Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 4,471 Posts, Check Eligibility and Stipend
Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Southern Railway has announced a major apprenticeship opportunity for candidates looking to receive practical training in various railway trades. Under Notification No. 01/2026, the Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, has invited applications for 4,471 Apprentice training slots across Fresher and Ex-ITI categories.
Out of the total vacancies, 163 slots are available for Freshers, while 4,308 slots are earmarked for Ex-ITI candidates. The recruitment covers several designated trades and also includes Medical Laboratory Technician categories for eligible candidates.
The Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification was released on 28 August 2026. The online application process has started, and eligible candidates can submit their forms until 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Candidates from the geographical areas specified in the notification can apply for apprenticeship training in units located across Southern Railway’s jurisdiction. Before applying, applicants should carefully check their trade, educational qualification, age and other conditions.
Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Southern Railway |
| Department | Carriage & Wagon Works / Personnel Branch, Perambur |
| Recruitment Type | Act Apprentice |
| Notification Number | 01/2026 |
| Total Training Slots | 4,471 |
| Fresher Slots | 163 |
| Ex-ITI Slots | 4,308 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Notification Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Last Date | 27 September 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Official Website | sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
Applicants should complete the registration process within the prescribed schedule.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 28 August 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | 28 August 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 27 September 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Tentative DV Shortlist | 15 October 2026 |
The document verification shortlist date is tentative and may be subject to change according to the recruitment schedule.
Application Fee
The application fee for the apprenticeship engagement is given below:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| UR / General / OBC / EWS | ₹100 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Female | Nil |
Candidates who are required to pay the fee can complete the transaction through the online payment facility.
Southern Railway Apprentice Vacancy 2026
A total of 4,471 apprenticeship slots have been announced.
The vacancies are divided between Freshers and Ex-ITI applicants.
| Category | Vacancies | Basic Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher – 10th Standard | 143 | 10th Pass with minimum 50% marks |
| Fresher – MLT | 20 | 12th Pass with PCB and minimum 50% marks |
| Ex-ITI | 4,308 | 10th Pass with minimum 50% + relevant ITI |
The Ex-ITI category covers several railway trades, including Fitter, Electrician, Welder, COPA, Turner, Machinist and other designated trades.
Candidates should select only a trade for which they possess the prescribed qualification.
Who Can Apply for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The educational and age requirements depend on the applicant category.
Fresher Category
Candidates applying under the Fresher category for trades such as Fitter, Painter and Welder should have passed Class 10 with at least 50% marks.
For Medical Laboratory Technician categories such as Radiology, Pathology and Cardiology, candidates should have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) and obtained at least 50% marks.
Ex-ITI Category
Ex-ITI applicants should have:
- Passed Class 10 with a minimum of 50% marks.
- Possess an ITI certificate in the relevant trade.
- Meet the trade-specific conditions prescribed in the notification.
The ITI qualification must correspond to the trade selected by the applicant.
Southern Railway Apprentice Age Limit
The age requirement differs between the Fresher and Ex-ITI/MLT categories.
- Fresher Category: 15 to 22 years
- Ex-ITI / MLT Category: 15 to 24 years
The age is calculated with reference to 28 August 2026.
Age relaxation will be applicable to eligible candidates according to the prescribed rules.
Applicants should calculate their age against the relevant category before submitting the application.
Also Read – IBPS RRB XV Recruitment 2026: Clerk & PO Notification Released, Apply Online
Southern Railway Apprentice Stipend 2026
Selected apprentices will receive a monthly stipend during their apprenticeship training.
| Applicant Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Fresher – 10th Standard | ₹8,200 |
| Fresher – 12th Standard | ₹9,600 |
| Ex-ITI | ₹9,600 |
The apprenticeship is intended to provide practical training and workplace exposure in the respective railway trade.
Candidates should remember that apprenticeship engagement is a training opportunity and does not itself provide a guarantee of permanent employment with Indian Railways.
Selection Process for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
There is no separate written examination mentioned in the supplied recruitment details. Selection will be based on merit prepared according to the applicable academic and technical marks.
The major stages are:
- Preparation of Merit List
- Document Verification
- Medical Fitness Test
For Freshers, merit will be prepared using the relevant Class 10 marks. For MLT applicants, Class 12 marks will be considered. For Ex-ITI applicants, the merit calculation will use the applicable Class 10 and ITI marks as specified.
Southern Railway Apprentice Merit List
Merit is an important part of the selection process because candidates are shortlisted according to their academic performance.
For the Fresher category, the marks obtained in the qualifying examination are considered for preparing the merit list.
For the Ex-ITI category, both 10th standard and ITI performance are relevant to the merit preparation.
Candidates should therefore ensure that the marks entered in the application form exactly match their original certificates and marksheets.
Geographical Eligibility
The apprenticeship engagement is intended for candidates residing within the geographical jurisdiction specified by Southern Railway.
The recruitment covers areas associated with Southern Railway, including parts of:
- Tamil Nadu
- Puducherry
- Kerala
- Andaman & Nicobar
- Lakshadweep
- SPSR Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh
- Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka
Applicants should check the detailed notification carefully to confirm that their residence and selected unit meet the prescribed conditions.
How to Apply for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Candidates can submit the application through the designated online recruitment portal.
Step 1: Visit the Southern Railway Website
Open the official Southern Railway website and go to the News & Updates section.
Step 2: Open the Apprentice Recruitment Notice
Navigate to the relevant Personnel Branch Information and locate Act Apprentice Notification No. 01/2026.
Step 3: Start Online Registration
Open the online application link and provide the basic personal information required to create the registration.
Step 4: Select Your Category
Choose the applicable category, such as Fresher or Ex-ITI, according to your qualification.
Step 5: Select Trade and Unit
Select the eligible trade and preferred unit based on the options available in the recruitment portal.
Step 6: Enter Educational Details
Enter your Class 10, Class 12 or ITI marks and other educational information as applicable.
Step 7: Upload Documents
Upload the required certificates, photograph, signature and other supporting documents in the prescribed format.
Step 8: Pay the Fee
Candidates who are required to pay the processing fee should complete the online payment.
Step 9: Submit the Form
Review the entire application carefully before final submission. After submission, download and preserve the system-generated acknowledgement or application record.
Documents Required
Candidates should keep the relevant documents ready before starting the application process, including:
- Class 10 certificate and marksheet
- Class 12 certificate and marksheet, where applicable
- ITI certificate and marksheets for Ex-ITI applicants
- Caste/category certificate, where applicable
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Proof of date of birth
- Residence-related documents, wherever required
- Other certificates specified in the notification
Applicants should ensure that all information entered in the online form is supported by valid documents.
Important Points for Applicants
Before submitting the Southern Railway Apprentice application, candidates should keep the following points in mind:
- Check whether you fall under the Fresher or Ex-ITI category.
- Select a trade matching your educational or ITI qualification.
- Verify your age as on the prescribed cut-off date.
- Enter marks exactly as shown on your certificates.
- Check the geographical eligibility requirements.
- Upload clear documents in the required format.
- Pay the application fee only if applicable.
- Save the final acknowledgement after submitting the form.
- Keep copies of all submitted documents for document verification.
Does Southern Railway Apprenticeship Guarantee a Railway Job?
No. Apprenticeship training should not be treated as a direct appointment to a permanent railway post.
However, the supplied recruitment information notes that Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) holding a National Apprenticeship Certificate receive a 20% preference in Level-1 direct recruitment posts, subject to the applicable recruitment rules.
Therefore, candidates should view the apprenticeship as an opportunity to gain industry-specific practical training while also understanding the separate conditions applicable to future railway recruitment.
Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Important Links
- Apply Online: Click here
- Official Notification PDF: Click here
- Official Website: Click here
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are available in Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Southern Railway has announced 4,471 apprenticeship slots, comprising 163 Fresher slots and 4,308 Ex-ITI slots.
What is the last date to apply?
The online application deadline is 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
What is the qualification for Ex-ITI candidates?
Ex-ITI candidates should have passed Class 10 with at least 50% marks and possess an ITI certificate in the relevant trade.
What is the age limit for Freshers?
The age limit for Freshers is 15 to 22 years as per the supplied recruitment details.
What is the stipend for Southern Railway apprentices?
The monthly stipend is ₹8,200 for 10th-pass Freshers and ₹9,600 for 12th-pass Freshers and Ex-ITI candidates.
Is there a written examination?
The supplied selection details indicate selection through a merit list, followed by document verification and medical fitness assessment.
How will the merit list be prepared?
The merit calculation depends on the applicant category. Class 10 marks are relevant for Freshers, Class 12 marks for MLT candidates, and the applicable Class 10 and ITI marks are considered for Ex-ITI candidates.
Is the apprenticeship a permanent railway job?
No. Completion of apprenticeship does not automatically result in permanent employment. Eligible CCAAs with a National Apprenticeship Certificate may receive the stated preference in Level-1 direct recruitment, subject to applicable rules.
Final Takeaway
The Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a significant apprenticeship opportunity with 4,471 training slots for Freshers and Ex-ITI candidates. The recruitment covers a broad range of trades and provides candidates with practical exposure in the railway environment.
Applications are being accepted online until 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM. Candidates should carefully verify their trade eligibility, age, educational marks and geographical eligibility before submitting the application.
Those who meet the requirements should complete the registration well before the closing time and retain the application acknowledgement and supporting documents for the later stages of the selection process.
