Southern Railway Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 4471 Act Apprentice Posts

Southern Railway Recruitment 2026: Southern Railway has released a recruitment notification for the engagement of 4471 Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Eligible candidates can apply online for apprenticeship training in various Divisions, Workshops and Units under the jurisdiction of Southern Railway.

The online application process starts on 28th August 2026 and the last date to apply is 27th September 2026 up to 5:00 PM.

Post Details

Post Name: Act Apprentice

• Fresher Category: 163 Posts
• Ex-ITI Category: 4308 Posts
• Total Vacancies: 4471 Posts

The vacancies are available in various Southern Railway Divisions, Workshops and Units.

Trade Details

Apprentices will be engaged in various designated trades under the Fresher and Ex-ITI categories.

• Fitter
• Welder / Welder (G&E)
• Painter
• Electrician
• Electronics Mechanic
• Machinist
• Turner
• Diesel Mechanic
• Motor Mechanic Vehicle
• Carpenter
• Wireman
• Plumber
• Mechanic Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
• Instrument Mechanic
• Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA)
• Programming and Systems Administration Assistant (PASAA)
• Secretarial Assistant
• Stenographer (English)
• Draughtsman (Civil)
• Gas Cutter
• Advanced Welder
• Structural Welder
• Mechanic Machine Tool Maintenance (MMTM)
• Information & Communication Technology System Maintenance (ICTSM)
• Medical Laboratory Technician – Radiology
• Medical Laboratory Technician – Pathology
• Medical Laboratory Technician – Cardiology

Qualification

The educational and technical qualification varies according to the category and trade.

Fresher Category:

• Fitter, Painter & Welder: Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks under the 10+2 system or equivalent.
• Medical Laboratory Technician: Passed 12th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks under the 10+2 system with Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

Ex-ITI Category:

• Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks under the 10+2 system or equivalent.
• Passed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government-recognized ITI.
• Possess the relevant certificate issued by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT).
• Electrician: 10th Class with Science as one of the subjects along with the relevant ITI qualification.
• Electronics Mechanic: 10th Class with Science including Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics along with the relevant ITI qualification.
• Secretarial Assistant & Stenographer (English): Passed 12th Class and relevant ITI course.
• ICTSM: Passed 10th Class and relevant ITI course.
• COPA/PASSA: Passed 10th Class with a minimum of 50% marks and possess the relevant National Trade Certificate.

Note: The minimum 50% marks requirement in 10th Class is not applicable to SC, ST and PwBD candidates.

Salary Details

Selected candidates will receive a monthly apprenticeship stipend as follows:

• Fresher – 10th Standard: Rs. 8,200/- per month
• Fresher – 12th Standard: Rs. 9,600/- per month
• Ex-ITI: Rs. 9,600/- per month

During the second year of apprenticeship training, there will be a 10% increase in the prescribed minimum stipend and a further 15% increase during the third year, wherever applicable.

Age Limit

The age limit will be calculated as on the date of notification.

• Minimum Age: 15 Years
• Maximum Age for Fresher Candidates: Below 22 Years
• Maximum Age for Ex-ITI Candidates: Below 24 Years
• OBC-NCL Candidates: 3 Years Age Relaxation
• SC/ST Candidates: 5 Years Age Relaxation
• PwBD Candidates: 10 Years Age Relaxation

Additional age relaxation is applicable to PwBD candidates belonging to OBC-NCL and SC/ST categories as per the notification.

Application Fee

• Other Candidates: Rs. 100/-
• SC Candidates: No Fee
• ST Candidates: No Fee
• PwBD Candidates: No Fee
• Women Candidates: No Fee

The processing fee is non-refundable and must be paid through online mode.

Selection Process

There is no written examination for this recruitment. Selection will be made on the basis of the merit list prepared from the candidates’ qualifying examination marks.

The selection process includes:

• Merit List
• Document Verification
• Medical / Physical Fitness Verification

Fresher Category: Matriculation marks will be converted to 200 marks and the merit list will be prepared based on the converted marks.

Ex-ITI Category: Matriculation marks will be converted to 100 marks and ITI marks will be converted to 100 marks. Both will have equal weightage, making a total of 200 marks.

MLT Category: Higher Secondary marks will be converted to 200 marks for preparing the merit list.

If two candidates obtain equal marks, the older candidate will be preferred. If their dates of birth are also the same, the candidate who passed the Matriculation examination earlier will be preferred.

Training Period

• Welder: 1 Year 3 Months
• Fitter & Painter: 2 Years
• Medical Laboratory Technician: 1 Year 3 Months
• Ex-ITI Candidates: Rebate in the training duration will be provided as per the Apprentices Rules, 1992.

Physical Fitness & Medical Examination

Candidates selected for apprenticeship engagement must satisfy the minimum physical fitness standards prescribed under the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992.

• A medical certificate in the prescribed format must be produced during document verification.
• The medical certificate should be issued by a Government-authorized doctor as specified in the notification.
• Candidates must satisfy the prescribed medical fitness requirements for apprenticeship engagement.

Eligible Areas

Only candidates residing within the specified geographical jurisdiction of Southern Railway are eligible to apply.

• Entire Tamil Nadu
• Entire Union Territory of Puducherry
• Entire Kerala
• Entire Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Entire Lakshadweep
• SPSR Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh
• Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka

How to Apply

Eligible candidates can apply online through the official Southern Railway website.

• Step 1: Visit the official Southern Railway website.
• Step 2: Go to News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information.
• Step 3: Open Act Apprentice Recruitment Notification No. 01/2026.
• Step 4: Read the complete notification and check your eligibility.
• Step 5: Complete the online application form with the required personal, educational and technical details.
• Step 6: Upload the required documents and certificates.
• Step 7: Pay the applicable processing fee through online mode.
• Step 8: Submit the application before the closing date.
• Step 9: Take a printout of the application/acknowledgement for future reference.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 28th August 2026
• Online Application Start Date: 28th August 2026
• Last Date to Apply: 27th September 2026
• Closing Time: 5:00 PM
• Tentative Shortlisted List for Document Verification: 15th October 2026

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