East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – 1421 Vacancies, Eligibility, Exam Pattern & Apply Online

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026: Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), East Coast Railway, Bhubaneswar has released the GDCE 2026 notification for eligible regular railway employees. The recruitment is being conducted for filling vacancies under the General Departmental Competitive Examination (GDCE) quota in Safety and Non-Safety categories.

The official notification is dated 07 August 2026. A total of 1,421 vacancies have been notified for posts including Assistant Loco Pilot, Station Master, Goods Train Manager, Junior Engineer, Technicians, Junior Clerk cum Typist and Commercial Clerk cum Ticket Collector.

Eligible employees can submit the online application from 15 August 2026. The last date to submit the application is 14 September 2026.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Vacancy Details

Under the East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026, vacancies are available across multiple railway posts. The highest number of vacancies is for Assistant Loco Pilot, followed by Goods Train Manager and Technician posts.

The recruitment process includes a Computer Based Test (CBT), followed by an Aptitude Test or Typing Skill Test wherever applicable, Document Verification and Medical Examination.

Official Notification PDF: Download East Coast Railway GDCE 2026 Notification PDF

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Eligibility Criteria

For East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026, candidates must satisfy the prescribed age, educational/technical qualification and service-related eligibility conditions given in the official notification.

Who Can Apply?

• The applicant must be a regular and eligible employee/lien holder of East Coast Railway, including the erstwhile Waltair Division/SCoR.
• RPF/RPSF employees are not eligible for this recruitment.
• Employees who have resigned from East Coast Railway are not eligible.
• Employees transferred to another Railway from East Coast Railway are also not eligible.
• Eligible employees working in a lower grade/pay scale than the GDCE post can appear for the selection, subject to the prescribed qualification.
• Eligible employees in the same grade/pay scale can also apply for applicable GDCE selections, including Non-Safety to Safety and Safety to Safety category posts.

Age Limit

The age will be calculated as on 01 January 2027.

Important: SC/ST/OBC-NCL candidates applying against unreserved vacancies will not get age relaxation.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess the minimum educational or technical qualification prescribed for their respective post as mentioned in Annexure-B of the notification. The required qualification must be available as prescribed in the notification; candidates awaiting the final result of the required qualification should not apply.

Post-wise Qualification – Quick Overview

Important Eligibility Points

• The Date of Birth entered in the application must match the Matriculation/SSLC/Xth certificate and Service Record.
• Required educational/technical qualification must be possessed as prescribed in the notification.
• Applicants awaiting the final examination result of the prescribed qualification should not apply.
• For reserved-category benefits, candidates must produce the required certificates during Document Verification.
• OBC-NCL candidates must submit the prescribed valid OBC-NCL certificate and required declaration.
• There is no separate EWS reservation under this notification.
• Post preference once submitted is treated as final and cannot be changed later.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Vacancy Details

The East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 includes 1,421 vacancies across Assistant Loco Pilot, Station Master, Goods Train Manager, Junior Engineer, Technician, Junior Clerk cum Typist and Commercial Clerk cum Ticket Collector posts.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Post-wise Qualification

1. Assistant Loco Pilot / Electrical

• Qualification: Matriculation/SSLC + relevant ITI from NCVT/SCVT, or relevant Course Completed Act Apprenticeship.
• Eligible ITI trades include Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, Fitter, Mechanic Diesel, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Turner, Wireman and other trades specified in the notification.
• Alternative: 3-year Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics or Automobile Engineering.
• Engineering Degree in the specified disciplines is also acceptable in lieu of Diploma.
• Medical Standard: A-1

2. Station Master / Operating

• Qualification: Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.
• Medical Standard: A-2

3. Goods Train Manager / Operating

• Qualification: Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.
• Medical Standard: A-2

4. Junior Engineer – Civil & Other Engineering Posts

• JE/Track Machine: 3-year Diploma in Mechanical, Production, Automobile, Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation & Control Engineering or relevant combination.
• JE/Civil (P.Way): 3-year Diploma/B.Sc. in Civil Engineering or prescribed combination of Civil Engineering streams.
• JE/Civil (Works): 3-year Diploma/B.Sc. in Civil Engineering or prescribed combination.
• JE/Civil (Bridge): 3-year Diploma/B.Sc. in Civil Engineering or prescribed combination.
• JE/Civil (Design, Drawing & Estimation): 3-year Diploma/B.Sc. in Civil Engineering or prescribed combination.
• Medical standards vary according to the concerned JE post, including A-3, B-1 and C-1.

5. Technician Grade III

• Generally requires Matriculation/SSLC + relevant ITI from recognized NCVT/SCVT institutions or relevant Course Completed Act Apprenticeship.
• Different Technician posts require specific trades such as Electrician, Wireman, Electronics Mechanic, Fitter, Welder, Machinist, Mechanic Diesel and other prescribed trades.
• For Technician-III/S&T (Telecom), 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics is also accepted as specified in the notification.
• Medical standards vary by post, including B-1, B-2 and A-3.

6. Junior Clerk cum Typist

• Qualification: 12th (+2 Stage) or equivalent with at least 50% aggregate marks.
• The 50% requirement is not applicable to SC/ST, PwBD candidates and candidates possessing qualification higher than 12th, as specified.
• Typing proficiency: English/Hindi typing on computer is essential.
• Medical Standard: C-2

7. Commercial Clerk cum Ticket Collector

• Qualification: 12th (+2 Stage) or equivalent with at least 50% aggregate marks.
• The 50% requirement is not applicable to SC/ST, PwBD candidates and candidates possessing qualification higher than 12th, as specified.
• Medical Standard: B-2

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Exam Pattern

The East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 selection process includes a Computer Based Test (CBT), followed by CBAT or Typing Skill Test wherever applicable, Document Verification and Medical Examination.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – CBT Pattern

Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)

• Duration: 120 Minutes
• Total Questions: 100
• Mathematics – 25 Questions
• General Intelligence & Reasoning – 25 Questions
• Basic Science & Engineering – 25 Questions
• Trade Specific – 25 Questions
• Each question carries 1 mark.

Station Master & Goods Train Manager

• Duration: 90 Minutes
• Total Questions: 120
• General Awareness – 50 Questions
• Mathematics – 35 Questions
• General Intelligence & Reasoning – 35 Questions

Junior Engineer (JE)

• Duration: 120 Minutes
• Total Questions: 150
• General Awareness – 15 Questions
• Physics & Chemistry – 15 Questions
• Basics of Computers & Applications – 10 Questions
• Environment & Pollution Control – 10 Questions
• Technical Ability – 100 Questions

For JE, the technical section carries 150 marks, while the remaining sections carry 15, 15, 10 and 10 marks respectively.

Technician Grade III

• Duration: 90 Minutes
• Total Questions: 100
• Mathematics – 25 Questions
• General Intelligence & Reasoning – 25 Questions
• General Science – 40 Questions
• General Awareness – 10 Questions

Junior Clerk cum Typist & Commercial Clerk

• Duration: 90 Minutes
• Total Questions: 120
• General Awareness – 50 Questions
• Mathematics – 35 Questions
• General Intelligence & Reasoning – 35 Questions
• Questions are objective type with multiple choices.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Syllabus

Mathematics

Number System, Decimals, Fractions, LCM, HCF, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, Mensuration, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Simple & Compound Interest, Profit & Loss, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Elementary Statistics.

General Intelligence & Reasoning

Analogies, Number & Alphabetical Series, Coding-Decoding, Mathematical Operations, Relationships, Syllogism, Venn Diagrams, Puzzles, Data Sufficiency, Analytical Reasoning, Classification, Directions, Statement-Conclusion and Decision Making.

General Awareness

Current Affairs, Sports, Art & Culture, Indian Literature, History, Geography, Indian Polity, Economy, General Science, Technology, Environment, Computers, Government Schemes and important national and international developments.

Basic Science & Engineering

Engineering Drawing, Units and Measurements, Mass, Weight, Density, Work, Power, Energy, Speed, Velocity, Heat, Temperature, Basic Electricity, Simple Machines, Occupational Safety, Environment Education and IT Literacy.

Junior Engineer Technical Syllabus

The JE technical syllabus covers the prescribed engineering discipline. For Civil & Allied Engineering, major areas include Engineering Mechanics, Building Construction, Building Materials, Surveying, Concrete Technology, Geotechnical Engineering, Hydraulics, Irrigation Engineering, Structural Mechanics, Design of Concrete & Steel Structures, Transportation Engineering, Highway Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Estimating & Costing and Contracts & Accounts.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Negative Marking

• CBT: 1/3 negative marking for each incorrect answer.
• CBAT: No negative marking.
• CBTST/Typing Test: Qualifying nature.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – CBAT Details

For Assistant Loco Pilot and Station Master, candidates qualifying the CBT will be shortlisted for the Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) up to 8 times the number of vacancies, subject to the prescribed conditions.

• CBAT is conducted in English and Hindi.
• There is no negative marking in CBAT.
• A minimum T-Score of 42 in each test battery is required.
• For ALP, CBT carries 50% and CBAT carries 50% weightage in the merit list.
• For Station Master, CBT carries 70% and CBAT carries 30% weightage.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Typing Test

For Junior Clerk cum Typist, the Computer Based Typing Skill Test (CBTST) is qualifying in nature. Candidates should be able to type 30 words per minute in English or 25 words per minute in Hindi on a personal computer without editing tools.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Educational Qualification

As per the official notification, candidates must possess the prescribed educational or technical qualification for the post applied for. The qualification must be obtained from a recognized University, Board or Institute, wherever applicable.

Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)

• Qualification: Matriculation/SSLC + ITI in the relevant trade from a recognized institution.
• OR 10th + relevant Act Apprenticeship.
• OR 3-year Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics or Automobile Engineering.
• Relevant Engineering Degree may also be accepted in lieu of Diploma.
• Medical Standard: A-1

Station Master

• Qualification: Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.
• Post Type: Safety
• Medical Standard: A-2

Goods Train Manager

• Qualification: Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.
• Post Type: Safety
• Medical Standard: A-2

Junior Engineer (JE)

• Qualification: Three-year Diploma in the relevant Engineering discipline.
• For Civil posts, Diploma/B.Sc. in Civil Engineering of the prescribed duration is accepted as specified in the notification.
• Relevant combinations of Engineering disciplines are applicable for certain JE posts.
• Post Type: Safety/Non-Safety depending on the post.
• Medical Standard: Generally A-3 or B-1 depending on the post.

Technician Grade III

• Qualification: Matriculation/SSLC + ITI in the relevant trade from a recognized NCVT/SCVT institution.
• Act Apprenticeship in the relevant trade may also be accepted as prescribed.
• Different Technician posts have different trade requirements.
• Post Type: Safety
• Medical Standard: B-1, B-2 or A-3 depending on the post.

Junior Clerk cum Typist

• Qualification: 12th (+2 Stage) or equivalent.
• Minimum Marks: 50% marks in aggregate.
• The 50% requirement is not applicable to SC/ST/PwBD candidates and candidates possessing qualifications higher than 12th (+2 Stage), as specified.
• Typing proficiency in English/Hindi on a computer is essential.
• Post Type: Non-Safety
• Medical Standard: C-2

Commercial Clerk cum Ticket Collector (CCTC)

• Qualification: 12th (+2 Stage) or equivalent.
• Minimum Marks: 50% marks in aggregate.
• The prescribed 50% requirement has the applicable relaxations mentioned in the notification.
• Post Type: Non-Safety
• Medical Standard: B-2

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Post-wise Medical Standards

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Important Eligibility Conditions

• Candidates must possess the prescribed qualification on or before the closing date of online application.
• Candidates awaiting the final result of the prescribed qualification should not apply.
• Educational and technical qualifications must be from recognized institutions.
• Medical fitness is mandatory for appointment to the respective post.
• Employees must satisfy the prescribed eligibility conditions for the particular GDCE post.
• Applicants should carefully check the post-specific qualification before submitting the application.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Who Can Apply?

The recruitment is conducted for eligible regular employees/employees of East Coast Railway, including the specified divisions and units mentioned in the notification. Candidates must satisfy the prescribed educational, age, medical and service-related conditions for the post they select.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Reservation

Reservation benefits will be provided to eligible candidates belonging to reserved categories according to the applicable Railway/Government rules and the conditions mentioned in the official notification.

OBC-NCL Certificate

• OBC candidates seeking reservation must fulfil the prescribed Non-Creamy Layer conditions.
• The required certificate/declaration must be produced at the appropriate stage.
• OBC candidates applying against UR vacancies will not receive OBC reservation benefits.

SC/ST Candidates

• Valid caste/community certificates must be produced during Document Verification.
• The certificate should be issued by the competent authority in the prescribed format.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – How to Apply

Eligible railway employees can submit their application through the official RRC Bhubaneswar online application portal. Candidates should complete the form carefully because incorrect information may lead to rejection.

1. Visit the official RRC Bhubaneswar website.
2. Open the GDCE 2026 online application link.
3. Read the notification and application instructions carefully.
4. Enter the required employee/service details correctly.
5. Select the eligible post and preferred post/category as applicable.
6. Enter personal, educational and other required information.
7. Upload the documents/photo/signature wherever required in the prescribed format.
8. Check all details carefully before final submission.
9. Submit the application before 14 September 2026.
10. Save or print the submitted application for future reference.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Application Instructions

Documents Required

Candidates should keep the following documents/details ready as applicable for application and subsequent verification:

• Employee ID / Railway service details
• Matriculation / SSLC certificate
• Educational qualification certificates
• ITI / Apprenticeship certificate, wherever applicable
• Diploma / Degree certificate, wherever applicable
• SC/ST certificate, if applicable
• OBC-NCL certificate and declaration, if applicable
• PwBD certificate, if applicable
• Service-related documents
• Recent photograph and signature, wherever required

Application Form – Important Checks

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Selection Process

The selection process is based on merit and includes a Computer Based Test (CBT), followed by an Aptitude Test or Typing Skill Test wherever applicable, Document Verification and Medical Examination.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Minimum Qualifying Marks

Candidates must secure the prescribed minimum percentage of marks in the CBT to remain eligible for the next stages of selection.

CBT Shortlisting

• Candidates for CBAT/Typing Skill Test may be shortlisted up to 8 times the number of vacancies.
• Candidates for Document Verification are shortlisted according to their marks and merit in the applicable selection stages.
• The number of candidates shortlisted for DV will be equal to the number of vacancies finally available, subject to the prescribed conditions.
• In case of equal marks, the older candidate will receive higher merit. If age is also the same, alphabetical order of the candidate’s given name will be used.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Document Verification

Candidates shortlisted for Document Verification must produce the original documents required to establish their eligibility. Verification is carried out after the candidate qualifies in the applicable examination stages.

Documents to Keep Ready

• Matriculation / SSLC / Class 10 certificate
• Educational qualification certificates and mark sheets
• ITI / Act Apprenticeship certificate, wherever applicable
• Diploma / Degree certificates, wherever applicable
• Valid SC/ST certificate, if applicable
• Valid OBC-NCL certificate and prescribed declaration, if applicable
• PwBD certificate, wherever applicable
• Service-related documents
• Valid Photo ID
• Other documents specified by RRC/Bhubaneswar

Medical Examination

Final appointment is subject to the candidate passing the prescribed medical fitness examination for the selected post.

• Medical standards differ according to the post.
• Candidates should check the medical standard before selecting a post.
• Failure to meet the prescribed medical standard can result in the candidate being declared unsuitable for empanelment.
• Final appointment is also subject to verification of educational and community certificates and antecedents/character.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Important General Instructions

Important Exam Hall Instructions

• Mobile phones and other electronic communication devices are prohibited.
• Bluetooth devices, laptops, calculators, pen drives and wrist watches are also prohibited.
• Candidates should not carry prohibited metallic items or other banned materials to the examination centre.
• Candidates should carry the required e-Call Letter and valid Photo ID.
• Any malpractice, impersonation or use of unfair means may result in cancellation and debarment.

Malpractice & Unfair Means

Normalization of CBT Marks

Where the CBT is conducted in multiple sessions, normalized marks may be used for preparing the merit list. The normalization methodology specified by the Railway Recruitment Boards will be followed for the applicable multi-session examination.

Final Appointment

Recommendation by RRC does not itself constitute a final appointment. Selected candidates will be posted in any division or unit under East Coast Railway, including the erstwhile Waltair Division/SCoR, according to administrative requirements and available vacancies.

Appointment is subject to medical fitness, verification of certificates, antecedents/character and fulfilment of all prescribed conditions.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Salary & Pay Level

Selected candidates will receive salary according to the Pay Level of the respective post under the 7th Central Pay Commission. The basic pay and other admissible allowances will depend on the post and applicable Railway rules.

Post-wise Job Profile

Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)

• Assists the Loco Pilot during train operations.
• Monitors locomotive systems and operational conditions.
• Performs duties according to railway safety rules and instructions.

Station Master

• Responsible for safe and efficient station operations.
• Coordinates train movements and station activities.
• Ensures compliance with railway operating and safety procedures.

Goods Train Manager

• Performs duties related to goods train operations.
• Coordinates with operating and other railway staff.
• Ensures proper observance of train working and safety procedures.

Junior Engineer (JE)

• Handles technical and engineering-related responsibilities.
• Supervises maintenance and technical work according to the concerned department.
• Maintains records and ensures prescribed technical standards.

Technician

• Performs technical maintenance and repair duties.
• Works according to the relevant trade and department requirements.
• Follows prescribed safety and maintenance procedures.

Junior Clerk cum Typist

• Performs clerical and office-related duties.
• Maintains records and handles computer-based office work.
• Typing proficiency is required as prescribed.

Commercial Clerk cum Ticket Collector

• Handles passenger/commercial-related railway duties.
• Performs ticketing and other assigned commercial responsibilities.
• Works according to applicable railway commercial procedures.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Important Points

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026?

It is a General Departmental Competitive Examination conducted by East Coast Railway for eligible railway employees against notified GDCE vacancies.

2. How many vacancies are available?

A total of 1,421 vacancies have been notified across different posts.

3. What is the application starting date?

The online application process starts on 15 August 2026.

4. What is the last date to apply?

The last date for online application is 14 September 2026.

5. Who can apply for GDCE 2026?

Eligible regular employees/lien holders of East Coast Railway who satisfy the prescribed service, age, educational and other conditions can apply.

6. Are RPF/RPSF employees eligible?

No. RPF/RPSF employees are excluded as specified in the official notification.

7. Is there negative marking in the CBT?

Yes. 1/3 of the marks allotted to a question will be deducted for each incorrect answer in the CBT.

8. Is CBAT applicable to all posts?

No. CBAT is applicable to posts such as Assistant Loco Pilot and Station Master, subject to the prescribed selection procedure.

9. Is a Typing Test required for Junior Clerk cum Typist?

Yes. Candidates for Junior Clerk cum Typist have to qualify the prescribed Computer Based Typing Skill Test.

10. Where can candidates check the official notification?

Candidates can download the complete notification from the official RRC Bhubaneswar website.

East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 – Important Links

Final Words

The East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 provides eligible railway employees with an opportunity to compete for a wide range of Safety and Non-Safety posts. Candidates should carefully review the official notification, confirm their eligibility and complete the online application within the prescribed schedule.

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Nimain Charan Juanga

Founder & Government Job Analyst | CareerJobAlert.com

Nimain Charan Juanga is the Founder of CareerJobAlert.com and a Government Job Analyst specializing in SSC, UPSC, Railway, Banking, and State Government recruitment updates. He focuses on publishing accurate job notifications, exam updates, admit cards, results, and official career alerts across India. All information is carefully verified from official government sources before publication to ensure reliability and accuracy for job seekers.