Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 4,471 Posts

Post Date / Update: 16 September 2026

Short Information

The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Southern Railway has released Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 under the Apprentices Act, 1961. A total of 4,471 apprenticeship training slots are available across various Southern Railway workshops, divisions and units, including Chennai, Perambur, Ponmalai, Podanur, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Palakkad, Salem and Trivandrum.

Eligible candidates can apply online from 28 August 2026 to 27 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM. Selection will be based on merit prepared from the prescribed educational/ITI marks, followed by document verification and medical fitness assessment.

Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Recruitment – Key Details

• Recruiting Organisation: Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Southern Railway
• Recruitment: Act Apprentice 2026
• Advertisement No.: 01/2026
• Total Training Slots: 4,471
• Fresher Slots: 163
• Ex-ITI Slots: 4,308
• Application Mode: Online
• Job/Training Location: Southern Railway units

Vacancy Details

Fresher Category

• Total: 163 Slots

Ex-ITI Category

• Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur & Chennai Division Units: 1,528
• Central Workshop Ponmalai, Madurai & Tiruchirappalli Divisions: 1,292
• Podanur Workshop, Palakkad, Salem & Trivandrum Divisions: 1,488

Total Apprentice Slots: 4,471

Educational Qualification

Fresher – Fitter, Painter and Welder

Candidates should have passed Class 10th/Matriculation under the 10+2 system with at least 50% aggregate marks or an equivalent qualification. The 50% requirement is not insisted upon for SC/ST/PwBD candidates as stated in the supplied information.

Fresher – Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)

Candidates should have passed Class 12th/Higher Secondary in the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Biology and the prescribed minimum marks.

Ex-ITI Candidates

Candidates should have passed Class 10th with at least 50% aggregate marks and possess a relevant National Trade Certificate (NTC)/ITI certificate issued by NCVT or SCVT in the designated trade.

Required Experience

No previous work experience is specified for the apprenticeship positions. Ex-ITI candidates must, however, possess the prescribed ITI/NTC qualification in the relevant trade.

Domicile / Geographical Eligibility

Candidates must be permanent residents within the geographical jurisdiction specified for Southern Railway, including:

• Tamil Nadu
• Puducherry
• Kerala
• Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Lakshadweep
• SPSR Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh
• Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka

Candidates should verify the detailed domicile conditions in the official notification before applying.

Age Limit

The supplied information contains a discrepancy regarding the minimum age: the opening section states 15 years, while the detailed age section states 18 years.

The detailed section specifies:

• Minimum Age: 18 years
• Maximum Age: 24 years
• Age calculated as on: 28 August 2026

The opening information states that the upper age is 22 years for Freshers and 24 years for Ex-ITI and MLT candidates. Candidates should therefore verify the applicable age condition for their specific category from the official notification.

Age Relaxation

• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
• SC/ST: 5 years
• PwBD: 10 years
• SC/ST PwBD: Up to 15 years, as stated in the supplied information

Application Fee

• General / OBC / EWS Male: ₹100
• SC/ST/PwBD: Nil
• All Female Candidates: Nil

The ₹100 processing fee is non-refundable.

Stipend

• Fresher – Class 10th: ₹8,200 per month
• Fresher – Class 12th MLT: ₹9,600 per month
• Ex-ITI Candidates: ₹9,600 per month

The supplied information states that a 10% stipend increase during the second year and 15% during the third year may apply according to the applicable apprenticeship rules.

Selection Process

There is no written examination or interview according to the supplied recruitment information.

Selection will be based on:

1. Merit List prepared using prescribed 10th/12th/ITI marks
2. Document Verification
3. Medical Fitness Examination

Important Dates

• Application Start Date: 28 August 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 27 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM
• Tentative Shortlist for Document Verification: 15 October 2026

How to Apply Online

1. Visit the official Southern Railway website.
2. Locate Act Apprentice Notification No. 01/2026.
3. Open the online application link.
4. Register using an active email ID and mobile number.
5. Select the applicable category, such as Fresher or Ex-ITI.
6. Choose the relevant workshop/division and trade.
7. Enter Class 10th, Class 12th and ITI marks/details as applicable.
8. Upload the required documents.
9. Upload a recent photograph and signature.
10. Pay the applicable ₹100 processing fee, if required.
11. Carefully check all information in the preview.
12. Submit the application before 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
13. Download and retain the final application/acknowledgement for future reference.

Documents Required

Candidates should keep the following documents ready, as applicable:

• Class 10th marksheet and certificate
• Class 12th marksheet for MLT candidates
• ITI Trade Certificate
• ITI consolidated marksheet
• Community/Caste Certificate
• OBC-NCL/EWS certificate, where applicable
• PwBD certificate, where applicable
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Scanned signature
• Other documents prescribed in the official notification

Important Instructions

• Candidates must satisfy the prescribed geographical eligibility requirements.
• Ex-ITI applicants must possess the relevant NCVT/SCVT trade certificate.
• The application fee is non-refundable wherever applicable.
• There is no written examination or interview according to the supplied information.
• Selection is based on the prescribed academic/ITI merit.
• Candidates should carefully verify their marks and educational details before submitting the form.
• Keep the final application acknowledgement safely for document verification.
• The supplied source contains a discrepancy regarding the minimum age and the upper age applicable to Freshers; candidates should verify the exact category-wise age condition in the official notification.

Official Website / Apply Online

Southern Railway Official Website: sr.indianrailways.gov.in

Recruitment: Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Total Slots: 4,471 Application Dates: 28 August – 27 September 2026 Last Time: 5:00 PM on 27 September 2026

Application Start Date: 28 August 2026 Last Date to Apply Online: 27 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM Tentative Shortlist for Document Verification: 15 October 2026

Candidates should keep the following documents ready, as applicable:

Class 10th marksheet and certificate Class 12th marksheet for MLT candidates ITI Trade Certificate ITI consolidated marksheet Community/Caste Certificate OBC-NCL/EWS certificate, where applicable PwBD certificate, where applicable Recent passport-size photograph Scanned signature Other documents prescribed in the official notification

Visit the official Southern Railway website. Locate Act Apprentice Notification No. 01/2026. Open the online application link. Register using an active email ID and mobile number. Select the applicable category, such as Fresher or Ex-ITI. Choose the relevant workshop/division and trade. Enter Class 10th, Class 12th and ITI marks/details as applicable. Upload the required documents. Upload a recent photograph and signature. Pay the applicable ₹100 processing fee, if required. Carefully check all information in the preview. Submit the application before 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM. Download and retain the final application/acknowledgement for future reference.