RailTel Apprentice Recruitment 2026 — 40 Graduate/Diploma Engineer Posts, Apply by 27 Aug (All India)

Is RailTel Apprentice Recruitment 2026 out? Yes — RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RCIL), a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, has released Notification No. RCIL/2024/P&A/27/1 inviting online applications for 40 Apprentice posts under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This one-year apprenticeship is split between 32 Graduate Engineer Apprentice and 8 Diploma Engineer Apprentice positions (tentative), giving fresh engineering graduates and diploma holders a chance to train inside India's telecom-focused railway PSU, known for building and operating the optical fibre backbone along Indian Railways' network. Eligibility is tightly defined around telecom-adjacent engineering branches: candidates need a full-time 4-year degree (Graduate Apprentice) or 3-year diploma (Diploma Apprentice) from an AICTE-approved institution with 60% aggregate marks, specifically in Electronics & Telecommunication, Telecommunication, Computer Science & Engineering/IT, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a combination branch where Electronics is a core component. Candidates must be between 18 and 27 years of age as on the notification date, and importantly, anyone who has already completed one year or more of training/work experience after qualifying, or who has previously undergone or is currently undergoing another apprenticeship, is not eligible — this is designed strictly for genuinely fresh pass-outs within three years of graduation. Postings span RailTel's Corporate Office in New Delhi/Gurgaon and locations across the Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western regions of India — from Jaipur and Lucknow to Kolkata, Chennai, and Ahmedabad — with candidates able to indicate a preferred location, though final allotment depends on RailTel's presence there. Selection follows a region/state-wise merit list based on qualifying marks, with preference to Government Institution pass-outs, followed by shortlisting and a medical fitness check — no separate written exam is mentioned. Applications must be submitted exclusively through the NATS 2.0 portal (nats.education.gov.in), with new candidates required to register first, and the window closes on 27 August 2026.

• Graduate Engineer Apprentice: Full-time regular 4-year Engineering/Technology degree from an AICTE-approved college, 60% aggregate, in Electronics & Telecommunication/Telecommunication/Computer Science & Engineering/IT/Electrical/Electronics or a combination branch where Electronics is a main component
• Diploma Engineer Apprentice: Full-time regular 3-year Diploma in Engineering/Technology from an AICTE-approved college, 60% aggregate, in the same branches as above
• Distance learning or part-time qualifications are not accepted

18 to 27 years as on 28 July 2026 (date of notification); relaxation for SC/ST/OBC as per Presidential/Governmental Directives

• Graduate Engineer Apprentice: Full-time 4-year Engineering/Technology degree, AICTE-approved, 60% aggregate, in Electronics & Telecommunication/Telecommunication/CSE/IT/Electrical/Electronics or a combination branch with Electronics as a main component
• Diploma Engineer Apprentice: Full-time 3-year Diploma in Engineering/Technology, AICTE-approved, 60% aggregate, same branches as above
• Distance learning or part-time qualifications are not accepted
• Candidates with one year or more of prior training/work experience after qualifying are not eligible
• Candidates who completed their qualification more than 3 years ago are not eligible
• Candidates currently undergoing, or who have previously completed/terminated, another apprenticeship are not eligible
• Age 18 to 27 years as on 28 July 2026, with relaxation for SC/ST/OBC as per government directives

Not specified in the notification

• Graduate Engineer Apprentice: Rs. 14,000 per month (Rs. 9,500 RailTel share + Rs. 4,500 Govt/DBT share)
• Diploma Engineer Apprentice: Rs. 12,000 per month (Rs. 8,000 RailTel share + Rs. 4,000 Govt/DBT share)

1. Visit the NATS 2.0 portal at nats.education.gov.in
2. Register on the portal if not already registered
3. Follow the application process as described in the NATS Apprentice Student Manual available on the portal
4. Fill in personal, educational, and contact details accurately
5. Upload the certificate showing CGPA or percentage in the "Upload Certificate" column
6. If the certificate shows only CGPA, also upload the CGPA-to-percentage conversion certificate
7. Download, fill, and sign the Undertaking (Annexure I) provided with the notification
8. Combine the certificate, CGPA-conversion document (if applicable), and signed Undertaking into a single PDF under 1 MB
9. Review all entered details and uploaded documents carefully before submission
10. Submit the application on or before 27 August 2026