Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Apply Online for 4,471 Act Apprentice (Fresher & Ex-ITI) Vacancies
Organization: Southern Railway
Advt No: 01/2026
Total Openings: 4,471 Posts
Deadline: 27 September 2026
1. Quick Information
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Name | Southern Railway Act Apprentice Engagement 2026 |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice (Fresher & Ex-ITI) |
| Organization | Southern Railway (Indian Railways) |
| Total Vacancies | 4,471 Posts (163 Fresher + 4,308 Ex-ITI) |
| Notification No. | 01/2026 |
| Registration Start Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Registration Last Date | 27 September 2026 (17:00 Hrs) |
2. Important Dates
Candidates belonging to the specified jurisdictions of Southern Railway are advised to complete their online applications within the provided timeframe.
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Opening Date of Online Application | 28 August 2026 |
| Closing Date & Time for Online Application | 27 September 2026 till 17:00 Hrs |
| Tentative Date for Publishing Shortlisted List for DV | 15 October 2026 |
3. Vacancy Details & Eligible Areas
Geographical Jurisdiction (Eligible Areas)
Only candidates residing in the following locations are eligible to apply:
- Whole State of Tamil Nadu
- Whole Union Territory of Puducherry
- Whole State of Kerala
- Whole Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands
- ONLY two districts of Andhra Pradesh: SPSR Nellore and Chittoor
- ONLY one district of Karnataka: Dakshina Kannada
Vacancy Breakup
A total of 4,471 slots are available across various Divisions, Workshops, and Units. Here is a brief summary of the vacancy distribution:
| Category | Key Locations / Units | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher Category | Carriage & Wagon Works (Perambur), Central Workshop (Ponmalai), S&T Workshop (Podanur), Railway Hospital (Perambur - MLT) | 163 |
| Ex-ITI Category | Various Divisions including Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Trivandrum, Palakkad and all major Workshops | 4,308 |
| Grand Total Openings | 4,471 | |
4. Eligibility Criteria (Qualification & Age Limit)
A. Educational Qualifications
- Fresher Category (Fitter, Painter, Welder): Must have passed 10th Class under the 10+2 system with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
- Fresher Category (Medical Laboratory Technician - MLT): Must have passed 12th Class under the 10+2 system with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, securing a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
- Ex-ITI Category: Must have passed 10th Class (with min. 50% marks) AND passed the relevant ITI Course from a Govt. recognized institute, possessing a NCVT/SCVT certificate. (Specific subject requirements apply for trades like Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, Secretarial Assistant, etc., as per the notification).
- Note: The minimum 50% marks requirement in 10th standard is not applicable to SC/ST/PwBD candidates.
B. Age Limit (As on Date of Notification)
Candidates must have completed 15 years of age. The maximum age limits are as follows:
- Freshers: Should not have completed 22 years of age.
- Ex-ITI & MLT: Should not have completed 24 years of age.
| Category | Upper Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) | 5 Years |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| Persons With Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 10 Years |
5. Application Fee & Payment Mode
A non-refundable processing fee is applicable and must be paid through ONLINE mode only.
| Category Filter | Total Online Processing Fee |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women Candidates | Exempted (Nil Fee) |
| All Other Candidates (UR / OBC / EWS) | Rs. 100/- |
6. How to Apply Online
- Visit the official Southern Railway portal: www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in.
- Navigate to News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information.
- Click on the online application link for "Act Apprentices Notification No. 01/2026".
- Complete the registration process by entering personal and educational details.
- Select the appropriate category (Fresher or Ex-ITI) and choose your preferred trade and unit.
- Upload all necessary documents, including photograph and signature, as instructed.
- Pay the processing fee of Rs. 100/- via online mode (if applicable).
- Submit your application before 17:00 Hrs on 27.09.2026 and download the system-generated acknowledgement slip for future reference.
7. Selection Process
There will be NO WRITTEN EXAMINATION for this recruitment. Selection will be strictly based on a Merit List.
- Fresher Category: Marks obtained in Matriculation will be converted to 200 marks to draw the merit list.
- MLT Category: Marks obtained in Higher Secondary (12th) will be converted to 200 marks to draw the merit list.
- Ex-ITI Category: Matriculation marks (converted to 100) + ITI marks (converted to 100) will be combined for a total of 200 marks, giving equal weightage to both.
- Tie-Breaking Rule: If two candidates secure equal marks, the older candidate will be preferred. If dates of birth are also identical, the candidate who passed Matriculation earlier will be ranked higher.
- Shortlisted candidates will be called for Document Verification and must pass the prescribed Medical Examination.
8. Stipend & Training Period
Rate of Stipend
| Category | Stipend (Per Month) |
|---|---|
| Fresher's - 10th Std | Rs. 8,200/- |
| Fresher's - 12th Std (MLT) | Rs. 9,600/- |
| Ex-ITI | Rs. 9,600/- |
Period of Training
- Welder (Fresher): 1 Year 3 months
- Fitter & Painter (Fresher): 2 Years
- MLT (Fresher): 1 Year 3 months
- Ex-ITI: Training duration will have a rebate as per Schedule-I of Apprentices Rules 1992.
9. Important Instructions & Why It Is Popular
Important Instructions
- This notification is strictly for Apprenticeship training and NOT for direct employment. However, a 20% preference quota in Level-1 direct recruitment is given to Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs).
- Candidates must arrange their own accommodation during the training period.
- Engineering Graduates, Diploma Holders, or candidates with more than 1 year of job experience post-qualification are NOT eligible.
Why Railway Apprenticeship Is Popular
Apprenticeship with Indian Railways offers world-class technical training in some of the largest railway workshops. More importantly, the 20% reservation quota in Level-1 (Group D) Railway recruitment makes this program highly attractive for candidates looking for a secure career path in Indian Railways.
10. Important Official Links
Southern Railway Official Notification
View Notification
Southern Railway Official Application Portal
Apply Online
Southern Railway Official Website
Visit Website
Explore More Railway Jobs
More Updates
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many vacancies are available in Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
There are a total of 4,471 Act Apprentice slots available, comprising 163 Fresher and 4,308 Ex-ITI vacancies.
2. What is the last date to apply online?
The last date to submit the online application is 27 September 2026 till 17:00 Hrs.
3. Can candidates from outside Southern India apply?
No, only candidates residing within the designated geographical jurisdiction of Southern Railway (TN, Kerala, Puducherry, A&N, Lakshadweep, and select districts in AP and Karnataka) are eligible to apply.
4. Is there a written exam for this recruitment?
No, the selection is entirely merit-based, calculated from the marks obtained in the 10th/12th exams and ITI.
5. What is the monthly stipend for ITI candidates?
Ex-ITI candidates and 12th standard Freshers will receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 9,600/-, while 10th standard Freshers will receive Rs. 8,200/-.
Mandatory Official Recruitment Disclaimer:
This career guide is compiled strictly for informational purposes based on Notification No. 01/2026 issued by Southern Railway. Candidates are advised to verify all specific eligibility conditions, regional jurisdiction rules, and instructions directly on the official portal (www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in) before submitting applications.