IRCTC East Zone Apprentice Recruitment 2026 for 44 Graduate & COPA Posts
Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC), South Central Zone — East Zone, Human Resource Department
| Direct Resource / Official Link | Action |
|---|---|
| Apply Online Portal (NATS) | Click Here → |
Executive Summary & Key Facts
The Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC), South Central Zone has issued an official recruitment notification for Graduate Apprentice & COPA, announcing a total of 44 vacancies located in West Bengal. The online application window opens on 09 October 2026 and closes on 26 October 2026. To be eligible, applicants must hold Graduate Apprentice: Any degree with 50% aggregate marks. COPA: Matriculation (10th) and ITI (NCVT/SCVT) in COPA trade with 50% aggregate marks. and be within the prescribed age limit of 15 to 25 years as on 09 October 2026, with category relaxation applicable as per government guidelines. Selected candidates will receive an approved pay scale of Rs. 9,600 to Rs. 12,300 per month stipend. The selection procedure comprises Merit-based selection determined by the percentage of marks obtained in the qualifying examination, followed by document verification. No written test or interview will be conducted.. For complete guidelines, syllabus breakdown, and official notification PDF, refer to the verified information below on ApplySarkariJob.
📅 Graduate Apprentice & COPA - Important Dates & Schedule
| Application Start | 09 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|
| Last Date to Apply |
26 Oct 2026
|
| Fee Payment Deadline | 26 Oct 2026 |
📋 Graduate Apprentice & COPA - Eligibility Criteria & Vacancy Overview
| Post Name |
💼 Graduate Apprentice
💼 COPA
|
|---|---|
| Total Vacancies | 44 |
| Qualification | Graduate Apprentice: Any degree with 50% aggregate marks. COPA: Matriculation (10th) and ITI (NCVT/SCVT) in COPA trade with 50% aggregate marks. |
| Age Limit | 15 to 25 years as on 09 October 2026 |
| Salary | Rs. 9,600 to Rs. 12,300 per month stipend |
| Application Fee |
General: ₹0
OBC: ₹0
EWS: ₹0
SC: ₹0
ST: ₹0
fee_exempted: Yes
payment_mode: Online
|
| Selection Process | Merit-based selection determined by the percentage of marks obtained in the qualifying examination, followed by document verification. No written test or interview will be conducted. |
👥 Category-Wise Vacancy Details
Total Seats: 44| Post / Designation | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA) | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Consolidated Total | - | - | - | - | - | 44 |
Complete Salary Breakup & Allowances
Rs. 12,300 per month for Graduate Apprentice and Rs. 9,600 per month for COPA Apprentice.
Age Eligibility & DOB Range for Graduate Apprentice & COPA
Cut-off Date: As on 09 October 2026 — Candidates must be between 15 to 25 years (General category). Category-wise relaxation and exact DOB boundaries are shown below.
| Category | Min Age | Max Age | Relaxation | DOB Must Be Between |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 15 yrs | 25 yrs | — | 10 Oct 2001 to 09 Oct 2011 |
| EWS | 15 yrs | 25 yrs | — | 10 Oct 2001 to 09 Oct 2011 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 15 yrs | 28 yrs | +3 yrs | 10 Oct 1998 to 09 Oct 2011 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 15 yrs | 30 yrs | +5 yrs | 10 Oct 1996 to 09 Oct 2011 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 15 yrs | 30 yrs | +5 yrs | 10 Oct 1996 to 09 Oct 2011 |
| PwD (General) | 15 yrs | 35 yrs | +10 yrs | 10 Oct 1991 to 09 Oct 2011 |
Check Your Age Eligibility — Interactive Calculator
Prescribed Age: 15–25 Years (As on As on 09 October 2026)
Remuneration & Monthly Pay Scale
Official Prescribed Pay: Rs. 9,600 - 12,300 per month stipend
📝 Graduate Apprentice & COPA - Detailed Notification Guide
Overview of IRCTC East Zone Apprentice Recruitment 2026
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC), East Zone Human Resource Department, has officially released the engagement notification for apprenticeship positions for the fiscal year 2026-27. Under advertisement number IRCTC/EZ/HRD/Apprentices/2026-27, a total of 44 vacancies have been announced for Graduate and COPA trades. This engagement presents a prime stepping stone for eligible candidates seeking valuable corporate exposure within a premier central public sector undertaking.
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
| Organisation | Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC), East Zone, 5th Floor, Duckback House, 41 Shakespeare Sarani, Kolkata 700017 |
|---|---|
| Notification No. | IRCTC/EZ/HRD/Apprentices/2026-27, dated 9 October 2026 |
| Seats | 44: Graduate Apprentice 34, COPA 10 (may increase or decrease) |
| Qualification | Graduate Apprentice: any degree with 50% aggregate. COPA: Matriculation and ITI (NCVT/SCVT) with 50% aggregate |
| Age | Completed 15 and not completed 25 years on 9 October 2026; relaxation SC/ST 5, OBC 3, ex-servicemen 10, PwBD 10 years |
| Stipend | Rs. 12,300 per month (Graduate); Rs. 9,600 per month (COPA) |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Application fee | Not mentioned |
| Mode | Online, via apprenticeshipindia.gov.in or nats.education.gov.in |
| Application window | 9 October 2026 to 26 October 2026 |
| Cut-off date for age and qualification | 9 October 2026 |
| Selection | Merit list on percentage of marks; no written test or viva; document verification |
| Place of training | Kolkata, Guwahati, Patna, Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol, New Jalpaiguri, Ranchi or Tatanagar |
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
| Position | Seats | Duration | Stipend per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | 34 | 12 months | Rs. 12,300 |
| Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA) | 10 | 12 months | Rs. 9,600 |
| Total | 44 |
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
| Notification date | 9 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Online application opens | 9 October 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | 26 October 2026 |
| Cut-off date for age, qualification and EWS certificate | 9 October 2026 (EWS certificate must be held on the closing date) |
| Document verification | Schedule sent by email only; candidates should be ready to report at short notice |
Candidates selected through this notification will be placed across prominent operational hubs in the East Zone, including Kolkata, Guwahati, Patna, Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol, New Jalpaiguri, Ranchi, and Tatanagar. Those looking for similar opportunities across other regions can also check the IRCTC West Zone Apprentice Recruitment 2026 for 27 Posts recruitment details. Applicants who qualify will undergo a 1-year practical training program designed to equip them with hands-on domain expertise.
Post Breakdown & Vacancy Details
The recruitment drive offers two distinct streams catering to academic degree holders and technical trade professionals. The distribution of the 44 total posts is structured to ensure balanced participation across educational tiers.
| Post Name | Vacancies | Required Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | 34 | Any degree from a recognized university with minimum 50% aggregate marks. |
| Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA) | 10 | Matriculation (10th) and ITI (NCVT/SCVT) in COPA trade with minimum 50% aggregate marks. |
For candidates seeking regional opportunities, those wanting to explore all latest West Bengal Government Jobs can find numerous openings aligned with their qualifications. Additionally, individuals searching for entry-level opportunities can check more 10th Pass jobs in West Bengal that match their profile.
Eligibility Criteria & Age Limits
To qualify for the IRCTC East Zone Apprentice positions, applicants must fulfill strict educational benchmarks and age parameters set by the board. The age of the candidate must be between 15 to 25 years as on 09 October 2026.
- Graduate Apprentice Qualification: Must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized university with at least 50% aggregate marks.
- COPA Apprentice Qualification: Must have passed Matriculation (10th standard) and hold an ITI certificate in the COPA trade from an NCVT/SCVT recognized institute with 50% aggregate marks.
- Category-Wise Age Relaxations: Upper age limits are relaxable by 5 Years for SC/ST candidates, 3 Years for OBC candidates, 10 Years for PwBD candidates, and 10 Years for Ex-Servicemen.
Stipend & Remuneration Details
Apprentices engaged under this notification will receive a fixed monthly stipend during their 1-year contract period. The financial support is structured to assist candidates while they undergo practical training.
- Graduate Apprentice Stipend: Rs. 12,300 per month.
- COPA Apprentice Stipend: Rs. 9,600 per month.
- Contract Duration: Strictly for 1 Year with no provision for extension.
Selection Methodology (No Written Exam)
A key highlight of this recruitment is that no written examination or interview will be conducted. The entire selection process is merit-based:
- Stage 1 (Merit List): Preparation of a merit list determined entirely by the percentage of marks obtained by the candidate in their qualifying examination (Graduation or ITI + 10th marks).
- Stage 2 (Document Verification): Shortlisted candidates are called for verification of original certificates, testimonials, and identity proofs at designated centers.
Application Fee & Exemption Rules
IRCTC has exempted all candidates from paying any application fee for this notification. No fee is required for General, OBC, EWS, SC, or ST categories.
Fee Advisory: Since the application fee is zero across all categories, candidates must complete their online submission directly through official portals without needing any fee payment gateway.
Step-by-Step Online Application Guide
Applicants must apply via the designated central government portals depending on their trade category. Ensure all registrations are completed on or before 26 October 2026.
- For COPA Applicants: Register and apply through the Apply Online Portal (Apprenticeship India). Search for the IRCTC East Zone opportunity and submit your credentials.
- For Graduate Applicants: Register and apply through the Apply Online Portal (NATS). Locate the establishment establishment profile for IRCTC East Zone and apply.
- Verify that your personal details, parent names, and date of birth match identically across your Aadhaar, marksheets, and portal profiles.
Required Documents Checklist
Keep scanned copies and physical sets of the following documents ready before initiating your online application:
- 10th Mark Sheet and Passing Certificate
- ITI Mark Sheet and National Trade Certificate (specifically for COPA applicants)
- Graduation Mark Sheet and Degree Certificate (specifically for Graduate applicants)
- Date of Birth Proof
- Caste Certificate in Central Government Format (if claiming SC, ST, or OBC-NCL reservation)
- Disability Certificate (for PwBD candidates)
- Income and Asset Certificate (for EWS candidates)
- Recent Passport-Size Color Photograph and Signature
Official Notification & Portal Links
Candidates can cross-check official announcements, verify guidelines, and access portal links directly through the resources listed below:
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Apply Online Portal (Apprenticeship India)
- Apply Online Portal (NATS)
- Official Organization Website
📊 Graduate Apprentice & COPA - Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
🎂 Graduate Apprentice & COPA - Age Relaxation Criteria
⚠️ Important Application Guidelines & Instructions
- Ensure name, father's name, and date of birth match exactly across all educational certificates and portal profiles.
- Submit applications on the correct portal (NATS for Graduates, Apprenticeship India for COPA).
- Incomplete applications or mismatching details will lead to outright rejection.