Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 4471 Act Apprentice Vacancies
Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Southern Railway has released Act Apprentices Notification No. 01/2026 for engagement of apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Eligible candidates can submit their applications online for training in various designated trades across different Divisions, Workshops and Units of Southern Railway.
The online application process has started on 28 August 2026, and the last date to submit the application is 27 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM. A total of 4471 Apprentice slots are available, including 163 vacancies under the Fresher category and 4308 vacancies under the Ex-ITI category.
This recruitment is suitable for candidates who have completed 10th, 12th and ITI qualifications in the relevant trades. Selection will be made on the basis of a merit list prepared from qualifying examination and ITI marks, as applicable.
Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Southern Railway |
| Railway Unit | Southern Railway, Chennai |
| Recruitment | Act Apprentice Engagement |
| Notification No. | 01/2026 |
| Act | Apprentices Act, 1961 |
| Total Vacancies | 4471 |
| Fresher Vacancies | 163 |
| Ex-ITI Vacancies | 4308 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Opening Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Last Date | 27 September 2026 |
| Closing Time | 5:00 PM |
| Selection Process | Merit List |
| Training | Apprenticeship Training |
| Official Website | sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Southern Railway Apprentice Vacancy 2026
Southern Railway has announced 4471 Apprentice slots in various trades and units.
Category-wise Vacancy
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Fresher Category | 163 |
| Ex-ITI Category | 4308 |
| Total | 4471 |
The vacancies are distributed among several Southern Railway establishments, including Carriage & Wagon Works Perambur, Central Workshops Ponmalai, Chennai Division, Madurai Division, Tiruchirappalli Division, Palakkad Division, Salem Division, Trivandrum Division, Signal & Telecommunication Workshop Podanur and other units.
Note: The vacancies mentioned in the notification are tentative and may be changed by Southern Railway.
Southern Railway Apprentice Trades
Candidates can apply for relevant designated trades depending on their educational and technical qualifications.
Major trades include:
- Fitter
- Welder (Gas & Electric)
- Painter
- Machinist
- Turner
- Electrician
- Wireman
- Diesel Mechanic
- Mechanic Motor Vehicle (MMV)
- Mechanic Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
- Carpenter
- Plumber
- Draughtsman (Civil)
- Electronics Mechanic
- Instrument Mechanic
- Mechanic Machine Tool Maintenance (MMTM)
- Structural Welder
- Gas Cutter
- COPA
- PASAA
- Information & Communication Technology System Maintenance (ICTSM)
- Stenographer & Secretarial Assistant
- Medical Laboratory Technician – Radiology
- Medical Laboratory Technician – Pathology
- Medical Laboratory Technician – Cardiology
- Advance Welder
Southern Railway Apprentice Fresher Vacancies
The Fresher category has 163 slots.
The principal vacancies include:
Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur
| Trade | Total |
|---|---|
| Fitter | 40 |
| Welder | 20 |
| Painter | 20 |
| Total | 80 |
Central Workshop, Ponmalai
| Trade | Total |
|---|---|
| Fitter | 25 |
| Welder (G&E) | 18 |
| Total | 43 |
Signal & Telecommunication Workshop, Podanur
| Trade | Total |
|---|---|
| Fitter | 20 |
Railway Hospital, Perambur
| Trade | Total |
|---|---|
| MLT – Radiology | 3 |
| MLT – Pathology | 8 |
| MLT – Cardiology | 9 |
| Total | 20 |
Southern Railway Ex-ITI Apprentice Vacancies
The Ex-ITI category contains 4308 vacancies across several units and divisions.
Some of the major vacancy locations are:
- Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur
- Chennai Division
- Electrical Workshop, Perambur
- Engineering Workshop, Arakkonam
- Engineering/HQ/Southern Railway
- Loco Works, Perambur
- Central Workshops, Ponmalai
- Madurai Division
- Tiruchirappalli Division
- Palakkad Division
- Salem Division
- Signal & Telecommunication Workshop, Podanur
- Trivandrum Division
The Carriage & Wagon Works and associated units account for a substantial number of Ex-ITI vacancies.
Southern Railway Apprentice Eligibility 2026
Fresher Category
For Fresher candidates:
Fitter, Painter and Welder: Candidates should have passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks under the 10+2 system of education or its equivalent.
Medical Laboratory Technician: Candidates should have passed 12th Class with at least 50% aggregate marks under the 10+2 system with Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Ex-ITI Category
For most Ex-ITI trades, candidates must have:
- Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks under the 10+2 system or equivalent.
- Passed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI.
- Possess the relevant National Trade Certificate issued by NCVT or State Council for Vocational Training.
For Electrician, 10th must include Science as one of the subjects.
For Electronics Mechanic, candidates should have studied Science comprising Physics and Chemistry and Mathematics, in addition to the relevant ITI qualification.
For Secretarial Assistant & Stenographer (English), candidates should have passed 12th and the relevant ITI course.
For ICTSM, candidates should have passed 10th and the relevant ITI course.
For COPA/PASSA, candidates should have passed 10th and possess the National Trade Certificate in Computer Operator and Programming Assistant.
Relaxation in Minimum Marks
The requirement of minimum 50% marks in 10th is not applicable to SC/ST/PwBD candidates, as stated in the notification.
Southern Railway Apprentice Age Limit 2026
The candidate should have completed 15 years of age.
The maximum age is:
- 22 years for Freshers
- 24 years for MLT candidates
Age relaxation is applicable as follows:
| Category | Upper Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC-NCL | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
PwBD candidates belonging to OBC-NCL and SC/ST categories may receive additional concurrent relaxation as prescribed in the notification.
Southern Railway Apprentice Stipend 2026
Selected apprentices will receive stipend according to their category.
| Category | Stipend |
|---|---|
| Fresher – 10th | ₹8,200 per month |
| Fresher – 12th | ₹9,600 per month |
| Ex-ITI | ₹9,600 per month |
During the second year of apprenticeship, the prescribed minimum stipend increases by 10%, while a further 15% increase applies during the third year, wherever applicable.
Southern Railway Apprentice Training Period
The training duration varies according to the trade.
Fresher Category
| Trade | Training Period |
|---|---|
| Welder | 1 Year 3 Months |
| Fitter | 2 Years |
| Painter | 2 Years |
| MLT – Cardiology | 1 Year 3 Months |
| MLT – Radiology | 1 Year 3 Months |
| MLT – Pathology | 1 Year 3 Months |
For Ex-ITI candidates, the training duration will be reduced according to the applicable provisions of the Apprentices Rules, 1992.
Southern Railway Apprentice Selection Process 2026
Selection will be based on a merit list prepared from the marks obtained in the qualifying examination.
Fresher Category
For Freshers, marks obtained in Matriculation will be converted to 200 marks, subject to the prescribed minimum marks.
Ex-ITI Category
For Ex-ITI candidates:
- Matriculation marks are converted to 100 marks.
- ITI marks are converted to 100 marks.
- Both are combined for a total of 200 marks.
- Equal weightage is given to Matriculation and ITI marks.
MLT Category
For MLT candidates, marks obtained in Higher Secondary with the required subjects are converted to 200 marks.
If two candidates obtain the same marks, the older candidate will be preferred. If the dates of birth are also the same, the candidate who passed the Matriculation examination earlier will be considered.
Southern Railway Apprentice Application Fee
The processing fee is ₹100, which is non-refundable.
Candidates belonging to the following categories are exempted from payment of the fee:
- SC
- ST
- PwBD
- Women candidates
The fee must be paid through online mode.
Southern Railway Apprentice Eligibility – Geographical Area
Only candidates residing in the geographical jurisdiction specified by Southern Railway are eligible to apply.
Eligible areas include:
- Whole State of Tamil Nadu
- Whole Union Territory of Puducherry
- Whole State of Kerala
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Lakshadweep
- SPSR Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh
- Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka
Candidates from areas outside the specified geographical jurisdiction should carefully check the notification before applying.
Southern Railway Apprentice Medical Examination
Candidates selected for apprenticeship engagement must satisfy the minimum physical fitness standards prescribed under the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992.
A medical certificate in the prescribed format must be produced during Document Verification.
The certificate should be issued by a Government-authorized Gazetted Doctor not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon of a Central or State Government Hospital.
PwBD Reservation
The notification provides reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities as prescribed under applicable rules.
Candidates claiming PwBD reservation must possess a disability certificate issued by the competent authority.
Only candidates having not less than 40% relevant benchmark disability are eligible for reservation or applicable relaxation.
Candidates must select the appropriate PwBD category such as LD, HI, VI or MD while submitting the application. The notification states that a subsequent change of PwBD sub-category will not be permitted.
Important Documents for Southern Railway Apprentice
Candidates should keep the following documents ready:
- 10th marks sheet/certificate
- 12th marks sheet, where applicable
- ITI certificate
- National Trade Certificate/State Trade Certificate
- Date of Birth proof
- Transfer Certificate
- Caste Certificate, if applicable
- OBC-NCL Certificate, if applicable
- EWS Certificate, if applicable
- PwBD Disability Certificate, if applicable
- Aadhaar/identity proof
- Passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Online application acknowledgement
Original documents will be required during Document Verification.
How to Apply for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates can apply online by following these steps:
- Visit the official Southern Railway website.
- Go to News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information.
- Open the Act Apprentices Notification No. 01/2026.
- Read the notification and eligibility conditions carefully.
- Complete the online application form.
- Enter educational, ITI and personal details correctly.
- Upload the required documents.
- Pay the applicable processing fee.
- Submit the application before the closing date.
- Download and print the acknowledgement/application for future reference.
Candidates should regularly check the official Southern Railway website for updates regarding Document Verification, eligibility and selection.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 28 August 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 27 September 2026 |
| Closing Time | 5:00 PM |
| Tentative Shortlisted List for Document Verification | 15 October 2026 |
Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 – Important Links
- Apply Online: Click here
- Official Notification PDF: Click here
- Official Website: Click here
Important Note
This recruitment is strictly for apprenticeship training and not direct employment. Southern Railway clearly states that there is no guarantee of employment after completion of apprenticeship training.
However, the notification states that 20% of vacancies in direct recruitment to Level-1 posts may be filled by giving preference to Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) trained in railway establishments and possessing the National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC), subject to applicable rules.
Candidates should read the complete official notification before submitting the application.
Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
1. How many vacancies are available in Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
A total of 4471 Apprentice slots are notified, comprising 163 Fresher vacancies and 4308 Ex-ITI vacancies.
2. What is the last date to apply for Southern Railway Apprentice 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 27 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM.
3. What is the age limit for Southern Railway Apprentice?
Candidates must have completed 15 years. The maximum age is 22 years for Freshers and 24 years for MLT candidates, with applicable relaxation for reserved categories.
4. What is the qualification for Southern Railway Ex-ITI Apprentice?
Generally, candidates must have passed 10th with at least 50% marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a recognized ITI, with the required NCVT/SCVT certificate.
5. Is there any application fee?
Yes. The processing fee is ₹100. SC, ST, PwBD and women candidates are exempted from paying the fee.
6. What is the stipend for Southern Railway Apprentices?
Freshers with 10th qualification receive ₹8,200 per month, while Freshers with 12th and Ex-ITI candidates receive ₹9,600 per month initially, subject to the prescribed stipend rules.
7. What is the selection process?
Selection is based on a merit list prepared using qualifying examination marks and, for Ex-ITI candidates, ITI marks with equal weightage.
8. Is there an examination for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment?
No written examination is specified. Selection is based on the merit list prepared according to the marks and criteria mentioned in the notification.
9. Can candidates from any state apply?
No. The notification restricts eligibility to candidates residing in the specified geographical jurisdiction of Southern Railway, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, specified Union Territories and specified districts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
10. Is Southern Railway Apprentice a permanent government job?
No. It is an apprenticeship training opportunity under the Apprentices Act, 1961 and does not provide a guarantee of employment after completion of training.
11. When will the shortlisted list be published?
The tentative date for publishing the shortlisted list for Document Verification is 15 October 2026.
12. Can SC/ST/PwBD candidates apply without the 50% marks requirement?
Yes. The notification states that the minimum 50% aggregate marks requirement in Matriculation is not insisted upon for SC/ST/PwBD candidates, subject to the other applicable eligibility conditions.
Conclusion
Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a major apprenticeship opportunity for 10th, 12th and ITI-qualified candidates. With 4471 Apprentice slots across multiple Southern Railway divisions and workshops, eligible candidates should carefully check their trade, educational qualification, age, residence requirements and category before applying.
The online application window is open from 28 August 2026 to 27 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM. Candidates should submit their applications well before the deadline and retain the acknowledgement and supporting documents for Document Verification.
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