East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 1421 ALP, JE, Junior Clerk cum Typist & Other Posts

East Coast Railway has released the GDCE Recruitment 2026 notification for 1,421 departmental vacancies in safety and non-safety categories. The online application window will open on 15 August 2026 and eligible employees can submit their forms until 14 September 2026 through the Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar website.

Importantly, this is not an open-market railway recruitment. Only regular, eligible East Coast Railway employees holding a lien in ECoR—including the erstwhile Waltair Division/South Coast Railway—may apply. Employees of RPF/RPSF, candidates who have resigned, and those transferred to another railway are not eligible.

ECoR GDCE 2026 Overview

The GDCE notification has been issued to fill 25% of the net Direct Recruitment Quota vacancies. It covers posts such as Assistant Loco Pilot, Station Master, Goods Trains Manager, Junior Engineer, Technician, Junior Clerk cum Typist and Commercial Clerk cum Ticket Collector.

East Coast Railway GDCE Vacancy 2026

A total of 1,421 vacancies have been notified. Assistant Loco Pilot has the highest number of openings, with 1,046 vacancies.

The category-wise vacancy distribution is 679 for UR, 256 for SC, 135 for ST and 351 for OBC candidates. One Junior Engineer vacancy is identified for PwBD candidates. Vacancies are provisional and may be changed, increased, reduced or withdrawn by the Railway Administration as per operational requirements.

Eligibility and Age Limit

Applicants must be regular employees of East Coast Railway and possess the required direct-recruitment educational or technical qualification for their chosen post as on the date of notification. Employees who are working in a lower grade or pay scale than the notified post may apply if they meet the prescribed qualifications. Eligible staff in the same grade or pay scale can apply for specified safety-to-safety or non-safety-to-safety categories, subject to the notification conditions.

Candidates awaiting their final qualifying-examination result should not apply. Applicants should carefully check the post-wise qualification, medical standard, service eligibility and other requirements in Annexure A and Annexure B of the official GDCE notification before choosing preferences.

The age will be calculated as on 1 January 2027:

For all categories, the lower date-of-birth limit is 1 January 2009. The upper date-of-birth limits are 2 January 1985 for UR, 2 January 1982 for OBC-NCL and 2 January 1980 for SC/ST candidates.

ECoR GDCE Selection Process

The selection process will normally include a Computer-Based Test (CBT), followed by a Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) or Typing Skill Test where applicable, document verification and medical examination. Final appointment depends on merit, successful document verification, medical fitness and other prescribed checks.

There will be negative marking in the CBT: one-third of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every wrong answer. No negative marking applies in CBAT. The minimum qualifying percentage in the examination is 40% for UR, 30% for OBC-NCL and SC, and 25% for ST candidates.

For ALP, the CBT will contain 100 questions for 100 marks with a 120-minute duration. Questions will broadly cover Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, Basic Science and Engineering, and the relevant trade-specific area. ALP candidates shortlisted for CBAT must qualify each aptitude-test battery separately; the final merit will carry 50% weightage each for CBT and CBAT scores.

Junior Clerk cum Typist applicants will have to clear the applicable typing skill test after the CBT. Candidates should also note that their post preference, once submitted, will be treated as final and cannot be changed later.

How to Apply Online

Eligible ECoR staff can apply online from 15 August 2026 by following these steps:

1. Visit the official Railway Recruitment Cell, Bhubaneswar portal at rrcbbs.org.in.
2. Open the “East Coast Railway GDCE Notification 2026” application link once activated.
3. Read the notification thoroughly and verify post-wise eligibility, medical standards and qualification requirements.
4. Keep the IPAS ID, HRMS ID, date of birth, active personal mobile number and email ID ready.
5. Fill in service, personal, qualification and category details carefully.
6. Upload the required photograph, signature and supporting certificates in the prescribed format.
7. Submit one online application, even if applying for multiple eligible posts.
8. Download the completed application form after registration.
9. Obtain forwarding/certification from the controlling officer or immediate supervisor.
10. Upload the signed and forwarded application PDF under the supporting-documents section before final submission.

Candidates must upload a recent colour passport-size photograph, not older than three months, in JPEG format with a maximum size of 100 KB. The signature must be in running handwriting, not capital or block letters, and should be uploaded in JPG/JPEG format within the prescribed 10 KB to 40 KB size range.

Important Instructions

Employees should not wait until the final date because the RRC will not be responsible for website congestion or technical problems. Keep the registered mobile number and email address active throughout the recruitment process, as recruitment updates and e-call-letter intimation will be issued through SMS/email and the official website.

The printed application must be duly forwarded by the controlling officer, and the scanned signed copy must be uploaded. Applications without the immediate supervisor’s certification PDF, incorrect qualification details, invalid photograph, improper signature or incomplete information can be rejected.

Candidates should rely only on the official RRC Bhubaneswar portal and the notification PDF for updates on CBT dates, city intimation, e-call letters, CBAT, typing tests, document verification and results.

FAQs

Who can apply for East Coast Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026?

Only regular and eligible employees holding a lien in East Coast Railway, including the erstwhile Waltair Division/South Coast Railway, can apply. It is not open to outside candidates.

How many vacancies are available in ECoR GDCE 2026?

There are 1,421 vacancies across ALP, Station Master, Goods Trains Manager, JE, Technician, Junior Clerk cum Typist and Commercial Clerk cum Ticket Collector posts.

What is the last date to apply?

The online application deadline is 14 September 2026. Registration begins on 15 August 2026.

Is there negative marking in the CBT?

Yes. One-third of the marks allotted to a question will be deducted for each incorrect CBT answer.