Good news for apprentices! Railway Recruitment Cell, Southern Railway has invited applications for 4,471 apprentice posts in 2026. The recruitment covers trade apprenticeship positions for freshers and candidates holding an ITI or NCVT certificate in a related trade.
This guide provides the important dates, age limit, education requirements, application fee, post-wise vacancy details and application process. Candidates should read the official notification carefully before submitting their forms.
Quick update: Applications are open from 28 August 2026 to 27 September 2026. The examination or merit process will be conducted as per the official schedule.
Southern Railway RRC SR Apprentices Recruitment 2026: At a Glance
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting organisation | Railway Recruitment Cell, Southern Railway |
| Post type | Various Trade Apprentices |
| Total vacancies | 4,471 |
| Freshers | 163 |
| Ex-ITI candidates | 4,308 |
| Advertisement number | CPB/P1/98/Act/TP/Vol.XXI |
| Application start date | 28 August 2026 |
| Last application date | 27 September 2026 |
| Age limit | 15 to 22 years for freshers; up to 24 years for Ex-ITI candidates |
| Application fee | ₹100 for General, OBC and EWS; ₹0 for SC, ST and PH candidates |
| Examination or merit | As per official schedule |
| Job location | Southern Railway units in Tamil Nadu and other locations specified in the notification |
| Official website | Southern Railway official recruitment portal |
Important Dates
- Notification update: 16 September 2026.
- Online application begins: 28 August 2026.
- Last date to submit the application: 27 September 2026.
- Last date to pay the application fee: 27 September 2026, as stated in the recruitment information.
- Examination or merit date: As per schedule.
Do not wait until the final day. Keep scanned copies of the required documents ready and complete profile verification before submitting the application.
Vacancy Details
The total advertised vacancy is 4,471 posts. The recruitment includes 163 posts for freshers and 4,308 posts for candidates with an Ex-ITI qualification.
| Post name | Category | Total posts |
|---|---|---|
| Trade Apprentices Freshers | Fresher | 163 |
| Trade Apprentices Ex-ITI | Ex-ITI | 4,308 |
Workshop and Unit-Wise Vacancy
| Factory or workshop | Apprentice type | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur | Fresher | 80 |
| Central Workshop, Ponmalai | Fresher | 43 |
| Signal & Telecommunication Work Shop, Podanur, Coimbatore | Fresher | 20 |
| Railway Hospital, Perambur, Medical Laboratory Technician | Fresher | 20 |
| Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur | Ex-ITI | 1,528 |
| Central Workshops, Ponmalai | Ex-ITI | 1,292 |
| Signal & Telecommunication Work Shop, Podanur, Coimbatore | Ex-ITI | 1,488 |
Trade-wise requirements and detailed vacancy allocation should be checked in the official notification because eligibility may vary according to the workshop and apprenticeship trade.
Eligibility Criteria
Education Qualification
For fresher applicants, the recruitment information requires Class 10 or Class 12 with at least 50 percent marks. For Ex-ITI applicants, Class 10 or Matric qualification with an ITI or NCVT certificate in the related trade is required. Candidates must confirm the exact trade-wise qualification in the official notification.
Age Limit
- Minimum age: 15 years as on 28 August 2026.
- Maximum age for freshers: 22 years.
- Maximum age for Ex-ITI candidates: 24 years.
- Additional age relaxation may be available according to Southern Railway rules and applicable government guidelines.
Other Conditions
Candidates should review the notification for gender, nationality, residency, physical fitness and trade-specific requirements. An Apprenticeship Registration Number is required for all candidates, as stated in the application information.
Application Fee
| Candidate category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| General, OBC and EWS | ₹100 |
| SC, ST and PH | Free of cost |
The fee can be paid through the online or offline payment mode specified on the official application portal. Keep the payment receipt safe for future reference.
Salary and Benefits
The exact pay scale and benefits are not specified in the supplied recruitment information. Candidates should refer to the official Southern Railway notification or application portal for the applicable stipend, working hours and other benefits linked to the apprenticeship.
Selection Process
The examination or merit activity will take place as per the official schedule. The detailed selection procedure, including any merit calculation, document verification or practical assessment, is not stated in the supplied text. Candidates should monitor official notices for the complete process.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official Southern Railway recruitment portal or the verified recruitment link.
- Read the complete notification and confirm the correct apprentice trade and workshop.
- Register using a valid email address and mobile number.
- Enter personal details, address, qualification and Apprenticeship Registration Number correctly.
- Upload a recent photograph, signature and identity-related documents in the required format.
- Select the preferred post or unit and review all entered information.
- Pay the applicable application fee and submit the form before 27 September 2026.
- Download or print the submitted application for your records.
Required Documents
- Class 10 or Class 12 mark sheet, as applicable.
- ITI or NCVT certificate for Ex-ITI applicants.
- Apprenticeship Registration Number.
- Recent passport-size photograph.
- Signature or thumb impression, if required.
- Valid government identity document.
- Address proof, if requested by the application portal.
- Category certificate, if claiming a reserved category.
Important Instructions
- Read the trade-wise eligibility conditions before applying.
- Check the age limit as on 28 August 2026.
- Ensure that the uploaded documents are clear and readable.
- Use the same email and mobile number for registration and communication.
- Verify the fee paid and payment status before final submission.
- Review the preview before clicking the final submit button.
- Keep a printout or downloaded copy of the completed form.
- Do not rely on unofficial claims about vacancies, selection or pay scale.
Official Verification and Source Information
The information in this article is based on the supplied recruitment notice associated with Southern Railway RRC SR Apprentices Online Form 2026, published on 16 September 2026. Candidates should use the official Southern Railway website to verify the live notification, online application link, fee details and any changes made by the recruiting authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the online application begin?
The online application process began on 28 August 2026.
What is the last date to apply?
The last date to submit the online application is 27 September 2026.
How many vacancies are advertised?
There are 4,471 vacancies in total, including 163 fresher posts and 4,308 Ex-ITI posts.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 15 years as on 28 August 2026.
What is the maximum age for freshers?
The maximum age for fresher candidates is 22 years.
What is the maximum age for Ex-ITI candidates?
The maximum age for Ex-ITI candidates is 24 years.
What qualification is required for freshers?
Fresher applicants need Class 10 or Class 12 with at least 50 percent marks, subject to the detailed trade-wise conditions.
What qualification is required for Ex-ITI applicants?
Ex-ITI applicants need Class 10 or Matric qualification with an ITI or NCVT certificate in the related trade.
What is the application fee?
General, OBC and EWS candidates must pay ₹100. Candidates in the SC, ST and PH categories have a free-of-cost provision according to the supplied information.
When is the examination or merit conducted?
The examination or merit activity will be conducted as per the official schedule.
Is an Apprenticeship Registration Number required?
Yes, the recruitment information states that an Apprenticeship Registration Number is required for all candidates.
Can candidates pay the fee offline?
The supplied information mentions online and offline fee modes. The accepted payment option must be confirmed on the official application portal.
Where can candidates apply?
Candidates should use the official Southern Railway recruitment portal or the verified official application link.
How should the application form be checked?
Review the preview carefully, confirm personal and education details, verify the uploaded documents and save the final submitted form.
Where can the official notification be checked?
Candidates should check the official Southern Railway website for the current notification, trade-wise details, dates and application instructions.
What should candidates do if the website is slow?
Keep the application details ready, try again during a less busy period and avoid submitting duplicate forms. Contact the official helpdesk if a technical issue remains unresolved.
Final Checklist
Download the official notification, confirm your trade, check the age and education rules, prepare the Apprenticeship Registration Number and documents, pay the correct fee and submit the form before 27 September 2026. Candidates should not rely solely on the third-party recruitment page when official verification is required.
For the latest updates on this apprentice recruitment, the official Southern Railway portal should be treated as the primary source. Do not wait until the last date to apply.