Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has released Notification No. APP/01/2026-2027 (No. PB/RR/39/App/2026 dated 08 August 2026) under the Skill India Mission, inviting online applications for the engagement of 1010 Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961 for training in 8 designated trades – Carpenter, Electrician, Fitter, Machinist, Painter, Welder, MLT (Radiology and Pathology), and PASAA – for both Freshers and Ex-ITI candidates, at ICF Chennai. The online application window is open from 08 August 2026 (09:30 hours) to 07 September 2026 (17:30 hours) at the official ICF portal pb.icf.gov.in. Preference is given to candidates from Tamil Nadu (resident and/or registered with a local Employment Exchange within Tamil Nadu). Age limit is 15 to 22 years for Freshers (non-ITI) and 15 to 24 years for Ex-ITI candidates, as on 07 September 2026. Monthly stipend is Rs. 8,200 for Class 10th pass Freshers and Rs. 9,600 for Class 12th pass Freshers and Ex-ITI candidates, with a 10% increase in the second year. Selection is merit-based on Std X marks – no written test. Application fee is Rs. 100 plus service charges for General/OBC male candidates; no fee for SC, ST, PwBD, and Women candidates.
Important Note: Three things every ICF apprentice applicant must check before 07 September 2026. First, candidates holding degrees, diplomas, engineering degrees, or who have already completed an Act Apprenticeship are NOT eligible for most trades – this is specifically for 10th/ITI-level candidates; the only exception is MLT (Radiology and Pathology) where 12th pass with Physics, Chemistry and Biology is the qualification; applying with a degree or diploma makes you ineligible and your candidature will be cancelled at document verification. Second, preference is given to Tamil Nadu residents/Employment Exchange registrants – candidates from outside Tamil Nadu should note that vacancies are first filled from eligible Tamil Nadu candidates; the exception is for wards of ICF/Railway employees who can apply regardless of state; OBC/SC/ST category benefits are also available only to candidates who can produce valid certificates at document verification, failing which they will be treated as UR candidates with UR age limits. Third, candidates selected must arrange their own accommodation – ICF will not provide food or accommodation during the training period; candidates must be prepared for relocation to Chennai for the entire training duration of 1 to 2 years depending on the trade.
ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai |
| Ministry | Ministry of Railways, Government of India |
| Notification No. | APP/01/2026-2027 (No. PB/RR/39/App/2026 dated 08 August 2026) |
| Scheme | Skill India Mission – Apprentices Act, 1961 |
| Trades | Carpenter, Electrician, Fitter, Machinist, Painter, Welder, MLT (Radiology and Pathology), PASAA |
| Categories | Freshers and Ex-ITI |
| Total Seats | 1010 (330 Freshers + 680 Ex-ITI) |
| Job Location | Integral Coach Factory, Chennai |
| Preference | Tamil Nadu residents/Employment Exchange registrants |
| Application Mode | Online only – pb.icf.gov.in |
| Application Opens | 08 August 2026 (09:30 hours) |
| Last Date to Apply | 07 September 2026 (17:30 hours) |
| Age Reckoning Date | 07 September 2026 |
| Selection | Merit-based on Std X marks (no written test) |
| Official Portal | pb.icf.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date/Time |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 08 August 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 08 August 2026 (09:30 hours) |
| Online Application Closes | 07 September 2026 (17:30 hours) |
| Age Reckoning Date | 07 September 2026 |
| Document Verification | To be notified via SMS (from “PBICF”) and email |
| Training Commencement | After document verification and medical fitness check |
Trade-wise Vacancy Details
Freshers – 330 Seats
| S. No. | Trade | UR | OBC | SC | ST | PwBD | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carpenter | 18 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 40 |
| 2 | Electrician | 18 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 40 |
| 3 | Fitter | 37 | 22 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 80 |
| 4 | Machinist | 18 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 40 |
| 5 | Painter | 18 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 40 |
| 6 | Welder | 37 | 22 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 80 |
| 7 | MLT (Radiology) | 3 | 1 | 1 | – | – | 5 |
| 8 | MLT (Pathology) | 3 | 1 | 1 | – | – | 5 |
| Total (Freshers) | 330 |
Ex-ITI – 680 Seats
| S. No. | Trade | UR | OBC | SC | ST | PwBD | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carpenter | 22 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 50 |
| 2 | Electrician | 75 | 43 | 24 | 12 | 6 | 160 |
| 3 | Fitter | 83 | 49 | 27 | 14 | 7 | 180 |
| 4 | Machinist | 22 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 50 |
| 5 | Painter | 22 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 50 |
| 6 | Welder | 83 | 49 | 27 | 14 | 7 | 180 |
| 7 | PASAA | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | – | 10 |
| Total (Ex-ITI) | 680 |
Note: MLT (Radiology and Pathology) has no Ex-ITI seats. PASAA has no Freshers seats.
Eligibility – Educational Qualification and Training Period
| Category | Trade | Qualification Required | Training Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshers | Fitter, Electrician, Machinist | Std X pass with minimum 50% aggregate marks, with Science and Mathematics, under 10+2 or equivalent system | 2 years |
| Freshers | Carpenter, Painter | Std X pass with minimum 50% aggregate marks under 10+2 or equivalent system | 2 years |
| Freshers | Welder | Std X pass with minimum 50% aggregate marks under 10+2 or equivalent system | 1 year 3 months |
| Freshers | MLT (Radiology and Pathology) | Std XII pass with Physics, Chemistry and Biology under 10+2 system | 1 year 3 months |
| Ex-ITI | Fitter, Electrician, Machinist | Std X pass (minimum 50% marks) with Science and Mathematics + National Trade Certificate (NCVT/SCVT) of 1 year or above in the notified trade | 1 year |
| Ex-ITI | Carpenter, Painter, Welder | Std X pass (minimum 50% marks) + National Trade Certificate (NCVT/SCVT) of 1 year or above in the notified trade | 1 year |
| Ex-ITI | PASAA | Std X pass (minimum 50% marks) + National Trade Certificate in IT/COPA/Database System Assistant/Software Testing Assistant (NCVT/SCVT) of 1 year or above | 1 year |
Important: Candidates with higher qualifications than 10th/Matric/SSLC – such as Degree, Diploma, Engineering Degree, or those who have already completed an Act Apprenticeship – are NOT eligible for any trade, except MLT where the qualification is specifically 12th/HSC.
Other Eligibility Conditions
Tamil Nadu Preference: Applicants must be resident and/or registered with a local Employment Exchange within Tamil Nadu, with the registration date not beyond 07 September 2026, as preference is given to Tamil Nadu candidates. This condition does not apply to wards of Railway employees.
Wards of Railway Employees: Must submit the Railway employee’s Identity Card/Service Certificate (attested by a Gazetted Officer), along with UMID card and PPO copy (for retired Railway employees), as proof at document verification.
PwBD Candidates: Vacancies for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities are reserved trade-wise, subject to permissible disability categories. A minimum disability of 40% is required. A disability certificate from the Central/State Government is mandatory to claim this reservation.
Age Limit (as on 07 September 2026)
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-ITI candidates (all categories – UR) | 15 years | 24 years |
| Freshers / Non-ITI candidates (UR) | 15 years | 22 years |
| SC/ST candidates | 15 years | 5 years relaxation (Ex-ITI: 29 years; Freshers: 27 years) |
| OBC candidates | 15 years | 3 years relaxation (Ex-ITI: 27 years; Freshers: 25 years) |
| Persons with Disability (PwBD) | 15 years | 10 years relaxation over applicable limit |
SC/ST candidates must produce a caste certificate; OBC candidates must produce an OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate at document verification. Failure to produce these will result in the candidate being treated as UR with the UR age limit.
Stipend
| Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Freshers – Class 10th pass-outs | Rs. 8,200 per month |
| Freshers – Class 12th pass-outs (MLT) | Rs. 9,600 per month |
| Ex-ITI – NCVT/SCVT National or State Certificate holders | Rs. 9,600 per month |
| Second year (all categories where 2-year training applies) | 10% increase over first year stipend |
For NCVT/SCVT certificate holders, any training period already undergone is taken into account in determining the minimum payable stipend. Stipend is paid as prescribed under the Apprentices Act.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC male candidates | Rs. 100 plus applicable service charges (non-refundable) |
| SC/ST candidates | No fee |
| PwBD candidates | No fee |
| Women candidates (all categories) | No fee |
Fee is paid online during the application process. After successful payment, a unique Transaction ID starting with “DU” is sent to the registered mobile number – preserve this for future reference. No refund under any circumstances.
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Merit List Preparation | Based on marks obtained in Std X (class 10th board exam) |
| Trade Allotment (Freshers) | Freshers exercise trade preference; trades are allotted based on merit order and vacancy availability; no change after allotment |
| Trade Allotment (Ex-ITI) | Ex-ITI candidates are trained in the trade for which they hold the ITI certificate |
| Tie-breaking | Older candidate preferred; if DOB same, earlier Std X passer preferred |
| Medical Examination | Medical certificate from a Government-authorised doctor (not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon) required at Document Verification |
| Document Verification | All original certificates, Transfer Certificate of qualifying exam, category certificates, medical certificate produced |
| Contract of Apprenticeship | Must be executed before training commencement; if candidate is a minor, guardian executes the contract |
No written test. Selection is entirely merit-based on Std X marks. COVID-batch candidates who were in the 10th standard may submit their IX standard mark sheet or X std half-yearly mark sheet (duly signed by the Principal) as proof of Std X performance.
How to Apply for ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27
- Visit the official ICF apprentice portal – Click Here
- Read the complete official notification PDF – Click Here – before filling the form.
- Keep a recent passport-size photograph ready (JPG/JPEG format, maximum 200 KB) along with all relevant documents/certificates.
- Fill in the required personal, educational, and contact details in the online application form.
- Submit the application – a system-generated Registration ID will be issued; your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format is your password for the acknowledgement.
- Pay the applicable processing fee online (Rs. 100 plus service charges for General/OBC male candidates; no fee for SC/ST/PwBD/Women).
- Check all details carefully before clicking Submit.
- Generate and print the system acknowledgement after final submission – this printout is mandatory at Document Verification.
- Do NOT send any documents to ICF by post, email, fax, or in person. All communication from ICF will be sent only by SMS (from “PBICF”) or email to the registered mobile number and email ID – keep these active until selection is complete.
Important Instructions
- This is purely apprenticeship training – not employment; no absorption in Indian Railways is guaranteed on training completion.
- Degrees, diplomas, engineering degrees, and previously completed Act Apprentices are ineligible – except for MLT where 12th/HSC is the prescribed qualification.
- Preference is given to Tamil Nadu residents registered with a Tamil Nadu Employment Exchange before the last date, except wards of Railway employees.
- OBC/SC/ST category benefits require production of valid, current certificates at document verification – failing to produce them means UR treatment with UR age limits.
- ICF will NOT provide food or accommodation – candidates must make their own arrangements at their own cost.
- Candidates selected for training cannot withdraw except for reasons beyond their control; wilful absenteeism makes candidates liable to refund the full training cost and stipend paid.
- If any declaration in the application is found false, the candidature will be disqualified or terminated at any stage without notice.
- Canvassing in any form will result in immediate disqualification without correspondence.
- For clarifications, use the official ICF helpdesk – Click Here
- Monitor pb.icf.gov.in for all updates, merit list, and document verification schedule.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF (Notification No. APP/01/2026-2027) | Click Here |
| Apply Online – ICF Act Apprentice 2026-27 | Click Here |
| Official Helpdesk for Queries | Click Here |
| ICF Official Portal | Click Here |
ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27 – FAQs
Q1. What is ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27?
✅ It is an engagement by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai (Ministry of Railways) under Notification No. APP/01/2026-2027 dated 08 August 2026, for 1010 Act Apprentices (330 Freshers + 680 Ex-ITI) under the Apprentices Act, 1961, as part of the Skill India Mission. Trades include Carpenter, Electrician, Fitter, Machinist, Painter, Welder, MLT (Radiology and Pathology), and PASAA, with training at ICF Chennai.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27?
✅ The last date to submit the online application is 07 September 2026 (17:30 hours) at pb.icf.gov.in. The application window opened on 08 August 2026 at 09:30 hours. Age is reckoned as on 07 September 2026.
Q3. What is the educational qualification for ICF Act Apprentice 2026?
✅ For most trades, Freshers need Std X (10th) pass with minimum 50% aggregate marks (with Science and Maths for Fitter/Electrician/Machinist). Ex-ITI candidates need Std X (50% marks) plus a National Trade Certificate (NCVT/SCVT) in the respective trade. MLT (Radiology and Pathology) requires Std XII with Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Degree, diploma, engineering degree holders, and those who have already completed an Act Apprenticeship are NOT eligible (except MLT).
Q4. What is the age limit for ICF Act Apprentice 2026?
✅ Ex-ITI candidates: 15 to 24 years as on 07 September 2026. Freshers (non-ITI): 15 to 22 years. SC/ST candidates get 5 years relaxation; OBC candidates get 3 years relaxation; PwBD candidates get 10 years relaxation over the applicable limit.
Q5. What is the application fee for ICF Act Apprentice 2026?
✅ Rs. 100 plus applicable service charges for General/OBC male candidates, payable online. No fee for SC, ST, PwBD, and Women candidates of any category. Fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Q6. What is the monthly stipend for ICF Act Apprentices?
✅ Rs. 8,200 per month for Class 10th pass Freshers; Rs. 9,600 per month for Class 12th pass Freshers (MLT) and Ex-ITI candidates. The stipend increases by 10% in the second year for trades with 2-year training. Stipend is as per the Apprentices Act.
Q7. Who gets preference in ICF Act Apprentice 2026 selection?
✅ Preference is given to candidates who are residents of and/or registered with a local Employment Exchange within Tamil Nadu, with registration date not beyond 07 September 2026. This condition does not apply to wards of ICF/Railway employees, who can apply regardless of their state of residence.
Q8. What is the selection process for ICF Act Apprentice 2026?
✅ Selection is entirely merit-based on Std X marks – there is no written test. A merit list is prepared trade-wise and category-wise. Freshers exercise trade preferences; allotment is based on merit order and vacancy availability. Ex-ITI candidates are trained in their ITI trade. Tie-breaking: older candidate preferred; if DOB is same, earlier Std X passer preferred. Medical fitness check and document verification follow.
Q9. Does ICF Act Apprentice training guarantee a railway job?
✅ No. The official notification explicitly states that this is purely for apprenticeship training and does not confer any right to employment or absorption in Indian Railways after training completion. Ex-apprentices may apply for any notified railway vacancies through the regular competitive selection process.
Q10. What should I do if I have a query about the ICF apprentice application?
✅ Use the official ICF helpdesk at pb.icf.gov.in/act2026_cc/helpdesk_entry.php for any clarifications. All official communication from ICF (document verification schedule, merit list) will be sent only via SMS from “PBICF” or email to your registered mobile number and email ID – keep these active until the process is complete.
Disclaimer
The information above is compiled from the official ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27 notification (Notification No. APP/01/2026-2027, No. PB/RR/39/App/2026 dated 08 August 2026), issued by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, Ministry of Railways, Government of India, as available on the official ICF portal pb.icf.gov.in. The total seat count of 1010 is as per the official notification. This is an apprenticeship training engagement under the Apprentices Act, 1961 – it does not confer any right to employment in Indian Railways. Accommodation is not provided by ICF. Candidates must download and read the complete official notification from pb.icf.gov.in before applying. All links above lead only to the official ICF portal pb.icf.gov.in.
