PRAYAGRAJ, Aug. 30 -- The North Central Railway (NCR) has added 1,405 apprentice slots for 2026-27, taking the total to 3,205, nearly 78% higher than the 1,800 slots in the previous cycle. The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Prayagraj, issued an addendum on August 14 to its July 7 notification, adding trades in the Jhansi, Prayagraj and Agra divisions. These include Surveyor, Mason, CAD-CAM Operator-cum-Programmer, Sanitary Hardware Fitter and Building Maintenance Technician. NCR CPRO Dr Shivam Sharma said the expansion would give more ITI-qualified youth practical, on-the-job experience and help create a skilled workforce. Prayagraj has 1,462 slots, followed by Jhansi (856), Agra (547), Jhansi Workshop (226), Track Machine Line/Headquarters (82) and NCR headquarters, Prayagraj (32). Candidates need an ITI/NCVT or SCVT certificate in the relevant trade. Of the total, 152 slots are reserved horizontally for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). The training lasts about a year, with a stipend of around Rs.9,000 a month. Successful apprentices receive the National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC). Railway-trained CCAAs also get 20% horizontal reservation in Level-1 posts, one-third weightage of NCVT marks and exemption from the Physical Efficiency Test (PET). Eligible candidates can apply through rrcpryj.org by August 31, 2026....