Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 4471 Posts
Indian Railways / Railway Recruitment Board (RRB)
VerifiedIndian Railways RRB is recruiting 4,471 candidates across southern India for fresher and ex-ITI positions. Eligible applicants from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, and select districts in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka can apply. Selection is merit-based on educational marks with no written exam.
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Apply Start
28 Aug 2026
Last Date
27 Sept 2026
Vacancies
4471
Application Fee
₹100.00
Category & Unit-wise Vacancy Details
Fresher Category — Unit-wise
| Unit | Trades Covered | Total Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur | Fitter, Welder, Painter | 80 |
| Central Workshop, Ponmalai | Fitter, Welder (G&E) | 43 |
| S&T Workshop, Podanur, Coimbatore | Fitter | 20 |
| Railway Hospital, Perambur | MLT (Radiology, Pathology, Cardiology) | 20 |
Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur
Fitter, Welder, Painter
80
Central Workshop, Ponmalai
Fitter, Welder (G&E)
43
S&T Workshop, Podanur, Coimbatore
Fitter
20
Railway Hospital, Perambur
MLT (Radiology, Pathology, Cardiology)
20
Ex-ITI Category — Group-wise
| Group | Units Covered | Total Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Carriage & Wagon Works group | Perambur C&W, Chennai Division (multiple sections), Electrical Workshop Perambur, Engineering Workshop Arakkonam, Engineering HQ/SR, Loco Works Perambur, Railway Hospital Perambur | 1,528 |
| Central Workshops, Ponmalai group | Ponmalai, Madurai Division, Tiruchirappalli Division | 1,292 |
| S&T Workshop Podanur group | Palakkad Division, Salem Division, Podanur Workshop, Trivandrum Division | 1,488 |
Carriage & Wagon Works group
Perambur C&W, Chennai Division (multiple sections), Electrical Workshop Perambur, Engineering Workshop Arakkonam, Engineering HQ/SR, Loco Works Perambur, Railway Hospital Perambur
1,528
Central Workshops, Ponmalai group
Ponmalai, Madurai Division, Tiruchirappalli Division
1,292
S&T Workshop Podanur group
Palakkad Division, Salem Division, Podanur Workshop, Trivandrum Division
1,488
Important Note on Vacancy Numbers
The official notification's detailed category-wise (UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS) vacancy breakup adds up to a few posts fewer than the totals shown above. The overall totals here (163 Fresher + 4,308 Ex-ITI = 4,471) reflect the notification's own headline figures. Please refer to the official notification PDF for the complete category-wise breakup for your reservation category.
Geographical Eligibility
Only candidates residing within Southern Railway's jurisdiction may apply: the whole of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala; the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Union Territories; SPSR Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh; and Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. Candidates must also meet Schedule-II physical fitness standards under the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992, verified at document verification.
Qualification (by trade & category)
- Fresher — Fitter, Painter, Welder: Passed 10th Class (min. 50% aggregate).
- Fresher — MLT (Radiology/Pathology/Cardiology): Passed 12th Class with Physics, Chemistry & Biology (min. 50%).
- Ex-ITI — most trades (Fitter, Machinist, MMV, Turner, Diesel Mechanic, Carpenter, Painter, Welder(G&E), Wireman, Advance Welder, Plumber, Draughtsman-Civil, Instrument Mechanic, Mech. R&AC, Gas Cutter, MMTM, Structural Welder): Passed 10th Class (min. 50%) + ITI in the relevant trade with NCVT/SCVT certificate.
- Ex-ITI — Electrician: Same as above, with Science as a 10th-class subject.
- Ex-ITI — Electronics Mechanic: Same as above, with Science (Physics & Chemistry) and Mathematics.
- Ex-ITI — Secretarial Assistant & Stenographer (English): Passed 12th Class + ITI with NCVT/SCVT certificate.
- Ex-ITI — ICTSM: Passed 10th Class + ITI with NCVT/SCVT certificate.
- Ex-ITI — COPA/PASAA: Passed 10th Class (min. 50%) + National Trade Certificate in Computer Operator and Programming Assistant.
- The minimum 50% requirement in 10th standard does not apply to SC/ST/PwBD candidates. Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs), Engineering Graduates/Diploma holders, or Vocational Certificate holders with 1+ year of post-qualification training/job experience are not eligible.
Stipend
₹8,200/month (Fresher – 10th Std), ₹9,600/month (Fresher – 12th Std, and Ex-ITI). Stipend increases by 10% in the second year of training and a further 15% in the third year, over the prescribed minimum.
Selection Process
- Fresher Category: Matriculation marks converted to a score out of 200 (minimum 50% aggregate required, except SC/ST/PwBD).
- Ex-ITI Category: Matriculation marks (out of 100) + ITI marks (out of 100) = 200 total, with equal weightage to both.
- MLT Category: Higher Secondary marks (Physics, Chemistry, Maths & Biology) converted to a score out of 200.
- Tie-break: the older candidate is preferred; if birth dates are also identical, the candidate who passed Matriculation earlier is preferred.
How to Apply
- Visit www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in.
- Navigate to News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information.
- Complete the online application in all respects before the closing date.
- Submit the application online between 28-08-2026 and 27-09-2026 (till 17:00 Hrs).
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Southern Railway's engagement of candidates as Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961, for training in designated trades across its Divisions/Workshops/Units (Notification No. 01/2026).
Is this a permanent job?
No — this is purely an apprenticeship training engagement; there is no guarantee of employment after training completes. However, 20% of Level-1 Direct Recruitment vacancies may give preference to Course Completed Act Apprentices holding a National Apprenticeship Certificate.
Who is eligible to apply geographically?
Only candidates residing within Southern Railway's jurisdiction — the whole of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala; the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep UTs; SPSR Nellore and Chittoor districts (AP); and Dakshina Kannada district (Karnataka).
What is the age limit?
15 to 22 years (24 years for MLT), as on the notification date (28 August 2026), with relaxation of 3 years (OBC-NCL), 5 years (SC/ST), or 10 years (PwBD) — combined relaxations go up to 15 years for SC/ST + PwBD.
What is the selection process?
A merit list based on Matriculation marks (Fresher), Matriculation + ITI marks (Ex-ITI), or Higher Secondary marks (MLT) — no written exam.
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