Southern Railway Act Apprentices Recruitment 2025-26: Apply Online for 3,300+ Vacancies

Southern Railway has released the Act Apprentices Notification No. 01/2025 under the Apprentices Act, 1961, inviting applications for training in various trades across different Divisions/Workshops/Units. This is a golden opportunity for candidates seeking apprenticeship training in the railway sector.

👉 Important Dates

Start of Online Application: 25 August 2025
Last Date to Apply: 25 September 2025 (till 17:00 hrs)
Tentative Date of Shortlisted List (DV): 07 October 2025

🔹 Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification:

Fresher Category:
- Fitter, Painter, Welder: 10th Pass with 50% marks.
- Medical Lab Technician (Radiology/Pathology/Cardiology): 12th Pass with 50% marks (Physics, Chemistry & Biology).
Ex-ITI Category:
- 10th Pass (50% marks) + ITI Certificate in relevant trade from NCVT/SCVT recognized institute.

⚠️ Note: 50% minimum marks not applicable for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.

Age Limit (as on 25-08-2025):

Minimum Age: 15 years
Maximum Age:
- 22 years (Freshers)
- 24 years (MLT)
Relaxation: OBC – 3 years, SC/ST – 5 years, PwBD – 10 years

🔹 Vacancies

A total of 3,300+ slots are available in different trades such as:

Fitter, Welder, Painter, Electrician, Carpenter, Machinist, Turner, Diesel Mechanic, Electronics Mechanic, COPA, PASAA, Wireman, Plumber, Draughtsman, SSA, ICTSM, Trimmer, MLT, and others.

👉 Major Units/Divisions include:

Carriage & Wagon Works (Perambur)
Electrical Workshop (Perambur)
Loco Works (Perambur)
Chennai, Madurai, Salem, Palakkad, Tiruchirappalli & Trivandrum Divisions
Central Workshops (Ponmalai)
Railway Hospital (Perambur)
Signal & Telecommunication Workshop (Podanur, Coimbatore)

🔹 Training Period & Stipend

Fitter, Painter: 2 years
Welder & MLT: 1 year 3 months
Ex-ITI candidates: As per Apprenticeship Rules with relaxation.

💰 Stipend:

₹6,000/- per month (Fresher 10th Pass)
₹7,000/- per month (Fresher 12th Pass & Ex-ITI)
Annual increment: 10% (2nd year) & 15% (3rd year)

🔹 Selection Process

Merit Based (No Written Exam/Interview).
Merit list prepared on:
- Fresher: 10th Marks
- Ex-ITI: 10th + ITI Marks (equal weightage)
- MLT: 12th Marks (PCB).
In case of tie, older candidates will be preferred.

🔹 Application Fees

General/OBC/EWS: ₹100/- (Online)
SC/ST/PwBD/Women: No Fee

🔹 How to Apply

Eligible candidates can apply online through the official Southern Railway website:
👉 www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in → News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information.

📌 All communication including selection list, document verification schedule, and results will be published only on the official website.

📢 Key Notes

This recruitment is only for Apprenticeship Training. It does NOT guarantee employment.
However, 20% vacancies in future direct recruitment (Level 1 posts) may be reserved for course completed apprentices (CCAAs) with NAC (National Apprenticeship Certificate).
Candidates must arrange their own accommodation during training.

✨ Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2025: Quick Summary

Organization: Southern Railway
Post: Act Apprentice
Total Vacancies: 3,300+
Qualification: 10th/12th/ITI (as per trade)
Application Mode: Online
Last Date: 25 Sept 2025