Southern Railway Recruitment 2026: 4,471 Apprentice Posts, Apply Online
Southern Railway has released a new Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification for 4,471 apprentice training slots in different trades, workshops, divisions and units. The recruitment includes 163 Fresher category slots and 4,308 Ex-ITI slots.
Eligible candidates can submit their applications online from 28 August 2026 to 27 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM. Depending on the category and qualification, candidates can receive a monthly stipend of ₹8,200 to ₹9,600.
The recruitment is particularly relevant for candidates who have completed 10th, 12th or ITI qualifications. However, this is an apprenticeship training opportunity and not a direct permanent railway job. Candidates should carefully read the official notification and verify their eligibility before applying.
Southern Railway Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Southern Railway |
| Recruiting Office | Chief Workshop Manager, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur |
| Post | Act Apprentice |
| Notification No. | 01/2026 |
| Reference No. | CPB/P1/98/Act/TP/Vol.XXI |
| Total Vacancies | 4,471 |
| Fresher Slots | 163 |
| Ex-ITI Slots | 4,308 |
| Recruitment Type | Apprenticeship Training |
| Job Sector | Indian Railways / Central Government |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Last Date | 27 September 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Stipend | ₹8,200 – ₹9,600 per month |
| Selection | Merit List |
| Official Website | Southern Railway |
The notification was issued on 28 August 2026 by Southern Railway's Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 28 August 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 27 September 2026 |
| Closing Time | 5:00 PM |
| Tentative Shortlist for Document Verification | 15 October 2026 |
Candidates should avoid waiting until the final day because the application must be completed online before the closing time.
Southern Railway Vacancy Details 2026
The total 4,471 slots are divided into two major categories:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Fresher | 163 |
| Ex-ITI | 4,308 |
| Total | 4,471 |
Fresher Category – 163 Slots
The Fresher category includes opportunities at different Southern Railway establishments.
| Location / Unit | Trades | Slots |
|---|---|---|
| Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur | Fitter, Welder, Painter | 80 |
| Central Workshop, Ponmalai | Fitter, Welder (G&E) | 43 |
| Signal & Telecommunication Workshop, Podanur | Fitter | 20 |
| Railway Hospital, Perambur | MLT – Radiology, Pathology, Cardiology | 20 |
| Total | 163 |
The Fresher category therefore includes both technical trades and Medical Laboratory Technician opportunities.
Ex-ITI Category – 4,308 Slots
| Group | Major Units / Divisions | Slots |
|---|---|---|
| Carriage & Wagon Works Group | Perambur C&W, Chennai Division, Electrical Workshop, Arakkonam Engineering Workshop, Loco Works and others | 1,528 |
| Central Workshops Group | Ponmalai, Madurai Division, Tiruchirappalli Division | 1,292 |
| S&T Workshop Podanur Group | Palakkad, Salem, Podanur and Trivandrum Divisions | 1,488 |
| Total | 4,308 |
Candidates should check the official notification for the exact trade-wise and unit-wise vacancy details before selecting their preferred option.
Educational Qualification
The required qualification depends on the category and trade.
Fresher Category
For Fitter, Painter and Welder, candidates should have passed 10th Class with at least 50% aggregate marks under the 10+2 system or an equivalent qualification.
For Medical Laboratory Technician – Radiology, Pathology and Cardiology, candidates should have passed 12th Class with at least 50% marks, with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as required subjects.
Ex-ITI Category
For most Ex-ITI trades, candidates need:
10th Class qualification with a minimum of 50% marks
ITI qualification in the relevant trade
NCVT/SCVT certificate
Trades include Fitter, Machinist, MMV, Turner, Diesel Mechanic, Carpenter, Painter, Welder, Wireman, Plumber, Draughtsman-Civil, Instrument Mechanic, Mechanic Refrigeration & AC, Gas Cutter, MMTM and Structural Welder, among others.
For Electrician, the required educational conditions also include Science as a subject in Class 10.
For Electronics Mechanic, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics requirements apply along with the relevant ITI qualification.
For Secretarial Assistant and Stenographer (English), candidates require 12th Class plus the relevant ITI qualification.
For ICTSM, 10th Class plus ITI in ICTSM is required.
For COPA/PASAA, candidates need 10th Class with the required marks and the National Trade Certificate in Computer Operator and Programming Assistant.
Important Eligibility Note
The 50% requirement in 10th Class is relaxed for SC, ST and PwBD candidates, according to the recruitment details.
Engineering Graduates, Diploma holders and certain candidates who have already completed relevant apprenticeship/training or have one year or more of qualifying training/job experience are not eligible under this notification.
Age Limit
The minimum age is 15 years.
The upper age limit depends on the applicable category:
Fresher / Ex-ITI: up to 22 years
MLT: up to 24 years
OBC-NCL: 3 years relaxation
SC/ST: 5 years relaxation
PwBD: 10 years relaxation
Additional combined relaxation may apply to PwBD candidates belonging to reserved categories as specified in the notification.
Candidates should calculate their age with reference to the date prescribed in the official notification.
Southern Railway Apprentice Stipend
This recruitment provides a training stipend, rather than a regular employee salary.
| Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Fresher – 10th Standard | ₹8,200 |
| Fresher – 12th Standard | ₹9,600 |
| Ex-ITI | ₹9,600 |
The stipend is subject to the applicable apprenticeship rules. The recruitment information also states that the stipend can increase during subsequent years of training according to the prescribed provisions.
Is this a permanent Railway Job?
No.
This is an Act Apprenticeship training engagement, not a direct appointment to a permanent Southern Railway post. Completion of the apprenticeship does not automatically guarantee a railway job.
However, eligible Course Completed Act Apprentices holding the required National Apprenticeship Certificate may receive the applicable preference in future Level-1 direct recruitment as prescribed by the railway recruitment rules.
Application Fee
The application processing fee is:
₹100 – Non-refundable
The fee exemption applies to:
SC candidates
ST candidates
PwBD candidates
Women candidates
Eligible applicants should make the payment through the prescribed online payment method while submitting the application.
Selection Process
Southern Railway will prepare a merit list rather than conducting a conventional written examination for this apprenticeship engagement.
Fresher Category
For eligible Fresher candidates, merit is prepared using the prescribed Class 10 marks converted to the required merit scale.
Ex-ITI Category
For Ex-ITI candidates, merit is calculated using:
Class 10 marks
ITI marks
Both components receive equal weightage in the prescribed calculation.
MLT Category
For Medical Laboratory Technician candidates, the relevant Higher Secondary marks in the prescribed subjects are considered for merit preparation.
In case of a tie, the notification specifies tie-breaking criteria based on age and the date of passing matriculation.
Document Verification
Candidates shortlisted through the merit process will be required to participate in Document Verification.
Candidates should keep their original certificates and relevant copies ready, including:
10th Class certificate and mark sheet
12th Class certificate and mark sheet, where applicable
ITI certificate
NCVT/SCVT certificate
Date of Birth proof
Caste certificate, if applicable
OBC-NCL certificate, if applicable
PwBD certificate, if applicable
Aadhaar or other prescribed identity proof
Recent photographs
Other documents specifically mentioned in the notification
Candidates claiming reservation benefits should ensure that their certificates are valid and produced during verification.
Who Can Apply?
Candidates should check all conditions before submitting the form.
The specified geographical jurisdiction includes:
Tamil Nadu
Kerala
Puducherry
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Lakshadweep
SPSR Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh
Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka
Candidates residing outside the specified Southern Railway jurisdiction should not assume that they are eligible.
This geographical eligibility condition is particularly important for Kerala candidates because the whole state of Kerala is included in the specified jurisdiction.
How to Apply Online
Eligible candidates can follow these general steps:
Visit the official Southern Railway website.
Open the recruitment/personnel section.
Find the Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Notification 01/2026.
Read the complete official notification carefully.
Open the online application link.
Select the appropriate category and trade.
Enter your personal, educational and other required details.
Upload the documents in the prescribed format.
Pay the applicable ₹100 processing fee, if you are not exempt.
Check all information carefully before final submission.
Submit the application before 27 September 2026, 5:00 PM.
Save or print the completed application for future reference.
The official Southern Railway portal should be used for final verification and application.
Why Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is Important
This apprenticeship can be useful for eligible young candidates who want practical exposure in the railway sector.
1. Opportunity to Gain Railway Training
Selected apprentices receive training in designated trades and railway establishments.
2. Suitable for 10th and ITI Candidates
The notification covers several trades for candidates with 10th Class and ITI qualifications.
3. Merit-Based Selection
There is no conventional competitive written examination mentioned for selection. Merit is prepared from the prescribed academic and ITI marks.
4. Monthly Stipend
Eligible apprentices receive a monthly stipend of ₹8,200 to ₹9,600 depending on the category and qualification.
5. Multiple Technical Trades
Fitter, Welder, Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, COPA and several other trades are covered.
6. Useful Practical Experience
The apprenticeship provides an opportunity to gain practical exposure in railway workshops, divisions and units.
Important Links
The official recruitment information confirms that applications are online and the closing time is 5:00 PM on 27 September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Southern Railway Recruitment 2026?
Southern Railway Recruitment 2026 is an Act Apprentice engagement notification offering 4,471 apprenticeship training slots in different trades and railway units.
2. How many vacancies are available?
There are 4,471 slots, consisting of 163 Fresher slots and 4,308 Ex-ITI slots.
3. What is the last date to apply?
The last date to submit the online application is 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
4. What is the stipend in Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment?
The stipend ranges from ₹8,200 to ₹9,600 per month, depending on the category and qualification.
5. Can 10th-pass candidates apply?
Yes. Eligible 10th-pass candidates can apply for specified Fresher and Ex-ITI trades, subject to the required marks, trade and other eligibility conditions.
6. Is ITI compulsory for all posts?
No. The Fresher category includes specified opportunities for candidates based on 10th or 12th qualification. For Ex-ITI trades, the relevant ITI qualification is required.
7. Is there a written examination?
No conventional written examination is used for the merit-based apprentice selection described in the notification. Merit is calculated using the prescribed educational and ITI marks.
8. What is the application fee?
The processing fee is ₹100. SC, ST, PwBD and women candidates are exempt from paying the fee.
9. Is this a permanent railway job?
No. It is an apprenticeship training engagement and does not guarantee permanent employment in Southern Railway.
10. Can candidates from Kerala apply?
Yes. Kerala is included in the specified geographical jurisdiction for this Southern Railway apprenticeship recruitment, subject to all other eligibility conditions.
11. Can engineering graduates or diploma holders apply?
No. Engineering graduates and diploma holders are not eligible under this particular apprenticeship notification.
12. When is the shortlist expected?
The tentative date mentioned for publication of the shortlist for document verification is 15 October 2026.
Conclusion
Southern Railway Recruitment 2026 provides 4,471 Act Apprentice training opportunities across several trades and railway establishments. The recruitment is particularly relevant for eligible 10th, 12th and ITI candidates looking for practical training exposure in the railway sector.
The application process is online and the deadline is 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM. Before applying, candidates should carefully verify their qualification, age, residential jurisdiction, trade eligibility and required documents.
Important: This is an apprenticeship training opportunity and not a direct permanent railway appointment. Candidates should read the complete official notification before submitting the application.