Southern Railway Act Apprentices Recruitment 2026-27 – 4471 Posts

Southern Railway Act Apprentices Recruitment 2026-27

Southern Railway has invited online applications for engagement as Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961, for training in various trades across its Divisions, Workshops and Units. This article covers the vacancy details, eligibility, stipend, selection process and how to apply.

Important – Who Can Apply

This recruitment is open only to candidates residing within the geographical jurisdiction of Southern Railway. Eligible locations are: the whole of Tamil Nadu, the whole Union Territory of Puducherry, the whole of Kerala, the whole Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands, only the SPSR Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh, and only the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. Candidates residing outside these areas are not eligible to apply.

Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27 – Overview

This engagement is purely for Apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act and does not guarantee employment. The apprenticeship contract ends on completion of training. However, 20% of vacancies in Direct Recruitment to Level 1 posts may give preference to Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) holding a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC).

Fresher Category – Vacancy Summary

Category-wise Break-up (Fresher)

Ex-ITI Category – Vacancy Summary

The Ex-ITI category carries 4,308 posts, spread across a large number of trades – including Fitter, Welder (G&E), Painter, Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, MMV, MMTM, COPA/PASAA, Carpenter, Turner, Diesel Mechanic, Wireman, Plumber, Draughtsman (Civil), Instrument Mechanic, Mechanic R&AC, Gas Cutter, Structural Welder, Advance Welder, ICTSM and Stenographer & Secretarial Assistant – across numerous Divisions and Workshops of Southern Railway, including Chennai Division, Central Workshop Ponmalai, Carriage & Wagon Works Perambur, and various Electrical/RS and Diesel loco sheds. Given the large number of trade and unit combinations, candidates should refer to the detailed notification PDF for the exact unit-wise and trade-wise vacancy breakup relevant to their qualification.

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PwBD candidates are separately accommodated within these totals, with vacancies for VI (Visually Impaired), HI (Hearing Impaired), LD (Locomotor Disability) and ID&MD (Intellectual Disability & Multiple Disabilities) categories specified against individual trades. Vacancies indicated are tentative and subject to change.

Educational Qualification

The minimum 50% marks requirement in Class 10 does not apply to SC/ST/PwBD candidates. Course Completed Act Apprentices, Engineering Graduates, Diploma holders, or Vocational Certificate holders who already have 1 year or more of training or job experience after their qualification are not eligible to apply as Trade Apprentice under this notification.

Period of Training

Rate of Stipend

The stipend increases by 10% during the second year of training, and by a further 15% during the third year, over the prescribed minimum stipend amount.

Age Limit

Candidates should have completed 15 years of age and should not have completed 22 years (Fresher/Ex-ITI) or 24 years (MLT), as on the date of notification. The upper age limit is relaxable by 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), 5 years for SC/ST, and 10 years for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD). For PwBD candidates who also belong to OBC or SC/ST, the relaxation extends further – 13 years for PwBD+OBC, and 15 years for PwBD+SC/ST.

Processing Fee

A non-refundable processing fee of Rs. 100/- must be paid online. No fee is required from SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates.

Selection Process

• Selection is based on a Merit List prepared by a nominated Committee, without any written examination or interview.
• For Fresher category, marks obtained in Matriculation are converted to 200, with a minimum 50% aggregate required.
• For Ex-ITI category, Matriculation marks (converted to 100, min. 50% aggregate) and ITI marks (converted to 100) are combined for a total of 200 marks, with equal weightage to both.
• For MLT category, marks obtained in Higher Secondary (Physics, Chemistry, Maths & Biology) are converted to 200.
• In case of a tie in marks, the older candidate is preferred. If the date of birth is also the same, the candidate who passed Matriculation earlier is considered.

How to Apply

1. Visit the Southern Railway website: www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in, then go to News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information.
2. Register and fill in the online application form with your personal, educational and category details.
3. Pay the processing fee of Rs. 100/- online, where applicable.
4. Submit the online application on or before 27 September 2026, 5:00 PM.
5. Take a printout of the system-generated acknowledgement, which must be submitted at the time of document verification.

Important Terms and Conditions

• There is no guarantee of employment; the apprenticeship contract will be terminated on completion of training.
• Selected candidates must execute a contract of apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, 1961; if the candidate is a minor, their guardian executes the contract.
• Candidates who are wilfully absent, or whose surety fails to represent them, must refund the full cost of training and any stipend received.
• If any declaration made by a candidate is found false, they will be disqualified or terminated at any stage without notice.
• Selected candidates are responsible for arranging their own accommodation.
• The tentative date for publishing the shortlist for document verification is 15 October 2026.

About This Recruitment

Southern Railway conducts this large-scale Act Apprentices intake every year to provide structured, government-recognized skill training under the Apprentices Act, 1961, across its workshops and divisions in South India. With over 4,400 training slots on offer this cycle, spanning trades from Fitter and Welder to Electronics Mechanic and Medical Laboratory Technician, this is one of the largest apprenticeship intakes conducted by any Indian Railway zone. While it does not guarantee a job at the end of training, completing this apprenticeship and earning a National Apprenticeship Certificate does carry real weight for candidates hoping to compete for Level 1 Railway posts later, since 20% of such Direct Recruitment vacancies give preference to Course Completed Act Apprentices.

Fresher vs. Ex-ITI Category

The Fresher category is meant for candidates who have passed Class 10 or Class 12 but have not done any ITI training, and it carries a longer training period, up to 2 years for Fitter and Painter trades. The Ex-ITI category is for candidates who have already completed an ITI course in the relevant trade from a government-recognized institute, and their training period is shortened through a rebate under the Apprentices Rules, since they already carry foundational trade knowledge. This is also why the Ex-ITI category, with 4,308 posts, is far larger than the Fresher category, with 163 posts, since Southern Railway can more readily place ITI-qualified candidates directly into trade-specific apprenticeship training.

Important Links

• Notification PDF
• Official Website
• NaukriPatra App
• WhatsApp Channel
• Telegram Channel

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many total posts are advertised in this Southern Railway Apprentice recruitment?

4,471 posts in total – 163 under Fresher category and 4,308 under Ex-ITI category.

2. What is the last date to apply?

27 September 2026, 5:00 PM.

3. Who is eligible to apply based on location?

Only residents of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, SPSR Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh, and Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.

4. Does this apprenticeship guarantee a Railway job?

No, there is no guarantee of employment. However, 20% of Direct Recruitment vacancies for Level 1 posts may give preference to Course Completed Act Apprentices with a National Apprenticeship Certificate.

5. What is the age limit?

15 to 22 years for Fresher/Ex-ITI, and 15 to 24 years for MLT, as on the date of notification, with relaxation for OBC, SC/ST and PwBD candidates.

6. What is the processing fee?

Rs. 100/-, non-refundable, paid online. No fee for SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates.

7. What is the monthly stipend?

Rs. 8,200/- for Fresher (10th Std), and Rs. 9,600/- for Fresher (12th Std) and Ex-ITI candidates, with yearly increases.

8. What is the selection process?

A Merit List based on academic marks – no written exam or interview is conducted.

9. Can an ITI holder with 1 year of job experience apply?

No, candidates with 1 year or more of training or job experience after their qualification are not eligible.

10. What is the training period for Fitter?

2 years for Fresher category; a rebated period for Ex-ITI candidates as per Apprentices Rules.

11. Is the minimum 50% marks rule applicable to SC/ST candidates?

No, this requirement is relaxed for SC/ST and PwBD candidates.

12. When will the document verification shortlist be published?

Tentatively on 15 October 2026.

13. Will accommodation be provided during training?

No, selected candidates are responsible for arranging their own accommodation.

14. What happens if a candidate is wilfully absent during training?

They are required to refund the full cost of training and any stipend received.

15. Where can candidates apply?

Online, at www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in, under News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information.