Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 4,471 Posts
Post Date / Update: 28 August 2026
Short Information: The Southern Railway (SR), through its Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, has announced a massive recruitment drive for 4,471 Act Apprentice posts under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This is a golden opportunity for both freshers (10th/12th pass) and ITI certificate holders residing in the Southern Railway’s jurisdiction. The best part? There is no written exam, and selection is purely based on merit marks! Interested candidates can submit their online applications starting from 28th August 2026 to 27th September 2026. Check the complete details below regarding eligibility, stipend, and direct application links.
SOUTHERN RAILWAY (SR)
ACT APPRENTICE RECRUITMENT 2026-27
NOTIFICATION NO. 01/2026
Southern Railway Apprentice 2026: Overview
| Recruiting Authority | Southern Railway, C&W Works, Perambur |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice (Fresher & Ex-ITI) |
| Total Vacancies | 4,471 Posts (163 Fresher + 4,308 Ex-ITI) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Selection Process | Direct Merit Based (No Written Exam) |
| Official Website | sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Important Dates to Remember
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Released | 28th August 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 28th August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online & Pay Fee | 27th September 2026 (up to 17:00 Hrs) |
| Tentative Shortlist for Document Verification | 15th October 2026 |
Application Fee
The application fee must be paid online. Many categories are fully exempted from paying.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male Candidates) | Rs. 100/- |
| SC / ST / PwBD / All Women Candidates | Exempted (Rs. 0/-) |
| Payment Mode | Online (Debit/Credit Card, UPI, Net Banking) |
Eligibility & Vacancy Breakdown (4,471 Posts)
Geographical Limitation: Only candidates residing in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, SPSR Nellore & Chittoor (Andhra Pradesh), and Dakshina Kannada (Karnataka) are eligible to apply.
Age Limit (As on 28/08/2026): Minimum 15 Years. Maximum 22 Years for Fresher/Ex-ITI and 24 Years for MLT. (Age relaxation applies: SC/ST – 5 yrs, OBC – 3 yrs, PwBD – 10 yrs).
| Category | Units / Divisions Covered | Total Vacancies | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresher Category | C&W Works Perambur, Central Workshop Ponmalai, S&T Workshop Podanur, Railway Hospital Perambur | 163 | For Fitter/Welder/Painter: 10th Pass with 50% marks. For MLT: 12th Pass with 50% marks (Physics, Chemistry, Bio). |
| Ex-ITI Category | Carriage & Wagon Works group (Perambur, Chennai Div.), Central Workshops group (Ponmalai, Madurai, Trichy), S&T Workshop group (Palakkad, Salem, Trivandrum) | 4,308 | For Technical Trades: 10th Pass (with 50% marks) + ITI certificate in relevant trade (NCVT/SCVT). (Note: 50% marks rule does not apply to SC/ST/PwBD). |
| Grand Total | 4,471 Posts | ||
Stipend (Monthly Salary)
Selected apprentices will receive a fixed monthly stipend during their training period. The stipend increases by 10% in the second year and 15% in the third year.
| Apprentice Category | Stipend Per Month |
|---|---|
| Fresher’s (10th Standard Pass) | Rs. 8,200/- |
| Fresher’s (12th Standard Pass) | Rs. 9,600/- |
| Ex-ITI Certificate Holders | Rs. 9,600/- |
Selection Process (No Exams!)
Selection will be based entirely on an academic Merit List. There is no written test or interview.
- For Freshers: Merit is based on the aggregate marks scored in Matriculation (10th) or Higher Secondary (12th for MLT).
- For Ex-ITI: Merit is calculated by taking equal weightage (50-50) of both Matriculation marks and ITI marks.
- Shortlisted candidates will be directly called for Document Verification (DV) and a Medical Fitness test.
How to Apply Online for Southern Railway 2026
Candidates can follow these steps to successfully submit their application online:
- Visit the official website of Southern Railway at sr.indianrailways.gov.in.
- Navigate to the ‘News & Updates’ section, click on ‘Personnel Branch Information’, and find the Act Apprentice 2026 link.
- Register yourself with a valid mobile number and email ID.
- Fill in the application form carefully with your personal, educational (10th/12th), and ITI details.
- Upload clearly scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and necessary certificates.
- Pay the application fee of Rs. 100/- via the online payment gateway (if applicable).
- Submit your application and download the final confirmation page for future reference during Document Verification.
| Apply Online (Registration Portal) | Link Active |
| Download Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official SR Website | Click Here |
| Join Arattai Channel | Click Here |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
Southern Railway Apprentice 2026 – FAQs
► Q1. Can anyone from India apply for this SR Apprentice recruitment?
No, only candidates residing in the geographical jurisdiction of Southern Railway (TN, Kerala, Puducherry, A&N, Lakshadweep, and specific districts of AP and Karnataka) are eligible.
► Q2. Do I need an ITI certificate to apply?
If you are applying for the ‘Fresher’ category, you only need 10th or 12th pass certificates. If applying for the ‘Ex-ITI’ category, an ITI certificate (NCVT/SCVT) is mandatory.
► Q3. Is there an exam for this recruitment?
No, there is no written exam or interview. Selection is made directly via a merit list based on your academic marks.
► Q4. What is the last date to submit the application?
The deadline to apply online is 27th September 2026 (up to 17:00 Hrs).
► Q5. Will this training guarantee a permanent job in the Railways?
No, this is strictly a training engagement under the Apprentices Act, 1961. However, Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) may get a 20% preference in future Direct Recruitment Level 1 posts.