Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 4471 Posts

Southern Railway (SR), through the Office of the Chief Workshop Manager, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, has released Notification No. 01/2026 inviting online applications for engagement as Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961, in various trades across Divisions/Workshops/Units under its jurisdiction. This is a training engagement, not an employment offer - there is no guarantee of employment on completion of training.

• Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF
• Direct Link to Apply for Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Overview

Southern Railway Act Apprentice Important Dates

Southern Railway Act Apprentice Vacancy 2026 - Category & Unit-wise Details

Vacancies are divided into two categories - Fresher (163 posts) and Ex-ITI (4,308 posts) - spread across Carriage & Wagon Works Perambur, Central Workshop Ponmalai, Signal & Telecommunication Workshop Podanur, Railway Hospital Perambur, and multiple divisions (Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Palakkad, Salem, Trivandrum).

Fresher Category - Unit-wise Total

Ex-ITI Category - Group-wise Total

Note: the Fresher category-wise sum (UR 68 + OBC 43 + SC 24 + ST 13 + EWS 14) computed from the source table equals 162, one less than the stated total of 163. The Ex-ITI category-wise sum (UR 1,744 + OBC 1,144 + SC 628 + ST 319 + EWS 394) computed from the source table equals 4,229, which is 79 less than the stated total of 4,308. Both discrepancies are in the source document and should be verified before publishing.

A full trade-wise and unit-wise breakdown (individual trades like Fitter, Welder, Electrician, COPA, Draughtsman, MMTM, etc., with UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PwBD splits for each of the ~15 units) runs across several pages of the notification and is not reproduced trade-by-trade here for readability - candidates should check the full notification PDF for their specific unit and trade. The notification also clarifies that vacancies are tentative and subject to change, and reservation for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD is as per prescribed norms.

Southern Railway Act Apprentice Eligibility Criteria

Only candidates residing within the following areas (Geographical Jurisdiction of Southern Railway) are eligible to apply:

• Whole State of Tamil Nadu
• Whole Union Territory of Puducherry
• Whole State of Kerala
• Whole Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands
• Only two districts of Andhra Pradesh: SPSR Nellore and Chittoor
• Only one district of Karnataka: Dakshina Kannada

Candidates must also meet the minimum standards of physical fitness under Schedule-II of the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992, verified through a medical certificate from a Government-Authorized Doctor at the time of document verification.

Southern Railway Act Apprentice Qualification

Fresher Category:

• Fitter, Painter, Welder - Passed 10th Class (minimum 50% aggregate) under the 10+2 system or equivalent.
• Medical Laboratory Technician (Radiology/Pathology/Cardiology) - Passed 12th Class (minimum 50% aggregate) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

Ex-ITI Category:

• 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 course in the relevant trade with an NCVT/SCVT certificate.
• Electrician - Same as above, with Science as a subject in 10th.
• Electronics Mechanic - Same as above, with Science (Physics & Chemistry) and Mathematics.
• Secretarial Assistant & Stenographer (English) - Passed 12th Class + ITI course with NCVT/SCVT certificate.
• ICTSM - Passed 10th Class + ITI course with NCVT/SCVT certificate.
• COPA/PASAA - Passed 10th Class (min. 50%) + National Trade Certificate in Computer Operator and Programming Assistant.

Note: 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 one year or more of training/job experience after these qualifications are not eligible.

Southern Railway Act Apprentice Age Limit

As on the date of notification (28-08-2026):

• Minimum age: 15 years completed
• Maximum age: 22 years (Fresher/Ex-ITI) / 24 years (MLT)
• Upper age relaxation: 3 years for OBC-(NCL), 5 years for SC/ST, 10 years for PwBD
• Combined relaxation for PwBD candidates: UR/EWS + PwBD = 10 years; OBC-(NCL) + PwBD = 13 years; SC/ST + PwBD = 15 years

To avoid any confusion regarding age eligibility, candidates can use our Age Calculator to calculate their exact age based on the prescribed cut-off date before applying.

Southern Railway Act Apprentice Stipend

Stipend increases by 10% in the second year of training and a further 15% in the third year, over the prescribed minimum.

Southern Railway Act Apprentice Application Fee

Processing fee of Rs. 100/- (non-refundable), payable online. No fee is required for SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates.

Southern Railway Act Apprentice Selection Process

Selection is based on a Merit List, prepared as follows:

• Fresher Category: Matriculation marks converted to 200 (minimum 50% aggregate required, except SC/ST/PwBD).
• Ex-ITI Category: Matriculation marks converted to 100 + ITI marks converted to 100 = 200 total, with equal weightage to both.
• MLT Category: Higher Secondary marks (Physics, Chemistry, Maths & Biology) converted to 200.

In case of a tie, the older candidate is preferred; if birth dates are also the same, the candidate who passed Matriculation earlier is preferred.

How to Apply for Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026

1. Visit www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in
2. Navigate to News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information
3. Complete the online application in all respects before the closing date.
4. Submit the application online between 28-08-2026 and 27-09-2026 (till 17:00 Hrs).

Southern Railway Act Apprentice Important Instructions

• This notification is purely for apprenticeship training, not employment - there is no guarantee of employment after training.
• 20% of vacancies in Direct Recruitment to Level 1 posts may give preference to Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) holding a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC).
• All official communication - notifications, document verification lists, selection and eligibility results - will be posted only on the official website link mentioned above.
• Candidates availing SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwBD benefits must produce the relevant certificate at document verification, else they will be treated as UR.
• False declarations will lead to disqualification/termination at any stage without notice.
• Candidates are responsible for arranging their own accommodation during training.
• Ex-ITI candidates must possess the relevant ITI qualification at the time of applying.

Southern Railway Act Apprentice Important Links

• Apply Online: Click here
• Official Notification PDF: Click here
• Official Website:Click here