Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification has been released for 4,471 Apprentice posts in various trades and units. Eligible candidates looking for Southern Railway Apprentice Jobs 2026 can apply online through the official Railway recruitment portal within the prescribed dates. Interested applicants should check the Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 eligibility criteria, age limit, educational qualification, application fee, selection process, important dates and online application procedure before submitting their application form.
Introduction (Southern Railway 4471 Apprentice Posts 2026 Notification)
Southern Railway has released a major notification for the engagement of 4,471 Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961, opening one of the largest training opportunities in the Indian Railways zone for the year 2026. This recruitment drive, issued under Notification No. 01/2026 by the Office of the Chief Workshop Manager, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, Chennai, covers both Fresher and Ex-ITI categories across numerous designated trades in workshops, divisions, and units spanning Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and selected districts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. For thousands of young candidates who have completed Class 10, Class 12, or ITI in relevant trades, this apprenticeship offers structured industrial training, monthly stipend, and valuable hands-on experience in railway workshops that can significantly enhance future employability.
Unlike regular employment, Act Apprenticeship focuses on skill development under a government-recognised framework. Successful trainees receive a nationally recognised certificate that carries weight in both public and private sector job markets. With the online application window already open from 28 August 2026 and closing on 27 September 2026 at 17:00 hours, eligible candidates from the Southern Railway jurisdiction must complete the process without delay. The combination of large vacancy numbers, trade-wise diversity, and the prestige of training under Indian Railways makes this recruitment a high-priority opportunity for 10th-pass and ITI-qualified youth seeking practical skill building and a pathway into technical careers.
Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Southern Railway (Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur) |
| Post Names | Act Apprentice (Fresher & Ex-ITI Categories) |
| Total Vacancies | 4,471 (163 Fresher + 4,308 Ex-ITI) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Online Registration Dates | 28 August 2026 to 27 September 2026 (up to 17:00 Hrs) |
| Selection Process | Merit List based on Marks in Qualifying Examination + Document Verification + Medical Fitness |
| Official Website | https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Southern Railway Apprentice Post-wise Vacancy Details
Southern Railway has notified a total of 4,471 Act Apprentice training slots under Notification No. 01/2026. These vacancies are divided into two broad categories: Fresher candidates (163 posts) and Ex-ITI candidates (4,308 posts). The seats are distributed across multiple units and groups, including Carriage & Wagon Works Perambur, Central Workshops Ponmalai, Signal & Telecommunication Workshop Podanur, Railway Hospital Perambur, and various divisions such as Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Palakkad, Salem, and Trivandrum.
In the Fresher category, 80 seats are available at Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur (primarily Fitter, Welder, and Painter trades), 43 seats at Central Workshop Ponmalai, 20 seats at S&T Workshop Podanur, and 20 seats for Medical Laboratory Technician (Radiology, Pathology, and Cardiology) at Railway Hospital Perambur. The remaining 4,308 seats belong to the Ex-ITI category and are grouped into three major clusters: Carriage & Wagon Works group (1,528 seats covering Perambur C&W, Chennai Division, Electrical Workshop, Engineering Workshop Arakkonam, Loco Works, and related units), Central Workshops Ponmalai group (1,292 seats covering Ponmalai, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli divisions), and S&T Workshop Podanur group (1,488 seats covering Palakkad, Salem, Podanur Workshop, and Trivandrum Division).
Trades under Ex-ITI include Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Diesel Mechanic, Wireman, Carpenter, Painter, Plumber, COPA, Electronics Mechanic, Draftsman (Civil), and several other designated trades as per the Apprentices Act. Candidates must carefully select the unit and trade combination while applying, as allocation depends on merit and availability. Detailed trade-wise and unit-wise breakup is available in the official notification PDF. Reservation benefits for SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), EWS, and PwBD candidates will be applied as per Government of India rules and the jurisdiction norms of Southern Railway. Candidates are advised to verify the exact vacancy matrix on the official portal before finalising preferences.
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Southern Railway Apprentice Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Eligibility is clearly segregated between Fresher and Ex-ITI categories. For Fresher posts in trades such as Fitter, Painter, and Welder, candidates must have passed the 10th class examination (under the 10+2 system or equivalent) with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks from a recognised board. For Medical Laboratory Technician posts (Radiology, Pathology, Cardiology), candidates must have passed the 12th class examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology subjects and secured at least 50 percent aggregate marks.
For Ex-ITI posts, candidates must have passed the 10th class examination with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks and must also possess a National Trade Certificate (NTC) issued by NCVT or a State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT) in the relevant trade from a recognised ITI. The ITI certificate must match the trade for which the candidate is applying. Candidates who have completed ITI after Class 10 are eligible under the Ex-ITI category, while pure 10th or 12th pass candidates without ITI can apply only under the Fresher category for the limited seats available. All educational qualifications must have been obtained on or before the last date of application. Result-awaited candidates are not eligible.
Age Limit and Relaxations
The crucial date for calculating age is 28 August 2026 (the date of notification). The minimum age for all candidates is 15 years completed. The maximum age limit is 22 years for Fresher candidates and 24 years for Ex-ITI candidates as well as Medical Laboratory Technician posts. Age relaxation is admissible as per extant rules: 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), 5 years for SC/ST, and 10 years for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). Combined relaxations apply for PwBD candidates belonging to reserved categories (PwBD + OBC = 13 years; PwBD + SC/ST = 15 years). Candidates must ensure they fall within the prescribed age range after applying the relevant relaxation, if any. Supporting certificates for age and category claims will be verified at the document verification stage.
Application Fee and Payment Mode
The processing fee for Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is Rs 100, which is non-refundable under any circumstances. Candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD categories and all women candidates (irrespective of category) are completely exempted from payment of the fee. General, OBC, and EWS male candidates must pay the fee through online modes only. Acceptable payment methods include Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, and UPI. No offline payment options such as demand draft, cash, or cheque are permitted. The fee must be paid at the time of online application submission, and the payment acknowledgement should be retained for production during document verification. Failure to pay the fee (where applicable) will result in rejection of the application.
Southern Railway Apprentice Salary, Stipend & Pay Scale Details
Act Apprentices engaged under Southern Railway Recruitment 2026 will receive a monthly stipend as prescribed under the Apprentices Act, 1961 and the latest Apprenticeship Rules. Fresher candidates who have passed Class 10 receive a stipend of Rs 8,200 per month, while Fresher candidates with Class 12 qualification and all Ex-ITI candidates receive Rs 9,600 per month. The stipend is subject to periodic revision and increases by 10 percent in the second year of training and a further 15 percent in the third year wherever the training period extends beyond one year.
This stipend is purely a training allowance and does not constitute regular salary under the 7th Central Pay Commission. Apprentices are not entitled to Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, or other regular employee benefits during the training period. However, the structured training, exposure to railway workshops, and the National Apprenticeship Certificate awarded upon successful completion provide significant long-term career value. Candidates should note that engagement as an Act Apprentice does not guarantee absorption into regular railway service after completion of training.
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Southern Railway Apprentice Detailed Selection Process
Selection for Southern Railway Act Apprentice posts is purely merit-based and does not involve any written examination or interview. For Fresher candidates, the merit list is prepared by converting the percentage of marks obtained in the Class 10 (or Class 12 for MLT posts) examination to a scale of 200 marks. For Ex-ITI candidates, equal weightage is given to Class 10 marks and ITI marks; each is converted to a scale of 100 marks, and the total out of 200 determines the rank.
Candidates are shortlisted category-wise and trade-wise on the basis of this merit. A provisional shortlist for Document Verification is expected to be published around 15 October 2026 on the official Southern Railway website. Shortlisted candidates must appear for Document Verification with original certificates. After successful verification of documents, candidates are required to produce a Medical Fitness Certificate issued by a Government Assistant Surgeon or equivalent medical authority. Only those who clear both Document Verification and medical fitness are finally engaged as Act Apprentices. For BRO or any other specialised units (if applicable), additional physical standards may apply, but the primary process remains merit followed by verification and medical examination.
Southern Railway Apprentice Complete Exam Syllabus & Exam Pattern
There is no written examination, Computer-Based Test, or interview for Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026. The entire selection rests on the academic performance already recorded in the candidate’s qualifying certificates. Therefore, no separate syllabus or exam pattern exists in the conventional sense.
The merit calculation method itself acts as the evaluation framework. Fresher candidates are ranked solely on the basis of their Class 10 or Class 12 aggregate marks (minimum 50 percent required). Ex-ITI candidates are ranked on the combined performance of Class 10 and the relevant ITI trade certificate, with equal weightage given to both. In case of a tie in marks, the candidate older in age is placed higher in the merit list. Candidates are strongly advised to ensure that the marks entered in the online application exactly match the certificates, as any discrepancy discovered during Document Verification will lead to cancellation of candidature. Preparation for this recruitment therefore centres on accurate documentation rather than study of any examination syllabus.
Step-by-Step How to Apply for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
- Visit the official Southern Railway website at https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in.
- Navigate to the “News & Updates” or “Personnel Branch Information” section and locate the link for Act Apprentices Notification 01/2026.
- Click on the “Apply Online” link and complete the one-time registration by providing a valid mobile number and email ID.
- Log in with the credentials generated and select the appropriate category (Fresher or Ex-ITI).
- Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, marks obtained, unit preferences, and trade preferences carefully.
- Upload scanned copies of a recent passport-size photograph, signature, Class 10/12 mark sheet, ITI certificate (if applicable), and community certificate (if claiming reservation) in the prescribed format and size.
- Pay the processing fee of Rs 100 online through Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI if you belong to the fee-paying category. Exempted candidates can proceed without payment.
- Preview the entire application form, verify all entries, and submit the form before 27 September 2026 (17:00 Hrs).
- Download and take a printout of the submitted application form and fee payment receipt for future reference and Document Verification.
Candidates are advised to apply well in advance of the closing date to avoid last-minute technical difficulties.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 27 September 2026 (up to 17:00 Hrs) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 27 September 2026 (along with application) |
| Tentative Shortlist for Document Verification | 15 October 2026 |
| Document Verification & Medical Examination | To be notified after shortlist |
Candidates must regularly visit the official Southern Railway website for updates on the shortlist, Document Verification schedule, and any changes in dates. No separate admit card is issued for a written examination as none is conducted.
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Important Links
| Particular | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF Download | Download Notification PDF |
| Online Application Apply Link | Apply Online Here |
| Official Website Home Page | Official Web Portal |
| Latest Govt Jobs Page | Latest Govt Jobs Notifications |
FAQs
1. Is there any written exam for Southern Railway Act Apprentice 2026?
No. Selection is based purely on the merit of marks obtained in the qualifying examination (Class 10/12 and ITI where applicable). There is neither a written test nor an interview.
2. Can candidates from any state apply?
Preference is given to candidates residing within the geographical jurisdiction of Southern Railway (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, and specified districts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka). Candidates from outside this area may face restrictions as per the notification.
3. What is the minimum percentage required?
Candidates must have secured at least 50 percent aggregate marks in the Class 10 examination (and Class 12 for MLT posts). The same minimum applies to the relevant ITI certificate for Ex-ITI candidates.
4. Is the apprenticeship a permanent job?
No. Engagement as an Act Apprentice is purely for training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. It does not confer any right to regular employment in Indian Railways after completion of training.
5. How is the merit list prepared for Ex-ITI candidates?
Equal weightage is given to Class 10 marks and ITI marks. Each is converted to a scale of 100, and the total out of 200 decides the rank.
6. Are women candidates eligible?
Yes. Women candidates are fully eligible and are also exempted from payment of the processing fee.
7. What documents are required at Document Verification?
Original Class 10/12 mark sheets, ITI certificate (if applicable), community certificate, Aadhaar card, passport-size photographs, and the printout of the online application along with fee receipt must be produced.
8. Can I apply for more than one trade?
Candidates may indicate preferences for multiple units and trades as allowed in the online form, but final allocation depends on merit and vacancy availability.
9. Is there any age relaxation for reserved categories?
Yes. OBC (NCL) candidates get 3 years, SC/ST candidates get 5 years, and PwBD candidates get 10 years (with higher combined relaxations for PwBD belonging to reserved categories).
10. When will the training start?
Training is expected to commence after completion of Document Verification and medical formalities. Exact joining dates will be communicated to selected candidates by the respective units.
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Conclusion
The Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 presents a valuable opportunity for 10th-pass, 12th-pass, and ITI-qualified youth to gain structured industrial training under one of the largest railway zones in India. With 4,471 training slots, a transparent merit-based selection process, and a respectable monthly stipend, eligible candidates should complete their online applications well before the closing date of 27 September 2026. Accurate entry of marks, proper selection of trade and unit preferences, and timely submission of the form are essential for success.
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Disclaimer
All information provided in this article has been compiled from the official notification and publicly available sources. Candidates are strongly advised to read the complete official notification carefully and verify every detail—vacancies, eligibility, dates, stipend, and selection procedure—directly on the Southern Railway website at https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in before applying. The author and publisher accept no responsibility for any errors, omissions, or consequences arising from reliance on this content. Apply early, keep documents ready, and make the most of this apprenticeship opportunity under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
