Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 4471 Posts, Eligibility, Stipend, Selection & Apply Online
Southern Railway has invited online applications for 4,471 Act Apprentice training slots under Notification No. 01/2026. Check eligibility, trades, age limit, stipend, application fee, selection process, jurisdiction and online application steps.
- Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Overview
- Important Dates
- Vacancy Details
- Fresher & Ex-ITI Categories
- Trades Available
- Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Qualification
- Age Limit
- Who Can Apply / Railway Jurisdiction
- Apprentice Stipend
- Application Fee
- Selection Process
- How Merit List is Prepared
- Nature of Apprenticeship Training
- Documents Required
- How to Apply Online
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Frequently Asked Questions
Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview
Southern Railway has released Notification No. 01/2026 for engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. The notification has been issued through the Office of the Chief Workshop Manager, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur.
A total of 4,471 apprenticeship slots are available across different workshops, divisions and units under Southern Railway's jurisdiction. The vacancies are divided into two broad categories: Fresher and Ex-ITI.
Online applications started on 28 August 2026 and the final date for submission is 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | 28 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 September 2026 |
| Last Time | 5:00 PM |
| Tentative Shortlist for Document Verification | 15 October 2026 |
Southern Railway Act Apprentice Vacancy 2026
The recruitment notification reports 4,471 total Act Apprentice slots.
| Category | Number of Slots |
|---|---|
| Fresher | 163 |
| Ex-ITI | 4,308 |
| Total | 4,471 |
The reported category totals are the headline figures in the recruitment listing. Candidates should refer to the official notification's unit/trade table for the exact slot applicable to the trade and unit they select. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Fresher and Ex-ITI Categories
1. Fresher Category
The Fresher category contains apprenticeship slots for candidates who meet the prescribed school-level educational requirements without necessarily holding an ITI qualification for the listed fresher trades.
Reported Fresher trades include Fitter, Welder, Painter and selected Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) specialisations.
2. Ex-ITI Category
The Ex-ITI category contains the majority of the vacancies and is meant for candidates who have completed the prescribed ITI course in the relevant trade.
Trades include areas such as Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Turner, Machinist, COPA/PASSA, Carpenter, Plumber, Diesel Mechanic, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic and several other technical trades, subject to the vacancies available at the respective units.
Southern Railway Apprentice Trades 2026
The recruitment covers a wide range of technical and medical apprenticeship trades. Depending on the category and unit, candidates may find vacancies in trades such as:
- Fitter
- Welder
- Welder (G&E)
- Turner
- Painter
- Electrician
- Electronic Mechanic
- Mechanic Motor Vehicle
- Machinist
- Carpenter
- Wireman
- Plumber
- Diesel Mechanic
- Refrigeration & Air Conditioner Mechanic
- Draughtsman (Civil)
- Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA/PASSA)
- Trimmer
- MLT – Radiology
- MLT – Pathology
- MLT – Cardiology
The exact trade availability depends on the workshop, division or unit. Candidates should therefore check the vacancy table in the notification before choosing a trade.
Southern Railway Apprentice Eligibility 2026
Eligibility differs according to the apprenticeship category and trade. Candidates must satisfy the educational and age requirements applicable to the particular slot for which they are applying.
| Category | Broad Qualification |
|---|---|
| Fresher | 10th pass with prescribed marks for applicable trades |
| Fresher – MLT | 12th pass with Science subjects as prescribed |
| Ex-ITI | 10th pass plus relevant ITI qualification |
The exact qualification should be checked against the particular trade because not every trade has the same educational requirement. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Educational Qualification
Fresher Trades
For applicable Fresher trades such as Fitter, Painter and Welder, candidates generally need to have passed Class 10th with at least 50% aggregate marks, subject to the trade-specific conditions in the notification.
MLT Trades
Candidates applying for MLT apprenticeship slots such as Radiology, Pathology and Cardiology need to satisfy the prescribed 12th-standard Science qualification.
Ex-ITI Trades
Ex-ITI candidates generally require Class 10th plus a relevant ITI certificate from an institution recognised by the appropriate authority.
Southern Railway Apprentice Age Limit 2026
The general age requirement begins at 15 years. The upper age limit depends on the category of apprenticeship.
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| Fresher – 10th Pass | 22 Years |
| Ex-ITI | 24 Years |
| MLT Candidates | 24 Years |
| Minimum Age | 15 Years |
Age relaxation is available to eligible reserved categories according to the applicable apprenticeship rules. Reported relaxations include 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC-NCL and 10 years for PwBD, subject to the prescribed conditions. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Who Can Apply for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment?
This recruitment is not an all-India apprenticeship drive. The notification specifies the geographical jurisdiction from which eligible candidates may apply.
The reported jurisdiction covers:
- Entire Tamil Nadu
- Entire Kerala
- Puducherry
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Lakshadweep
- SPSR Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh
- Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh
- Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka
Candidates should carefully check the prescribed residential/domicile condition and documentary requirements before submitting the form. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Southern Railway Apprentice Stipend 2026
Apprentices are paid a monthly stipend during the training period. The reported starting stipend varies according to the qualification and category.
| Category | Reported Stipend |
|---|---|
| Fresher – 10th Standard | ₹8,200 per month |
| Fresher – 12th Standard | ₹9,600 per month |
| Ex-ITI | ₹9,600 per month |
The stipend can increase in subsequent years of apprenticeship according to the applicable apprenticeship stipend structure. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Southern Railway Apprentice Application Fee 2026
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100 |
| SC / ST | Nil |
| PwBD | Nil |
| Women Candidates | Nil |
The application fee is reported as ₹100 and is non-refundable. SC/ST, PwBD and women candidates are exempt from the fee. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Southern Railway Apprentice Selection Process 2026
There is no conventional written examination for selection to these apprenticeship slots. Candidates are shortlisted through a merit-based process using their prescribed educational qualification marks.
The broad selection process is:
- Online application
- Preparation of merit list
- Document verification
- Medical fitness / applicable formalities
- Final engagement as an Act Apprentice
The merit calculation differs according to the category and educational route. For Ex-ITI candidates, marks in Matriculation and ITI are taken into account as prescribed. For relevant MLT candidates, Higher Secondary marks are considered. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
How the Southern Railway Apprentice Merit List is Prepared
For Ex-ITI Candidates
Merit is prepared using the prescribed combination of Class 10th/Matriculation marks and ITI marks. The exact calculation and weightage are specified in the notification.
For Fresher Candidates
For applicable Fresher trades, the merit list is prepared primarily from the prescribed Class 10th marks.
For MLT Candidates
For MLT apprenticeship slots, the relevant Higher Secondary/12th standard marks are used as prescribed by the notification.
What is an Act Apprenticeship?
An Act Apprentice is engaged primarily for structured industrial training. The purpose is to provide practical experience and workplace training in the candidate's trade.
Apprentices work under the prescribed training framework and receive a stipend rather than the regular salary of a Railway employee.
Completion of apprenticeship can provide valuable technical experience and an apprenticeship certificate, but it does not automatically make the candidate a permanent Railway employee.
Does Apprenticeship Guarantee a Railway Job?
No. Candidates should be very clear about this point. Southern Railway's Act Apprentice engagement is a training opportunity, not a direct recruitment appointment.
There is no automatic right to permanent employment after completion of the apprenticeship. However, apprenticeship experience/certification can be relevant in future recruitment where the applicable rules provide benefits or preference to qualified Course Completed Act Apprentices.
Southern Railway Apprentice Training Locations
Apprenticeship slots are distributed across various Southern Railway workshops, divisions and units.
Reported locations include areas such as:
- Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur
- Central Workshop, Ponmalai
- Signal & Telecommunication Workshop, Podanur
- Railway Hospital, Perambur
- Chennai Division
- Madurai Division
- Tiruchirappalli Division
- Palakkad Division
- Salem Division
- Thiruvananthapuram Division
The exact trade and number of slots vary by unit. Candidates should check the detailed vacancy table before selecting their preference. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
Documents Required
Candidates should keep clear copies of the following documents ready before starting the online application:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Valid identity proof
- Class 10th marksheet and certificate
- Class 12th marksheet, where applicable
- ITI certificate and marksheets, where applicable
- National Trade Certificate / relevant trade documents
- Domicile/residential proof, where required
- Caste certificate, if applicable
- OBC-NCL certificate, if applicable
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Bank/payment details, wherever required
- Other documents specified in the official notification
How to Apply Online for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official Southern Railway website.
- Open the Personnel Branch / News & Updates section.
- Locate the Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification, Notification No. 01/2026.
- Read the complete notification and check the jurisdiction, qualification and trade-specific requirements.
- Open the online application link.
- Complete registration with the required personal details.
- Enter educational and ITI qualification details, wherever applicable.
- Select the applicable apprenticeship category, trade and unit according to the notification.
- Upload the required documents and photograph.
- Pay the applicable ₹100 application fee if required.
- Review every detail before final submission.
- Submit the application before 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
- Download and save the submitted application/confirmation page.
Important Instructions Before Applying
- Check whether your residence falls within the specified Southern Railway jurisdiction.
- Select only a trade for which you satisfy the prescribed qualification.
- Ex-ITI candidates should ensure that their ITI trade matches the applicable apprenticeship trade.
- Verify your Class 10th and ITI marks carefully before entering them.
- Keep the original documents safe for document verification.
- Do not assume that apprenticeship automatically leads to permanent Railway employment.
- Submit the application before the portal closes at 5:00 PM on 27 September 2026.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Treating it as a regular Railway job
The most common misunderstanding is calling an apprenticeship a permanent Railway appointment. It is a training engagement under the Apprentices Act.
2. Choosing an unrelated ITI trade
Ex-ITI candidates should carefully match their ITI qualification with the trade for which they are applying.
3. Ignoring the residential jurisdiction
The notification specifies the geographical areas from which candidates can apply. Candidates outside the prescribed jurisdiction should not assume that they are eligible.
4. Entering incorrect marks
Since selection is merit-based, incorrect academic marks can create problems during document verification and may affect candidature.
5. Waiting until the last day
Complete the application early. Online portals can become slow or unavailable when large numbers of applicants try to submit forms near the deadline.
Why Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment is Important
With 4,471 apprenticeship slots, this is one of the larger railway apprenticeship opportunities of 2026. It is particularly relevant for ITI-qualified candidates looking for practical industrial training in railway workshops and divisions.
The absence of a conventional written examination also makes the recruitment different from many Railway competitive examinations. Candidates are primarily assessed through their qualifying educational marks and the prescribed merit process.
Who Should Apply?
- Class 10th candidates eligible for Fresher trades.
- ITI-qualified candidates from relevant trades.
- Eligible 12th Science candidates for MLT trades.
- Candidates residing within the specified Southern Railway jurisdiction.
- Young candidates seeking structured technical apprenticeship training.
Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 – Quick Comparison
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Southern Railway |
| Post | Act Apprentice |
| Total Slots | 4,471 |
| Fresher | 163 |
| Ex-ITI | 4,308 |
| Application Start | 28 August 2026 |
| Last Date | 27 September 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Minimum Age | 15 Years |
| Maximum Age | 22/24 Years depending on category |
| Application Fee | ₹100; exemptions as prescribed |
| Selection | Merit-based |
| Written Exam | No conventional written examination |
| Nature | Apprenticeship Training |
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a major apprenticeship opportunity with 4,471 training slots across different trades, workshops, divisions and units.
The recruitment is especially useful for 10th-pass, 12th-pass Science and ITI-qualified candidates who meet the prescribed age and jurisdiction requirements.
There is no conventional written examination. Eligible candidates are shortlisted through the prescribed merit process based on their qualifying examination marks and other applicable conditions.
Interested candidates should complete their applications before 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM and carefully verify their trade, qualification, residential eligibility and documents before final submission.
Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 – Quick Summary
Organisation: Southern Railway
Post: Act Apprentice
Total Slots: 4,471
Fresher: 163
Ex-ITI: 4,308
Application Start: 28 August 2026
Last Date: 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM
Minimum Age: 15 Years
Application Fee: ₹100; applicable exemptions available
Selection: Merit-Based
Nature: Apprenticeship Training
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