ECR GDCE Recruitment 2026, Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Patna has officially published the General Departmental Competitive Examination (GDCE) 2026 notification for 1,465 vacancies across multiple technical and non-technical post categories. Regular and eligible serving employees of East Central Railway and RWP/Bela holding qualifications ranging from ITI, 10+2 (PCM), Engineering Diploma, B.E./B.Tech to Graduation can apply online. Online registration opens on 15th September 2026 and closes on 15th October 2026. Candidates can check complete eligibility, selection criteria, age relaxations, post-wise breakdown, and direct application links below.

Overview Table

Overview Field	Details
Organization Name	Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), East Central Railway (ECR), Patna
Exam Name	General Departmental Competitive Examination (GDCE) 2026
Post Name(s)	Assistant Loco Pilot, Technician Gr. III, Junior Engineer, Goods Train Manager, Station Master, Senior Clerk, CCTC, Section Controller, DMS, Chief CCTS
Total Number of Vacancies	1,465 Posts
Qualification	Matriculation + ITI/Act Apprenticeship, 10+2 with Physics & Math, 3-Year Engineering Diploma / B.E. / B.Tech, or Bachelor’s Degree
Job Location	East Central Railway Jurisdiction (Patna, Hajipur, Danapur, Dhanbad, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Samastipur, Sonpur)
Application Mode	Online
Last Date to Apply	15th October 2026 (23:59 hrs)
Official Website Link	ecr.indianrailways.gov.in

Vacancies Detail of ECR GDCE Recruitment 2026

The recruitment drive offers internal progression opportunities for serving railway employees across various departments including Mechanical, Electrical, Civil Engineering, Signal & Telecommunication, Operating, and Commercial divisions. Below is the post-wise break-up and eligibility summary:

1. Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)

• No. of Vacancies: Multiple vacancies allocated across ECR divisions.
• Qualification: Matriculation / Class 10th pass plus ITI in specified trades (Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic, Mechanic Radio & TV, Electronics Mechanic, Wireman, Tractor Mechanic, Armature & Coil Winder, Diesel Mechanic, Heat Engine, Turner, Machinist, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic) OR Act Apprenticeship in relevant trade OR 3-Year Diploma / Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering.
• Age Limit (as on 01.01.2027): 18 to 42 years for General; 18 to 45 years for OBC/EBC; 18 to 47 years for SC/ST.
• Pay Scale / Salary Level: Pay Level 2 (7th CPC) plus applicable running and running-allowance allowances.

2. Technician Grade III

• No. of Vacancies: Multiple posts across Electrical, Mechanical, S&T, and Track Machine departments.
• Qualification: Matriculation / SSLC plus ITI / Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in the relevant trade OR 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics for Signal & Telecom Technician posts.
• Age Limit (as on 01.01.2027): 18 to 42 years (UR), 18 to 45 years (OBC/EBC), 18 to 47 years (SC/ST).
• Pay Scale / Salary Level: Pay Level 2 under the 7th Pay Commission matrix.

3. Junior Engineer (JE) & Depot Material Superintendent (DMS)

• No. of Vacancies: Posts distributed across Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, and Stores Departments.
• Qualification: 3-Year Diploma in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Manufacturing, Mechatronics, Industrial, Tools & Die) or B.E. / B.Tech in the relevant discipline from a recognized institution.
• Age Limit (as on 01.01.2027): 18 to 42 years (General), 18 to 45 years (OBC/EBC), 18 to 47 years (SC/ST).
• Pay Scale / Salary Level: Pay Level 6 (7th CPC).

4. Station Master & Goods Train Manager

• No. of Vacancies: Multiple openings in Operating Department.
• Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent institution.
• Age Limit (as on 01.01.2027): 18 to 42 years (UR), 18 to 45 years (OBC/EBC), 18 to 47 years (SC/ST).
• Pay Scale / Salary Level: Pay Level 6 for Station Master and Pay Level 5 for Goods Train Manager.

5. Commercial cum Ticket Clerk (CCTC) & Senior Clerk cum Typist

• No. of Vacancies: Openings across Commercial and Personnel/Admin departments.
• Qualification: 10+2 with minimum 50% marks for CCTC (10+2 pass for SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen) OR Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university for Senior Clerk posts.
• Age Limit (as on 01.01.2027): 18 to 42 years for General, 18 to 45 years for OBC/EBC, 18 to 47 years for SC/ST.
• Pay Scale / Salary Level: Pay Level 3 (CCTC) and Pay Level 5 (Senior Clerk).

6. Section Controller & Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor (Chief CCTS)

• No. of Vacancies: Senior supervisory roles under Operating & Commercial branches.
• Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.
• Age Limit (as on 01.01.2027): 18 to 42 years (UR), 18 to 45 years (OBC/EBC), 18 to 47 years (SC/ST).
• Pay Scale / Salary Level: Pay Level 6 (7th CPC).

Selection Procedure

The recruitment selection process for ECR GDCE 2026 is designed to test technical, operational, and administrative competence. Candidates must pass through sequential evaluation stages:

1. Computer Based Test (CBT): A standard single-stage objective exam covering General Awareness, Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, and Technical/Trade Subjects (where relevant for JE, ALP, and Technician categories). Negative marking of 1/3rd mark applies for wrong responses.
2. Skill / Aptitude Test (as applicable):
   • CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test): Mandatory for candidates applying for Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) and Station Master posts.
   • CBTST (Computer Based Typing Skill Test): Skill test in English or Hindi typing required for Senior Clerk cum Typist posts.
3. Document Verification (DV): Verification of original academic qualifications, Service Register entries, caste certificates, and regular appointment proofs. Qualifications must be updated in the candidate’s Service Register before the closing date.
4. Medical Examination: Comprehensive medical examination conducted by the Railway Medical Department to assess physical fitness according to post-specific medical standards (e.g., A-1 for ALP, A-2 for Station Master, etc.).

Application Fees of ECR GDCE Recruitment 2026

Since this is an internal departmental examination organized for regular Railway employees, no application fee is charged.

Category	Application Fee
General / EWS / OBC / EBC	₹0/- (Nil)
SC / ST / Female / PwBD	₹0/- (Nil)

Important Dates

Candidates must ensure their application details and service credentials are complete prior to the closing deadline.

Event	Date / Schedule
Official Notification Date	September 2026
Online Application Start Date	15th September 2026 (00:01 hrs)
Online Application Closing Date	15th October 2026 (23:59 hrs)
Computer Based Test (CBT) Date	To be updated on official website

How to Apply

Follow this step-by-step procedure to submit your online application on the official RRC portal:

1. Visit the Portal: Open your web browser and navigate to the official GDCE application portal at gdce.rrcrail.in or follow the link from ecr.indianrailways.gov.in.
2. New Candidate Registration: Click on “New Registration” and enter your IPAS Employee ID, Mobile Number, Email ID, Date of Birth, and current posting details.
3. Fill Application Form: Login using your generated registration credentials and fill out personal information, Educational Qualifications, Community Category, and Railway Service details.
4. Select Post Preferences: Carefully select post choices and departmental preferences based on your academic eligibility and medical standard fitness.
5. Upload Documents: Upload scanned clear copies of your passport-sized photograph, signature, educational certificates, ITI/Diploma/Degree certificates, caste certificate, and employee identity proof/service book front page.
6. Review and Submit: Thoroughly review all details before final submission. Click on “Submit” and print out a copy of the completed application form for your departmental records.

Important Links

Link Description	Direct URL Link
Apply Online	Click Here
Download Official Notification	Click Here
Official Website	Click Here
Join Telegram Channel	Click Here
Join WhatsApp Channel	Click Here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Who is eligible to apply for East Central Railway GDCE 2026?

Ans: Only regular and eligible serving employees of East Central Railway (ECR) and RWP/Bela are eligible to apply. RPF and RPSF staff members are explicitly excluded from participating in this GDCE drive as per Railway Board rules. https://ecr.indianrailways.gov.in

Q2. Is there any application fee for the ECR GDCE Recruitment?

Ans: No, there is zero application fee for all categories (UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS/Female) as this is an internal Railway departmental examination.

Q3. What is the maximum age limit for General category candidates in this GDCE exam?

Ans: As of 01.01.2027, the upper age limit for Unreserved (General) male candidates is 42 years (born between 02.01.1985 and 01.01.2009). Upper age relaxation applies to SC/ST (up to 47 years) and OBC/EBC/Female candidates (up to 45 years).

Q4. Can contract workers or apprentices apply for this GDCE recruitment?

Ans: No, contract staff, temporary employees, casual laborers, and apprentices are not eligible. Only regular employees whose appointments have been confirmed and entry recorded in the Official Service Register of ECR/RWP Bela are eligible.

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