RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification is out for 4,471 Act Apprentice posts across Fresher and Ex-ITI categories. Southern Railway, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, Chennai invites online applications under the Apprentices Act, 1961, with the application window open from 28 August to 27 September 2026.

RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: The Office of the Chief Workshop Manager, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, Southern Railway, has released Notification No. 01/2026 (No. CPB/P1/98/Act/TP/Vol.XXI) for engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Applications are invited from eligible candidates for training in designated trades across various Divisions/Workshops/Units within the geographical jurisdiction of Southern Railway. This notification is purely for imparting apprenticeship training and does not guarantee employment.
Overview
| RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Overview | |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organisation | Southern Railway, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, Chennai |
| Notification Reference | No. CPB/P1/98/Act/TP/Vol.XXI, Notification-01/2026 |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice (Fresher & Ex-ITI Categories) |
| Total Vacancies | 4,471 Posts (163 Fresher + 4,308 Ex-ITI) |
| Training Duration | 1 Year 3 Months to 2 Years (trade-dependent) |
| Eligible Locations | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, SPSR Nellore & Chittoor (AP), Dakshina Kannada (Karnataka) |
| Age Limit | 15 years minimum; 22/24 years maximum (Fresher/Ex-ITI-MLT) |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Opening Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Closing Date | 27 September 2026, 17:00 Hrs |
| Processing Fee | ₹100 (Exempted for SC/ST/PwBD/Women) |
| Selection Process | Merit List based on Matriculation/ITI marks |
| Tentative Shortlist Date (Document Verification) | 15 October 2026 |
| Official Website | www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
RRC Southern Railway Notification 2026
RRC Southern Railway Notification 2026 has been released, informing candidates about the engagement of Act Apprentices across multiple workshops and divisions under Southern Railway. The notification covers trade-wise and unit-wise vacancies, eligibility criteria, stipend, age limit, and selection process. All official communication, including document verification lists, will be published only on the Southern Railway website under “News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information.”
Advertisement for Southern Railway: Click Here to Download
RRC Southern Railway Eligible Locations 2026
Only candidates residing in the following locations within Southern Railway’s jurisdiction are eligible to apply:
- Whole State of Tamil Nadu
- Whole Union Territory of Puducherry
- Whole State of Kerala
- Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands
- Only two districts of Andhra Pradesh: SPSR Nellore and Chittoor
- Only one district of Karnataka: Dakshina Kannada
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Vacancy 2026
RRC Southern Railway Vacancy 2026 has announced 4,471 posts across two categories — Fresher and Ex-ITI — spread across multiple units and divisions.
I. Fresher Category
| Unit | Trades | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur | Fitter, Welder, Painter | 80 |
| Central Workshop, Ponmalai | Fitter, Welder (G&E) | 43 |
| Signal & Telecommunication Workshop, Podanur | Fitter | 20 |
| Railway Hospital, Perambur | MLT (Radiology, Pathology, Cardiology) | 20 |
| Fresher’s Grand Total | 163 |
II. Ex-ITI Category
| Group | Units Covered | Sub-Total |
|---|---|---|
| CW – Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur + Chennai Division + Electrical Workshop, Perambur + Engineering Workshop, Arakkonam + Engineering/HQ/SR + Loco Works, Perambur + Railway Hospital | Multiple trades across 7 sub-units | 1,528 |
| GOC – Central Workshops Ponmalai + Madurai Division + Tiruchirappalli Division | Multiple trades across 3 sub-units | 1,292 |
| Signal & Telecom Workshop Group – Palakkad Division + Salem Division + S&T Workshop Podanur + Trivandrum Division | Multiple trades across 4 sub-units | 1,488 |
| Ex-ITI Grand Total | 4,308 |
RRC Southern Railway Eligibility Criteria 2026
Check Details Below:
Educational Qualification – Fresher Category
| Trade | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Fitter, Painter & Welder | 10th Class pass (min. 50% aggregate) under 10+2 system or equivalent |
| Medical Laboratory Technician (Radiology/Pathology/Cardiology) | 12th Class pass (min. 50% aggregate) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
Educational Qualification – Ex-ITI Category
| Trade Group | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Fitter, Machinist, MMV, Turner, Diesel Mechanic, Carpenter, Painter, Welder(G&E), Wireman, Advance Welder, Plumber, Draughtsman (Civil), Instrument Mechanic, Mech. R&AC, Gas Cutter, MMTM, Structural Welder | 10th Class pass (min. 50% aggregate) + ITI Course in relevant trade with NCVT/SCVT certificate |
| Electrician | 10th Class pass (min. 50%) with Science + ITI + NCVT/SCVT certificate |
| Electronics Mechanic | 10th Class pass (min. 50%) with Science (Physics & Chemistry) and Mathematics + ITI + NCVT/SCVT certificate |
| Secretarial Assistant & Stenographer (English) | 12th Class pass + ITI + NCVT/SCVT certificate |
| ICTSM | 10th Class pass + ITI + NCVT/SCVT certificate |
| COPA/PASAA | 10th Class pass (min. 50%) + National Trade Certificate in “Computer Operator and Programming Assistant” |
Note: The minimum 50% marks requirement in 10th standard is not applicable for SC/ST/PwBD candidates. Course Completed Act Apprentices, Engineering Graduates/Diploma holders, or Vocational Certificate holders with 1+ year of training/job experience after qualification are NOT eligible.
Age Limit
| Category | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 15 Years |
| Maximum Age – Fresher | 22 Years |
| Maximum Age – Ex-ITI/MLT | 24 Years |
| OBC (NCL) Relaxation | 3 Years |
| SC/ST Relaxation | 5 Years |
| PwBD Relaxation | 10 Years |
| PwBD + OBC (NCL) | 13 Years |
| PwBD + SC/ST | 15 Years |
RRC Southern Railway Period of Training & Stipend 2026
Period of Training – Fresher Category
| Trade | Duration |
|---|---|
| Welder | 1 Year 3 Months |
| Fitter & Painter | 2 Years |
| MLT (Cardiology, Radiology, Pathology) | 1 Year 3 Months |
Ex-ITI Category: Rebate in training duration is given as per Schedule-I of the Apprentices Rules, 1992.
Stipend
| Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Fresher’s – X Std | ₹8,200 |
| Fresher’s – 12th Std | ₹9,600 |
| Ex-ITI | ₹9,600 |
Stipend increases by 10% in the second year and a further 15% in the third year of training (over the prescribed minimum).
RRC Southern Railway Apply Online 2026
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice applications are accepted only through the online mode via www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in. Candidates should:
- Visit the website and navigate to News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information.
- Submit the complete online application within the window: 28 August 2026 to 27 September 2026, 17:00 Hrs.
- Pay the processing fee online (if applicable).
Processing Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹100 (Non-Refundable) |
| SC/ST/PwBD/Women | Exempted |
Candidates must retain a printout of the fee payment acknowledgement for submission at the time of Document Verification.
RRC Southern Railway Selection Process 2026
Selection is based on a Merit List, prepared as follows:
- Fresher Category: Matriculation marks converted to 200; minimum 50% aggregate required (not applicable for SC/ST/PwBD).
- Ex-ITI Category: Matriculation marks converted to 100 + ITI marks converted to 100 = Total 200, with equal weightage to both.
- MLT Category: Higher Secondary marks (with Physics, Chemistry, Maths & Biology) converted to 200.
Tie-Breaking: Older candidate preferred first; if DOB is also the same, the candidate who passed Matriculation earlier is considered senior.
RRC Southern Railway Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Opening Date of Online Application | 28 August 2026 |
| Closing Date of Online Application | 27 September 2026, 17:00 Hrs |
| Tentative Date for Shortlisted List (Document Verification) | 15 October 2026 |
FAQs
What is RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
It is a recruitment drive by Southern Railway (Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur) to engage 4,471 Act Apprentices across Fresher and Ex-ITI categories, under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
What is the last date to apply for RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The online application window closes on 27 September 2026 at 17:00 Hrs.
Who is eligible to apply for RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Only candidates residing in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, SPSR Nellore & Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh, and Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka are eligible.
What is the selection process for RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Selection is based on a Merit List prepared from Matriculation and/or ITI marks; there is no written exam or interview.
Does this apprenticeship guarantee a Railway job?
No, there is no guarantee of employment. However, 20% of Direct Recruitment vacancies at Level 1 may give preference to Course Completed Act Apprentices holding a National Apprenticeship Certificate.