The Ministry of Railways, under the esteemed Rail Wheel Factory (RWF) located in Yelahanka, Bangalore, has officially released the most awaited apprenticeship notification for ITI pass-outs. The Rail Wheel Factory Apprentice Recruitment 2026 (Notification No. RWF/AT-16/627(2025-26)) invites applications from eligible and dynamic candidates for engagement as Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. For young students aiming to enter the core technical ecosystem of Indian Railways, this apprenticeship serves as an unparalleled foundation. While it does not guarantee permanent employment, undergoing rigorous technical training in a premier railway manufacturing unit adds massive prestige and practical weight to a candidate’s resume.
In the 2025-26 training cycle, the competition level is expected to be incredibly high. A total of 192 designated trade slots have been announced across critical technical disciplines, including Fitter, Machinist, Electrician, and CNC Programming. What sets this year’s recruitment apart is the strict administrative scrutiny. The RWF administration has made it mandatory for candidates to have valid registrations with local Employment Exchanges, giving a distinct preference to those registered within the State of Karnataka. Furthermore, the application process remains strictly offline; candidates must navigate postal timelines perfectly. This comprehensive, “Helpful Content” guide meticulously breaks down the official notification PDF, detailing the exact offline application steps, the merit-based selection criteria, physical medical standards, and the crucial document checklist to ensure your form is not summarily rejected.
Rail Wheel Factory Apprentice 2026: Overview
Understanding the structural framework of this railway recruitment is the first step toward a flawless application. Below is a quick-glance table highlighting the core attributes of the 2025-26 cycle.
| Feature | Official Details |
| Recruiting Authority | Rail Wheel Factory (RWF), Ministry of Railways |
| Notification Number | No. RWF/AT-16/627(2025-26) |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice (Various Trades) |
| Total Vacancy | 192 Slots |
| Job Location | Yelahanka, Bangalore |
| Last Date to Apply | 01.04.2026 (17:00 hrs) |
| Official Website | www.rwf.indianrailways.gov.in |
Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
Timing is critical, especially since this is a completely offline application process relying on postal services. Candidates should not wait for the final days, as applications received after the strict cutoff time will not be entertained under any circumstances.
- Official Notification Release Date: 28.02.2026
- Last Date for Receipt of Offline Applications: 01.04.2026 (till 17:00 hrs)
- Probable Date of Display of Selected List: 45 days from the closing date of receipt of applications
- Tentative Date of Commencement of Training: 15 days after the issue of the merit list
Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria (The Technical Deep-Dive)
The Document Verification stage for Railway Apprenticeships is notoriously strict. Clearing the merit cut-off is useless if you fail to meet the absolute educational, age, and physical parameters set by the Rail Wheel Factory.
Rail Wheel Factory Apprentice Educational Qualification
To be deemed eligible for the Act Apprentice training, candidates must meet specific academic and technical benchmarks:
- Academic: Must have passed the 10th class examination or its equivalent with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a recognized Board, as on the date of issue of the notification.
- Technical: Must possess a National Trade Certificate (NTC) in the designated trade issued strictly by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT).
- Crucial Alert: Candidates holding certificates issued by the State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT) will not be entertained, and such applications will be treated as invalid. Engineering Graduates and Diploma Holders are expressly NOT eligible to apply.
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Age Limit (As on 01.03.2026)
Candidates must ensure they fall strictly within the age bracket to avoid auto-rejection.
- Minimum Age: Must have completed 15 years of age.
- Maximum Age: Should not have completed 24 years of age.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| General (UR) | None |
| SC / ST Candidates | Relaxable by 5 years |
| OBC Candidates | Relaxable by 3 years |
Rail Wheel Factory Apprentice Physical Standards
Candidates must satisfy strict minimum standards of physical fitness, which will be certified by a government-authorized Doctor (Gazetted) not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon.
- Height: Minimum 137 CM.
- Weight: Minimum 25.4 Kg.
- Chest: Expansion should not be less than 3.8 cm irrespective of the size of the chest.
- Vision: Candidates having vision in one eye are eligible for certain trades, but Color Vision is not required.
Vacancy 2026 Details & Stipend Structure
The Rail Wheel Factory has announced a robust 192 slots across various mechanical and electrical trades. These vacancies include reservations for SC, ST, OBC, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), and Ex-Servicemen (ESM).
Trade-Wise Vacancy Breakdown:
- Fitter: 85 Slots
- Machinist: 31 Slots
- Mechanic (Motor Vehicle): 8 Slots
- Turner: 5 Slots
- CNC Programming cum-operator: 23 Slots
- Electrician: 18 Slots
- Electronic Mechanic: 22 Slots
Monthly Stipend & Training Period:
The stipend varies slightly based on the trade chosen:
- For Fitter, Machinist, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Turner, Electrician, and Electronic Mechanic (1-Year Training), the stipend is Rs. 12,261/- per month.
- For CNC Programming-cum-Operator (6-Months Training), the stipend is Rs. 10,899/- per month.
2026 Selection Process & Merit List Generation
One of the biggest advantages of this recruitment is the absence of a written examination or interview. The selection is entirely transparent and merit-driven.
- Merit List Calculation: Selection will be made on the basis of a merit list prepared using the percentage of marks obtained by the candidate in their 10th Std/Matriculation examination (minimum 50% aggregate required). Marks obtained in all subjects indicated in the mark sheet will be reckoned, not just a specific group of subjects.
- Tie-Breaking Rule: In case two candidates secure the exact same marks, the older candidate will be preferred. If dates of birth are also identical, the candidate who passed their 10th standard earlier will be ranked higher.
2026 Application Process: How to Apply Offline
Unlike most modern exams, the Rail Wheel Factory Apprentice recruitment utilizes a strict offline application protocol. Errors here will lead to summary rejection.
- Download Annexures: Download the official Application Format (Annexure-A) from rwf.indianrailways.gov.in.
- Fill the Form: Fill in all details meticulously. Ensure your Name, Father’s Name, and Date of Birth exactly match your Matriculation certificate.
- Affix Photograph: Paste a recent color passport-size photograph and sign/attest it. Also, firmly stitch two identical, self-attested passport-size photographs in a separate cover to the application form.
- Employment Exchange Requirement: You must be registered with a local Employment Exchange (preference given to Karnataka state registrations) and the registration must be current. (Wards of serving Railway employees are exempt from this but require Annexure-D) .
- Pay the Fee: Procure an Indian Postal Order (IPO) or Demand Draft (DD) of Rs. 100/- from any Nationalised Bank drawn in favour of ‘Principal Financial Adviser/Rail Wheel Factory’. (SC/ST/PH/Women are exempted from this fee) .
- Send the Application: Drop the application in the sealed Drop Box at the Personnel Department or send it strictly via REGISTERED POST to: The Senior Personnel Officer-II, Personnel Department, Rail Wheel Factory, Yelahanka, Bangalore – 560 064. The envelope must be superscribed “Application for undergoing training under the Apprentices’ Act, 1961 for the year 2025-26 in Rail Wheel Factory”.
Pro-Tip: You must also register on the central apprenticeship portal (apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) and note down your registration number, as it is mandatory for selected candidates.
Direct Links Section (The Core Value)
- Official Notification & Application Format PDF: Download Here (rwf.indianrailways.gov.in)
- Apprenticeship Registration Portal: apprenticeshipindia.gov.in
- Official RWF Website: rwf.indianrailways.gov.in
Detailed Strategy & Expert Insights
To clear the Rail Wheel Factory Apprentice Recruitment 2026 screening process, your primary strategy should not be academic preparation, but rather flawless documentation. Over 40% of applications in such offline drives are rejected due to technical faults.
Firstly, avoid the “SCVT Trap”. The notification explicitly states that only National Trade Certificates (NTC) issued by NCVT are valid. Do not apply if your certificate is from SCVT. Secondly, ensure your Left Hand Thumb Impression (LTI) on the application form is crystal clear; blurred or smudged thumb impressions lead to immediate rejection. Thirdly, never send your Original certificates. Only send self-attested photocopies of your 10th marks card, NCVT certificate, caste certificate, and employment registration card. Because selections are based entirely on 10th-grade percentages, if you possess a high 10th aggregate (above 75-80%) and flawlessly follow the application mailing instructions before April 1st, your chances of making the merit list are exceptionally high.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the last date to apply for the Rail Wheel Factory Apprentice 2026? The last date for receipt of the offline applications is 01.04.2026, before 17:00 hrs.
2. Can Engineering Graduates or Diploma holders apply? No, Engineering Graduates and Diploma Holders are strictly not eligible to apply for this ITI apprenticeship scheme.
3. Is there a written exam for this recruitment? No, the selection is made purely on a merit list prepared based on the percentage of marks obtained in the 10th standard/Matriculation.
4. What is the stipend amount during the training? The stipend is Rs. 12,261/- per month for most trades, and Rs. 10,899/- per month for the CNC Programming-cum-Operator trade.
5. Are SCVT ITI certificates accepted? No, the certificate issued by SCVT will not be entertained. Only certificates issued by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) are valid.
6. Do I need to pay an application fee? Yes, UR and OBC male candidates must pay a processing fee of Rs. 100/- via IPO or Demand Draft. SC/ST/Physically handicapped/Women candidates are completely exempted.
7. Is registration with the Employment Exchange mandatory? Yes, candidates must be registered with their local Employment Exchange (preference to Karnataka). Wards of serving Railway employees are exempted from this rule.
8. Can I submit multiple applications for different trades? No, submitting more than one application will lead to all your applications being summarily rejected.
9. What is the required age limit? Candidates must be between 15 to 24 years of age as of 01.03.2026, with standard category relaxations applicable.
10. How should the application be sent? The application can be dropped in the designated Drop Box at RWF Yelahanka or sent exclusively by Registered Post. Ordinary post or courier is not advised.
HS Patel is a seasoned expert with over 8 years of experience in the field of e.g., Education & Career Counseling. With a deep understanding of industry trends and user needs, he is dedicated to providing accurate, reliable, and high-quality content. His mission is to simplify complex information and empower readers with the right knowledge to succeed.