Railway ICF Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 1,010 Posts (Fresher & Ex-ITI), Apply 8 August - 7 September 2026

Railway ICF Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Complete Overview

Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, commonly known as ICF, a coach manufacturing unit under the Ministry of Railways, has released the official Act Apprentice notification (Advertisement Number APP/01/2026-2027) for the recruitment of 1,010 apprenticeship training seats under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This is one of the largest apprenticeship intakes conducted by ICF in recent years, offering hands-on training opportunities in railway coach manufacturing across multiple trades for both Fresher and Ex-ITI candidates. The online application process started on 8 August 2026 at 9:30 AM and will close on 7 September 2026 at 5:30 PM.

Key Highlights:

• Total Seats: 1,010 Act Apprentice training positions
• Trades Covered: Fitter, Electrician, Machinist, Carpenter, Painter, Welder, MLT (Medical Lab Technician, Radiology and Pathology), and PASAA
• Candidate Categories: Fresher and Ex-ITI
• Stipend: Rs. 8,200 to Rs. 9,600 per month depending on qualification and category, with a 10 percent increase in the second year
• Application Window: 8 August 2026, 9:30 AM to 7 September 2026, 5:30 PM
• Application Mode: Online only, via pb.icf.gov.in
• Selection: Merit list based on Class 10 marks, no written examination
• Eligibility Note: This recruitment gives priority to candidates who are residents of Tamil Nadu or are registered with a Tamil Nadu Employment Exchange

Vacancy and Trade-wise Details (1,010 Total Seats)

The 1,010 seats under this notification are distributed across the following broad categories.

• Apprentice, Fresher category: 320 seats
• Ex-ITI category: 670 seats
• MLT and PASAA, Fresher category: 10 seats
• MLT and PASAA, Ex-ITI category: 10 seats

Within the Fresher and Ex-ITI categories, seats are further spread across trades including Fitter, Electrician, Machinist, Carpenter, Painter, and Welder, along with the specialised MLT and PASAA streams. The exact trade-wise and category-wise seat distribution is provided in the detailed notification, and candidates should refer to it to identify the specific trade relevant to their qualification before applying.

Important Dates

• Notification Released: 8 August 2026
• Online Application Start Date: 8 August 2026, 9:30 AM
• Online Application Last Date: 7 September 2026, 5:30 PM
• Last Date for Fee Payment: 7 September 2026, 5:30 PM
• Merit List and Selection Process: To be notified after the application window closes
• Document Verification: To be notified, expected after the merit list is prepared
• Training Commencement: To be notified on the official ICF website

Eligibility Criteria - Complete Details

Age Limit (As on 7 September 2026)

• Fresher category: Minimum age 15 years, maximum age 22 years
• Ex-ITI category: Minimum age 15 years, maximum age 24 years
• Age Relaxation: As per Apprentices Act, 1961 and applicable government regulations for reserved categories

Educational Qualification

• Fitter, Electrician, Machinist (Fresher): Passed Class 10th with Science and Math, minimum 50 percent marks
• Carpenter, Painter, Welder (Fresher): Passed Class 10th with minimum 50 percent marks
• Ex-ITI candidates (all trades): Passed Class 10th with minimum 50 percent marks, along with a 2 year ITI or National Trade Certificate in the trade relevant to the post applied for
• MLT and PASAA: Separate qualification criteria apply as specified in the official notification; this is the only stream where candidates with a higher qualification than Class 10 or ITI may still be considered

Important Restriction: Candidates holding a Degree, Diploma, or Engineering Degree, or those who have already completed an Act Apprenticeship elsewhere, are not eligible to apply under this notification, except for the MLT stream.

Domicile and Priority

• This recruitment gives priority to candidates who are residents of Tamil Nadu, or who are registered with an Employment Exchange in Tamil Nadu
• Candidates should confirm their eligibility under this residency and registration requirement in the official notification before applying

Other Eligibility Conditions

• Must be an Indian citizen
• Must be medically fit to undergo apprenticeship training in the relevant trade
• Must not have any criminal conviction or ongoing prosecution
• Selected candidates, if minors, will have their apprenticeship contract executed by their guardian, as per the guidelines of the Regional Director of Apprenticeship Training, Guindy, Chennai
• The original Transfer Certificate for the qualifying examination, whether Class 10, Class 12, or ITI, must be produced at the time of document verification

Stipend Structure, Training Duration and Benefits

Monthly Stipend (First Year)

• Class 10th Pass Fresher: Rs. 8,200 per month
• Class 12th Pass Fresher (Science and Math stream): Rs. 9,600 per month
• Ex-ITI Candidates: Rs. 9,600 per month

The stipend increases by 10 percent in the second year of training for those trades with a training period longer than one year.

Training Duration by Trade

• Ex-ITI candidates (most trades): Approximately 1 year
• Fresher, Fitter, Electrician, Machinist, Carpenter, Painter: 2 years
• Fresher, Welder: 1 year 3 months
• MLT: 1 year 3 months

What This Apprenticeship Offers

• Structured, hands-on training in railway coach manufacturing at one of India's largest coach production units
• A monthly stipend throughout the training period, as detailed above
• A National Apprenticeship Certificate upon successful completion, recognised across railway and industrial sectors
• Practical trade experience that strengthens future employability, though this apprenticeship does not guarantee a permanent job at ICF or Indian Railways after completion, since apprenticeship training and regular recruitment are governed separately under the Apprentices Act

Application Fee

• General, OBC and EWS male candidates: Rs. 100 plus applicable service charges
• SC, ST, PwBD candidates, and all female candidates of any category: No fee

Fee payment is accepted online through Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, UPI and other listed digital payment modes. The processing fee, once paid, is non-refundable.

Selection Process

Selection for Railway ICF Apprentice Recruitment 2026 does not involve any written examination or interview. Instead, selection follows these stages.

• Merit List: Prepared based on the marks obtained by candidates in their Class 10 qualifying examination
• Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates must produce original certificates, including the Transfer Certificate of their qualifying examination, category certificates where applicable, and proof of Tamil Nadu residency or Employment Exchange registration
• Medical Examination: Candidates must be found medically fit to undergo the apprenticeship training for their chosen trade

How to Apply Online - Step by Step

Step 1: Read the official Act Apprentice notification thoroughly on the ICF web portal at pb.icf.gov.in before starting your application.

Step 2: Keep the required documents ready in advance, including your Class 10 and, where applicable, Class 12 or ITI certificates, category certificate, Tamil Nadu residency or Employment Exchange registration proof, and a recent passport size photograph not exceeding 200 KB in JPG or JPEG format.

Step 3: Visit the official application link at pb.icf.gov.in/act2026/apply.php and begin the registration process.

Step 4: Fill in your personal details, including name exactly as per your certificates, date of birth, gender, and category.

Step 5: Select your preferred trade and candidate category, either Fresher or Ex-ITI, based on your qualification.

Step 6: Enter your educational qualification details, including marks obtained in Class 10 and, if applicable, Class 12 or ITI details.

Step 7: Upload the required documents and photograph in the specified format and file size.

Step 8: Review all entered information carefully for accuracy before proceeding.

Step 9: Pay the applicable application fee online, if your category requires it, through the available digital payment modes.

Step 10: Submit the completed application and download or print the confirmation page for your records.

Important Instructions for Applicants

• Residency Priority: This recruitment prioritises Tamil Nadu residents and candidates registered with a Tamil Nadu Employment Exchange. Confirm your eligibility under this condition before applying.
• Higher Qualification Restriction: Candidates with a Degree, Diploma, Engineering Degree, or a completed Act Apprenticeship elsewhere are not eligible, except for the MLT stream.
• Name Accuracy: Ensure your name matches exactly across your Class 10 certificate, Aadhaar, and application form.
• No Written Exam: Selection is based purely on your Class 10 merit, so there is no separate test to prepare for.
• Deadline is Firm: The application window closes on 7 September 2026 at 5:30 PM sharp. Apply well in advance to avoid last-minute technical issues.
• Document Readiness: Keep your original Transfer Certificate and other qualifying documents ready, as these are mandatory at the document verification stage.
• Minor Applicants: If you are a minor at the time of selection, your guardian will need to execute the apprenticeship contract on your behalf as per the applicable guidelines.
• Non-Refundable Fee: The application fee, where applicable, is non-refundable once paid.

Important Notice and Disclaimer

• All information in this article is based on the official ICF Act Apprentice notification, Advertisement Number APP/01/2026-2027, dated 8 August 2026.
• Exam dates, merit list timelines and further selection stages have not been announced yet and will be updated once released by ICF.
• All dates, stipend figures, and eligibility details are subject to change as per the official notification.
• Candidates must verify every detail on the official ICF portal, pb.icf.gov.in, before applying.
• NaukariGPT provides curated information only and is not responsible for any errors or changes made by the recruiting authority.