Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 4471 Vacancies
Conducting Authority : Southern Railway
Department : Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, Chennai
Post Name : Act Apprentice
Short Information
Southern Railway, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, Chennai, has released Notification No. 01/2026 for the engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Eligible candidates can apply online for Apprenticeship Training in various designated trades and units under Southern Railway. Important: This notification is for Apprenticeship Training only and does not guarantee employment after the completion of training.
Important Dates
| Event | Date/Time |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start | 28 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Apply | 27 September 2026 05:00 PM |
| Shortlisted List for Document Verification | 15 October 2026 |
Application Fee
| Category | Processing Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Other Applicable Candidates | Rs. 100/- |
| SC Candidates | N/A |
| ST Candidates | N/A |
| PwBD Candidates | N/A |
| Women Candidates | N/A |
Payment Method: The processing fee is non-refundable. Payment must be made through Online Mode. Candidates should keep a printout of the payment acknowledgement for Document Verification.
Age Limit
Age will be calculated as on the date of notification.
| Age Criteria | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 15 Years |
| Maximum Age for Freshers | 22 Years |
| Maximum Age for Ex-ITI and MLT Categories | 24 Years |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC-NCL | 3 Years |
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| PwBD | 10 Years |
Note: Additional age relaxation for PwBD candidates belonging to reserved categories will be applicable as mentioned in the official notification.
Education Qualification
Fresher Category
| Trade / Category | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Fitter | Must have passed 10th Class or equivalent with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. |
| Painter | Must have passed 10th Class or equivalent with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. |
| Welder | Must have passed 10th Class or equivalent with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. |
| Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) | Must have passed 12th Class under the 10+2 system with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. Physics, Chemistry, and Biology must be compulsory subjects. |
Education Qualification / Eligibility
Ex-ITI Category
| Category / Trade | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Fitter | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| Machinist | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| MMV | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| Turner | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| Diesel Mechanic | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| Carpenter | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| Painter | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| Welder | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| Wireman | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| Advance Welder | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| Plumber | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| Draughtsman (Civil) | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| Instrument Mechanic | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| Mechanic R&AC | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| Gas Cutter | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| MMTM | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| Structural Welder | Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI. |
| Important Note | The minimum 50% aggregate marks requirement in Class 10 is not applicable to SC/ST/PwBD candidates. |
Geographical Eligibility
Only candidates residing in the specified geographical jurisdiction of Southern Railway are eligible to apply.
| No. | Eligible Area |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tamil Nadu |
| 2 | Puducherry |
| 3 | Kerala |
| 4 | Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
| 5 | Lakshadweep Islands |
| 6 | SPSR Nellore and Chittoor Districts of Andhra Pradesh |
| 7 | Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka |
Important Instructions
| No. | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | This recruitment is for Apprenticeship Training only. |
| 2 | There is no guarantee of employment after completion of the apprenticeship. |
| 3 | Candidates must ensure that they meet all eligibility requirements before applying. |
| 4 | Ex-ITI candidates must possess the required ITI qualification in the relevant trade at the time of application. |
| 5 | Only qualifications obtained from recognized Boards and Institutes will be considered. |
| 6 | Candidates must arrange their own accommodation and other facilities. |
| 7 | Providing false information may result in disqualification or termination. |
| 8 | Official updates regarding selection, eligibility, and Document Verification will be published through the official website. |
| 9 | The tentative date for publication of the shortlisted candidates list for Document Verification is 15 October 2026. |
Important Links
| Name | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online Form |
Click Here
(Active Now) |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Join Our Official Whatsapp Channel | Click Here |
| Join Our Official Telegram Channel | Click Here |
Stipend Details
| Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Freshers – 10th Pass | Rs. 8,200/- |
| Freshers – 12th Pass | Rs. 9,600/- |
| Ex-ITI Candidates | Rs. 9,600/- |
Note: The stipend amount will increase during the second and third years of apprenticeship training as per the applicable rules.
Period of Training
Fresher Category
| Trade | Training Period |
|---|---|
| Welder | 1 Year 3 Months |
| Fitter | 2 Years |
| Painter | 2 Years |
| Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) | 1 Year 3 Months |
Note: For Ex-ITI Candidates, the training duration will be determined according to the applicable Apprenticeship Rules.
Required Documents
Candidates may be required to produce the following documents during the Document Verification process, as applicable:
| No. | Required Document |
|---|---|
| 1 | 10th Class Mark Sheet and Certificate |
| 2 | 12th Class Mark Sheet and Certificate, if applicable |
| 3 | ITI Certificate and Mark Sheet, if applicable |
| 4 | Valid SC/ST Certificate, if applicable |
| 5 | Valid OBC-NCL Certificate, if applicable |
| 6 | EWS Certificate, if applicable |
| 7 | PwBD Certificate, if applicable |
| 8 | Medical Fitness Certificate in the prescribed format |
| 9 | Original Transfer Certificate for the qualifying examination |
| 10 | Online Application / Payment Acknowledgement |
| 11 | Any other documents as required by Southern Railway |
Note: Candidates must produce the required original documents during the Document Verification process.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates must submit their application ONLINE ONLY through the official Southern Railway website.
Online Application Steps
- Step: Visit the official Southern Railway website.
- Step: Go to the News & Updates section.
- Step: Open the Personnel Branch Information section.
- Step: Find the Act Apprentices Notification 01/2026.
- Step: Read the official notification carefully before applying.
- Step: Fill out the online application form.
- Step: Upload the required details and documents as instructed.
- Step: Pay the applicable processing fee through online mode.
- Step: Submit the application before the last date.
- Step: Take a printout of the application acknowledgement for future reference.
Important: Applications must be submitted online before the closing date.
Mode of Selection
Selection will be based on a Merit List.
| Category | Basis of Merit List |
|---|---|
| Fresher Category | The merit list will be prepared based on marks obtained in Matriculation (10th Class). |
| Ex-ITI Category | The merit list will be prepared by giving equal weightage to Matriculation (10th Class) marks and ITI marks. |
| MLT Category | The merit list will be prepared based on marks obtained in the Higher Secondary (12th Class) qualification, as specified in the notification. |
| Tie-Breaking Rule | In case of a tie, the older candidate will be given preference. |
❓ Southern Railway Act Apprentices Recruitment 2026 – Important Questions & Answers (FAQs)
-
Q1. What is the notification number?
Ans: Notification No. 01/2026. -
Q2. What is the last date to apply?
Ans: The last date to apply online is 27 September 2026 up to 05:00 PM. -
Q3. What is the minimum age requirement?
Ans: Candidates should have completed 15 years of age. -
Q4. What is the application fee?
Ans: The processing fee is Rs. 100/- for applicable candidates. SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates are exempted from payment of the fee. -
Q5. How will candidates be selected?
Ans: Selection will be based on a Merit List prepared according to the marks and procedure specified for each category. -
Q6. Is there any guarantee of employment after apprenticeship training?
Ans: No. The notification clearly states that the apprenticeship does not guarantee employment. -
Q7. How many total vacancies are available?
Ans: The notification indicates a total of 4,471 tentative apprenticeship slots, including Fresher and Ex-ITI categories.