The Metro Railway Kolkata (MRK) regularly brings in apprentices under apprenticeship rules governed by the Apprentices Act, 1961. Apprentices get trained in various technical trades — a win-win for both the railway system (skilled workforce) and the apprentice (hands-on training + possible opportunities ahead). Over the years, these apprentice drives have helped many young ITI-certified candidates build a foundation in railway work.
What’s New in 2026 Notification
The latest 2026 recruitment drive by Metro Railway Kolkata offers 128 apprentice vacancies across multiple trades.
Here’s a quick glance:
Total Posts: 128
Trades: Fitter, Electrician, Machinist, Welder
Application Window: Starting from 23 December 2025, with closing date 22 January 2026.
This means if you meet the criteria — you have a shot. But timing & careful application matter.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for this 2026 apprenticeship drive you’ll need:
Educational Qualification: Passed 10th standard (or equivalent under 10+2 system) with at least 50% marks + National Trade Certificate in the respective trade (issued by NCVT/SCVT).
Age Limit (as on cutoff date): Minimum 15 years and maximum 24 years. Relaxations: SC/ST, OBC-NCL, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen get age relaxations per govt norms.
Make sure you have valid ITI/NCVT/SCVT certificate — that’s mandatory for trades like Fitter, Electrician, etc.
Vacancy & Trade-wise Breakdown
Here’s how the 128 posts are distributed among trades:
| Trade | Number of Posts |
| Fitter | 82 |
| Electrician | 28 |
| Machinist | 9 |
| Welder | 9 |
If you have a trade certificate in any of the above — you’re good to apply under that trade.
Application Process (Step-by-Step)
Here’s how to apply:
Go to the official Metro Railway Kolkata website — mtp.indianrailways.gov.in.
Look for the “Apprentice Recruitment 2025–26 / Act Apprentice 2026” section and click on “New Registration”.
Fill in your personal details, trade, educational & ITI credentials.
Upload required scanned documents: photograph, signature, ITI certificate, community certificate (if applicable), etc.
Pay application fee (if applicable) — usually ₹100 for General/OBC/EWS. SC/ST/PwBD/Women are exempt.
Submit the form and save or print the confirmation/receipt for future reference.
Important: You can’t submit multiple applications — only one per candidate. Also, you can’t change trade or details after submission.
Important Dates
Notification Release: 01 December 2025 (or around early December 2025).
Application Start Date: 23 December 2025 (from 11:00 hrs).
Last Date to Apply: 22 January 2026 (up to 17:00 hrs
Make a note — late applications or incomplete forms will likely be rejected.
Selection Process & What to Expect
The selection for apprentices typically follows these steps:
Candidates are shortlisted based on eligibility (trade, certificate, educational marks, etc.)
Document verification / DV for shortlisted candidates (date & venue will be announced)
Final selection for engagement as Act Apprentice under the apprenticeship training plan of Metro Railway Kolkata.
You may also find “provisional selected candidate lists” published on the official site once screening is over.
Age Relaxation & Reserved Category Benefits
If you belong to SC/ST, OBC-NCL, PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability), or are an Ex-Serviceman — you get age relaxation over the standard limit. This means you may still be eligible even if you’ve crossed the normal age limit, subject to trade and certificates.
Why Apply for Metro Railway Apprentice: Benefits & Career Path
Applying for an apprenticeship with Metro Railway Kolkata has some real perks:
You get hands-on technical training in real railway workshops — an experience textbooks can’t give.
Opportunity to learn trades (Fitter, Electrician, etc.) with real-world exposure — a solid boost for your future career.
Potential for future job opportunities within the railways if you perform well.
For many young ITI holders, this can be a stepping stone toward a stable, skilled technical career.
Conclusion
If you are ITI certified and meet the eligibility criteria, the 2026 apprenticeship drive from Metro Railway Kolkata is a promising opportunity. With 128 seats across trades like Fitter, Electrician, Machinist, and Welder — this could be the stepping stone to a stable railway-based technical career. The key is to apply carefully, follow instructions precisely, and submit a clean, complete application on time. Good luck!
Read also: CBSE Practical Exams SOPs 2026