Southern Railway Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 4,471+ Act Apprentice Posts
Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Southern Railway has officially published Advt No. 01/2026 inviting online applications for 4,471+ Act Apprentice vacancies across various divisions, workshops, and units. This recruitment drive presents a valuable opportunity for 10th-pass, 12th-pass, and ITI-certified candidates seeking technical training within Indian Railways.
The online application portal active on August 28, 2026, will accept registrations until September 27, 2026 (17:00 Hrs). Candidates selected for these training slots will receive a monthly stipend alongside practical technical exposure in their designated trades. Below is a complete analytical breakdown of the notification, eligibility requirements, selection workflow, and application procedure.
Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Parameter | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organization | Southern Railway (RRC Chennai) |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice |
| Advertisement Number | 01/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 4,471+ Posts |
| Job Type | Central Government Apprenticeship Training |
| Monthly Stipend | Rs. 8,200 to Rs. 9,600 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Window | August 28, 2026 – September 27, 2026 |
| Tentative Shortlist Release | October 15, 2026 |
Detailed Vacancy Distribution
The total available slots are split into two primary streams: Fresher Category (163 slots) and Ex-ITI Category (4,308 slots).
1. Fresher Category (163 Slots)
- Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur: 80 slots (Fitter: 40, Welder: 20, Painter: 20)
- Central Workshop, Ponmalai: 43 slots (Fitter: 25, Welder G&E: 18)
- Signal & Telecommunication Workshop, Podanur: 20 slots (Fitter: 20)
- Railway Hospital, Perambur: 20 slots (MLT Radiology: 3, Pathology: 8, Cardiology: 9)
2. Ex-ITI Category (4,308 Slots)
- Perambur Cluster: 1,528 slots across C&W Perambur, Chennai Division, Electrical Workshop Perambur, Engineering Workshop Arakkonam, Engineering HQ/SR, Loco Works Perambur, and Railway Hospital Perambur.
- Ponmalai Cluster: 1,292 slots covering Central Workshop Ponmalai, Madurai Division, and Tiruchirappalli Division.
- Podanur Cluster: 1,488 slots covering S&T Workshop Podanur, Palakkad Division, Salem Division, Podanur Workshop, and Trivandrum Division.
Eligibility Criteria
Geographical Jurisdiction Requirement
Applicants must be residents belonging to the regions under Southern Railway jurisdiction: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, SPSR Nellore & Chittoor districts (Andhra Pradesh), or Dakshina Kannada district (Karnataka). Candidates outside these areas are not eligible.
Educational Qualification
- Fresher Category (Fitter, Painter, Welder): Passed 10th Class (Matriculation) under the 10+2 system with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
- Fresher Category (Medical Laboratory Technician): Passed 12th Class under 10+2 system with 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Ex-ITI Category: Passed 10th Class (minimum 50% marks) plus a National Trade Certificate (NTC) / State Trade Certificate in the relevant trade issued by NCVT/SCVT.
- Specialized Ex-ITI Trades: Electrician applicants require Science in 10th standard; Electronics Mechanic requires Science and Mathematics; Secretarial Assistant, Stenographer (English), COPA/PASAA, and ICTSM require specific 10th/12th qualifications alongside NCVT/SCVT ITI certificates.
Note: The 50% minimum mark requirement in 10th standard is relaxed for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates. Diploma/Engineering degree holders and candidates with prior job experience/training of 1 year or more are ineligible.
Age Limit & Relaxations
- Freshers: 15 to 22 years
- Ex-ITI & MLT Posts: 15 to 24 years
- Upper Age Relaxations: SC/ST candidates receive 5 years; OBC candidates receive 3 years; PwBD candidates receive 10 years.
Stipend Structure & Application Fee
Monthly Stipend
- Freshers (10th Pass): Rs. 8,200/- per month
- Freshers (12th Pass MLT): Rs. 9,600/- per month
- Ex-ITI Candidates: Rs. 9,600/- per month
Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS: Rs. 100/- (Non-refundable, payable via online gateway).
- Exempted Categories: SC, ST, PwBD, and Women candidates are completely exempt from paying fees.
Selection Methodology
Selection for the Southern Railway Act Apprentice recruitment is purely merit-based. There is no written test or interview. Merit lists are calculated as follows:
- Freshers: Average percentage obtained in 10th standard (or 12th standard for MLT).
- Ex-ITI Candidates: Average of marks obtained in 10th standard and ITI examination (equal weighting).
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply Online
- Visit the official recruitment site at RRC Southern Railway Portal.
- Read the official notification carefully to confirm unit-wise and trade-wise eligibility.
- Click on “New Registration” and enter personal, academic, and contact information.
- Upload scanned copies of required documents (10th/12th marksheets, ITI NCVT/SCVT certificates, community certificates, and photograph/signature) per specification limits.
- Pay the Rs. 100 application fee online (if applicable).
- Verify all entered details before final submission.
- Download and print out the completed application form for future reference during document verification.
Direct Important Links
| Official Notification PDF | Download PDF |
| Online Application Link | Apply Online Here |
