) if applicable – in Central Government format
- Disability Certificate if claiming PwD benefits
- Ex-Serviceman Certificate if applicable
- Medical fitness certificate from government authorized doctor (not below Assistant Surgeon rank) issued before document verification
- Address Proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID, Utility Bill, Passport)
- Any identification proof
Important Notes:
- Names must EXACTLY match across all certificates
- Any discrepancy found during document verification will lead to cancellation
- Submit original certificates for verification
- False or fabricated documents will result in permanent disqualification
- Employment Exchange enrollment is mandatory (except for wards of RCF employees)
📘 Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online Portal | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| For Updates & Announcements | Monitor official website regularly |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I apply for multiple trades? A: You can apply for only ONE trade at a time. If you have ITI in multiple trades, you can apply separately but only one apprenticeship will be offered.
Q2: Is this a permanent job? A: No, this is an apprenticeship (usually 1-2 years). Completion doesn’t guarantee permanent employment in RCF, though it provides valuable experience.
Q3: Will I get any stipend during apprenticeship? A: Yes, you’ll receive a monthly stipend as per Railway Board guidelines. Exact amount will be shared during joining.
Q4: What if my name differs slightly in different certificates? A: This is a serious issue. Your name must EXACTLY match in 10th certificate, ITI certificate, and application. Any deviation leads to cancellation.
Q5: Can I take the apprenticeship and look for other jobs? A: No, apprenticeship is full-time training. You’re expected to dedicate full time to the training program.
Q6: What happens after apprenticeship completion? A: You’ll receive an Apprentice Completion Certificate. There’s no automatic absorption in RCF, but the certificate helps in job hunting.
Q7: Is Employment Exchange registration mandatory? A: Yes, all candidates must register with their nearest Employment Exchange before applying (except wards of RCF employees).
Q8: When will merit list be declared? A: Within 15 days of application closure (after 07 January 2026).
Q9: Can SC/ST candidates apply for trades with no reserved vacancies? A: No, you can apply only for your category. Merit list is prepared separately for each category.
Q10: What if I fail the medical examination? A: You’ll be declared unfit and won’t proceed further. Make sure you’re in good health.
⚡ Pro Tips for Success
- Register with your nearest Employment Exchange NOW before applying
- Gather all original certificates and documents before starting application
- Take clear, recent photographs (within 3 months) for upload
- Double-check your name, father’s name, and DOB from your 10th certificate
- Use a valid, active email ID you check daily
- Keep your mobile number active throughout the process
- Apply well before the deadline (don’t wait till last minute)
- Keep the application printout safe for document verification
- Have your ITI certificate and 10th mark sheet handy
- Don’t try to submit multiple applications with different details
Last Updated: 10 December 2025 | Application Deadline: 07 January 2026 at 11:59 PM



