IRCTC East Zone Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 44 Graduate & COPA Seats, Stipend and Eligibility
Good news for young graduates and ITI holders in eastern India! Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), East Zone, Kolkata has announced 44 apprentice seats for FY 2026-27 — 34 Graduate Apprentice and 10 COPA Apprentice. This is a 12-month training under the Apprenticeship Act, 1961, with a monthly stipend of up to ₹12,300. If you are looking for railway sector openings, a year of training at a NavRatna PSU is a strong line on your CV.
Online applications open on 9 October 2026 and close on 26 October 2026. Graduates of any stream with 50% marks and 10th-pass candidates holding an NCVT/SCVT ITI certificate with 50% marks can apply. Best of all, there is no written test or viva — selection is purely on your marks. This guide covers seats, eligibility, age, stipend, selection and the two-step application. Read it fully, and keep following GovtJobsAlert.in for every update.
IRCTC East Zone Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Overview and Key Highlights
IRCTC is a Government of India NavRatna enterprise under the railways, known for catering, tourism and online ticketing. Its East Zone office in Kolkata is engaging apprentice trainees as a skill-building measure. These are training seats, not permanent jobs, and the notification says so clearly.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | IRCTC, East Zone, Kolkata |
| Advertisement No. | IRCTC/EZ/HRD/Apprentices/2026-27 |
| Posts | Graduate Apprentice & COPA Apprentice |
| Total Seats | 44 |
| Training Period | 12 months |
| Stipend | ₹12,300 (Graduate) / ₹9,600 (COPA) per month |
| Selection | Merit list based on percentage of marks |
| Application Mode | Online, through the apprenticeship portals |
| Last Date | 26 October 2026 |
How Many Seats are in IRCTC East Zone Apprentice Vacancy 2026?
| Post | Seats | Training Period |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | 34 | 12 months |
| Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA) | 10 | 12 months |
| Total | 44 | — |
The notification does not give a category-wise or location-wise split of these seats. Reservation for SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen and EWS will follow Government of India guidelines. IRCTC has also said the number of Graduate and COPA seats may be increased or decreased as per its needs, and any change will be put up on the IRCTC website — so check it again before document verification.
Where Will You Be Posted?
| Office Type | Locations |
|---|---|
| Zonal Office | Kolkata |
| Regional Offices | Guwahati, Patna |
| Area Offices | Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol, New Jalpaiguri, Ranchi, Tatanagar |
You must be willing to work at any of these offices. Apply only if you are comfortable with that, because a posting outside your home city is quite possible.
What is the Eligibility for IRCTC East Zone Graduate & COPA Apprentice 2026?
Educational Qualification
| Post | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | Graduate in any discipline with minimum 50% marks in aggregate from a recognised university |
| COPA Apprentice | Matriculation and ITI Certificate affiliated to NCVT/SCVT, with minimum 50% marks in aggregate from a recognised board |
If you are a graduate searching for government openings, the Graduate Apprentice seat is open to every stream — arts, science or commerce. COPA seats suit ITI pass candidates; the notification names no trade. The cut-off date for all qualifications is 9 October 2026, so your result must already be out by then.
Age Limit
You should have completed 15 years and should not have completed 25 years as on 9 October 2026.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Ex-Serviceman | 10 years |
| Differently abled (PwBD) | 10 years |
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age on the cut-off date and instantly check your eligibility — including any age relaxation you qualify for. →
Relaxation is given as per Government of India guidelines. For the PwBD benefit, your disability must be at least 40%. OBC candidates need a Non-Creamy Layer certificate in the Government of India format, issued within the last one year.
What is the Stipend for IRCTC East Zone Graduate & COPA Apprentice 2026?
Selected apprentices get a monthly stipend during the 12-month training, at the prescribed minimum rate as per extant rules.
| Post | Stipend per Month |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | ₹12,300 |
| COPA Apprentice | ₹9,600 |
Remember, this is a stipend, not a salary. The notification lists no other allowances.
Even so, a year of hands-on office work at IRCTC gives you real experience of how a large railway PSU runs, which is valuable when you prepare for regular jobs later.
What is the Selection Process for IRCTC East Zone Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Merit list | Prepared on the basis of percentage of marks — no written test or viva |
| Tie-break | Older candidate preferred; if date of birth is also the same, the one who passed matriculation earlier |
| Document Verification | Originals checked; final selection depends on it |
| Offer of engagement | Issued strictly in order of merit |
| Stand-by list | Called only against absentees or rejected candidates from the merit list |
Because only marks count, enter your percentage exactly as on your mark sheet. The DV schedule will be sent by e-mail only, often at short notice, so check your inbox daily. There is no exam, so you can skip the syllabus and exam pattern hunt and focus on getting your documents ready.
How to Apply Online for IRCTC East Zone Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
This is a register first, then apply process. The notification names two apprenticeship portals — the Apprenticeship India portal and the NATS portal (both links in Essential Links). Apply through one of them.
- Register first on the apprenticeship portal and complete your enrolment profile. Note down the registration number the portal gives you — IRCTC asks for your portal registration details.
- Log in with that registration number and find the IRCTC East Zone, Kolkata apprenticeship opening for your post (Graduate or COPA).
- Fill in your marks for every qualification, starting from matriculation.
- Upload the year-wise mark sheets with pass certificates, and a recent colour photo (3.5 × 4.5 cm, JPG/JPEG, 100 DPI, 20–70 KB).
- Check everything, then submit your application before 26 October 2026.
- Save the confirmation of both your portal registration and your application.
No application fee is mentioned in the notification. Keep your caste, EWS, disability or Ex-Servicemen certificate ready if you claim a quota — without it, the benefit cannot be given at verification. For date of birth proof, a Standard 10 or its equivalent certificate, a mark sheet showing your DOB, or a School Leaving Certificate showing your DOB is accepted. Carry originals plus two sets of self-attested photocopies on the DV day.
What are the Important Dates for IRCTC East Zone Apprentice 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification date | 9 October 2026 |
| Online application starts | 9 October 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | 26 October 2026 |
| Cut-off date for age and qualification | 9 October 2026 |
| Document Verification | To be advised by e-mail |
Is There Any Application Fee for IRCTC Graduate & COPA Apprentice 2026?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All categories | No fee mentioned in the notification |
The notification does not mention any application fee or payment mode. Do not pay anyone claiming to charge a fee for this engagement.
Which Conditions Can Cost You the IRCTC East Zone Apprentice Seat?
| Condition | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Name and date of birth | Name, father’s name and DOB must exactly match your Matriculation or equivalent certificate; any deviation leads to cancellation of candidature and debarment |
| Incomplete application | Applications incomplete in any form will be summarily rejected |
| Original documents | Candidature is cancelled if you fail to produce originals or any discrepancy is noticed |
| Photograph | Old/unclear photos, or a photo that does not match your appearance, can lead to rejection |
| EWS claim | Income and Asset Certificate must be valid as on the closing date of registration |
| Unfair means | Using unfair means, sending someone else in your place or any attempt to impersonate at DV leads to disqualification; forged or fake certificates lead to rejection |
| Influence | You shall not bring in, or attempt to bring in, any political or other influence; such candidature is liable to be rejected |
| Travel cost | No TA, DA or conveyance allowance for document verification |
| Trade change | Requests to change the trade after selection will not be entertained |
| Leaving midway | Withdrawal from training is not allowed except for reasons beyond your control |
| After training | Apprentices are released after the tenure; there is no right to claim regular employment in IRCTC |
| Correspondence | No correspondence for engagement will be entertained; IRCTC’s decision on eligibility and selection is final |
IRCTC has not appointed any agents. Selection is purely on merit, so stay away from anyone promising a seat for money.
IRCTC East Zone Graduate & COPA Apprentice 2026 Essential Links
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Register Online for IRCTC East Zone Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Apprenticeship India Portal
- Register Online for IRCTC East Zone Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – NATS Portal
- Visit IRCTC East Zone Apprentice Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
If you are a graduate or an ITI holder within the age limit, this IRCTC apprenticeship is a simple, exam-free chance to train with a top railway PSU. Register on the portal today and finish your application well before 26 October 2026. For more PSU job openings and apprenticeship alerts, keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in.