Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 4,471 Act Apprentice Posts, Apply Online

Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 4,471 Act Apprentice Training Slots

Southern Railway, through the Office of the Chief Workshop Manager, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, has invited online applications for engagement of Act Apprentices under Notification No. 01/2026. The notification covers 4,471 apprenticeship slots across Fresher and Ex-ITI categories. The online application window is open from 28 August 2026 to 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

This is an apprenticeship training opportunity under the Apprentices Act, 1961. It is important to note that apprenticeship engagement is for training and does not guarantee regular employment in Indian Railways.

Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview

Vacancy Details

The notified total of 4,471 slots comprises:

• Fresher category: 163 slots.
• Ex-ITI category: 4,308 slots.

The Fresher opportunities include designated trades/units such as Fitter, Welder, Painter and Medical Laboratory Technician-related training at specified Southern Railway establishments. The Ex-ITI category covers a much larger number of trade apprenticeship slots across workshops, divisions and units, including trades such as Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Carpenter, Plumber, Diesel Mechanic, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic, Electronic Mechanic and other designated trades as listed in the official notification.

Applicants should use the official notification to check the exact unit-wise and trade-wise vacancies before selecting their preference.

Important Dates

The document-verification shortlist date is tentative. Candidates should follow the Southern Railway website for subsequent notices, selection lists and verification instructions.

Educational Qualification

Fresher category: Candidates applying for the applicable Fresher trades generally need to have passed Class 10 under the 10+2 system with the prescribed minimum aggregate marks. For the Medical Laboratory Technician-related Fresher trades, the notification specifies Higher Secondary qualification with Physics, Chemistry and Biology and the prescribed marks.

Ex-ITI category: Candidates generally need to have passed Class 10 with the prescribed minimum aggregate marks and possess an ITI certificate in the relevant trade issued by an NCVT/SCVT-recognised institution.

The trade-wise qualification varies, so candidates must verify the exact qualification against the trade selected in Notification No. 01/2026.

Age Limit

The notification prescribes minimum and maximum age requirements for the apprenticeship categories. The commonly applicable range is 15 years minimum, with the upper age depending on the category/trade specified in the notification. Ex-ITI applicants generally have an upper age limit of 24 years, while the Fresher category has a lower upper-age limit as specified in the notification. Relaxation is available for eligible reserved categories according to the applicable rules.

Because the age calculation and relaxation conditions are category-specific, candidates should check the exact date-of-birth requirement in the official notification before applying.

Apprenticeship Jurisdiction

A significant condition of this recruitment is the prescribed geographical eligibility. The notification covers candidates residing within the Southern Railway jurisdiction specified in the notice, including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, along with specified districts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Candidates should read the residence/jurisdiction clause carefully before submitting an application.

Selection Process

Selection for the Act Apprentice engagement is based on merit from the prescribed qualifying examination marks rather than a conventional written competitive examination. For the relevant categories, the marks are considered in the manner specified in the notification, followed by document verification and medical fitness requirements.

• Preparation of merit/shortlist using qualifying examination and, where applicable, ITI marks.
• Shortlisting for document verification.
• Verification of original certificates and eligibility.
• Medical fitness as prescribed for apprenticeship engagement.

Candidates should not expect a CBT, interview or regular Railway recruitment examination for this apprenticeship engagement unless Southern Railway issues a subsequent clarification.

Application Fee

The application fee is ₹100 for candidates to whom the fee applies. The notification provides exemptions for specified categories, including SC/ST, PwBD and women candidates, subject to the stated conditions.

Training and Stipend

This recruitment is for apprenticeship training rather than a regular railway appointment. Apprentices receive stipend according to the applicable apprenticeship rules and the terms stated in the notification. The engagement should therefore not be described as a permanent Railway salary post.

Documents to Keep Ready

• Recent passport-size photograph.
• Signature.
• Class 10 certificate/mark sheet.
• ITI certificate and marks details for Ex-ITI applicants.
• Relevant qualification certificates for MLT/Fresher applicants.
• Caste certificate, where applicable.
• PwBD certificate, where applicable.
• Residence/domicile or other jurisdiction documents wherever required.
• Valid identity document and other certificates required by the notification.

How to Apply Online

1. Visit the official Southern Railway recruitment website and open the Act Apprentice Notification No. 01/2026.
2. Read the complete notification, especially the jurisdiction, trade-wise qualification, age and document requirements.
3. Open the official online application portal linked by Southern Railway.
4. Register and enter personal, educational and ITI details carefully.
5. Select the eligible category, unit and trade as permitted by the application system.
6. Upload the required photograph, signature and certificates.
7. Pay the applicable ₹100 fee if you are not exempt.
8. Review the complete application before final submission.
9. Submit the application before 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
10. Save or print the final application/acknowledgement for future document verification.

Important Links

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

Official apprenticeship application portal: Apply Online

Candidates should download and read the complete official Notification No. 01/2026 and rely on the Railway-hosted notification for the final vacancy, trade, eligibility and application conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Southern Railway Apprentice slots are available?
There are 4,471 notified apprenticeship slots: 163 Fresher and 4,308 Ex-ITI.

What is the last date to apply?
The last date is 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

Is this a permanent Railway job?
No. It is apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. The notification does not guarantee regular employment after completion.

What qualification is required?
Depending on the category and trade, candidates need the prescribed Class 10/12 qualification and, for Ex-ITI trades, a relevant NCVT/SCVT ITI certificate.

Is there a written examination?
The apprenticeship selection is merit-based using the prescribed qualifying marks, followed by document verification and medical fitness.

What is the application fee?
The applicable fee is ₹100, with exemptions for specified categories such as SC/ST, PwBD and women candidates.

Important Note

This article is prepared from the Southern Railway Act Apprentice Notification 01/2026 and current recruitment information available at the time of writing. Candidates should verify every eligibility condition, trade preference, vacancy and document requirement in the official notification before submitting the application.

Last Updated: 18 September 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I verify the recruitment details?

Check the official recruitment notification or the concerned organisation’s official website before applying. The official notification is the final authority.

How should I apply?

Follow the application mode, instructions and document requirements stated in this article and the official notification, and submit the application within the prescribed deadline.

What should candidates check before applying?

Check the post-wise eligibility, age limit, vacancies, important dates, fee and selection process in the official notification before submitting an application.

Disclaimer: CareerSphere.in is an informational website and is not affiliated with Southern Railway or Indian Railways. The official notification and recruitment portal are the final authority for all recruitment-related matters.