Southern Railway Apprentice 2026: Last updated: 7 November 2026
Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 Eligibility: 4,471 Slots
Author: Ravi Singh. In addition, Editor – Government Jobs at New Sarkari Results. View author profile. Source check: Southern Railway Notification No. 01/2026.
This guide covers Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 eligibility slots, age limits, fees, stipend and the merit process under Notification No. 01/2026. Southern Railway invited online applications for 4,471 Act Apprentice training slots, and the application window closed on 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM IST.
Quick Answer
Yes – Southern Railway offered 4,471 Act Apprentice training slots under Notification No. 01/2026: 163 Fresher and 4,308 Ex-ITI. Applications closed on 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM IST, and selection is by merit, with no written examination. The fee is Rs 100 (exempt for SC, ST, PwBD and women), and the stipend is Rs 8,200-9,600 per month.
Status – 7 November 2026: Applications closed on 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM IST. The tentative document-verification shortlist is expected on 15 October 2026.
Update note: This guide summarizes Notification No. 01/2026, including the 4,471 tentative training slots, eligibility details and official application links. Check the official notice for any corrigendum or deadline extension.
Southern Railway
No. 01/2026
4,471 tentative
Fresher & Ex-ITI
28 August 2026
27 September 2026
5:00 PM IST
Online
Merit list
163
4,308
Rs 8,200-9,600
Open Application Portal Download Notification PDF
Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 Eligibility Slots: Vacancy Details
Southern Railway has announced 4,471 Act Apprentice training slots. The vacancies are divided into two categories: Fresher (163 slots) and Ex-ITI (4,308 slots).
| Category | Slots |
|---|---|
| Fresher | 163 |
| Ex-ITI | 4,308 |
| Total | 4,471 |
The 4,471 slots are tentative, as stated in the notification.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application start | 28 August 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 27 September 2026 (5:00 PM IST) |
| Tentative DV shortlist | 15 October 2026 |
Applications closed on 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM IST. The tentative date for the document-verification shortlist is 15 October 2026.
Eligibility and Educational Qualification
Eligibility depends on the category – Fresher or Ex-ITI – and the trade. Check the conditions for your category below before applying.
Fresher category: Fresher candidates do not need an ITI certificate. The minimum qualification is Class 10 with at least 50% marks for Fitter, Painter and Welder trades, and Class 12 with at least 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology for the MLT trade.
| Category | Qualification (minimum 50%) |
|---|---|
| Fitter, Painter, Welder (Fresher) | Class 10 (SSC/Matriculation) |
| MLT (Fresher) | Class 12 (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) |
Ex-ITI category: Ex-ITI candidates need Class 10 with at least 50% marks and an ITI certificate in the relevant trade.
| Category | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Fitter, Machinist, Turner, Electrician, Mechanic (Diesel), Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Carpenter, Plumber, Welder, Painter, Wireman, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic, Electronics Mechanic, Instrument Mechanic, Draughtsman (Civil), Draughtsman (Mechanical), Programming and Systems Administration Assistant, Stenographer (English), Stenographer (Hindi) | Class 10 (SSC/Matriculation) with at least 50% marks and ITI in the relevant trade |
Candidates who have completed Class 10 or ITI training with less than 50% marks are not eligible to apply, except for SC, ST and PwBD candidates.
Eligible geographical areas: Candidates from the following Southern Railway divisions and workshops are eligible: Chennai, Palakkad, Tiruchchirappalli, Madurai, Salem, Thiruvananthapuram, Carriage Works Perambur, Central Workshops Ponmalai, and Signal & Telecommunication Workshop Podanur.
Age Limit and Relaxation
| Category | Minimum age | Maximum age |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher | 15 years | 22 years |
| Ex-ITI | 15 years | 22 years |
| MLT | 15 years | 24 years |
The minimum age is 15 years completed. Age is calculated as on 1 August 2026.
Relaxation in the upper age limit is allowed as per the applicable rules for reserved categories.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General, OBC, EWS | Rs 100 |
| SC, ST, PwBD, Women | Exempted |
The fee is refundable, so make sure the payment is final before you submit the form.
Stipend
The stipend for Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 is Rs 8,200 per month for Fresher (Class 10) candidates and Rs 9,600 per month for Fresher (Class 12) and Ex-ITI candidates.
| Category | Stipend per month |
|---|---|
| Fresher (Class 10) | Rs 8,200 |
| Fresher (Class 12) | Rs 9,600 |
| Ex-ITI | Rs 9,600 |
How Merit Is Prepared
Selection is based on merit. A merit list is prepared from the marks obtained in the qualifying examination. There is no written examination or interview.
For Fresher and Ex-ITI candidates, merit is based on the marks in Class 10 or the ITI examination. For MLT candidates, merit is based on the marks in Class 12.
No extra weightage is given for higher qualifications. If two candidates score the same marks, the older candidate is placed higher in the merit list.
The tentative date for the document-verification shortlist is 15 October 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification at the notified venue.
How to Apply
- Go to the RRC Chennai portal at sronline.etrpindia.com/rrcchennaiapprentice26.
- Read Notification No. 01/2026 and check the eligibility conditions for your category.
- Fill in the application form with personal details and trade choice, and upload the required documents, including photograph and signature.
- Choose the training category and division or workshop carefully. The option is final once you submit the form.
- Pay the application fee of ₹100 online if the fee applies to you.
- Review the form before final submission and keep a copy of the submitted form for your records.
Important Links
| Link | Details |
|---|---|
| Open Application Portal | RRC Chennai online portal |
| Download Notification PDF | Notification No. 01/2026 |
| Southern Railway official website | sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions candidates ask most often, answered from the details on this page.
When is the last date to apply for Southern Railway Apprentice 2026?
The last date to apply was 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM IST. The RRC Chennai portal did not accept forms after the closing time.
How many apprentice slots are available in Southern Railway?
Southern Railway advertised 4,471 Act Apprentice slots in total: 163 Fresher slots and 4,308 Ex-ITI slots under Notification No. 01/2026.
Is the Southern Railway Apprentice a permanent railway job?
No. The Southern Railway Apprentice programme is training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. It is not a regular railway job and does not guarantee employment after the training ends.
What is the application fee for Southern Railway Apprentice 2026?
The application fee is ₹100 for General, OBC and EWS candidates. SC, ST, PwBD and women candidates are exempted from paying the fee.
What is the age limit for Southern Railway Apprentice 2026?
Candidates must have completed 15 years of age. The upper age limit is 22 years for Fresher and Ex-ITI candidates and 24 years for MLT candidates, as on 1 August 2026. Age relaxation applies as per the rules.
What qualification is needed for Southern Railway Apprentice?
Fresher candidates need Class 10 with at least 50% marks for Fitter, Painter and Welder trades, and Class 12 with at least 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology for MLT. Ex-ITI candidates need Class 10 with at least 50% marks and an ITI certificate in the relevant trade.
Is an ITI certificate required for Southern Railway Apprentice?
An ITI certificate in the relevant trade is required only for Ex-ITI category posts. Fresher category posts do not require an ITI certificate.
Is there an exam for Southern Railway Apprentice 2026?
No. There is no written examination or interview. Selection is made through a merit list prepared from the marks in the qualifying examination, followed by document verification.
How is the merit list prepared for Southern Railway Apprentice?
The merit list is prepared from the marks obtained in Class 10 or the ITI examination, and from Class 12 marks for MLT candidates. No extra weightage is given for higher qualifications. If two candidates score the same marks, the older candidate is placed higher.
What is the stipend for Southern Railway Apprentice?
The stipend is ₹8,200 per month for Fresher (Class 10) candidates and ₹9,600 per month for Fresher (Class 12) and Ex-ITI candidates.
Source check: Recheck the vacancy split, dates, fee and eligibility conditions against Notification No. 01/2026 on the Southern Railway website before applying.
📌 Important Related Updates:
Disclaimer: This article is a summary of Notification No. 01/2026 issued by Southern Railway. Candidates should verify the eligibility conditions, dates and fee details from the official notification before applying. New Sarkari Results is not affiliated with Southern Railway or the Government of India.
Written by Ravi Singh
Ravi Singh is the Editor (Government Jobs) at New Sarkari Results, an independent information portal for Sarkari Result, Sarkari Naukri, admit card, answer key, syllabus and admission updates. He has 10+ years of experience covering Government Jobs, Railway Jobs, SSC, Banking, Teaching, Police, Defence and state recruitment boards. Every update on this site is verified directly from the official notification PDF issued by the commission or board — never from third-party aggregators.
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