Confused About Eligibility for RRB Technician? Here’s a Clear Explanation
Many aspirants preparing for RRB Technician Recruitment get confused about whether their trade or qualification is eligible. Since Indian Railways accepts specific ITI trades and engineering diplomas for each technician post, it’s important to understand the exact eligibility criteria.
Let’s clear the confusion with a trade-wise explanation.
General Eligibility Criteria for RRB Technician Posts
- Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen.
- Age Limit: Usually 18 to 30 years (relaxation available for reserved categories).
- Educational Qualification: Depends on the specific post, but broadly includes:
Acceptable Educational Qualifications
Candidates must possess one of the following (as per post requirements):
- Matriculation (10th) + ITI in specific trades from NCVT/SCVT.
- 10th + Act Apprenticeship Certificate (recognized by NCVT).
- Diploma in Engineering (only for certain posts – not all).
- Degree in Engineering – not usually required for technician posts unless explicitly mentioned.
Just having an ITI or Diploma doesn’t mean eligibility for all technician posts. Each post code accepts only specific trades.
Trade-Wise Post Eligibility (Example Based on 2018 RRB Notification)
| Technician Post Code | Department | Accepted Trades / Qualifications |
|---|---|---|
| Tech Grade III (Signal) | S\&T | ITI in Electronics Mechanic, Instrument Mechanic, Wireman |
| Tech Grade III (Fitter) | Mechanical | ITI in Fitter, Millwright Maintenance Mechanic |
| Tech Grade III (Electrician) | Electrical | ITI in Electrician, Wireman, Power Electronics Mechanic |
| Tech Grade III (Welder) | Workshop/Mechanical | ITI in Welder (Gas & Electric) |
Always refer to the official notification’s annexure for post-wise and trade-wise eligibility.
Diploma Holder Confusion – What You Need to Know
- You can apply only if the technician post mentions Diploma as a valid qualification.
- Diploma does not automatically qualify you for ITI-based posts.
- Degree holders are often not considered eligible for lower-level technician posts unless specifically allowed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming any ITI trade can apply to any technician post.- Filling the form without checking exact trade-to-post mapping.
- Assuming Diploma holders are eligible for all ITI posts – they are not, unless specified.
What Should You Do?
- Read the post-wise trade eligibility table very carefully.
- Don’t rely on assumptions — rely on the official annexure.
Let’s Discuss in Comments:
- What is your trade or qualification?
- Not sure if you are eligible for a specific Technician post?
Drop your details in the comments. We’ll help you figure it out together!
Let’s clear doubts, stay updated, and help each other prepare smartly for RRB Technician 2025!