The Railway PLW Apprentice Recruitment [225 Vacancies] Notification 2025 has officially been issued by Patiala Locomotive Works (PLW), opening a fresh window of opportunities for ITI-passed candidates across India. Published on 1st December 2025 under Advt. No. 001/2025-26/Apprentices, this notification outlines comprehensive details about available trades, eligibility requirements, selection criteria, stipend structure, and the application process. PLW, known for its advanced training facilities and strong technical ecosystem, offers a one-year apprenticeship programme under the Apprentices Act, 1961, making it a promising entry route for candidates preparing for technical careers in Indian Railways.
A total of 225 apprentice slots have been released across five trades — Electrician, Fitter, Machinist, Mechanic (Diesel), and Welder (G&E). The online registration window is open from December 1, 2025, to December 22, 2025 (5:00 PM). Applicants must also ensure mandatory registration on the NATS portal before submitting their form on the PLW website. As the selection is based purely on merit from 10th and ITI scores, candidates meeting the academic and technical requirements have a solid chance of being shortlisted. The official notification PDF includes all necessary information, and interested applicants are encouraged to review it thoroughly before applying.
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Recruitment Highlights: Key Information at a Glance
Below is a quick overview of the essential details provided in this year’s notification:
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Patiala Locomotive Works (PLW) – Indian Railways |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 225 |
| Advertisement No. | 001/2025-26/Apprentices |
| Application Dates | 01 Dec 2025 – 22 Dec 2025 (5:00 PM) |
| Mode of Apply | Online |
| Selection Method | Merit-based (10th + ITI) & Document Verification |
| Stipend | ₹9,600 to ₹11,040 per month |
| Training Duration | 1 Year |
| Official Portal | www.plw.indianrailways.gov.in |
| Application Fee | ₹100/- (Exemptions applicable) |
Trade-Wise Vacancy Distribution
Candidates can apply for apprenticeships in five different trades. The distribution of seats across categories is given below for convenient reference:
| Trade | Total | SC | ST | OBC | UR | PwBD* | Ex-SM* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | 120 | 18 | 09 | 32 | 61 | 05 | 04 |
| Mechanic (Diesel) | 25 | 04 | 02 | 07 | 12 | 01 | 01 |
| Machinist | 12 | 02 | 01 | 03 | 06 | 00 | 00 |
| Fitter | 50 | 07 | 04 | 14 | 25 | 02 | 02 |
| Welder (G&E) | 18 | 03 | 01 | 05 | 09 | 01 | 01 |
| Total | 225 | 34 | 17 | 61 | 113 | 09 | 08 |
Who Can Apply? (Age, Education & Trade Qualifications)
Age Conditions (as on 22.12.2025)
- Electrician, Mechanic (Diesel), Machinist, Fitter: 15–24 years
- Welder (Gas & Electric): 15–22 years
- Age relaxations:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC (NCL): 3 years
Educational & Technical Requirements
Candidates must possess the required academic and ITI qualification as of 01.12.2025:
| Trade | Minimum Education | Technical Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | 10th Pass (Science & Maths) with 50% marks | ITI in Electrician |
| Mechanic (Diesel) | 10th Pass with 50% marks | ITI in Mechanic (Diesel) |
| Machinist | 10th Pass (Science & Maths) with 50% marks | ITI in Machinist |
| Fitter | 10th Pass (Science & Maths) with 50% marks | ITI in Fitter |
| Welder (G&E) | 8th Pass | ITI in Welder |
Mandatory: National Trade Certificate (NTC) or Provisional NTC issued by NCVT. To
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply Online for PLW Apprentice 2025
The application process is divided into two stages — NATS portal registration and PLW portal application. Follow the steps below for an error-free submission:
KVS Recruitment 2025 Notification Explained > Posts, Promotion-Based Selection & Important Dates
- Register on the NATS portal at: www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in and download the registration confirmation.
- Visit www.plw.indianrailways.gov.in to begin the online application.
- Navigate to: Departments → Personnel → Misc Activities → Engagement of Act Apprentices.
- Select APPLY ONLINE, complete new user signup, and obtain login credentials.
- Log in and fill the application form with accurate academic and technical details.
- Upload the required scanned documents:
- Photograph: JPEG, maximum 100 KB
- Signature: JPEG, maximum 25 KB
- Submit the form.
- For applicants required to pay fees: login again after 48 hours to access the payment link and pay ₹100/-.
- Print both the final application form and fee receipt for verification purposes.
Application Fee Details
| Applicant Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women | No Fee |
| General / OBC / Others | ₹100 + bank charges |
How the Selection Process Works
PLW follows a transparent, merit-based method for shortlisting apprentices:
1. Merit List Preparation
- Average percentage of 10th marks + ITI marks
- Equal weightage for both academic and technical scores
- Merit list published trade-wise
2. Document Verification
Shortlisted candidates (around 1.5 times the vacancies) must appear with:
- Educational certificates
- ITI certificates
- Caste/PwBD/Ex-SM documents
- Medical certificate in the prescribed format
3. Final Allotment
Final selection depends on:
- Merit performance
- Reservation rules
- Successful document verification
Stipend Structure During Apprenticeship
The monthly stipend will follow the Apprentices Act, 1961 and updated government rules:
- 1st Year: ₹9,600 per month
- 2nd Year: ₹10,560 (For Welder & Mechanic Diesel – 1-year ITI)
- 3rd Year: ₹11,040 (For trades with 2-year ITI such as Electrician, Fitter, Machinist)
Important Dates & Deadlines
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 01 Dec 2025 |
| Online Application Start | 01 Dec 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 22 Dec 2025 (5:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 29 Dec 2025 |
