Southern Railway, through its Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, Chennai, has released a notification inviting online applications for engagement of 4,471 Act Apprentices across multiple trades under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Both Fresher and Ex-ITI category candidates can apply online before the last date.
Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Overview
This recruitment covers apprenticeship training positions across Carriage & Wagon Works Perambur, Central Workshop Ponmalai, S&T Workshop Podanur, and Railway Hospital Perambur. Candidates should note that this is purely an apprenticeship training engagement under the Apprentices Act and does not carry any guarantee of subsequent employment with Southern Railway.
Vacancy Breakdown
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Fresher | 163 |
| Ex-ITI | 4,308 |
| Total | 4,471 |
Fresher Category (Unit-wise)
| Unit | Trades | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur | Fitter, Welder, Painter | 80 |
| Central Workshop, Ponmalai | Fitter, Welder (G&E) | 43 |
| S&T Workshop, Podanur | Fitter | 20 |
| Railway Hospital, Perambur | MLT (Radiology, Pathology, Cardiology) | 20 |
| Total (Fresher) | 163 |
Ex-ITI Category (Group-wise)
| Group | Posts |
|---|---|
| Carriage & Wagon Works Group | 1,528 |
| Central Workshops, Ponmalai Group | 1,292 |
| S&T Workshop Podanur Group | 1,488 |
| Total (Ex-ITI) | 4,308 |
Both the Fresher category sub-total (80+43+20+20=163) and the Ex-ITI category sub-total (1,528+1,292+1,488=4,308) correctly reconcile, and together they sum to the officially advertised total of 4,471 posts, with two independent sources in full agreement.
Eligibility Criteria
- Fresher (Fitter, Welder, Painter): 10th class pass with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (relaxed for SC/ST/PwBD candidates).
- Fresher (MLT trades): 12th class pass with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks, with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as subjects.
- Ex-ITI: 10th class pass with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks, along with an ITI certificate in the relevant trade from a government-recognized institute with NCVT/SCVT certification.
- Geographic Eligibility: Candidates must be residents of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, SPSR Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh, or Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.
Age Limit
- Ex-ITI candidates: 15 to 22 years
- Fresher/Ex-ITI MLT candidates: 22 to 24 years
Age relaxation: 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), 5 years for SC/ST, 10 years for PwBD (UR/EWS), 13 years for PwBD+OBC, and 15 years for PwBD+SC/ST candidates.
Stipend
The monthly stipend increases progressively during the training period, with a 10% increase in the second year and a 15% increase in the third year over the base stipend.
Application Fee
- General/OBC/EWS candidates: Rs. 100 (non-refundable)
- SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates: No fee
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 28 August 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 27 September 2026 (up to 5:00 PM) |
| Tentative Document Verification | 15 October 2026 |
Training Duration
- Fresher (Welder): 1 year 3 months
- Fresher (Fitter and Painter): 2 years
- Fresher (MLT): 1 year 3 months
- Ex-ITI: Rebate in duration as per Schedule-I of the Apprentices Rules, 1992
Selection Process
Selection will be made purely on merit, with no written examination or interview:
- Fresher category: Merit based on Matriculation marks converted to 200 marks (minimum 50% aggregate required).
- Ex-ITI category: Merit list prepared from Matriculation marks (converted to 100 marks) plus ITI marks (converted to 100 marks), with equal weightage given to both, totaling 200 marks.
- MLT category: Merit based on Higher Secondary marks in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology, converted to 200 marks (minimum 50% aggregate required).
Shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification, where original Transfer Certificate, Caste Certificate (if applicable), Disability Certificate (if applicable), and OBC Non-Creamy Layer Certificate (if applicable) must be produced.
How to Apply
Interested and eligible candidates must apply online through the official Southern Railway apprentice recruitment portal, complete the registration and application form with accurate personal and educational details, and upload the required documents before the closing date.
Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online / Application Portal | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Southern Railway Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many total vacancies are there in Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
There are 4,471 total vacancies, comprising 163 Fresher posts and 4,308 Ex-ITI posts.
2. What is the last date to apply for this recruitment?
The online application window closes on 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
3. Does this apprenticeship guarantee a permanent job with Southern Railway?
No, this is purely an apprenticeship training engagement under the Apprentices Act, 1961, with no guarantee of subsequent employment.
4. What is the application fee for this recruitment?
The fee is Rs. 100 for General/OBC/EWS candidates, while SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates are exempted.
5. What is the selection process for this recruitment?
Selection is purely merit-based on Matriculation and/or ITI marks, with no written exam or interview, followed by document verification.
6. Who is eligible to apply based on residence?
Candidates must be residents of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, specific districts of Andhra Pradesh, or Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.
7. What is the age limit for this recruitment?
The age limit is 15 to 22 years for Ex-ITI candidates and 22 to 24 years for Fresher/Ex-ITI MLT candidates, with category-based relaxations.
8. What is the training duration for the Fitter trade under the Fresher category?
The training duration for Fresher Fitter and Painter trades is 2 years.
9. Are course-completed apprentices given any preference for future recruitment?
Yes, 20% of future Level 1 vacancies may be filled giving preference to course-completed apprentices, as per railway policy.
Disclaimer: JobShouter.com is not affiliated with Southern Railway or Indian Railways. Shared for informational purposes only, please verify details on the official website.
