Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27 — Apply Online for 4471 Fresher & Ex-ITI Apprentice Posts
Notification No. CPB/P1/98/Act/TP/Vol.XXI | Notification-01/2026 | Dated 28.08.2026
The Office of the Chief Workshop Manager, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, Southern Railway, has released Notification No. 01/2026 dated 28.08.2026 for engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961, across various Divisions, Workshops, and Units under Southern Railway's jurisdiction. A total of 4471 apprentice slots are available under Fresher and Ex-ITI categories in trades like Fitter, Welder, Electrician, COPA, Draughtsman, Medical Laboratory Technician, and more. Complete details on eligibility, vacancies, stipend, age limit, and how to apply are given below.
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📋 Southern Railway Apprentice 2026-27 Overview
| Organization | Southern Railway — Office of the Chief Workshop Manager, C&W Works, Perambur, Chennai |
| Notification No. | CPB/P1/98/Act/TP/Vol.XXI — Notification-01/2026 |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice (Fresher & Ex-ITI Categories) |
| Total Vacancies | 4471 (163 Fresher + 4308 Ex-ITI) |
| Mode of Application | Online only |
| Processing Fee | ₹100/- (Free for SC/ST/PwBD/Women) |
| Selection Basis | Merit List (Matriculation / ITI marks) — No written exam |
| Official Website | www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
⚠️ Important: This notification is purely for Apprenticeship Training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. There is NO GUARANTEE OF EMPLOYMENT after training. However, 20% of Level-1 direct recruitment vacancies may give preference to Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) holding a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC).
📅 Important Dates
| Opening Date of Online Application | 28.08.2026 |
| Closing Date of Online Application | 27.09.2026 till 17:00 Hrs |
| Tentative Date for Shortlist Publication (DV) | 15.10.2026 |
📌 All official communication — notifications, shortlists for Document Verification, selection, and eligibility — will be posted only on: www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in → News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information.
📍 Who Can Apply — Geographical Eligibility (Domicile Requirement)
Only candidates residing within the following areas falling under the Geographical Jurisdiction of Southern Railway are eligible to apply:
- Whole State of Tamil Nadu
- Whole Union Territory of Puducherry
- Whole State of Kerala
- Whole Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep
- Only two districts of Andhra Pradesh: SPSR Nellore and Chittoor
- Only one district of Karnataka: Dakshina Kannada
Candidates residing outside these areas are not eligible to apply, regardless of category.
🗂️ Vacancy Details — Fresher Category (Unit-wise Summary)
| Unit | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur (Fitter, Welder, Painter) | 32 | 21 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 80 |
| Central Workshop, Ponmalai (Fitter, Welder G&E) | 16 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 43 |
| S&T Workshop, Podanur, Coimbatore (Fitter) | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 20 |
| Railway Hospital, Perambur (Medical Laboratory Technician) | 11 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 20 |
| Fresher's Grand Total | 68 | 43 | 24 | 13 | 14 | 163 |
PwBD vacancies in Fresher category: VI–3, HI–4, LD–2, MD–0 (across units, as per notification).
🗂️ Vacancy Details — Ex-ITI Category (Group-wise Summary)
| Workshop / Division Group | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur + Chennai Division units | 610 | 409 | 230 | 120 | 149 | 1528 |
| Central Workshops, Ponmalai + Madurai & Tiruchirappalli Divisions | 523 | 353 | 192 | 95 | 129 | 1292 |
| S&T Workshop, Podanur + Palakkad, Salem & Trivandrum Divisions | 611 | 382 | 206 | 104 | 116 | 1488 |
| Ex-ITI Grand Total | 1744 | 1144 | 628 | 319 | 394 | 4308 |
PwBD vacancies in Ex-ITI category: VI–42, HI–52, LD–61, MD–12 (across units).
📌 Trades on offer include Fitter, Welder (G&E), Painter, Electrician, Diesel Mechanic, Machinist, Turner, Carpenter, Wireman, Plumber, MMV, MMTM, Structural Welder, Gas Cutter, COPA/PASAA, Draughtsman (Civil), Instrument Mechanic, Mechanic R&AC, Electronics Mechanic, Advance Welder, ICTSM, Stenographer & Secretarial Assistant, and Medical Laboratory Technician. Detailed unit-wise and trade-wise vacancy breakup (with exact numbers per Division/Workshop) is available in the official notification — check before applying to select your preferred unit and trade.
🎓 Educational / Technical Qualification
Fresher Category
| Trade | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Fitter, Painter & Welder | Passed 10th Class (min. 50% aggregate) under 10+2 system or equivalent |
| Medical Laboratory Technician (Radiology/Pathology/Cardiology) | Passed 12th Class (min. 50% aggregate) under 10+2 system with Physics, Chemistry & Biology |
Ex-ITI Category
| Trade Group | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Fitter, Machinist, MMV, Turner, Diesel Mechanic, Carpenter, Painter, Welder(G&E), Wireman, Advance Welder, Plumber, Draughtsman (Civil), Instrument Mechanic, Mech. R&AC, Gas Cutter, MMTM, Structural Welder | 10th Class (min. 50% aggregate) + ITI Certificate in relevant trade from NCVT/SCVT-recognized institute |
| Electrician | 10th Class (min. 50%) with Science + ITI Certificate in the trade (NCVT/SCVT) |
| Electronics Mechanic | 10th Class (min. 50%) with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics + ITI Certificate (NCVT/SCVT) |
| Secretarial Assistant & Stenographer (English) | 12th Class + ITI Certificate in relevant trade (NCVT/SCVT) |
| ICTSM (Information & Communication Technology System Maintenance) | 10th Class + ITI Certificate in the trade (NCVT/SCVT) |
| COPA / PASSA | 10th Class (min. 50%) + National Trade Certificate in "Computer Operator and Programming Assistant" (NCVT) |
- Minimum 50% marks in 10th Standard is not applicable for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.
- Course Completed Act Apprentices, Engineering Graduates/Diploma holders, or Vocational Certificate holders with 1+ year of training/job experience after acquiring these qualifications are NOT eligible to be engaged as trade apprentices.
- Ex-ITI candidates must possess the relevant ITI qualification at the time of applying itself.
🎂 Age Limit (As on Date of Notification — 28.08.2026)
- Candidates must have completed 15 years of age.
- Must not have completed 22 years (Fresher category) / 24 years (Ex-ITI and MLT categories).
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| PwBD (UR & EWS) | 10 Years |
| PwBD + OBC-NCL | 13 Years (10+3) |
| PwBD + SC/ST | 15 Years (10+5) |
SC/ST candidates must produce a Caste Certificate, and OBC candidates must produce an OBC Non-Creamy Layer Certificate + Self-Declaration at the time of Document Verification, failing which they will be considered under UR category with UR age limits.
💰 Processing Fee
| General / OBC / EWS Male Candidates | ₹100/- (Non-Refundable), paid online |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women Candidates | No fee required |
Candidates must take a printout of the payment acknowledgement generated by the system — it must be submitted at the time of Document Verification.
📝 Selection Process (Merit List — No Written Exam)
Selection is purely based on a Merit List — there is no written examination. The merit list is prepared as follows:
- Fresher Category: Matriculation marks converted to 200, ensuring minimum 50% aggregate in Matriculation.
- Ex-ITI Category: Matriculation marks converted to 100 (min. 50%) + ITI marks converted to 100 = Total 200, with equal weightage to both.
- MLT Category: Higher Secondary marks (Physics, Chemistry, Maths & Biology) converted to 200, ensuring minimum 50% aggregate.
- Tie-breaking: If two candidates have equal marks, the older candidate is preferred; if DOB is also the same, the one who passed Matriculation earlier is considered.
- 50% minimum aggregate in Matriculation is not insisted upon for SC/ST and PwBD candidates.
- Original Transfer Certificate for the qualifying examination (Std. X/XII/ITI) must be produced during Document Verification.
⏳ Period of Training
| Category | Trade | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher | Welder | 1 Year 3 Months |
| Fitter & Painter | 2 Years | |
| Medical Laboratory Technician | 1 Year 3 Months | |
| Ex-ITI | All Trades | Rebate as per Schedule-I of Apprentices Rules, 1992 |
💵 Stipend Details
| Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Fresher – 10th Standard | ₹8,200/- |
| Fresher – 12th Standard | ₹9,600/- |
| Ex-ITI | ₹9,600/- |
Stipend increases by 10% in the 2nd year and a further 15% in the 3rd year of apprenticeship training over the prescribed minimum. For National/State Certificate holders, prior training duration already undergone is factored in while fixing the stipend rate.
♿ PwBD Reservation & Medical Standards
- As per Gazette Notification, 4% reservation is provided for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) across five disability categories: Physical Disability, Blindness/Low Vision, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Intellectual Disability, and Multiple Disabilities.
- Only persons with not less than 40% of the relevant benchmark disability are eligible for relaxation/reservation.
- PwBD candidates must select the correct sub-category (LD/HI/VI/MD) at the time of application as per their disability certificate — no subsequent change is permitted.
- Each trade has specific disability-suitability criteria (e.g., Fitter suits LD, LC, DW, AA, LV, Deaf; COPA suits LD, CP, LC, DW, AA, LV, HH, Autism, SLD) — check the notification for trade-specific PwBD eligibility before applying.
- Candidates must satisfy minimum physical fitness standards under Schedule-II of the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992, and submit a Medical Certificate from a Government Authorized Doctor (not below Assistant Surgeon rank) at Document Verification.
🖥️ How to Apply
- Visit the official website: www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in → News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information.
- Confirm you reside within the eligible geographical jurisdiction (Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, A&N/Lakshadweep, or the specified AP/Karnataka districts).
- Register and fill in the online application with personal, educational, and category details.
- Select your preferred trade(s) and unit(s) based on available vacancies.
- Upload scanned photograph, signature, and required certificates.
- Pay the processing fee of ₹100/- online (not applicable for SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates).
- Submit the application before the closing date: 27.09.2026, 17:00 Hrs, and save the acknowledgement printout.
📄 Documents Required
- 10th / 12th / ITI Mark Sheets and Certificates (as applicable to the trade/category)
- Original Transfer Certificate for the qualifying examination
- Caste Certificate for SC/ST candidates (Annexure I format)
- OBC Non-Creamy Layer Certificate + Self-Declaration for OBC candidates (Annexure II format)
- Income Certificate for Economically Backward Class, if applicable (Annexure III A)
- EWS Income & Asset Certificate, if applicable (Annexure III)
- Disability Certificate for PwBD candidates (Form V/VI/VII, Annexure V A/B/C, as per disability type)
- Medical Fitness Certificate from a Government Authorized Doctor
- Proof of residence within the eligible geographical jurisdiction
- Payment acknowledgement printout (where fee is applicable)
📌 Engagement & Contract Terms
- Selected candidates will be engaged in the unit of their choice, subject to vacancy availability, but may be required to serve in other units within the jurisdiction as per administrative needs.
- Candidates must execute a Contract of Apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, 1961; if a candidate is a minor, their guardian can execute the contract as per Regional Director of Apprenticeship Training, Guindy, Chennai guidelines.
- Candidates will not be allowed to withdraw from training except for reasons beyond their control.
- Candidates willfully absent, or whose surety is invoked during apprenticeship, must refund the full cost of training and any stipend received.
- False declarations at any stage will lead to disqualification/termination without notice.
- Selected candidates are responsible for arranging their own accommodation and other facilities.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who can apply for Southern Railway Act Apprentice 2026-27?
Only candidates residing within Southern Railway's geographical jurisdiction — the whole of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, plus SPSR Nellore & Chittoor districts (AP) and Dakshina Kannada district (Karnataka) — are eligible.
Q2. What is the last date to apply online?
The online application closes on 27.09.2026 at 17:00 Hrs.
Q3. Is there a written examination for selection?
No. Selection is purely merit-based, using Matriculation and/or ITI marks — there is no CBT or written exam.
Q4. Does this apprenticeship guarantee a job in Railways?
No. This is purely a training program with no guarantee of employment. However, 20% of Level-1 direct recruitment vacancies may give preference to CCAAs with a National Apprenticeship Certificate.
Q5. What is the application fee?
₹100/- (non-refundable) for general candidates; no fee for SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates.
Q6. What is the age limit?
15 to 22 years for Fresher category and 15 to 24 years for Ex-ITI/MLT category (as on date of notification), with relaxation of 3 years for OBC-NCL, 5 years for SC/ST, and up to 15 years for PwBD+SC/ST candidates.
Q7. What stipend will apprentices receive?
₹8,200/month (Fresher-10th), ₹9,600/month (Fresher-12th and Ex-ITI), increasing by 10% in year 2 and 15% in year 3.
🔗 Important Links
| Apply Online / Official Website | www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
| Notification & Updates | Available under News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information |
⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is prepared for general informational purposes based on the official notification dated 28.08.2026. Vacancies indicated are tentative and subject to change. Applicants are strongly advised to read the complete official notification and check the exact trade-wise/unit-wise vacancy breakup on the Southern Railway website before applying, and to rely only on official communication for updates. This blog is not responsible for any discrepancy between this summary and the original notification.
``` Since this notification has an unusually large vacancy table (500+ trade/unit rows across many divisions), let me know if you'd like a separate detailed unit-by-unit trade breakdown table added as an expandable section — I kept it summarized here to keep the post readable and fast-loading on Blogger.
