Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026

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Southern Railway Apprentice Overview

Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Southern Railway, has invited applications from eligible Indian citizens for engagement as Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Therefore, interested aspirants who have completed Matriculation and ITI qualifications can utilize this comprehensive technical training opportunity. Furthermore, candidates from multiple technical disciplines are eligible across diverse railway workshops located in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh.

Important Dates

Candidates must carefully track all key dates associated with the registration cycle. As a result, submitting applications well before the closing date ensures avoidance of server delays.

Application Fee & Payment Mode

In addition to the registration data, male candidates belonging to the general, OBC, and EWS categories must submit a nominal application fee. On the other hand, reserved categories and female applicants are completely exempt from paying any charges.

Payment Mode: Specifically, fee submission can be completed online through debit cards, credit cards, net banking, or UPI gateways.

Unit-wise Training Slots Summary

The total training vacancies are systematically divided among premier railway workshops and divisions. Moreover, each workshop caters to specialized engineering and maintenance branches.

Eligibility Criteria & Age Limit

Applicants must ensure they satisfy the prescribed minimum educational and technical qualifications before proceeding with online form submission:

• Ex-ITI Candidates: Aspirants must have passed the 10th Class (Matriculation) examination with minimum 50% aggregate marks, along with a National Trade Certificate (NCVT/SCVT) in relevant trades such as Fitter, Welder, Electrician, Machinist, Diesel Mechanic, Carpenter, or Painter.
• Freshers Category: Applicants in this group must possess a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in their Class 10th Secondary School Examination.
• Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT): Candidates choosing MLT streams must have cleared Class 12th (10+2) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, securing not less than 50% aggregate marks.
• Age Limit Criteria: The prescribed age limit is between 15 and 24 years for Ex-ITI applicants as of 28 August 2026. Furthermore, upper age relaxations apply: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC-NCL, and 10 years for PwBD candidates.

Selection Process & Merit Calculation

Unlike standard recruitment drives, Indian Railways does not conduct any written examination or personal interview for apprentice selection. Instead, the final merit ranking is prepared exclusively on the basis of average marks scored in Class 10th and ITI certificates. For instance, both Matriculation and ITI marks carry equal 50% weightage in calculating the aggregate merit percentage for Ex-ITI posts. Consequently, candidates with higher combined percentage scores receive priority during document verification.

How to Apply Online for Southern Railway Apprentice

Following a step-by-step submission process prevents errors during online form registration:

1. First, visit the official Southern Railway apprentice portal via sr.indianrailways.gov.in.
2. Next, select the desired workshop or division unit where you wish to undergo training.
3. Then, choose your eligible stream and trade category (Ex-ITI, Fresher, or MLT).
4. Subsequently, enter your personal details, academic scores, and contact information.
5. After that, upload clear scanned copies of your 10th marksheet, ITI certificate, community certificate, and photo/signature.
6. Furthermore, pay the ₹100 application fee through the secure online payment gateway if applicable.
7. Finally, submit your application form and print the confirmation acknowledgement slip for future reference.

Important Official Links

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the last date to apply for Southern Railway Apprentice 2026?

The online application portal will accept submissions until 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

Does Act Apprentice training guarantee permanent employment in Railways?

In truth, apprenticeship training is specifically intended for technical skill enhancement. Therefore, completion of the apprenticeship does not confer any legal right for regular or permanent absorption in Indian Railways.

Is there any written test or interview for Southern Railway Apprentice selection?

Actually, no written test or oral interview is conducted for this recruitment. Instead, the selection is determined purely by preparing a merit list from the candidate’s Class 10 and ITI percentage marks.