Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) facilitates recruitment of apprentices under the Apprentices Act 1961 in various Railway Workshops, Production Units, and Divisional Workshops across India. These are technical apprenticeship positions for ITI holders where apprentices learn practical skills in railway maintenance and operations. Major recruiting units include ICF Chennai, DCW Patiala, RCF Kapurthala, CLW Chittaranjan, DLW Varanasi, and Divisional workshops in all 18 Railway Zones. Railway apprenticeships provide valuable hands-on experience and the National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) is recognized for future government job applications. Over 15,000–20,000 apprentice vacancies are notified annually across Railway zones.

Railway apprentices receive a monthly stipend as per the Apprentices Act 1961 which varies by trade and apprenticeship year. In the first year, stipends typically range from Rs. 6,000–8,000 per month. Some premium Railway Production Units like ICF and DLW pay higher stipends of Rs. 8,000–12,000. Under the NAPS scheme, 50% of the stipend up to Rs. 1,500 per month is reimbursed by the government to Railways. The stipend is non-taxable. Some Railway units provide additional benefits like subsidized canteen, uniform allowance, and group insurance. The total value including benefits can be significant for a young apprentice starting their technical career.

Completing a Railway Apprenticeship does not guarantee a permanent job, but it provides significant advantages. Apprenticeship-trained candidates get extra marks (credit) when they appear for RRB Group C and NTPC recruitment exams. Some Railway zones maintain a waiting list of completed apprentices who are given preference for Contract/Casual and ultimately permanent positions as they become available. The hands-on experience in Railway workshops makes candidates more competitive in open market job applications too. However, for permanent railway employment, candidates still need to clear RRB examinations which have their own merit-based selection process.

The most in-demand trades for Railway Apprenticeship include Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Machinist, Carpenter, Painter, Tailor, Blacksmith, Turner, and Mechanic Diesel. Fitter and Electrician trade apprentices are needed in virtually all Railway workshops for locomotive and coach maintenance. Welder and Machinist apprentices are in demand at Production Units like CLW (locomotive building) and ICF (coach manufacturing). Mechanic Diesel trade holders are needed at Diesel Loco Sheds. IT-related trades like COPA (Computer Operator and Programming Assistant) are increasingly recruited for railway IT departments. The exact trades and vacancies are specified in each Railway zone's notification.

RRB Railway Apprentice selection is based on merit calculated from a combination of 10th board marks and ITI marks (with specified weightage) plus a Written Test score. The Written Test has 100 MCQ questions covering Mathematics (25%), General Science (25%), General Awareness (25%), and Reasoning Ability (25%). The exam duration is 90 minutes. There is no negative marking. Merit list is prepared by Railway zone combining marks from all three components. Physical fitness examination is conducted for finally selected candidates. There are no trade practical tests for apprenticeship selection — unlike direct recruitment exams. Document verification includes 10th marksheet, ITI certificate, age proof, and category certificate.