Southern Railway has opened a major apprenticeship opportunity for candidates looking to gain practical training in technical and other designated trades. Through Notification No. 01/2026, the railway has announced a total of 4,471 Act Apprentice slots across its workshops, divisions and other units. Moreover, the recruitment covers both Fresher and Ex-ITI categories, thereby giving eligible candidates different pathways to enter structured industrial training. In addition, the notification includes opportunities across trades such as Fitter, Welder, Electrician, Carpenter, COPA, Diesel Mechanic, Painter and several others. Therefore, candidates who meet the prescribed conditions can consider this recruitment as an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the railway environment while receiving a monthly stipend during their apprenticeship period.
In this article, candidates can check complete details of Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 such as eligibility criteria, age limit, application dates, vacancy details, selection process, salary, and how to apply.
Eligibility Details
Candidates must meet the prescribed educational and technical requirements for the trade they choose. The key qualification criteria are as follows:
- Fresher – Fitter, Painter and Welder: Candidates must have passed Class 10 with at least 50% aggregate marks under the 10+2 system or an equivalent qualification.
- Fresher – Medical Laboratory Technician: Candidates must have passed Class 12 with at least 50% aggregate marks and must have studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
- Ex-ITI – Technical Trades: Candidates must have passed Class 10 with at least 50% aggregate marks and completed ITI in the relevant trade from a government-recognized ITI. They must also hold the relevant NCVT or SCVT certificate.
- Electrician: Candidates must have passed Class 10 with at least 50% aggregate marks, with Science as one of the subjects, and completed ITI in the relevant trade with an NCVT or SCVT certificate.
- Electronics Mechanic: Candidates must have passed Class 10 with at least 50% aggregate marks, including Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, and completed the relevant ITI course with an NCVT or SCVT certificate.
- Secretarial Assistant & Stenographer (English): Candidates must have passed Class 12 and completed the relevant ITI course from a government-recognized ITI, along with the required NCVT or SCVT certificate.
- ICTSM: Candidates must have passed Class 10 and completed an ITI course in the relevant trade from a government-recognized ITI, along with the required certificate.
- COPA/PASSA: Candidates must have passed Class 10 with at least 50% aggregate marks and hold the National Trade Certificate issued by NCVT in Computer Operator and Programming Assistant.
- Relaxation: The notification does not require the minimum 50% marks in Class 10 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates.
Salary Details
Southern Railway will provide apprentices with a monthly stipend during the training period. The stipend will vary according to the candidate’s category and educational qualification:
- Fresher – Class 10: ₹8,200 per month
- Fresher – Class 12: ₹9,600 per month
- Ex-ITI: ₹9,600 per month
- Second Year: The prescribed minimum stipend will increase by 10%.
- Third Year: The prescribed minimum stipend will increase by a further 15%.
- Important: The apprenticeship stipend represents training support and does not constitute a regular railway employee salary.
Age limit
Southern Railway will calculate the candidate’s age as on the date of notification, i.e. August 28, 2026. Candidates must satisfy the following age conditions:
- Minimum Age: 15 years
- Maximum Age for Freshers: Below 22 years
- Maximum Age for MLT: Below 24 years
- Maximum Age for Ex-ITI: Below 24 years
- OBC (NCL): Candidates can receive up to 3 years of upper-age relaxation.
- SC/ST: Candidates can receive up to 5 years of upper-age relaxation.
- PwBD: Candidates can receive up to 10 years of upper-age relaxation.
- PwBD + OBC (NCL): Candidates can receive up to 13 years of cumulative relaxation.
- PwBD + SC/ST: Candidates can receive up to 15 years of cumulative relaxation.
Application Fee
Candidates must pay a non-refundable processing fee of ₹100 through the online payment mode. However, Southern Railway has exempted certain categories from paying this fee:
- General candidates: ₹100
- SC candidates: No fee
- ST candidates: No fee
- PwBD candidates: No fee
- Women candidates: No fee
Additionally, candidates should keep a printout of the acknowledgement generated after submitting the application, as they will need it during document verification.
Selection Process
Southern Railway will prepare the merit list by considering the marks obtained by eligible candidates in their qualifying examinations. The selection process will follow these criteria:
- Fresher Category: The railway will convert the marks obtained in Class 10 to a score of 200 marks and prepare the merit list on that basis.
- Ex-ITI Category: The railway will convert Class 10 marks to 100 marks and ITI marks to another 100 marks. It will then combine both scores to prepare the merit list out of 200 marks.
- MLT Category: The railway will convert the qualifying Higher Secondary marks to 200 marks for preparing the merit list.
- Tie-Breaker: If two candidates secure the same marks, the railway will give preference to the older candidate. If their dates of birth also match, the candidate who passed the Matriculation examination earlier will receive preference.
- Document Verification: After preparing the merit list, the railway will shortlist eligible candidates for document verification. Candidates must produce the required original documents at this stage.
Important Dates
| Application Starts | Already Started |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 September 2026 |
| Total Post | 4,471 Vacancies |
| Selection Process | Merit Basis |
| Job Type | Apprenticeship |
How to Apply
Candidates can submit their applications online by following these steps:
- First, visit the official Southern Railway website.
- Next, go to News & Updates and open Personnel Branch Information.
- Then, find Act Apprentices under Apprentices Act 1961 – Notification No. 01/2026.
- After that, open the online application link and complete the registration process.
- Enter your personal, educational and other required details carefully.
- Select the eligible trade and unit according to your qualifications and preferences.
- Upload the required documents and certificates in the prescribed format.
- Pay the applicable processing fee through the online payment mode.
- Finally, submit the application and take a printout of the acknowledgement for future reference and document verification.
Important links
| Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 | Watch Video |
| Apply Online | Registration | Login |
| Official Notification | Download Notification |
| Official Website | Visit Official Website |
| Homepage | Click Here |
| Subscribe Youtube Channel | Click Here |
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