ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 1010 Freshers & Ex-ITI Vacancies, Eligibility, Last Date & How to Apply

Introduction to ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai has invited online applications for engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961 through Notification No. APP/01/2026-2027 / No. PB/RR/39/App/2026 dated 8 August 2026. A total of 1,010 apprentice seats are available for Freshers and Ex-ITI candidates in Carpenter, Electrician, Fitter, Machinist, Painter, Welder, MLT and PASAA trades.

The online application window is open from 8 August 2026, 09:30 hrs to 7 September 2026, 17:30 hrs through the ICF portal. This notification is for apprenticeship training only and does not guarantee Railway employment after completion. Candidates can also track the latest govt jobs notifications for other railway and apprenticeship opportunities.

Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai Overview

Integral Coach Factory is an Indian Railways production unit based in Chennai. Under this notification, ICF is engaging apprentices for designated trades under the Apprentices Act, 1961 and the Skill India Mission, with preference given to eligible candidates from Tamil Nadu as stated in the official notification.

ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Overview

The recruitment covers both Freshers and Ex-ITI candidates. Freshers account for 330 seats and Ex-ITI candidates for 680 seats, making a combined total of 1,010.

Expert insight: Ex-ITI candidates have the larger share of seats with 680 vacancies, especially in Fitter and Welder at 180 each, while Freshers have 330 seats led by Fitter and Welder with 80 each.

ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Important Dates

ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details

A total of 1,010 seats are notified for Freshers and Ex-ITI candidates. The trade-wise distribution is given below.

The official notification also provides UR, OBC, SC, ST and PwBD reservation trade-wise. Candidates claiming reservation must produce the prescribed certificates; otherwise they may be considered under UR subject to the UR age limit.

ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates with higher qualifications than the prescribed 10th/Matric/SSLC qualification such as Degree, Diploma or Engineering Degree, and Course Completed Act Apprentices, are not eligible for Act Apprenticeship under this notification, except MLT where Class 12/HSC is the prescribed qualification.

Applicants must also meet the Tamil Nadu residence/employment-exchange condition stated in the notification, except eligible wards of Railway employees who must submit the specified Railway service and identity proofs.

ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Age Eligibility Checker

Age is calculated as on 7 September 2026.

Upper-age relaxation: SC/ST candidates receive 5 years, OBC candidates 3 years, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities 10 years, subject to production of valid supporting certificates.

ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Application Fee

The fee is payable online and is non-refundable. Candidates who pay the fee should preserve the unique payment Transaction ID sent to the registered mobile number for future reference.

ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Stipend

During the second year of apprenticeship training, the prescribed minimum stipend increases by 10%. For NCVT/SCVT certificate holders, prior training already undergone is taken into account for determining the minimum payable stipend.

ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Selection Process

There is no written examination or interview. Selection is based on the following process:

• Merit List: prepared on the basis of marks obtained in Class 10.
• COVID-pass provision: for candidates who passed Class 10 during the COVID period without regular marks, Class 9 marks or Class 10 half-yearly marks duly certified by the Principal may be considered as prescribed.
• Tie-break: where marks are equal, the older candidate is preferred; if date of birth is also the same, the candidate who passed Class 10 earlier is considered first.
• Trade Allotment: Freshers choose trade preferences and are allotted according to merit and availability; Ex-ITI candidates are trained in the trade for which they hold the ITI certificate.
• Document Verification: shortlisted candidates must produce original certificates, including the original Transfer Certificate for the qualifying examination.
• Medical Fitness: candidates must be physically fit under the Apprentices Act/Rules and produce the prescribed medical certificate from a Government-authorised doctor not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon.

How to Apply for ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026

1. Visit the official ICF portal at pb.icf.gov.in and open the Act Apprentice 2026 online application page.
2. Read the complete notification and confirm Fresher/Ex-ITI trade eligibility, age and reservation conditions.
3. Keep educational certificates, category certificates and a recent passport-size photograph in JPG/JPEG format up to 200 KB ready.
4. Fill the online form carefully and submit the required personal, educational and trade details.
5. Pay the Rs 100 processing fee plus service charges online if applicable; SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates are exempt.
6. After submission, note the system-generated Registration ID. The date of birth in ddmmyyyy format is used as the password for acknowledgement login.
7. Generate and print the system acknowledgement after final submission. This printout is required at Document Verification.

No application form or document needs to be sent to ICF by Post, email, FAX or by hand. Communication will be sent through SMS from "PBICF" and email to the registered contact details.

ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Documents Required

• System-generated online application acknowledgement.
• Class 10 mark sheet/certificate and Class 12 certificate for MLT candidates, as applicable.
• ITI/National or State Trade Certificate for Ex-ITI candidates.
• Original Transfer Certificate for Std X/XII/ITI qualifying examination.
• SC/ST caste certificate, OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate or PwBD disability certificate, where applicable.
• Recent passport-size photograph and valid identity proof.
• Medical fitness certificate in the prescribed form from an authorised Government doctor.
• For wards of Railway employees: attested Railway employee Identity Card/Service Certificate and prescribed UMID/PPO proof.

ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Preparation Focus

Since selection is purely merit-based on Class 10 marks, there is no examination syllabus to prepare. Candidates should instead focus on eligibility accuracy, correct trade selection and document readiness. Before submitting the form, verify category certificates, ITI trade details, Class 10 marks and the Tamil Nadu residence/employment-exchange requirement. For other railway openings, monitor the latest govt jobs notifications and use Static GK and daily current affairs for recruitments that include written tests.

ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Training and Employment Conditions

Freshers have trade-specific training periods ranging from 1 year 3 months to 2 years, while Ex-ITI candidates generally undergo 1 year of training. Selected candidates must execute an apprenticeship contract; for minors, the guardian executes the contract as prescribed.

This notification is strictly for apprenticeship training. ICF clearly states that no employment is guaranteed after completion, and successful training does not confer any right to absorption in Railways. Accommodation and food are not provided by ICF and must be arranged by candidates at their own cost.

ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Important Links

Explore More on thejobsme.com

For more railway, apprentice and government recruitment updates, visit the latest govt jobs notifications, revise important topics through Static GK, and follow daily current affairs.