Description
Southern Railway has released Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 for 4,471 posts. Check eligibility, age limit, stipend, selection process and apply online by 27 September 2026.
Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview
Southern Railway has released the Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification for 4,471 Act Apprentice vacancies under various units and workshops. The recruitment includes opportunities for Freshers and Ex-ITI candidates in different trades.
Eligible candidates can submit their applications online from 28 August 2026 to 27 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM through the official Southern Railway website.
The vacancies are distributed across various units including Carriage & Wagon Works Perambur, Central Workshop Ponmalai, Signal & Telecommunication Workshop Podanur, Railway Hospital Perambur and several Southern Railway divisions.
Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Southern Railway, C&W Works, Perambur |
| Recruitment | Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 |
| Notification No. | 01/2026 (CPB/P1/98/Act/TP/Vol.XXI) |
| Total Vacancies | 4,471 |
| Fresher Vacancies | 163 |
| Ex-ITI Vacancies | 4,308 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
| Job Location | Southern Railway jurisdiction |
| Selection Process | Merit List |
| Official Website | sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application | 27 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
| Tentative Shortlist for Document Verification | 15 October 2026 |
Candidates are advised to submit their applications well before the closing date to avoid last-minute technical problems.
Southern Railway Apprentice Vacancy Details 2026
Southern Railway has notified a total of 4,471 Apprentice vacancies, consisting of 163 Fresher vacancies and 4,308 Ex-ITI vacancies.
Fresher Category – Unit-wise Vacancies
| Unit | Trades Covered | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur | Fitter, Welder, Painter | 80 |
| Central Workshop, Ponmalai | Fitter, Welder (G&E) | 43 |
| S&T Workshop, Podanur, Coimbatore | Fitter | 20 |
| Railway Hospital, Perambur | MLT – Radiology, Pathology, Cardiology | 20 |
| Total | 163 |
Ex-ITI Category – Group-wise Vacancies
| Group | Units Covered | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Carriage & Wagon Works Group | Perambur C&W, Chennai Division, Electrical Workshop Perambur, Engineering Workshop Arakkonam, Engineering HQ/SR, Loco Works Perambur, Railway Hospital Perambur | 1,528 |
| Central Workshops, Ponmalai Group | Ponmalai, Madurai Division, Tiruchirappalli Division | 1,292 |
| S&T Workshop Podanur Group | Palakkad Division, Salem Division, Podanur Workshop, Trivandrum Division | 1,488 |
| Total | 4,308 |
Important Vacancy Note
The notification’s category-wise figures contain discrepancies when added against the stated overall totals. The Fresher category-wise figures reportedly add up to 162 instead of 163, while the Ex-ITI category-wise figures add up to 4,229 instead of 4,308.
Candidates should therefore refer to the official Southern Railway notification and vacancy tables before selecting a unit or category.
Southern Railway Act Apprentice Eligibility Criteria 2026
The eligibility requirements differ depending on whether the candidate applies under the Fresher, Ex-ITI or MLT category.
Candidates should carefully check the prescribed educational and trade requirements in the official notification before submitting the application.
Age Limit
The candidate’s age is reckoned as on 28 August 2026.
| Category | Age Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 15 years completed |
| Maximum Age – Fresher/Ex-ITI | 22 years |
| Maximum Age – MLT | 24 years |
| OBC-NCL Relaxation | 3 years |
| SC/ST Relaxation | 5 years |
| PwBD Relaxation | 10 years |
For PwBD candidates, the applicable combined relaxation can extend to 10 years for UR/EWS, 13 years for OBC-NCL and 15 years for SC/ST, subject to the notification’s conditions.
Southern Railway Apprentice Stipend 2026
Selected Apprentices will receive stipend according to the applicable category.
| Apprentice Category | Stipend Per Month |
|---|---|
| Fresher – 10th Standard | ₹8,200 |
| Fresher – 12th Standard | ₹9,600 |
| Ex-ITI | ₹9,600 |
The stipend is increased by 10% in the second year and a further 15% in the third year over the prescribed minimum, wherever applicable.
Southern Railway Apprentice Application Fee 2026
The prescribed processing fee is ₹100, which is non-refundable.
No fee is required for:
- SC candidates
- ST candidates
- PwBD candidates
- Women candidates
The fee, wherever applicable, is payable through the online application process.
Southern Railway Act Apprentice Selection Process 2026
Selection will be made through a merit-based process. There is no separate competitive written examination for selection.
Fresher Category
For Fresher candidates, the merit calculation is based on Matriculation marks, converted to a total of 200 marks. The notification also prescribes the applicable minimum aggregate requirement.
Ex-ITI Category
For Ex-ITI candidates:
- Matriculation marks are converted to 100 marks.
- ITI marks are converted to 100 marks.
- Both components receive equal weightage.
- The total merit is calculated out of 200 marks.
MLT Category
For MLT candidates, the merit is prepared using Higher Secondary marks in the prescribed subjects, including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology, converted to 200 marks.
Tie-Breaking Rule
If two candidates obtain the same merit marks, the older candidate is preferred. If the dates of birth are also the same, preference is given to the candidate who passed Matriculation earlier.
How to Apply for Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Eligible candidates can apply online through the official Southern Railway website.
- Visit the official Southern Railway website.
- Go to the News & Updates / Personnel Branch Information section.
- Open the notification and application link for Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026.
- Read the notification carefully and verify the eligibility requirements for the selected category/trade.
- Complete the online application form with accurate personal, educational and other required details.
- Upload the required documents in the prescribed format.
- Pay the applicable processing fee, if required.
- Review the application carefully before final submission.
- Submit the application before 27 September 2026, 5:00 PM.
- Save or print the submitted application for future reference.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Southern Railway Website | sr.indianrailways.gov.in | Click here |
| Recruitment Notification | Click here |
| Online Application | Click here |
About Southern Railway
Southern Railway is one of the zones of Indian Railways and operates railway services across several parts of southern India. Its jurisdiction covers areas including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry and other specified regions.
The Act Apprentice recruitment provides candidates with an opportunity to undergo apprenticeship training in various railway workshops, divisions and establishments.
FAQs – Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026
How many vacancies are available in Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
A total of 4,471 Act Apprentice vacancies have been notified.
What is the last date to apply?
The last date to submit the online application is 27 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM.
What is the application mode?
The application mode is online.
What is the minimum age for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment?
Candidates must have completed 15 years of age as on the prescribed cut-off date.
What is the maximum age limit?
The maximum age is generally 22 years for Fresher/Ex-ITI candidates and 24 years for MLT candidates, subject to applicable relaxations.
What is the selection process?
Candidates are selected based on a merit list prepared from the prescribed educational/ITI marks. Document verification will follow for shortlisted candidates.
What is the stipend for Southern Railway Apprentices?
The stipend is ₹8,200 per month for Fresher candidates with 10th qualification and ₹9,600 per month for Fresher 12th/Ex-ITI candidates, subject to the prescribed rules.
Is there an application fee?
The processing fee is ₹100 for applicable candidates. SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates are exempted from payment.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes and has been compiled from the recruitment details available for Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026. Candidates should carefully read the official notification before applying. Eligibility, vacancy distribution, dates, fees and other conditions are subject to the terms specified by Southern Railway. NaukriPulse is not responsible for any changes, errors or omissions made by the recruiting authority.