RITES Limited, a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, has issued an official recruitment notification (No. Pers./26-10/ Apprentice/2026-27 /01) for the engagement of 281 Apprentices for the financial year 2026-27. The engagement covers Graduate Apprentices in Engineering (125 posts), Graduate Apprentices in Non-Engineering disciplines (43 posts), Diploma Apprentices (62 posts), and ITI Trade Apprentices (51 posts). Eligible candidates can apply online through the respective apprenticeship portals (NATS and NAPS) from 5 November 2026 to 25 November 2026. Selection is purely merit-based with no written examination or interview.
Overview and Key Highlights
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Organisation | RITES Limited |
| Advt Number | No. Pers./26-10/ Apprentice/2026-27 /01 |
| Enterprise Status | Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (Ministry of Railways) |
| Notice Date | 4 November 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 281 Posts |
| Posts | Graduate, Diploma, and Trade Apprentices |
| Duration | One Year Apprenticeship Training |
| Application Window | 5 November 2026 to 25 November 2026 |
| Selection Process | Merit-Based Shortlisting (No Written Exam or Interview) |
| Application Mode | Online via NATS / NAPS Portal & RITES Form |
Important Dates and Application Schedule
| Event / Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Commencement of Online Application on Portals | 5 November 2026 |
| Last Date for Submission of Online Application | 25 November 2026 |
| Cut-off Date for Eligibility Criteria | 5 November 2026 |
| Written Test / Interview Date | Not Applicable (No written test or interview) |
Category-Wise and Stream-Wise Vacancy Breakdown
The 281 apprentice seats are distributed across four main apprenticeship categories:
| Apprenticeship Stream / Category | Prescribed Qualification | Monthly Stipend | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice (Engineering) | BE / B.Tech / B.Arch (4 years full-time) | Rs. 15,650/- | 125 |
| Graduate Apprentice (Non-Engineering) | BA / BBA / B.Com / B.Sc / BCA (3 years) | Rs. 15,650/- | 43 |
| Diploma Apprentice | Engineering Diploma (3 years full-time) | Rs. 13,450/- | 62 |
| Trade Apprentice | ITI Pass-out (full-time) | Rs. 10,560/- | 51 |
| Grand Total | Degree / Diploma / ITI in Relevant Trade | Stipend as Applicable | 281 |
Detailed Trade-Wise Vacancy Distribution
The post-wise and category-wise bifurcation for RITES Apprenticeship is outlined below:
- Graduate (Engineering) - 125 Posts: Civil (40 posts), Electrical (26 posts), Mechanical (36 posts), IT (13 posts), Chemical / Metallurgical (6 posts), Architecture (2 posts), and Signal & Telecom (2 posts).
- Graduate (Non-Engineering) - 43 Posts: Human Resources (22 posts) and Finance (21 posts).
- Diploma Apprentice - 62 Posts: Mechanical (26 posts), Electrical (19 posts), Civil (12 posts), and other engineering disciplines.
- Trade Apprentice (ITI) - 51 Posts: Welder, Fitter, Turner, Plumber, Surveyor, and related technical trades.
- Category Reservation: Unreserved (UR) 144 posts, Other Backward Classes (OBC) 68 posts, Scheduled Castes (SC) 32 posts, Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) 21 posts, and Scheduled Tribes (ST) 12 posts (with 4 horizontal PwBD vacancies).
Eligibility Criteria and Educational Qualifications
Candidates must fulfill the minimum prescribed qualifications from recognized educational institutions:
- Graduate Engineering Apprentices: Full-time 4-year degree (BE, B.Tech, or B.Arch) from universities or institutes recognized by UGC / AICTE.
- Graduate Non-Engineering Apprentices: Full-time 3-year bachelor degree (BA, BBA, B.Com, B.Sc, or BCA) from a recognized university.
- Diploma Apprentices: Full-time 3-year diploma in engineering from a recognized state board or institute approved by AICTE.
- Trade Apprentices: Full-time ITI certificate in relevant trade recognized by NCVT or SCVT.
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: 60% aggregate marks for General and EWS candidates; 50% aggregate marks for SC, ST, OBC (NCL), and PwBD candidates in qualifying qualifications.
Age Limit and Cut-off Rules
Age requirements and eligibility conditions are assessed strictly with reference to the notification cut-off date:
- Minimum Age Requirement: Candidates must have completed 18 years of age as on the cut-off date of 5 November 2026. Applicants below 18 years are not eligible.
- Upper Age Limit: The official notification does not prescribe an upper age ceiling for apprentice engagement under the Apprentices Act.
- Prior Training Disqualification: Candidates who have previously completed apprenticeship training or possess one year or more of prior job experience are strictly ineligible.
Monthly Stipend and Training Duration
Selected apprentices undergo 12 months of structured practical training:
- Graduate Apprentices (Engineering & Non-Engineering): Rs. 15,650/- per month.
- Diploma Apprentices: Rs. 13,450/- per month.
- Trade Apprentices (ITI): Rs. 10,560/- per month.
- Nature of Engagement: This engagement is purely temporary for apprenticeship training without any claim or guarantee of regular absorption or permanent employment in RITES Limited.
Selection Procedure and Shortlisting Methodology
The selection mechanism is entirely transparent and merit-driven:
- Merit List Calculation: Merit list of eligible applicants will be prepared strictly based on the percentage of marks obtained in the essential qualifying examination.
- No Written Examination: No written test, computer-based exam, or interview is conducted for apprentice engagement.
- Tie-Breaking Rule: If two or more applicants secure identical qualifying marks, the older candidate will be placed higher in the merit list.
- Document Verification: Shortlisted applicants will receive intimation via email to join within a stipulated timeframe, carrying original educational and category documents for verification.
Documents Required for Verification
Shortlisted candidates are required to produce original documents at the time of joining:
- Proof of Date of Birth (Matriculation Certificate or High School Marksheet).
- Mark sheets of all semesters / years of essential qualifying Degree, Diploma, or ITI certificate.
- Final Passing Certificate or Provisional Certificate issued by recognized University / Board.
- Caste or Category Certificate in prescribed Government of India format (SC / ST / OBC Non-Creamy Layer / EWS).
- Disability Certificate for PwBD candidates issued by the Competent Medical Authority.
- NATS or NAPS Apprentice Portal Registration ID printout.
Reservation and Statutory Guidelines
Reservation quotas for SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), EWS, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are applied as per Government of India guidelines:
- OBC candidates must belong to Non-Creamy Layer to claim reservation benefits; otherwise, they must apply under the Unreserved category.
- Horizontal reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) is allocated across eligible technical trades as per functional classification.
How to Apply Online via NATS / NAPS Portal
Candidates must complete the two-step application process before 25 November 2026:
- Portal Registration: Degree and Diploma holders register on the NATS portal (https://nats.education.gov.in/student_type.php). ITI candidates register on the NAPS portal (www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in).
- Apply for Establishment: Search for establishment name RITES Limited and apply for the relevant advertised vacancy.
- RITES Application Form Submission: After submitting on the national apprentice portal, complete the online RITES Application Form and upload required documents.
- Submit all details before the deadline of 25 November 2026.
Important Official Links
| Official Document / Portal | Web Link |
|---|---|
| Download Official Notification (PDF) | Official Notification PDF |
| Online Registration (NATS Portal) | Apply Online via NATS |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many total vacancies are available in RITES Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
There are 281 apprentice positions announced across engineering, non-engineering, diploma, and trade streams.
What is the last date to apply online for RITES Apprenticeship?
The closing date for online applications across apprenticeship portals is 25 November 2026.
What is the monthly stipend for Graduate Apprentices in RITES?
Graduate Apprentices receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 15,650/-.
What is the monthly stipend for Diploma and Trade Apprentices?
Monthly stipends vary according to the apprenticeship category in accordance with Apprenticeship rules.
What is the minimum age required to apply for RITES Apprentice 2026?
Candidates must have completed at least 18 years of age as on 5 November 2026.
Is there any written examination or interview for selection?
No, selection is conducted entirely based on academic merit in the essential qualification.
What is the minimum qualifying percentage required?
Applicants must satisfy the minimum prescribed qualifying marks in their respective essential qualification.