Last checked: 24 October 2026. Railway Act Apprentice seats are among the few railway openings where there is no exam and no interview. Your rank depends only on two numbers: your Class 10 percentage and your ITI percentage. With RRC North Western Railway currently taking applications for 2008 slots until 22 November 2026, this guide explains exactly how the merit list is calculated, using that notification as the reference.
Zonal RRCs publish separate notices and the small print can differ, so treat this as a method guide and check the notice of the zone you are applying to.
The formula at a glance
| Merit score | (Class 10 % + ITI %) / 2 |
|---|---|
| Class 10 % | Aggregate of all subjects, not best-of or a subject group |
| ITI % | Marks shown on the provisional or final NCVT/SCVT certificate |
| Minimum in Class 10 | 50% aggregate (NWR 04/2026), no rounding off |
| Tie-break 1 | Older candidate ranks higher |
| Tie-break 2 | Earlier Class 10 pass ranks higher |
Step 1: Work out your Class 10 percentage correctly
The notice says marks in all subjects are counted. So if your marksheet shows 412 out of 600, your percentage is 412 / 600 x 100 = 68.67%. Do not use “best five” or grade-point conversions unless your board itself issues percentage that way. If your board gives CGPA, check whether it prints a percentage equivalent; you can estimate with our CGPA to percentage converter, but the figure you enter must be what your certificate supports at document verification.
Step 2: Work out your ITI percentage
Use the total marks on your NCVT or SCVT certificate for the trade you are applying in. If your ITI total is 1,020 out of 1,200, that is 85%. Our percentage calculator does this in a second. If your final certificate is not out yet, the provisional certificate is accepted, but candidates still awaiting final results cannot apply.
Step 3: Average the two
| Candidate | Class 10 % | ITI % | Merit score |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 68.67 | 85.00 | 76.84 |
| B | 81.00 | 72.00 | 76.50 |
| C | 55.00 | 92.00 | 73.50 |
| D | 49.83 | 95.00 | Not eligible (below 50% in Class 10) |
Two points stand out. First, because it is a simple average, a weak Class 10 score can be partly offset by strong ITI marks, as candidate A shows. Second, the 50% Class 10 floor is a hard gate; candidate D is out regardless of ITI marks.
Step 4: Understand how lists are split
There is no single all-India or even zone-wide list. In NWR 04/2026 the final list is prepared unit-wise, trade-wise and community-wise, equal to the number of slots. So your real competition is only those who chose the same unit, the same trade and the same category. That is why choosing the right unit matters as much as your marks.
Tie-break rules
If two candidates have identical merit scores, the older candidate is placed higher. If their dates of birth are also the same, the candidate who passed Class 10 earlier gets preference. Check your exact age on the cut-off date with the age calculator.
After the merit list
- Document verification at the unit you chose: Class 10 marksheet, ITI certificate, caste or PwBD certificate, Aadhaar.
- Medical certificate in the prescribed format, signed by a government doctor (in NWR’s case, not below Assistant Surgeon rank).
- Signing the apprenticeship contract, and then training. Apprentices are not railway employees and are released after training.
Practical tips to improve your chances
- Pick a unit where your trade has the most seats; a large table in one division can mean a lower cut-off than a unit with two seats.
- Enter marks exactly as on the certificate. A mismatch at verification can cancel your candidature.
- You can apply to only one unit in a notification; duplicate forms are rejected.
- Apply early. RRC sites are slow in the final week.
For the full details of the open NWR drive, see our RRC NWR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 post, and check the jobs page for other ITI openings.
Source: the merit and eligibility rules quoted here come from RRC NWR revised notification 04/2026 dated 21.10.2026 (PDF). Details were read from the official advertisement on 24 October 2026. Always confirm dates and eligibility in the official notice before paying any fee. Read our editorial policy to see how we check job updates.
Frequently asked questions
How is the railway apprentice merit list calculated?
In notices such as RRC NWR 04/2026, merit is the simple average of your Class 10 percentage (all subjects) and your ITI percentage in the notified trade. Example: (70 + 88) / 2 = 79.
Is there a written exam for railway Act Apprentice?
No. Act Apprentice seats in RRC notices are filled by merit list, document verification and a medical certificate. There is no written test or interview.
What happens if two candidates have the same merit score?
Under NWR 04/2026, the older candidate is ranked higher. If dates of birth are also the same, the one who passed Class 10 earlier is preferred.
Are ITI marks taken from the provisional or final certificate?
The NWR notice says ITI marks shown in the provisional or final certificate are used. Candidates awaiting final results cannot apply.
Is 50% in Class 10 compulsory for railway apprentice?
In NWR 04/2026, yes: at least 50% aggregate in Class 10 with no rounding off. Other zones may differ, so read your RRC notice.