RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Online Form for 4,471 Posts
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Overview
The Office of the Chief Workshop Manager, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, Southern Railway, has officially released Notification No. 01/2026 for the engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This recruitment drive offers 4,471 vacancies across various designated trades in Fresher and Ex-ITI categories within the geographical jurisdiction of Southern Railway. Eligible and interested candidates meeting the regional residency criteria can submit their applications online through the official portal from August 28, 2026, to September 27, 2026. Applicants must carefully check all trade requirements, educational qualifications, and age limits before completing their submissions. Although this training program does not guarantee regular employment, successful candidates gain valuable industrial certification and preference benefits for future Level 1 direct recruitment openings in railway establishments. Candidates are advised to read through all instructions provided in the official notification thoroughly to prevent any errors during the registration process. The administrative authorities have established a streamlined online interface to handle submissions efficiently across all participating divisions and workshops under the Southern Railway network. Furthermore, applicants must ensure that all uploaded documents, including educational certificates, photographs, and signatures, meet the exact dimension and format specifications required by the recruiting body. The submission of incomplete details or failure to pay the applicable processing fee within the stipulated time frame will lead to immediate rejection of the candidacy without any prior notice. Therefore, timely completion of all application stages is highly recommended for all aspiring candidates seeking apprenticeship training within this prominent railway zone.
The engagement of these act apprentices aims to provide comprehensive practical training to young individuals looking to build a robust career in the technical and engineering sectors. Throughout the duration of the apprenticeship, trainees will receive hands-on experience working alongside seasoned professionals in specialized railway workshops and maintenance units. This practical exposure significantly enhances their technical competency, making them highly competitive for future job opportunities across both public and private industrial sectors. The selection methodology is completely transparent and relies entirely on academic merit rather than written examinations, ensuring a fair evaluation for every applicant. Candidates must keep their login credentials secure and retain a printed copy of the final submitted application form along with the fee payment receipt for future reference during document verification rounds. The entire recruitment cycle is managed under strict adherence to regional reservations and guidelines set by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India.
Key Highlights of Southern Railway Notification 2026
| Recruiting Organisation | Southern Railway, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, Chennai |
|---|---|
| Notification Reference | No. CPB/P1/98/Act/TP/Vol.XXI, Notification-01/2026 |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice (Fresher & Ex-ITI Categories) |
| Total Vacancies | 4,471 Posts (163 Fresher + 4,308 Ex-ITI) |
| Eligible Jurisdictions | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, SPSR Nellore & Chittoor (AP), Dakshina Kannada (Karnataka) |
| Opening Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Closing Date | 27 September 2026 (17:00 Hrs) |
| Official Website | www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Geographical Eligibility Criteria
Candidates residing in specific administrative zones within Southern Railway’s operational boundaries are exclusively eligible to apply for these apprentice positions:
- Whole State of Tamil Nadu
- Whole Union Territory of Puducherry
- Whole State of Kerala
- Whole Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands
- Two specific districts of Andhra Pradesh: SPSR Nellore and Chittoor
- One specific district of Karnataka: Dakshina Kannada
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Vacancy Breakdown 2026
The notification distributes 4,471 slots across multiple railway workshops, divisions, and medical units for both Fresher and Ex-ITI participants.
| Category & Unit Group | Covered Trades & Units | Total Slots |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher Category (Perambur, Ponmalai, Podanur) | Fitter, Welder, Painter, MLT (Radiology, Pathology, Cardiology) | 163 |
| Ex-ITI Category (CW Units & Sub-Divisions) | Carriage & Wagon Perambur, Chennai Division, Electrical Workshop, Engineering Workshop Arakkonam, Loco Works | 1,528 |
| Ex-ITI Category (GOC Units & Divisions) | Central Workshops Ponmalai, Madurai Division, Tiruchirappalli Division | 1,292 |
| Ex-ITI Category (S&T Workshop & Divisions) | Palakkad Division, Salem Division, S&T Workshop Podanur, Trivandrum Division | 1,488 |
Educational Qualifications & Eligibility Details
Applicants must possess the required educational certifications from recognized boards or institutions before applying.
| Category | Required Academic & Technical Qualification |
|---|---|
| Fresher (Fitter, Painter, Welder) | Passed 10th Class examination with minimum 50% aggregate marks under 10+2 system or equivalent. |
| Fresher (MLT Trades) | Passed 12th Class examination with minimum 50% aggregate marks with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. |
| Ex-ITI Trades | 10th Class pass (min. 50% marks) + ITI certificate in the relevant trade issued by NCVT or SCVT. |
Age Limits and Relaxation Rules
Candidates must have completed 15 years of age. The maximum upper age limit varies by category:
- Fresher Category: Maximum 22 years
- Ex-ITI & MLT Category: Maximum 24 years
- OBC (NCL) Candidates: Upper age relaxed by 3 years
- SC/ST Candidates: Upper age relaxed by 5 years
- PwBD Candidates: Upper age relaxed by 10 years (Cumulative relaxations apply for PwBD belonging to OBC/SC/ST categories)
Training Duration and Stipend Structure
The training period spans between 1 year 3 months and 2 years depending on the designated trade. Monthly stipends are provided as per government guidelines:
| Category | Monthly Stipend Amount |
|---|---|
| Freshers – 10th Standard | ₹8,200/- per month |
| Freshers – 12th Standard & MLT | ₹9,600/- per month |
| Ex-ITI Category | ₹9,600/- per month |
Application Fee and Processing Details
A non-refundable processing fee of ₹100/- is required for general candidates. Women candidates, along with applicants belonging to SC, ST, and PwBD categories, are fully exempted from paying any examination or processing fees. All transactions must be completed securely via online payment gateways before final form submission.
Selection Process and Merit Preparation
No written test or viva voce interview will be conducted. Selection relies exclusively on a merit list prepared according to qualifying marks:
- Fresher Category: Matriculation marks converted out of 200, ensuring at least 50% aggregate score.
- Ex-ITI Category: Matriculation marks converted out of 100 plus ITI marks converted out of 100, combining for a total of 200 marks with equal weightage.
- MLT Category: Higher Secondary marks (Physics, Chemistry, Maths & Biology) converted out of 200.
Important Recruitment Dates
| Event Description | Scheduled Date |
|---|---|
| Opening Date of Online Application | 28 August 2026 |
| Closing Date of Online Application | 27 September 2026 (17:00 Hrs) |
| Tentative Shortlisted List for Document Verification | 15 October 2026 |
Important Links
| Action Name | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Download Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Join WhatsApp Group | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the total number of vacancies announced for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
A total of 4,471 vacancies have been announced across Fresher and Ex-ITI categories.
Q2. What is the closing date for online applications?
The online application window closes on September 27, 2026, at 17:00 Hrs.
Q3. Who is eligible to apply for these apprentice positions?
Candidates residing within Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, SPSR Nellore, Chittoor, and Dakshina Kannada districts are eligible.
Q4. What is the application fee for General and OBC candidates?
The non-refundable processing fee is ₹100/- for General, OBC, and EWS applicants.
Q5. Is there any written examination for selection?
No written test or interview is held; selection is entirely merit-based using matriculation and ITI scores.
Q6. Does this apprenticeship guarantee a permanent railway job?
No, apprenticeship training does not guarantee employment, but 20% of direct recruitment vacancies at Level 1 prioritize qualified course-completed act apprentices.
Q7. What is the minimum age required to apply?
Applicants must have completed at least 15 years of age.
Q8. Where will the document verification shortlisted lists be published?
All notices and lists will be published exclusively on the official Southern Railway website.
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