Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC), a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, has released an official recruitment notification (Notice No. IRCTC/EZ/HRD/Apprentices/2026-27) for the engagement of Apprentice Trainees for the financial year 2026–27. The recruitment drive invites applications from eligible candidates for a total of 44 apprentice vacancies across Graduate Apprentice and Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA) trades under the East Zone, Kolkata. Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the official NAPS or NATS portals between October 9, 2026, and October 26, 2026.
IRCTC COPA Apprentice Trainee Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Organization Name | Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) |
| Enterprise Status | Navratna CPSE (Govt. of India Enterprise) |
| Notification Reference | No. IRCTC/EZ/HRD/Apprentices/2026-27 |
| Post Name | Apprentice Trainee (COPA & Graduate Apprentice) |
| Total Vacancies | 44 Posts (COPA: 10, Graduate: 34) |
| Training Duration | 12 Months (1 Year) |
| Zonal Jurisdiction | East Zone, Kolkata |
| Job Location | Kolkata, Guwahati, Patna, Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol, New Jalpaiguri, Ranchi, Tatanagar |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Official Website | irctc.com |
Important Dates
| Event | Schedule |
| Notification Issue Date | October 09, 2026 |
| Commencement of Online Applications | October 09, 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application Submission | October 26, 2026 |
| Crucial Cut-off Date (Age & Qualifications) | October 09, 2026 |
| Document Verification Schedule | To be intimated through registered email |
IRCTC COPA Apprentice Trainee Vacancy Details
A total of 44 apprentice trainee slots have been notified for the East Zone of IRCTC. The trade-wise distribution is as follows:
| S. No. | Position / Trade | Total Vacancies | Training Period |
| 1. | Graduate Apprentice | 34 | 12 Months |
| 2. | Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA) | 10 | 12 Months |
| Total | 44 |
Note: The number of vacancies is provisional and may increase or decrease according to administrative requirements. Reservations for SC, ST, OBC (NCL), EWS, PwBD (minimum 40% disability), and Ex-Servicemen apply in line with Government of India directives.
IRCTC COPA Apprentice Trainee Jobs- Education Details
Qualifications must be completed from a recognized Board/University as on the cut-off date of October 09, 2026:
| Position | Minimum Essential Qualifications |
| Graduate Apprentice | Must have passed a Graduation Degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a recognized University. |
| COPA Apprentice | Must have passed Matriculation (Class 10th) with at least 50% marks in aggregate from a recognized Board AND possess an ITI Certificate in COPA Trade affiliated to NCVT or SCVT. |
Monthly Stipend
Selected candidates will receive a consolidated monthly stipend during the 1-year training period under the Apprentices Act, 1961:
| Category / Trade | Prescribed Minimum Stipend |
| Graduate Apprentice | Rs. 12,300/- per month |
| Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA) | Rs. 9,600/- per month |
The apprenticeship training is purely temporary for skill building; candidates have no claim for regular absorption or permanent employment in IRCTC.
Age Limit
Age is reckoned as on October 09, 2026:
Minimum Age: 15 Years
Maximum Age: 25 Years
Upper Age Relaxations:
- SC / ST Candidates: 5 Years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Candidates: 3 Years (Certificate must be issued within the last 1 year)
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 Years
- Ex-Servicemen: 10 Years
Selection Process
The selection is purely merit-based with no written examination or viva-voce:
| Stage | Mode & Evaluation | Key Details |
| Stage 1: Merit List Preparation | Academic Score Evaluation | Prepared strictly based on the percentage of marks obtained in the qualifying examinations (Graduation percentage for Graduate Apprentice; Matriculation and ITI marks for COPA). |
| Stage 2: Tie-Breaking Resolution | Demographic / Exam Criteria | In the event of a tie, the candidate older in age will be ranked higher. If the date of birth is identical, the candidate who passed the matriculation examination earlier will be preferred. |
| Stage 3: Document Verification | Certificate Scrutiny | Shortlisted candidates will be invited via email for verification of original certificates and testimonials. |
Application Fee
All Categories: NIL (Exempted)
No application fee or processing charge is prescribed for online registration.
IRCTC COPA Apprentice Trainee Recruitment 2026: How to Apply
For COPA Applicants:
Visit the Apprenticeship India portal at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.
Register as a candidate and complete your 100% profile with accurate educational, personal, and identity credentials.
Navigate to Apprenticeship Opportunities, search for the establishment name IRCTC East Zone, and submit your application for the COPA trade.
For Graduate Apprentice Applicants:
Visit the NATS 2.0 portal at nats.education.gov.in.
Register your student profile, upload graduation degree details, and search for IRCTC East Zone to apply online.
Ensure all details such as name, father’s name, and date of birth match your matriculation certificate.
Upload clear scanned copies of required documents (10th marksheet, ITI/degree certificate, category certificate, and passport-size photo).
Complete and submit the application before October 26, 2026.
Keep a copy of your registration details and monitor your registered email inbox for document verification call notices.
Important Links
| IRCTC COPA Apprentice Trainee Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| IRCTC COPA Apprentice Trainee Apply Online Link | Click Here |
