Recruitment drive for filling 25% of net Direct Recruitment Quota vacancies in Safety and Non-Safety category posts through General Departmental Competitive Examination (GDCE).
Open to regular and eligible employees (excluding RPF/RPSF) with lien in East Coast Railway, including erstwhile Waltair Division/South Central Railway.
Vacancies available for Assistant Loco Pilot, Station Master, Goods Train Manager, Junior Engineer, Technicians, Junior Clerk cum Typist, and Commercial Clerk cum Ticket Collector.
Selection process includes Computer Based Test (CBT), Aptitude Test/Typing Skill Test (where applicable), Document Verification, and Medical Examination.
Merit-based selection with no supplementary exams for absentees under any circumstances.
RRC
Active Listing
🎓 10th Pass (Matric)
🎓 12th Pass (Intermediate)
🎓 ITI
🎓 Diploma
🎓 Polytechnic Diploma
🎓 Graduate
🎓 Bachelor's Degree
🎓 B.Tech
🎓 B.E.
🎓 Equivalent Qualification
General Departmental Competitive Examination (GDCE) 2026 for East Coast Railway
Railway Recruitment Cell, East Coast Railway
Total Vacancies
1,421
Job Location
East Coast Railway (including erstwhile Waltair Division/South Central Railway)
Apply Start
15 Aug 2026
Apply Deadline
14 Sep 2026
📋 Recruitment Overview
| Organization | Railway Recruitment Cell, East Coast Railway (RRC/ECoR) |
| Job Category | Railway |
| Eligibility Qualification | 10th Pass (Matric) (10th-pass), 12th Pass (Intermediate) (12th-pass), ITI (iti), Diploma (diploma), Polytechnic Diploma (polytechnic-diploma), Graduate (graduate), Bachelor's Degree (bachelors-degree), B.Tech (btech), B.E. (be), Equivalent Qualification (equivalent-qualification) |
| Number of Vacancies | 1,421 Posts |
| Salary / Pay Scale | Pay Level 2 to 6 as per 7th CPC (specific pay scales vary by post). |
| Age Limits | 18 to 47 Years |
| Gender Eligibility | both |
| Experience Required | Regular employees of East Coast Railway with prescribed educational qualifications are eligible. |
| Application Fee | No application fee for regular employees of East Coast Railway. Fee applicable only if candidates apply for posts outside their current grade/pay scale (as per Railway Board rules). |
📄 Details & Description
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
Must be a regular employee with lien in East Coast Railway (excluding RPF/RPSF).
Educational qualifications vary by post (detailed in Annexure-B of the notification).
Age limit: 18-42 years (UR), 18-45 years (OBC), 18-47 years (SC/ST) as of 01.01.2027.
Date of birth must match Matriculation/SSLC/Xth Class or equivalent certificate and service records.
Candidates awaiting final examination results are not eligible to apply.
Medical fitness is mandatory; failure to meet prescribed standards will result in disqualification.
Educational qualifications vary by post (detailed in Annexure-B of the notification).
Age limit: 18-42 years (UR), 18-45 years (OBC), 18-47 years (SC/ST) as of 01.01.2027.
Date of birth must match Matriculation/SSLC/Xth Class or equivalent certificate and service records.
Candidates awaiting final examination results are not eligible to apply.
Medical fitness is mandatory; failure to meet prescribed standards will result in disqualification.
⚙️ Selection Process
Stage 1: Computer Based Test (CBT) with negative marking (1/3rd deduction per wrong answer).
Stage 2: Aptitude Test/Typing Skill Test (where applicable) for shortlisted candidates (8 times the number of vacancies).
Stage 3: Document Verification based on CBT/CBAT merit.
Stage 4: Medical Examination for final selection.
Merit list prepared based on CBT and Aptitude Test scores (50% weightage each for ALP; 70% CBT and 30% CBAT for Station Master).
No supplementary exams for absentees under any circumstances.
Stage 2: Aptitude Test/Typing Skill Test (where applicable) for shortlisted candidates (8 times the number of vacancies).
Stage 3: Document Verification based on CBT/CBAT merit.
Stage 4: Medical Examination for final selection.
Merit list prepared based on CBT and Aptitude Test scores (50% weightage each for ALP; 70% CBT and 30% CBAT for Station Master).
No supplementary exams for absentees under any circumstances.
🏷️ Category Eligibility & Reservations
General (UR), OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), SC, ST, and PwBD (as per reservation rules).
📂 Required Documents
Passport-sized color photograph (not older than 3 months).
Scanned signature (in running handwriting, not block letters).
Self-attested copies of date of birth proof (Matriculation/SSLC/Xth Class certificate).
Educational/technical qualification certificates (as per Annexure-B).
Caste certificate (for SC/ST/OBC-NCL candidates) in prescribed format.
PwBD certificate (if applicable) in prescribed format.
Relieving letter from controlling authority (mandatory for application submission).
Valid Photo ID (Aadhar Card, Voter ID, Driving License, PAN Card, Passport, or employer-issued ID).
Vision Certificate (for ALP and Station Master candidates opting for CBAT).
Scanned signature (in running handwriting, not block letters).
Self-attested copies of date of birth proof (Matriculation/SSLC/Xth Class certificate).
Educational/technical qualification certificates (as per Annexure-B).
Caste certificate (for SC/ST/OBC-NCL candidates) in prescribed format.
PwBD certificate (if applicable) in prescribed format.
Relieving letter from controlling authority (mandatory for application submission).
Valid Photo ID (Aadhar Card, Voter ID, Driving License, PAN Card, Passport, or employer-issued ID).
Vision Certificate (for ALP and Station Master candidates opting for CBAT).
💳 Application Fee Details
No application fee for regular employees of East Coast Railway.
Fee applicable only if candidates apply for posts outside their current grade/pay scale (as per Railway Board rules).
Fee applicable only if candidates apply for posts outside their current grade/pay scale (as per Railway Board rules).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q.
What is the General Departmental Competitive Examination (GDCE) conducted by East Coast Railway?
The GDCE is a competitive examination conducted by East Coast Railway to fill 25% of the net direct recruitment quota vacancies in Safety and Non-Safety category posts for eligible regular employees of the railway.
Q.
What are the stages of the GDCE selection process?
The selection process includes a Computer Based Test (CBT), followed by an Aptitude Test or Typing Skill Test (where applicable), Document Verification, and Medical Examination.
Q.
Is there negative marking in the GDCE Computer Based Test (CBT)?
Yes, there is negative marking in the CBT. For each incorrect answer, one-third of the marks allotted for the question will be deducted. However, there is no negative marking in the Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT).
Q.
What is the minimum percentage of marks required to qualify for the GDCE?
The minimum qualifying marks are 40% for UR candidates, 30% for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), 30% for SC, and 25% for ST. These percentages may be relaxed by 2 marks for PwBD candidates if there is a shortage of PwBD candidates against reserved vacancies.
Q.
Can candidates with disabilities avail the assistance of a scribe for the GDCE?
Yes, candidates with disabilities who have difficulty writing can avail the assistance of a scribe, provided they produce the required certificate and submit a letter of undertaking as per the prescribed format.