Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 – 4,471 Posts

Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 – 4,471 Posts

Southern Railway, through the Office of the Chief Workshop Manager, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, has released Act Apprentices Notification No. 01/2026 for engagement of apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961.

A total of 4,471 apprenticeship training slots are available across various divisions, workshops and units under the jurisdiction of Southern Railway.

For ITI candidates, the major opportunity is the 4,308 Ex-ITI slots. Candidates with the prescribed Class 10 and ITI qualification in the relevant trade can apply.

Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 – Overview

Vacancy Details

Major ITI Trades

• Fitter
• Welder (Gas & Electric)
• Electrician
• Painter
• Mechanic Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
• Wireman
• Electronics Mechanic
• Diesel Mechanic
• Machinist
• Turner
• Carpenter
• Plumber
• Draughtsman (Civil)
• Gas Cutter
• Structural Welder
• MMTM
• COPA / PASAA
• ICTSM
• Secretarial Assistant
• Stenographer (English)
• Medical Laboratory Technician – Pathology
• Medical Laboratory Technician – Radiology
• Medical Laboratory Technician – Cardiology

The exact number of seats varies by trade, division, workshop and unit. Candidates should check the official vacancy table for the particular trade and location before applying.

Ex-ITI Eligibility

Candidates applying under the Ex-ITI category must have passed Class 10 / Matriculation with the prescribed minimum marks and must possess an ITI certificate in the relevant trade.

For specific trades such as Electrician and Electronics Mechanic, the notification also prescribes the required Science and Mathematics subjects at Class 10 level.

Fresher Category

A limited number of apprenticeship slots are available for candidates who have not completed ITI under the prescribed Fresher category.

For Fresher candidates in Fitter, Painter and Welder trades, the prescribed qualification is:

• Class 10 / Matriculation
• Minimum 50% aggregate marks
• Qualification under the 10+2 system or equivalent

Medical Laboratory Technician Fresher candidates require Higher Secondary / Class 12 with the prescribed Physics, Chemistry and Biology subjects and minimum marks.

Age Limit

Age Relaxation

Age is calculated according to the date prescribed in the official notification.

Geographical Eligibility

Eligible geographical areas include:

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

Stipend

The prescribed minimum stipend is subject to the applicable Apprenticeship Rules. The notification also provides for increases during later years where the training duration extends beyond one year.

Training Duration

The training period depends on the trade and category.

Selection Process

1. Online application
2. Eligibility screening
3. Preparation of merit list
4. Publication of shortlisted candidates
5. Document Verification
6. Medical Fitness verification
7. Apprenticeship contract
8. Commencement of training

Merit Calculation – Ex-ITI

For Ex-ITI candidates, the merit calculation gives equal weightage to Class 10 and ITI marks.

The marks are normalised / converted according to the procedure prescribed in the notification.

Merit Calculation – Fresher

For Fresher candidates, the prescribed qualifying examination marks are converted to the merit score according to the notification.

For MLT candidates, Higher Secondary marks in the prescribed subjects are considered according to the notified merit formula.

Tie-Breaking

If two candidates obtain the same merit marks, the older candidate is preferred.

If the dates of birth are also the same, the candidate who passed the Matriculation examination earlier is considered according to the notified tie-breaking procedure.

Application Fee

Important Dates

Documents Required

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Class 10 / Matriculation certificate
• Class 10 marksheet
• ITI certificate
• ITI marksheet
• NCVT / SCVT certificate
• Class 12 certificate, where applicable
• Medical certificate in prescribed format
• Residence / jurisdiction proof
• Caste certificate, where applicable
• OBC-NCL certificate, where applicable
• EWS certificate, where applicable
• PwBD certificate, where applicable
• Ex-Servicemen documents, where applicable
• Valid identity proof
• Application acknowledgement

Document Verification

Candidates shortlisted for Document Verification must produce the required original certificates along with the prescribed copies.

Candidates must particularly ensure that their name, father's name, date of birth and educational details are consistent across their certificates and application.

Medical Certificate

Candidates selected for document verification must satisfy the prescribed physical fitness requirements under the Apprenticeship Rules.

A medical certificate in the prescribed format from an authorised Government medical officer must be produced as required by the notification.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official Southern Railway website.
2. Open the Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification.
3. Read the complete notification carefully.
4. Open the online application link.
5. Complete registration using a valid mobile number and email ID.
6. Select the eligible trade and unit/location.
7. Enter Class 10 and ITI marks exactly as shown on the certificates.
8. Upload the required documents and photograph.
9. Pay the applicable ₹100 processing fee.
10. Submit the application before 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
11. Download and retain the application acknowledgement.

Important for ITI Candidates

• There are 4,308 Ex-ITI apprenticeship slots.
• Class 10 with the prescribed minimum marks is required.
• ITI must be in the relevant designated trade.
• ITI certificate should be recognised by NCVT / SCVT as prescribed.
• There is no written examination.
• Selection is based on the notified merit formula.
• Shortlisted candidates must undergo Document Verification.
• Medical fitness requirements apply.
• Candidates must satisfy the Southern Railway geographical eligibility condition.
• Apprenticeship does not guarantee permanent Railway employment.

Is Southern Railway Apprentice a Permanent Railway Job?

The apprenticeship contract ends after the prescribed training period. Candidates should not describe these 4,471 slots as permanent Railway vacancies.

Railway Employment After Apprenticeship

The notification states that completion of apprenticeship does not guarantee employment. However, eligible Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) who have undergone training in railway establishments and obtained the National Apprenticeship Certificate may receive preference in certain future Railway recruitment processes where the applicable rules provide for such consideration.

Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 – Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions