Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Overview
The Office of the Chief Workshop Manager, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, Southern Railway, has released Notification No. 01/2026 dated 28 August 2026 for engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. A total of 4,471 apprenticeship slots (163 Fresher + 4,308 Ex-ITI) are open across various trades in Divisions, Workshops and Units under Southern Railway. Online applications can be submitted from 28 August 2026 to 27 September 2026 (till 17:00 Hrs).
This engagement is purely for apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. There is no guarantee of employment after training, though 20% of Level-1 direct recruitment vacancies may give preference to Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) holding a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC).
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Southern Railway (Office of the Chief Workshop Manager, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur) |
| Notification Number | No. 01/2026 (No.CPB/P1/98/Act/TP/Vol.XXI) |
| Notification Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice (Fresher and Ex-ITI categories) |
| Total Vacancies | 4,471 (163 Fresher + 4,308 Ex-ITI) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Nature of Engagement | Apprenticeship training under Apprentices Act, 1961 (not a job/employment) |
| Official Website | sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
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 (till 17:00 Hrs) |
| Age Reckoning Date | 28 August 2026 (date of notification) |
| Tentative Date for Document Verification Shortlist | 15 October 2026 |
This information has not yet been confirmed by the official authority for any dates beyond those listed above, including the exact document verification schedule, which remains tentative as per the notification.
Who Can Apply: Geographical Eligibility
Only candidates residing within the geographical jurisdiction of Southern Railway are eligible to apply. This includes:
- The whole of Tamil Nadu
- The whole Union Territory of Puducherry
- The whole of Kerala
- The Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep
- Only SPSR Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh
- Only Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka
Vacancy Details
The 4,471 vacancies are divided into two categories, further split across three workshop groups (Carriage & Wagon Works group, Golden Rock/Central Workshops group, and Signal & Telecommunication group).
| Category | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresher | 68 | 43 | 24 | 13 | 14 | 163 |
| Ex-ITI | 1,744 | 1,144 | 628 | 319 | 394 | 4,308 |
| Grand Total | 1,812 | 1,187 | 652 | 332 | 408 | 4,471 |
Unit-wise, the Ex-ITI vacancies break down as: Carriage & Wagon Works group (Perambur workshops, Chennai Division, Electrical Workshop, Engineering Workshop Arakkonam, Engineering HQ/SR, Loco Works, Railway Hospital) – 1,528 slots; Central Workshops Ponmalai group (Ponmalai, Madurai Division, Tiruchirappalli Division) – 1,292 slots; Signal & Telecommunication group (Palakkad Division, Salem Division, S&T Workshop Podanur, Trivandrum Division) – 1,488 slots.
Trades on offer include Fitter, Welder (G&E), Painter, Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, Machinist, Turner, Diesel Mechanic, Carpenter, Wireman, Plumber, Draughtsman (Civil), MMTM, MMV, COPA/PASAA, Structural Welder, Gas Cutter, Instrument Mechanic, Mechanic R&AC, ICTSM, Stenographer/Secretarial Assistant, and Medical Laboratory Technician (Radiology/Pathology/Cardiology). The full trade-wise and unit-wise vacancy break-up, including category and PwBD splits, runs across many pages of the notification. Candidates should check the official notification PDF for their specific unit and trade. The notification clarifies that all vacancies are tentative and subject to change.
Educational Qualification
| Category / Trade | Qualification Required |
|---|---|
| Fresher – Fitter, Painter, Welder | Passed 10th Class under 10+2 system with minimum 50% aggregate marks |
| Fresher – MLT (Radiology/Pathology/Cardiology) | Passed 12th Class with minimum 50% aggregate marks, with Physics, Chemistry and Biology |
| Ex-ITI – General trades (Fitter, Machinist, MMV, Turner, Diesel Mechanic, Carpenter, Painter, Welder, Wireman, Advance Welder, Plumber, Draughtsman-Civil, Instrument Mechanic, Mech. R&AC, Gas Cutter, MMTM, Structural Welder) | Passed 10th Class (min. 50% aggregate) + ITI in the relevant trade with NCVT/SCVT certificate |
| Ex-ITI – Electrician | Passed 10th Class (min. 50%) with Science + ITI in relevant trade (NCVT/SCVT) |
| Ex-ITI – Electronics Mechanic | Passed 10th Class (min. 50%) with Science (Physics & Chemistry) and Mathematics + ITI in relevant trade |
| Ex-ITI – Secretarial Assistant / Stenographer (English) | Passed 12th Class + ITI in relevant trade (NCVT/SCVT) |
| Ex-ITI – ICTSM | Passed 10th Class + ITI in relevant trade (NCVT/SCVT) |
| Ex-ITI – COPA/PASSA | Passed 10th Class (min. 50%) + National Trade Certificate in “Computer Operator and Programming Assistant” |
Important: The minimum 50% marks requirement in 10th standard is not applicable for SC/ST/PwBD candidates. Course Completed Act Apprentices, Engineering Graduates/Diploma holders, or Vocational Certificate holders who have one year or more of training/job experience after acquiring these qualifications are NOT eligible to apply as trade apprentices.
Age Limit and Relaxation
Age is calculated as on the date of notification, i.e. 28 August 2026.
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age (all candidates) | 15 years |
| Maximum Age – Fresher | 22 years |
| Maximum Age – Ex-ITI / MLT | 24 years |
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (UR & EWS) | 10 years |
| PwBD + OBC (NCL) | 13 years |
| PwBD + SC/ST | 15 years |
Candidates claiming SC/ST, OBC-NCL or PwBD benefits must produce the relevant valid certificate at the time of Document Verification, failing which they will be treated as UR (with the UR age limit applying).
Stipend and Training Period
| Category | Monthly Stipend | Training Period |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher – 10th std (Fitter, Painter, Welder) | ₹8,200 per month | Welder: 1 year 3 months; Fitter & Painter: 2 years |
| Fresher – 12th std (MLT) | ₹9,600 per month | 1 year 3 months |
| Ex-ITI (all trades) | ₹9,600 per month | As per rebate under Schedule-I of Apprentices Rules, 1992 |
The stipend increases by 10% in the second year of training and by a further 15% in the third year, over the prescribed minimum amount.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹100/- (Non-refundable, paid online) |
| SC/ST/PwBD/Women | No fee |
Candidates should keep a printout of the fee payment acknowledgement, as it may be required at the time of Document Verification.
Selection Process
There is no written examination or interview. Selection is based entirely on a merit list of qualifying marks:
- Fresher category: Matriculation marks converted to 200, with minimum 50% aggregate required in Matriculation.
- Ex-ITI category: Matriculation marks converted to 100 (minimum 50% aggregate) + ITI marks converted to 100, giving a total of 200 with equal weightage to both.
- MLT category: Higher Secondary marks (Physics, Chemistry, Maths & Biology) converted to 200, with minimum 50% aggregate in Matriculation.
The 50% minimum marks condition does not apply to SC/ST and PwBD candidates. If two candidates score equal marks, the older candidate is preferred; if the date of birth is also the same, the candidate who passed Matriculation earlier is given preference.
Documents Required
- Recent passport-size photograph and signature (as per prescribed format)
- 10th/12th mark sheet and pass certificate
- ITI certificate issued by NCVT/SCVT (for Ex-ITI candidates)
- Caste certificate (SC/ST) in the prescribed format, where applicable
- OBC-NCL certificate valid for the current year, along with a self-declaration, where applicable
- EWS income and asset certificate, where applicable
- Disability certificate issued by a competent medical authority, for PwBD candidates
- Medical fitness certificate as per Schedule-II of the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992, signed by a Government Gazetted doctor (to be produced at Document Verification)
- Original Transfer Certificate for the qualifying examination
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official website: www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in
- Go to News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information and open the Act Apprentice 2026 notification link.
- Read Notification No. 01/2026 in full and confirm you meet the geographical, educational and age eligibility criteria.
- Click on the online application/registration link and register with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in personal details, educational marks, category, and preferred trade/unit accurately.
- Upload scanned photograph, signature, and other documents in the specified format and size.
- Pay the processing fee of ₹100 online, where applicable (exempted for SC/ST/PwBD/Women).
- Verify all entered details carefully, since corrections after submission may not be possible.
- Submit the application before 27 September 2026, 17:00 Hrs.
- Download and save the system-generated acknowledgement for use at Document Verification.
Important Instructions
- This notification is purely for apprenticeship training; there is no guarantee of employment after completion of training.
- 20% of vacancies in Direct Recruitment to Level-1 posts may give preference to Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) trained in railway establishments and holding a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC).
- All official communication — including Document Verification lists, selection results and eligibility notices — will be published only on the official Southern Railway website link mentioned in the notification.
- Candidates who are willfully absent, or whose surety appears on their behalf during apprenticeship, must refund the full training cost and any stipend received.
- Any false declaration will lead to disqualification or termination at any stage of the training period, without notice.
- Applications are accepted online only; no other mode of submission is permitted.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without checking the geographical residence eligibility for Southern Railway’s jurisdiction.
- Selecting the wrong category (Fresher/Ex-ITI) or trade that does not match your actual qualification.
- Uploading documents in the wrong format or size, leading to rejection at the scrutiny stage.
- Not producing category certificates (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwBD) in the prescribed and valid format at Document Verification, resulting in the candidate being treated as UR.
- Missing the closing date and time — the portal closes strictly at 17:00 Hrs on 27 September 2026.
- Trusting unofficial websites or agents demanding extra payment for “guaranteed selection” — no such scheme exists.
Official Notification and Application Links
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF (No. 01/2026) | View Official Notification PDF |
| Official Website (Application Path: News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information) | sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Caution: Applications are accepted only through the official Southern Railway website. Do not share personal details or make payments on any unofficial website or app claiming to process Southern Railway apprentice applications.
Conclusion: What to Do Next
Eligible candidates residing within Southern Railway’s jurisdiction should read Notification No. 01/2026 carefully, confirm their trade-wise eligibility, and complete the online application on sr.indianrailways.gov.in before 27 September 2026, 17:00 Hrs. Since selection is merit-based on qualifying marks with no written exam, ensure your Matriculation/ITI/Higher Secondary details are entered accurately, as this directly affects your merit list ranking.
Last updated: 1 September 2026, based on Southern Railway Notification No. 01/2026 dated 28 August 2026.
Internal-Link Suggestions:
- Link to other Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) Apprentice 2026 notifications (e.g., South Central Railway, Western Railway, Northeast Frontier Railway Apprentice 2026)
- Link to a general “Railway Apprentice Eligibility and Selection Process” explainer article
- Link to an “How to Apply for Railway Jobs Online” guide
- Link to a “Railway Apprentice vs RRB Level-1 Recruitment” comparison article
Official Sources Used:
- Southern Railway Act Apprentice Notification No. 01/2026 dated 28-08-2026 (Office of the Chief Workshop Manager, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur) — full notification PDF with enclosures
- Official Southern Railway website: sr.indianrailways.gov.in
