The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Southern Railway has released the RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification for the engagement of 4,471 Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. The recruitment is being conducted under Notification No. 01/2026 for various divisions, workshops and units of Southern Railway.
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The recruitment includes opportunities for both Fresher and Ex-ITI candidates. A total of 163 slots are available in the Fresher category, while 4,308 slots are available for candidates who have completed ITI in the relevant trade.
The online application process started on 28 August 2026 and eligible candidates can apply until 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM. Selection will be made through a merit list based on prescribed academic and technical marks, so there is no written examination for this apprentice engagement.
This recruitment can be a useful opportunity for candidates who have completed Class 10th, 12th or ITI and are looking for apprenticeship training with Indian Railways.
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organization | Railway Recruitment Cell, Southern Railway |
| Post | Act Apprentice |
| Notification No. | 01/2026 |
| Total Slots | 4,471 |
| Fresher Category | 163 |
| Ex-ITI Category | 4,308 |
| Training | Apprenticeship under Apprentices Act, 1961 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start | 28 August 2026 |
| Last Date | 27 September 2026 |
| Closing Time | 5:00 PM |
| Selection | Merit List |
| Written Exam | No |
| Interview | No |
| Job/Training Area | Southern Railway jurisdiction |
The notification covers apprentice training at different workshops, divisions and units of Southern Railway.
Southern Railway Apprentice Vacancy 2026
A total of 4,471 Act Apprentice slots have been announced.
The vacancies are divided into two major categories:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Fresher | 163 |
| Ex-ITI | 4,308 |
| Total | 4,471 |
The Ex-ITI category therefore accounts for the majority of the available training slots.
Fresher Category
The Fresher category includes 163 slots distributed among selected railway units.
Major units include:
- Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur
- Central Workshop, Ponmalai
- Signal & Telecommunication Workshop, Podanur
- Railway Hospital, Perambur
The Fresher vacancies include trades such as Fitter, Welder, Painter and Medical Laboratory Technician-related training.
Ex-ITI Category
There are 4,308 Ex-ITI slots.
These are grouped across major Southern Railway units and workshops, including:
- Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur
- Chennai Division
- Electrical Workshop
- Engineering Workshop, Arakkonam
- Loco Works
- Railway Hospital
- Central Workshops, Ponmalai
- Madurai Division
- Tiruchirappalli Division
- Palakkad Division
- Salem Division
- S&T Workshop, Podanur
- Trivandrum Division
The Ex-ITI vacancies cover a wide range of technical trades.
Trades Available
Candidates can find vacancies across several designated trades. Depending on the category and unit, the recruitment includes trades such as:
- Fitter
- Electrician
- Welder
- Painter
- Carpenter
- Machinist
- Turner
- Wireman
- Plumber
- COPA/PASAA
- Diesel Mechanic
- Motor Vehicle Mechanic
- Electronics Mechanic
- Draughtsman
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- Mason
- Stenography
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Other notified trades
Candidates must check the detailed trade-wise vacancy table before selecting their preferred trade or unit.
Educational Qualification
The qualification depends on the category and trade selected.
Fresher Candidates
For trades such as Fitter, Painter and Welder, candidates generally need to have passed Class 10th under the 10+2 system or its equivalent with at least 50% aggregate marks.
For Medical Laboratory Technician-related Fresher vacancies, candidates are required to meet the specified Class 12 qualification, including the required science subjects.
Ex-ITI Candidates
Candidates applying under the Ex-ITI category generally need:
- Class 10th/Matriculation or equivalent with at least 50% aggregate marks, and
- ITI/ National Trade Certificate in the relevant trade from a recognized institution.
The ITI trade must correspond to the apprenticeship trade for which the candidate applies.
Candidates should carefully check the trade-specific qualification because requirements can vary between trades.
Age Limit
The minimum age for the apprentice engagement is 15 years.
The upper age limit depends on the category:
- Fresher: Maximum 22 years
- Ex-ITI/MLT: Maximum 24 years
The age is calculated with reference to the date specified in the notification, 28 August 2026. Applicable relaxation is provided to eligible reserved categories according to Railway rules.
Candidates should verify their age using the date-of-birth document they will submit during document verification.
Southern Railway Apprentice Stipend 2026
Apprentices will receive a stipend during the training period according to the applicable apprenticeship rules.
Available recruitment information reports the stipend at approximately:
| Candidate Category | Stipend |
|---|---|
| Fresher | ₹8,200 per month |
| Ex-ITI | ₹9,600 per month |
The stipend can vary according to the applicable training provisions and the candidate’s category. Candidates should refer to the official notification for the final applicable stipend terms.
It is important to understand that this is apprenticeship training and not a regular permanent Railway job. Completion of apprenticeship does not automatically guarantee employment in Southern Railway.
Selection Process
One of the biggest advantages of this recruitment is that candidates do not have to appear for a conventional written examination or interview.
Selection is based on a merit list prepared according to the prescribed marks.
For Fresher candidates, the merit is generally prepared using the marks obtained in the relevant qualifying examination.
For Ex-ITI candidates, the merit calculation considers the prescribed Matriculation and ITI marks, with the applicable method specified in the recruitment notification.
Shortlisted candidates are then called for the required document verification and other formalities, including medical fitness requirements.
Is There Any Written Exam?
No.
The Southern Railway Act Apprentice recruitment does not involve a competitive written examination. Candidates are shortlisted through the merit-based process using their qualifying examination marks and, where applicable, ITI marks.
This makes the recruitment particularly relevant for candidates who have strong academic or ITI marks but do not want to prepare for a separate Railway entrance examination.
Application Fee
The application fee is ₹100 for candidates who are required to pay the processing fee.
Candidates belonging to the exempted categories, including SC, ST, PwBD and Women candidates, are not required to pay the application fee according to the recruitment details.
Candidates should make sure the payment is completed successfully before final submission of the application.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 28 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 September 2026 |
| Last Time to Apply | 5:00 PM |
| Tentative DV Shortlist | 15 October 2026 |
The date of publication of the document-verification shortlist is tentative and may change according to Southern Railway’s schedule.
Training Locations
The apprentice training will be conducted across various Southern Railway workshops, divisions and units.
The recruitment covers locations within the Southern Railway jurisdiction, including areas associated with:
- Tamil Nadu
- Kerala
- Puducherry
- Andhra Pradesh areas falling under the specified jurisdiction
- Karnataka areas falling under the specified jurisdiction
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Lakshadweep
The exact training location depends on the unit and trade selected by the candidate.
Documents Required
Candidates should keep the necessary documents ready before filling out the application.
Important documents generally include:
- Class 10th marksheet
- Class 10th certificate
- Class 12th certificate, where applicable
- ITI certificate
- National Trade Certificate, where applicable
- Aadhaar or other valid identity proof
- Caste certificate, if applicable
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Recent photograph
- Scanned signature
- Bank/payment details
- Other documents specified in the notification
Candidates should ensure that all information entered in the application matches their original documents.
How to Apply for RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates can submit their applications online.
Step 1: Visit the Southern Railway Recruitment Portal
Open the official Southern Railway website and locate the Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification.
The online application is hosted through the designated Southern Railway apprentice recruitment portal.
Step 2: Read the Notification
Before registering, download and carefully read Notification No. 01/2026.
Check the trade-wise qualification, age limit, unit-wise vacancies and other eligibility conditions.
Step 3: Complete Registration
Enter the required personal information and create the application credentials.
Candidates should use an active mobile number and email ID wherever required.
Step 4: Select the Category and Trade
Choose the applicable category and trade based on the candidate’s qualification.
Ex-ITI candidates should ensure that their ITI trade is relevant to the selected apprenticeship.
Step 5: Enter Educational Details
Fill in Class 10th, Class 12th and ITI marks/details wherever applicable.
Candidates should enter marks exactly as shown on their certificates.
Step 6: Upload Documents
Upload the photograph, signature and other required documents in the prescribed format.
Step 7: Pay the Application Fee
Candidates who are required to pay the fee should complete the online payment.
Step 8: Submit the Form
Review the complete application before final submission.
After submission, download and save the application form and payment receipt for future reference.
Important Instructions for Candidates
Before submitting the Southern Railway Apprentice application, candidates should remember:
- Read the complete Notification No. 01/2026.
- Check the trade-specific qualification.
- Verify the age limit carefully.
- Ex-ITI candidates must possess the required ITI qualification.
- Enter marks accurately.
- Check the selected unit and trade before submitting.
- Complete fee payment, wherever applicable.
- Save the submitted application and payment receipt.
- Keep original documents ready for document verification.
- Do not assume that apprenticeship training guarantees a permanent Railway appointment.
Who Can Apply for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
This recruitment is mainly suitable for:
- 10th-pass candidates eligible for Fresher trades
- 12th-pass candidates eligible for specified trades
- ITI-qualified candidates
- Candidates looking for apprenticeship training
- Candidates interested in gaining technical experience in the Railway environment
However, candidates must satisfy the specific educational, age and trade requirements mentioned in the notification.
FAQs
How many vacancies are available in Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
A total of 4,471 Act Apprentice slots have been announced, including 163 Fresher slots and 4,308 Ex-ITI slots.
What is the last date to apply?
The last date to submit the online application is 27 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM.
Is there a written exam for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment?
No. Selection is based on the prescribed merit-list process using qualifying examination and ITI marks where applicable.
What is the minimum age for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment?
Candidates must generally be at least 15 years old. The maximum age is 22 years for Fresher candidates and 24 years for Ex-ITI/MLT candidates, subject to applicable relaxation.
What qualification is required for Ex-ITI candidates?
Ex-ITI candidates generally need Class 10th with the prescribed minimum marks along with an ITI/National Trade Certificate in the relevant trade.
How much stipend will apprentices receive?
The reported stipend is approximately ₹8,200 per month for Fresher candidates and ₹9,600 per month for Ex-ITI candidates, subject to the applicable apprenticeship provisions.
Does Southern Railway apprenticeship guarantee a permanent job?
No. Apprenticeship training does not guarantee regular employment in Southern Railway.
What is the application fee?
The application processing fee is ₹100 for candidates who are not exempted. SC, ST, PwBD and Women candidates are among those reported as exempt from the fee.
Conclusion
The RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 provides 4,471 apprenticeship training opportunities across various Southern Railway workshops, divisions and units. With separate opportunities for Fresher and Ex-ITI candidates and selection through merit rather than a written examination, it is an important opportunity for eligible 10th, 12th and ITI-qualified candidates.
Interested candidates should not wait until the final day to apply. The online application window closes on 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM. Before submitting the form, candidates should carefully verify their trade, qualification, age, documents and other eligibility conditions.
Most importantly, applicants should remember that this is an apprenticeship training opportunity, not a direct permanent Railway appointment. Candidates should read the complete official notification and follow the instructions provided by Southern Railway.
Official Website: Southern Railway / RRC Chennai Apprentice Recruitment Portal.
