Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 4471 Vacancies, Eligibility, Last Date & Apply Online

Introduction to Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Southern Railway has invited online applications for engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961 for the 2026-27 training cycle. Under Notification No. 01/2026, a total of 4,471 apprenticeship seats have been announced across different Southern Railway Divisions, Workshops and Units.

The recruitment includes 163 Fresher vacancies and 4,308 Ex-ITI vacancies. Opportunities are available in trades such as Fitter, Welder, Painter, Electrician, Machinist, Turner, Diesel Mechanic, Carpenter, COPA, Electronics Mechanic, Wireman and several other designated trades. Fresher vacancies are also available for Medical Laboratory Technician disciplines.

Online registration began on 28 August 2026 and applications can be submitted until 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM. Candidates are selected primarily through a merit list based on qualifying examination marks; no written competitive examination or interview has been announced for selection.

For more railway recruitment updates, candidates can follow the latest govt jobs notifications.

Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Overview

Expert insight: More than 96% of the notified seats belong to the Ex-ITI category. Candidates who already hold the relevant NCVT/SCVT ITI qualification therefore have access to the largest share of the apprenticeship intake.

Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Important Dates

Candidates should avoid waiting until the final day because the application must be completed, required documents uploaded and applicable processing fee paid before the closing time.

Southern Railway Apprentice Vacancy 2026

A total of 4,471 apprenticeship seats are reported under two major categories:

Southern Railway Fresher Apprentice Vacancies

Southern Railway Ex-ITI Apprentice Vacancies

Applicants should check the detailed notification and online application portal for the exact unit-wise, trade-wise and category-wise vacancy breakup before selecting their preference.

Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Geographical Eligibility

An important condition of this recruitment is that only candidates residing within the prescribed geographical jurisdiction of Southern Railway are eligible to apply.

Candidates living outside the areas specified for Southern Railway jurisdiction should carefully verify their eligibility before submitting the application.

Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Educational Qualification

Educational requirements differ for Fresher, MLT and Ex-ITI candidates.

Fresher - Fitter, Painter and Welder

• Passed 10th Class under the 10+2 system or equivalent.
• Normally at least 50% aggregate marks are required, subject to category exemptions provided in the recruitment rules.

Fresher - Medical Laboratory Technician

Candidates applying for Medical Laboratory Technician streams such as Radiology, Pathology or Cardiology must have passed 12th Class with the prescribed science subjects, including Physics, Chemistry and Biology, and satisfy the marks requirement given in the notification.

Ex-ITI Category

Most Ex-ITI applicants require:

• 10th Class pass under the prescribed system with the required marks; and
• ITI qualification in the relevant designated trade; and
• Relevant NCVT/SCVT recognised certificate.

Trades include Fitter, Machinist, Motor Mechanic Vehicle, Turner, Diesel Mechanic, Carpenter, Painter, Welder, Wireman, Plumber, Draughtsman (Civil), Instrument Mechanic, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic and several other trades notified by Southern Railway.

Special Qualification Conditions

Southern Railway Apprentice Age Limit 2026

The age is reckoned as on 28 August 2026.

Age Relaxation

Applicable combined relaxation for PwBD candidates depends on their social category and must be supported by valid certificates during document verification.

Recent 2026 recruitment summaries consistently report the age structure as 15-22 years for Freshers and 15-24 years for Ex-ITI/MLT candidates. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Southern Railway Apprentice Application Fee 2026

The Rs 100 processing fee is non-refundable and must be paid through the online facility where applicable.

Southern Railway Apprentice Stipend 2026

Selected candidates receive apprenticeship stipend according to the applicable rules rather than a regular Railway employee salary.

The applicable apprenticeship rules provide for increases in the prescribed minimum stipend during subsequent years of training where the training period extends beyond one year.

Southern Railway Apprentice Selection Process 2026

Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 does not require a written examination. Selection is based on academic/technical merit followed by document and medical verification.

1. Preparation of Merit List
2. Shortlisting for Document Verification
3. Document Verification
4. Medical Fitness Examination
5. Final Engagement for Apprenticeship Training

Merit Calculation for Fresher Candidates

For Fresher candidates in the applicable 10th-standard trades, merit is prepared using the prescribed Matriculation marks converted to a 200-mark scale.

Merit Calculation for Ex-ITI Candidates

This effectively gives equal weightage to Matriculation and ITI performance for Ex-ITI applicants.

Merit Calculation for MLT Candidates

For Medical Laboratory Technician candidates, the prescribed Higher Secondary/12th marks in the relevant science subjects are used and converted according to the merit formula given in the notification.

Is There a Written Exam for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

No. The recruitment is merit-based. Candidates are not required to sit for a common CBT or written examination.

This means candidates should focus mainly on:

• Correct calculation and submission of academic marks.
• Valid ITI qualification for Ex-ITI trades.
• Choosing the correct unit/trade.
• Uploading valid certificates.
• Meeting geographical and age eligibility.
• Being medically fit for apprenticeship training.

Southern Railway Apprentice Medical Fitness 2026

Shortlisted candidates must satisfy the prescribed physical/medical fitness standards under the Apprenticeship Rules. A medical fitness certificate from the prescribed Government-authorised medical authority/doctor may be required during document verification or engagement.

Final apprenticeship engagement remains subject to the candidate being found medically suitable for the relevant trade.

How to Apply for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026

1. Open the Southern Railway Apprentice online registration portal.
2. Read Notification No. 01/2026 carefully before registration.
3. Choose the appropriate applicant category such as Fresher or Ex-ITI.
4. Select the eligible unit/division and trade.
5. Enter your name, date of birth, contact details and other personal information exactly as shown on official certificates.
6. Enter your Class 10/Class 12/ITI qualification details and marks carefully.
7. Upload the required photograph, signature and supporting certificates in the prescribed format.
8. Enter category and reservation details, where applicable.
9. Pay the Rs 100 processing fee if you are not exempt.
10. Preview the application carefully before submission.
11. Submit the application before 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
12. Save the application/registration details and take a printout for future reference.

Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Documents Required

• Class 10 mark sheet and certificate.
• Class 12 mark sheet/certificate for MLT or other trades where prescribed.
• ITI mark sheets and NCVT/SCVT certificate for Ex-ITI candidates.
• Date of birth proof.
• Recent passport-size photograph.
• Scanned signature.
• Aadhaar or valid identity details as required by the portal.
• SC/ST certificate, where applicable.
• OBC-NCL certificate in the prescribed format, where applicable.
• EWS certificate, where applicable.
• PwBD certificate, where applicable.
• Proof supporting geographical/residential eligibility where required.
• Medical fitness certificate at the prescribed stage.

Candidates must produce original documents during verification. Any difference between the online application and original certificates can affect candidature.

Who Should Not Apply for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

Candidates should not apply unless they satisfy the exact eligibility conditions. Important restrictions include:

• Candidates who do not fall within the prescribed geographical jurisdiction of Southern Railway.
• Candidates below the minimum age or above the applicable maximum age without valid relaxation.
• Applicants who do not possess the required educational/ITI qualification by the prescribed date.
• Ex-ITI applicants whose ITI trade does not correspond to the notified designated trade.
• Candidates attempting to substitute an Engineering Diploma/Degree for the required ITI qualification.
• Candidates whose qualification results or required certificates are not available as required by the recruitment conditions.
• Candidates submitting incorrect or false information.

Southern Railway Apprentice Training & Employment Rules

The apprenticeship is governed by the Apprentices Act, 1961 and associated rules. Candidates selected under this drive are engaged for training in Southern Railway establishments rather than appointed directly as permanent Railway employees.

Completion of apprenticeship therefore does not create an automatic right to Railway employment. However, applicable Railway recruitment rules may provide certain benefits/preferences to eligible Course Completed Act Apprentices holding a National Apprenticeship Certificate in specified future Level-1 recruitment processes.

Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Important Instructions

• Apply only through the authorised Southern Railway apprenticeship portal.
• The last date is 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
• Only candidates from the prescribed Southern Railway geographical jurisdiction should apply.
• Fresher and Ex-ITI applicants have different age and qualification requirements.
• There is no written examination; selection is merit-based.
• Ex-ITI merit gives weightage to both Matriculation and ITI marks.
• Candidates should ensure the selected ITI trade matches the notified trade.
• SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates are exempt from the Rs 100 processing fee as specified in the recruitment information.
• This is apprenticeship training, not guaranteed permanent Railway employment.
• Candidates must pass the applicable medical fitness requirements.
• Original certificates must be produced during document verification.
• All future updates should be checked on the official Southern Railway website/authorised recruitment portal.

Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Important Links

For Southern Railway Apprentice merit list, document verification and other Railway recruitment updates, follow our WhatsApp channel, Telegram channel and YouTube channel.

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