RailTel Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 40 Posts

RailTel Corporation of India Limited, a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, has opened applications for 40 Apprentice posts in 2026. This Government Jobs opportunity covers Graduate Engineer and Diploma Engineer apprenticeships in the telecom and electronics engineering domain, with training locations spread across several regions of the country. It's a solid starting point for young engineers who want hands-on exposure at a national telecom PSU. The application window runs up to 27 August 2026 — full details are below.

About RailTel Corporation of India Limited

RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RCIL) is a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking operating under the Ministry of Railways. It runs one of the country's largest neutral telecom infrastructure networks, laying optical fibre along railway routes and supporting several of India's digital connectivity and smart-city projects. Given this scale of work, an apprenticeship with RailTel gives engineering graduates and diploma holders real, on-ground exposure to telecom infrastructure at a national level.

RailTel Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview

Important Dates

Vacancy Details / Post Wise Break-up

Of the 40 total apprentice posts on offer, the Graduate Engineer stream accounts for the larger share, with the Diploma Engineer stream making up the rest. RailTel has clarified that these numbers are tentative and may change without prior notice.

Selected apprentices may be posted at RailTel's Corporate Office in New Delhi/Gurgaon or at various locations under the Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western regions. Candidates can indicate a preferred location, though the final posting depends on RailTel's presence there — if there's no RailTel office at the chosen place, a nearby location may be assigned instead.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Candidates need a full-time regular engineering degree (4 years) or diploma (3 years) from an AICTE-approved college, with at least 60% aggregate marks, in a relevant branch such as Electronics & Telecommunication, Telecommunication, Computer Science & Engineering/IT, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a combination branch where electronics is a core subject. Qualifications obtained through distance learning or part-time mode are not accepted, so it's worth cross-checking the exact branch list in the official notification PDF.

Experience Condition

This apprenticeship is meant for freshers. Anyone who already has a year or more of training or work experience after completing their qualification, or who finished their degree/diploma more than three years ago, is not eligible. Candidates who have already completed an apprenticeship, left one midway, or are currently doing one elsewhere also cannot apply.

Age Limit (as on 28 Jul 2026)

• Minimum Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Age: 27 Years

Age Relaxation

Salary Details (Stipend)

Selected apprentices get a fixed monthly stipend for the one-year training period, funded jointly by RailTel and the Government of India under the DBT scheme. No other allowance or facility is paid apart from this consolidated amount.

Selection Process

There's no written exam for this apprenticeship. Instead, RailTel prepares a region/state/location-wise merit list from the applications received, giving preference to candidates from Government institutions.

• Merit List Preparation (Region/State/Location Wise)
• Shortlisting Based on Qualifying Marks and/or Interview
• Medical Fitness Check as per RailTel Norms
• Document Verification

Application Fee

Required Documents

Keep these documents scanned and ready before you start filling the NATS application form.

• Certificate Showing CGPA or Percentage (from qualifying degree/diploma)
• CGPA-to-Percentage Conversion Certificate (if only CGPA is mentioned)
• Signed Undertaking (Annexure I, attached with the notification)
• All above documents combined as one PDF file, under 1 MB in size
• Valid Email ID and Mobile Number for NATS registration

How to Apply Online

1. Visit the NATS 2.0 portal: https://nats.education.gov.in
2. New users must register on the NATS 2.0 portal before applying; registered candidates can log in directly.
3. Refer to the NATS Apprentice Student Manual on the portal if you need help with the process.
4. Fill in the application form with your personal and academic details.
5. Upload the CGPA/percentage certificate, conversion certificate (if applicable), and signed Undertaking as a single PDF under 1 MB.
6. Review all entries carefully and submit the form.
7. Save a copy or screenshot of the submitted application for future reference.

Important Instructions

• Applications will be accepted only through the NATS 2.0 portal — no other mode of application is entertained.
• The number and location of posts mentioned in the notification are indicative and may change without further notice.
• The apprenticeship period is strictly one year, and does not create any claim to regular employment with RailTel.
• Reservation norms under the Apprentices Act, 1961 and Apprenticeship Rules, 1992 will apply.
• Candidature remains provisional until certificates are verified; false information can lead to cancellation at any stage.
• RailTel's decision on eligibility, shortlisting and selection will be final, and no individual correspondence will be entertained.

Why Should You Apply?

This apprenticeship gives fresh engineering graduates and diploma holders a structured, one-year entry point into telecom infrastructure work with a listed Navratna PSU. Since selection is merit-based rather than through a written exam, it particularly suits candidates confident in their academic record. It's also a practical way to gain PSU-sector work exposure that can strengthen future applications, whether within RailTel's ecosystem or elsewhere in the telecom and railway sector.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Important Links

Final Words

RailTel Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a genuine chance for fresh engineering graduates and diploma holders to start their career with a Navratna PSU under Indian Railways. Since the process runs purely on merit and the window closes on 27 August 2026, it's best to complete your NATS registration and application well ahead of time. Found this useful? Share it with friends still hunting for openings, and join our Telegram channel above for free alerts on future recruitment notifications.