The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Southern Railway has released Notification No. 01/2026 for the engagement of 4,471 Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. The notification was released on August 28, 2026, and the online application process started on the same day. Eligible candidates can apply online until September 27, 2026, up to 5:00 PM.
The RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 includes 163 Fresher slots and 4,308 Ex-ITI slots across different divisions, workshops and units under Southern Railway. Candidates who have passed 10th Class and eligible ITI candidates can apply for the respective trades, subject to the detailed eligibility conditions.
For candidates searching for RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026, Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026, RRC SR Apprentice 2026, Southern Railway Apprentice Vacancy 2026, Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026, and RRC Apprentice Apply Online 2026, this article provides complete details about vacancies, eligibility, age limit, stipend, application process, selection method and important dates.
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organisation | Southern Railway |
| Recruitment Authority | Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) |
| Notification Number | 01/2026 |
| Notification Date | August 28, 2026 |
| Post/Training | Act Apprentice |
| Total Slots | 4,471 |
| Fresher Slots | 163 |
| Ex-ITI Slots | 4,308 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | August 28, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | September 27, 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
| Minimum Age | 15 years |
| Educational Qualification | 10th / 10th + ITI, depending on category and trade |
| Selection Process | Merit-Based |
| Written Examination | No |
| Interview | No |
| Monthly Stipend | ₹8,200–₹9,600 |
| Official Website | Southern Railway |
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | August 28, 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | August 28, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | September 27, 2026 |
| Last Time to Apply | 5:00 PM |
| Tentative Shortlist for Document Verification | October 15, 2026 |
| Document Verification | To be announced |
| Training Commencement | To be announced |
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Vacancy 2026
A total of 4,471 apprentice training slots are available.
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Fresher | 163 |
| Ex-ITI | 4,308 |
| Total | 4,471 |
The vacancies are distributed across various divisions, workshops and units under Southern Railway.
The Ex-ITI category accounts for the majority of the available slots, while the Fresher category provides opportunities for eligible candidates without an ITI qualification in the specified trades. Candidates should check the notification for the unit-wise and trade-wise vacancy details before applying.
Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy the educational, age and other conditions prescribed in the notification.
Educational Qualification
The qualification depends on the category.
For the Fresher category, candidates are required to have the prescribed 10th/Matriculation qualification for the applicable trades.
For the Ex-ITI category, candidates generally need:
- 10th Class / Matriculation
- Minimum 50% aggregate marks, as prescribed
- ITI certificate in the relevant trade
- The ITI qualification should be from the recognised institution/authority specified in the notification.
The exact qualification and trade requirements can differ, so candidates should check the vacancy table before selecting a trade.
Southern Railway Apprentice Age Limit 2026
The minimum age for the apprenticeship is 15 years.
The maximum age varies according to the applicable trade/category provisions, with the recruitment information specifying an upper age limit of around 22 to 24 years, depending on the applicable category and trade conditions. Age relaxation is available to eligible reserved categories as prescribed in the notification.
Candidates should calculate their age according to the cut-off date mentioned in the official notification.
Who Can Apply for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
An important condition of this recruitment is the geographical eligibility requirement.
Eligible applicants must fall within the geographical jurisdiction specified by Southern Railway. This includes:
- Tamil Nadu
- Puducherry
- Kerala
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Lakshadweep
- SPSR Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh
- Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka
Candidates from outside the specified geographical areas should carefully check the notification before applying.
Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 Stipend
Selected apprentices will receive a monthly stipend during the training period.
The reported stipend structure includes:
| Candidate Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Fresher – Class 10 | ₹8,200 |
| Fresher – Class 12 | ₹9,600 |
| Ex-ITI | ₹9,600 |
The exact stipend and training conditions are governed by the applicable apprenticeship rules and notification provisions.
Important: This stipend is paid during apprenticeship training and should not be confused with the salary of a regular Railway employee.
Southern Railway Apprentice Training 2026
The apprenticeship training period depends on the category and trade.
For Freshers, the training duration can vary by trade. For example, the available recruitment information indicates different durations for trades such as Welder, Medical Laboratory Technician, Fitter and Painter.
For Ex-ITI candidates, the training duration is adjusted according to the applicable apprenticeship rules and their previous ITI training.
Candidates should check the specific trade mentioned in the official notification for the applicable training period.
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Selection Process 2026
One of the most important points for candidates is that this recruitment does not involve a written examination or interview.
Selection is based on a merit list prepared from the prescribed educational marks.
For Freshers
For eligible Fresher candidates, the merit calculation is based primarily on the prescribed Matriculation/10th marks, converted according to the notification’s merit procedure.
For Ex-ITI Candidates
For Ex-ITI candidates, merit considers both:
- 10th/Matriculation marks
- ITI marks
The prescribed merit procedure gives appropriate weightage to these qualifications.
After Merit Selection
Candidates shortlisted through the merit process will be called for document verification and other prescribed formalities.
A medical fitness certificate is also required according to the applicable apprenticeship requirements. Southern Railway’s apprentice documentation shows that candidates called for verification are required to produce original educational and technical certificates along with other applicable documents.
Is There Any Written Exam for Southern Railway Apprentice 2026?
No.
The RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 does not involve a written examination or interview. Candidates are shortlisted through the prescribed merit-based selection process.
This makes it especially important for candidates to enter their 10th and ITI marks correctly while submitting the application.
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Application Form 2026
The application process is completely online.
Candidates should complete the application before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.
How to Apply for RRC Southern Railway Apprentice 2026
Step 1: Visit the official Southern Railway recruitment website.
Step 2: Find Notification No. 01/2026 – Act Apprentice.
Step 3: Read the notification carefully.
Step 4: Open the online application link.
Step 5: Complete the registration process.
Step 6: Enter personal, educational and ITI details wherever applicable.
Step 7: Select the eligible trade/unit according to the notification.
Step 8: Upload the required documents.
Step 9: Pay the application fee, if applicable.
Step 10: Check the complete application carefully.
Step 11: Submit the application before September 27, 2026, 5:00 PM.
Step 12: Download and save the submitted application for future reference.
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Application Fee 2026
The application fee is:
- General/OBC/EWS: ₹100
- SC/ST: ₹0
- PwBD: ₹0
- Female candidates: ₹0
The fee is payable through the prescribed online payment method.
Candidates should verify the final fee instructions in the official notification before payment.
Important Documents Required
Candidates should keep the following documents ready:
- 10th Class certificate/marksheet
- ITI certificate and marksheets, where applicable
- Date of Birth proof
- Community certificate, if applicable
- EWS certificate, if applicable
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Aadhaar or other valid ID
- Recent photograph
- Signature
- Other documents specified in the notification
Candidates shortlisted for document verification must carry the required original certificates and photocopies. Southern Railway’s apprentice verification instructions specifically require original educational and technical certificates and applicable category documents
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 – Trade Opportunities
The recruitment covers a wide range of trades across Southern Railway units.
Depending on the vacancy and eligibility, trades include areas such as:
- Fitter
- Welder
- Electrician
- COPA
- Carpenter
- Painter
- Turner
- Machinist
- Diesel Mechanic
- Wireman
- Plumber
- Draughtsman
- Mechanic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- Electronics Mechanic
- Instrument Mechanic
- Stenographer
- Secretarial Assistant
- Other designated trades
The exact trade availability varies by division, workshop and unit, so candidates should check the detailed vacancy table before applying.
Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 – Units and Locations
The apprentice slots are distributed among several important Southern Railway units and divisions.
These include areas such as:
- Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur
- Chennai Division
- Electrical Workshop, Perambur
- Engineering Workshop, Arakkonam
- Loco Works, Perambur
- Central Workshop, Ponmalai
- Madurai Division
- Tiruchirappalli Division
- Palakkad Division
- Salem Division
- Trivandrum Division
- Signal & Telecommunication Workshop, Podanur
- Railway Hospital, Perambur
The Ex-ITI vacancies are distributed across these and other Southern Railway units.
Important Point: Apprentice Training Is Not a Regular Railway Job
Candidates should understand an important condition before applying.
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is for apprenticeship training and is not a direct regular Railway appointment.
Completion of the apprenticeship does not guarantee regular employment in Indian Railways. Candidates should not treat the apprenticeship engagement as equivalent to a permanent Railway job.
What Candidates Should Do Before Applying
Before submitting the application, candidates should:
- Check their age eligibility.
- Verify their 10th marks.
- Check ITI qualification and trade, if applying under Ex-ITI.
- Confirm geographical eligibility.
- Check the available trade and unit.
- Keep certificates ready.
- Enter marks exactly as mentioned in certificates.
- Check category details carefully.
- Pay the applicable fee.
- Submit the form before the deadline.
Because selection is merit-based, candidates should take extra care while entering their academic information.
Conclusion
The RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 offers 4,471 apprenticeship training opportunities for eligible Freshers and Ex-ITI candidates. With no written examination or interview, selection is based on the prescribed academic merit criteria.
Candidates interested in Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 should complete their applications before September 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM and carefully verify their qualification, trade, age and geographical eligibility before submitting the form.
Most importantly, candidates should remember that this is apprenticeship training and not a guaranteed permanent Railway job. Keep checking Manabadi for the latest updates on the RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Merit List, Document Verification, Apprentice Selection and other Railway Recruitment 2026 notifications.