RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 for 4,471 Posts

Southern Railway has released Act Apprentice Notification No. 01/2026 for 4,471 apprenticeship training slots in various divisions, workshops and units. Eligible candidates can submit their applications online from 28 August 2026 to 27 September 2026, 5:00 PM. This is an apprenticeship engagement under the Apprentices Act, 1961—not a direct permanent railway job.

Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 Overview

Southern Railway is inviting applications for apprenticeship training in designated trades across its divisions, workshops and production/service units. Most positions are meant for candidates holding an ITI qualification in the relevant trade, while a smaller number are reserved for freshers.

Vacancy Details

A total of 4,471 Act Apprentice training positions have been announced:

• Freshers: 163 posts
• Ex-ITI candidates: 4,308 posts
• Total: 4,471 posts

The available trades, unit-wise vacancies, category reservations, place of training, medical requirements, and qualification rules can differ by division or workshop. Candidates should therefore select their preferred unit and trade only after reading the detailed notification carefully.

This recruitment is particularly relevant for candidates from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and other eligible areas within Southern Railway’s geographical jurisdiction. Applicants should verify the residence/jurisdiction conditions and trade-specific eligibility in the official notification before submitting the form.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Eligibility differs between Fresher and Ex-ITI streams:

• Ex-ITI candidates: Generally require Class 10/SSLC or equivalent with the prescribed minimum marks, along with an ITI certificate in the relevant designated trade issued by NCVT/SCVT or another recognised authority.
• Fresher candidates: Depending on the notified trade, candidates may need Class 10, Class 12 with relevant subjects, or other qualifications mentioned in the notification.
• Candidates must ensure that their trade certificate exactly matches the trade for which they apply.

Multiple reports note that Class 10, Class 12 and relevant ITI-qualified candidates may be eligible depending on the specific category and trade.

Age Limit

The applicable age limit varies by category and trade. Published recruitment summaries indicate that candidates should generally be at least 15 years old, with upper-age provisions differing for Fresher and Ex-ITI applicants. Age relaxation may be available to SC/ST, OBC, PwBD and other eligible categories as per railway and Government of India rules.

Applicants should use the exact age cut-off date and category-wise relaxation provisions specified in Notification No. 01/2026 rather than relying only on summary websites.

Application Fee and Stipend

The application processing fee is reported as follows:

• General/OBC/EWS candidates: ₹100
• SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates: No fee

The fee, where applicable, must be paid through the online payment method during form submission.

Selected apprentices will receive a monthly stipend during the apprenticeship period as per applicable railway/apprenticeship rules. Reports indicate a stipend range of approximately ₹8,200 to ₹9,600 per month, depending on the qualification and applicable category of apprenticeship training.

Selection Process

Southern Railway is expected to select Act Apprentices primarily through a merit list, rather than a written examination. Merit is generally prepared using marks in the qualifying educational examination and, where applicable, ITI marks, following the conditions stated in the notification.

The likely stages are:

1. Online application submission
2. Merit-based shortlisting
3. Publication of shortlisted candidates
4. Document verification
5. Medical fitness and final engagement formalities

The tentative date mentioned for the shortlisted candidates’ list/document-verification process is 15 October 2026. Candidates should treat this as tentative and regularly check the official Southern Railway website for changes.

How to Apply Online

Candidates can apply through the Southern Railway official website by following these steps:

1. Visit the official Southern Railway website, sr.indianrailways.gov.in.
2. Open the News & Updates section.
3. Select Personnel Branch Information.
4. Find the link for Act Apprentice 2026–27 / Notification No. 01/2026.
5. Read the complete notification and confirm eligibility for the selected division, unit and trade.
6. Register using an active mobile number and email ID.
7. Fill in personal, educational, ITI, category and address details carefully.
8. Upload the photograph, signature and required certificates in the prescribed format.
9. Pay the applicable online fee, if required.
10. Review all entries before final submission.
11. Download and preserve the submitted application form and payment receipt for document verification.

Documents to Keep Ready

Before beginning the application, keep scanned copies of the following documents ready:

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Signature
• Class 10/SSLC marks memo and certificate
• Class 12 certificate and marks memo, where applicable
• ITI marks memo and NCVT/SCVT certificate for Ex-ITI candidates
• Aadhaar card or valid identity document
• Community certificate for SC/ST/OBC/EWS applicants, if applicable
• PwBD certificate, if applicable
• Date-of-birth proof
• Valid mobile number and email ID

Candidates should enter their name, date of birth, marks and certificate details exactly as recorded in official documents. Any mismatch at document verification can lead to cancellation of candidature.

Important Instructions

• Apply well before 27 September 2026, 5:00 PM; do not wait for the final day.
• Choose the trade and unit carefully, as changes may not be permitted after submission.
• This engagement provides apprenticeship training and stipend support; it does not guarantee appointment to a permanent railway post.[amarujala]
• Keep checking the Southern Railway website for the merit list, document-verification schedule and corrigenda.
• Do not pay money to agents or unofficial websites. Use only the official Southern Railway recruitment link available through the Personnel Branch Information section.

For 10th-pass, 12th-pass and ITI-qualified candidates seeking technical training exposure in Indian Railways, the Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 offers a major opportunity with 4,471 available slots. Applicants should confirm their exact trade eligibility, age condition, unit preference and document readiness before completing the online form.