Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is out for 4471 Act Apprentice posts under Notification No 01/2026. It covers 163 Fresher and 4308 Ex ITI vacancies. Eligible candidates can apply online from 28 August 2026 up to 27 September 2026 at 5 PM through the official website sr.indianrailways.gov.in. Selection is merit based with no written exam.
Southern Railway has released the official notification for the Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026, offering a huge 4471 training slots for young candidates who want to build a career in the Indian Railways. This drive is conducted through the Office of the Chief Workshop Manager, Carriage and Wagon Works, Perambur, Chennai, for engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act 1961. The Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is one of the largest railway apprenticeship openings this year, and the entire application process is online. Interested candidates should apply well before the last date of 27 September 2026 to avoid last minute problems.
Overview of Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Southern Railway, C and W Works, Perambur, Chennai |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice (Fresher and Ex ITI) |
| Notification Number | 01/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 4471 posts |
| Fresher Vacancies | 163 |
| Ex ITI Vacancies | 4308 |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Application Start Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 September 2026 (up to 5 PM) |
| Application Fee | Rs 100 (NIL for SC ST PwBD Women) |
| Selection Process | Merit list based |
| Official Website | sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Vacancy Details for Railway Act Apprentice Posts
The Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is divided into two categories, Fresher and Ex ITI. The post wise breakup is given below.
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Fresher Category | 163 |
| Ex ITI Category | 4308 |
| Total | 4471 |
The vacancies are spread across various Divisions, Workshops, and Units of Southern Railway, including Carriage and Wagon Works Perambur, Central Workshops Ponmalai, S and T Workshop Podanur, and divisions such as Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Palakkad, Salem, and Trivandrum. Because thousands of training slots are on offer, the Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a strong chance for ITI holders and 10th pass candidates in the region.
Eligibility Criteria for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Before applying for the Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026, candidates must check the educational qualification and age limit carefully, as it differs between the Fresher and Ex ITI categories.
Educational Qualification
- Fresher Category (Fitter, Painter, Welder): 10th class pass with minimum 50 percent aggregate marks.
- Fresher Category (Medical Laboratory Technician trades): 12th class pass with minimum 50 percent marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Ex ITI Category: 10th class pass with minimum 50 percent aggregate marks and a valid ITI certificate in the relevant trade from a Government recognised ITI with NCVT or SCVT certification.
The minimum 50 percent requirement in 10th class is not applicable for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates.
Age Limit
- Fresher Category: 15 to 22 years.
- Ex ITI Category: 15 to 24 years.
- MLT trades: 15 to 24 years.
Age is calculated as on the date of the notification. Age relaxation is 3 years for OBC NCL, 5 years for SC ST, and 10 years for PwBD, with higher relaxation for combined categories.
Stipend Details
Selected candidates under the Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 will receive a monthly stipend during the training period.
| Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Fresher 10th Pass | Rs 8200 |
| Fresher 12th Pass | Rs 9600 |
| Ex ITI | Rs 9600 |
Please note that this is an apprenticeship training engagement and does not guarantee any regular employment with the railways after completion of training.
Application Fee
The application fee for the Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is Rs 100, which is non refundable. Candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD, and Women categories are fully exempt from paying the fee. The fee can be paid online using debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI.
Selection Process
The selection for the Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is purely merit based, and there is no written examination or interview. For Fresher candidates, the merit is prepared on the basis of 10th class marks. For Ex ITI candidates, equal weightage is given to 10th class marks and ITI marks. In case of a tie, the older candidate is given preference. Shortlisted candidates are then called for document verification.
How to Apply Online for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Interested and eligible candidates must apply online for the Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 by following the steps below.
- Visit the official website sr.indianrailways.gov.in.
- Go to the News and Updates section and open Personnel Branch Information.
- Find the link for Notification No 01/2026 for engagement of Act Apprentices.
- Register using an active email address and mobile number.
- Fill in the personal, educational, ITI, and category details accurately.
- Select the correct category, trade, and unit as availability is unit specific.
- Upload the required documents, photograph, and signature.
- Pay the Rs 100 application fee online if applicable.
- Review all the details and submit the form before the last date.
- Take a printout of the submitted application for future reference.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 27 September 2026 (up to 5 PM) |
| Tentative Shortlist for Document Verification | 15 October 2026 |
Important Links
| Link Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website and Notification | Visit sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
| Apply Online | Apply Here |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many vacancies are there in Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
There are a total of 4471 Act Apprentice posts, which include 163 Fresher and 4308 Ex ITI vacancies.
Q2. What is the last date to apply?
The last date to apply online is 27 September 2026 up to 5 PM. Applications are accepted online only.
Q3. What is the educational qualification required?
Fresher candidates need 10th pass with 50 percent marks and MLT trades need 12th with PCB. Ex ITI candidates need 10th pass with 50 percent plus a relevant ITI certificate.
Q4. What is the age limit for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The age limit is 15 to 22 years for Fresher and 15 to 24 years for Ex ITI and MLT trades, with relaxation for reserved categories.
Q5. Is there any written exam?
No. The selection is purely merit based on qualifying marks, and there is no written exam or interview.
Q6. What is the stipend during training?
The stipend is Rs 8200 per month for Fresher 10th pass, and Rs 9600 per month for Fresher 12th pass and Ex ITI candidates.
Conclusion
The Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a golden opportunity for 10th pass and ITI holders who want to gain valuable training experience with the Indian Railways. With a massive 4471 training slots and a simple merit based selection, eligible candidates should apply online before 27 September 2026. Keep visiting the official website sr.indianrailways.gov.in and follow GCC Job Info for the latest updates on the Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026, results, and document verification schedule.