RITES Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES Limited) opens its online application process on November 5 to recruit 281 apprentices for the financial year 2026-27. The apprenticeship programme is open to Engineering Graduates, Non-Engineering Graduates, Diploma holders, and ITI pass candidates.
Candidates will be selected based on the percentage of marks obtained in their respective essential qualifications. There will be no written examination or interview for this apprenticeship recruitment.
Here are the detailed eligibility requirements and selection criteria for RITES Apprentice Recruitment 2026.
RITES Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess the prescribed educational qualification in the relevant discipline from a recognised university or institute.
| Apprentice Category | Required Educational Qualification | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice (Engineering) | BE/B.Tech/B.Arch (four-year full-time degree) | 125 |
| Graduate Apprentice (Non-Engineering) | BA/BBA/B.Com/B.Sc/BCA (three-year graduation) | 43 |
| Diploma Apprentice | Three-year full-time Engineering Diploma | 62 |
| Trade Apprentice | Full-time ITI pass-out | 51 |
| Total | 281 |
Discipline-wise Educational Qualification
4. Graduate Apprentice (Engineering)
Candidates must have completed a four-year full-time engineering or architecture degree in one of the following disciplines:
- Civil Engineering
- Architecture
- Electrical Engineering
- Signal and Telecommunication
- Mechanical Engineering
- Information Technology
- Chemical/Metallurgical Engineering
2. Graduate Apprentice (Non-Engineering)
Candidates with a three-year graduation degree in the following disciplines can apply:
- Finance: BA/BBA/B.Com/B.Sc/BCA as applicable to the notified trade.
- Human Resources (HR): BA/BBA/B.Com/B.Sc/BCA as applicable to the notified trade.
3. Diploma Apprentice
Candidates must have completed a three-year full-time Engineering Diploma in:
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Chemical/Metallurgical Engineering
4. Trade Apprentice (ITI Pass)
Candidates who have passed ITI in the relevant trade can apply. The notified trades include:
- Civil
- Mechanical
- Electrical
- Welder
- Fitter
- Turner
- Plumber
- Surveyor
Minimum Qualifying Marks
Candidates must fulfil the minimum aggregate percentage requirement in their essential qualification.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| General | 60% |
| EWS | 60% |
| SC | 50% |
| ST | 50% |
| OBC (NCL) | 50% |
| PwBD | 50% |
The minimum qualifying marks for SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/PwBD candidates are applicable against reserved positions.
How will percentage marks be calculated?
- If the essential qualification specifies marks obtained in the Honours subject, those marks will be considered.
- Otherwise, the aggregate percentage of marks in all subjects will be considered.
- Candidates whose institutions follow a CGPA system must submit the conversion formula issued by their university or institution.
Age Limit and Other Eligibility Conditions
Candidates must fulfil the following conditions as on 5 November 2026:
- Applicants must have completed 18 years of age.
- Candidates awaiting their final results in the essential qualification are not eligible.
- Candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training or are currently undergoing apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, 1961, are not eligible.
- Candidates who have undergone training or have job experience of one year or more after obtaining the essential qualification cannot apply.
- Engineering and Non-Engineering Degree/Diploma candidates whose final semester result was declared before 5 November 2021 are not eligible.
- There is no restriction on the year of passing for ITI candidates.
The notification does not specify an upper age limit in the eligibility conditions.
RITES Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Selection Process
RITES Apprentice Recruitment 2026 will prepare a merit list based on the percentage of marks obtained by candidates in their respective essential qualifications. There will be no written examination or interview. The selection process involves the following stages:
Stage 1: Online Registration on NATS/NAPS Portal
Candidates must first register on the relevant apprenticeship portal.
- Engineering Degree, Non-Engineering Graduate, and Diploma candidates must register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal.
- ITI candidates must register on the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) portal.
After completing registration, candidates must log in and apply for the apprenticeship opportunity by selecting RITES Limited as the establishment name.
Stage 2: Submission of Documents on the RITES Portal
After applying through NATS/NAPS, candidates must submit the required documents through the RITES application form.
Documents required include:
- Mark sheets of all semesters/years.
- Final passing certificate of Degree/Diploma/ITI.
- CGPA-to-percentage conversion formula, wherever applicable.
- Date of birth proof.
- Identity proof such as Aadhaar Card, Voter ID or Driving Licence.
- Caste/category certificate for SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/EWS/PwBD candidates, wherever applicable.
All required documents must be combined into a single PDF file of maximum 10 MB and uploaded through the RITES application form.
Stage 3: Preparation of Merit List
After receiving applications through NATS/NAPS and verifying the documents submitted through the RITES portal, RITES will prepare a merit list. The merit list will be based on the percentage of marks obtained in the essential qualification applicable to the respective trade.
Tie-Breaking Rule: If two candidates secure the same percentage of marks, the candidate who is older in age will be placed higher in the merit list.
Also Read: Indian Bank Apprentice Exam Centre 2026.
Stage 4: Shortlisting and Communication
Candidates will be shortlisted according to the available vacancies and merit position. RITES will inform selected candidates through email from apprenticeship@rites.com. The list will also be uploaded on the official RITES website.
Stage 5: Original Document Verification and Joining
Shortlisted candidates must carry their original documents for verification at the time of joining. Candidates must note that no physical or hard copy of documents is required to be submitted at this stage. If vacancies remain unfilled during the initial shortlisting, eligible candidates from subsequent merit lists may be considered.
Important Points About RITES Apprentice Recruitment 2026
- Selection is entirely merit-based.
- No written examination will be conducted.
- No interview will be conducted.
- Merit will be calculated using marks obtained in the relevant essential qualification.
- Older candidates will get preference in case of a tie in marks.
- Document verification will be conducted before engagement.
- Candidates can apply for only one post.
- In case of multiple applications, only the latest valid and completed application will be considered.
- The apprenticeship training period will be one year.
- Completion of apprenticeship does not guarantee permanent employment with RITES.
RITES Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 04-Nov-26 |
| Online Application Begins | 05-Nov-26 |
| Last Date to Apply | 25-Nov-26 |
| Merit List | To be announced |
Where to Apply?
Candidates must complete both application steps:
- Register and apply through the relevant NATS Portal or NAPS Portal.
- Submit the required documents through the RITES Apprentice Application Form.
For further updates, candidates should visit the official RITES website.
FAQs
Q1. How many vacancies are available under RITES Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
There are 281 apprentice vacancies, including 125 Engineering Graduate, 43 Non-Engineering Graduate, 62 Diploma, and 51 ITI Trade Apprentice positions.
Q2. What is the selection process for RITES Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Selection will be based on a merit list prepared using the percentage of marks obtained in the essential qualification. There will be no written test or interview.
Q3. What are the minimum qualifying marks for General category candidates?
General and EWS candidates must secure at least 60% aggregate marks.
Q4. What are the minimum qualifying marks for reserved categories?
SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/PwBD candidates must secure at least 50% aggregate marks against reserved positions.
Q5. What is the minimum age required for RITES Apprenticeship?
Candidates must have completed 18 years of age as on 5 November 2026.
Q6. Can candidates awaiting final-year results apply?
No. Candidates awaiting the results of their essential qualification on the cut-off date are not eligible.
Q7. Is NATS/NAPS registration compulsory?
Yes. Degree and Diploma candidates must register on NATS, while ITI candidates must register on NAPS before applying for the RITES apprenticeship opportunity.
Q8. Does RITES offer permanent employment after apprenticeship?
No. Completion of the one-year apprenticeship training does not create any obligation on RITES to offer permanent employment.