RRC SR Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 4,471 Posts, Apply Now

RRC SR Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Complete Overview

The Railway Recruitment Cell, Southern Railway, commonly known as RRC-SR, Chennai, has released the official notification, Advertisement Number 01/2026, for the engagement of 4,471 Act Apprentice training positions under the Carriage and Wagon Works, Perambur, and other units within Southern Railway's jurisdiction. This recruitment is conducted under the Apprentices Act, 1961, and covers both Fresher and Ex-ITI candidate categories across a wide range of trades. The online application process started on 28 August 2026 and will close on 27 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

Key Highlights:

• Recruiting Body: Railway Recruitment Cell, Southern Railway (RRC-SR), Chennai
• Advertisement Number: 01/2026
• Total Positions: 4,471 Act Apprentice training seats
• Candidate Categories: Fresher (163 seats) and Ex-ITI (4,308 seats)
• Stipend: Rs. 8,200 per month for 10th-pass Fresher candidates, and Rs. 9,600 per month for 12th-pass Fresher and Ex-ITI candidates, with an increase in the second and third years of training
• Application Window: 28 August 2026 to 27 September 2026, 5:00 PM
• Application Mode: Online only
• Selection: Merit list based on academic and technical marks, no written examination

Category-wise Vacancy Split (4,471 Total)

• Fresher category: 163 seats
• Ex-ITI category: 4,308 seats

Vacancies are further distributed across various trades and units within Southern Railway's jurisdiction. Candidates should refer to the detailed official notification for the exact trade-wise and unit-wise breakup.

Important Dates

• Notification Released: 28 August 2026
• Online Application Start Date: 28 August 2026
• Online Application Last Date: 27 September 2026, 5:00 PM
• Last Date for Fee Payment: 27 September 2026
• Merit List and Document Verification Shortlist (Tentative): 15 October 2026

Eligibility Criteria - Trade-wise Details

Fresher Category

• Fitter, Painter and Welder: Passed Class 10th under the 10+2 system, or its equivalent, with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks
• Medical Laboratory Technician, covering Radiology, Pathology and Cardiology: Passed Class 12th under the 10+2 system with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks

Ex-ITI Category

• Fitter, Machinist, MMV, Turner, Diesel Mechanic, Carpenter, Painter, Welder (G&E), Wireman, Advance Welder, Plumber, Draughtsman (Civil), and Mechanic R&AC: Passed Class 10th with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks, along with an ITI certificate in the relevant trade from a Government recognised ITI, issued by the National or State Council for Vocational Training
• Electrician: Passed Class 10th with Science as one of the subjects, minimum 50 percent aggregate marks, along with an ITI certificate in the relevant trade
• Electronics Mechanic: Passed Class 10th with Science, meaning Physics and Chemistry, and Mathematics, minimum 50 percent aggregate marks, along with an ITI certificate in the relevant trade
• Secretariat Assistant and Stenographer (English): Passed Class 12th under the 10+2 system, along with an ITI certificate in the relevant trade
• Information and Communication Technology System Maintenance: Passed Class 10th, along with an ITI certificate in the relevant trade
• COPA, meaning Computer Operator and Programming Assistant, also referred to as PASSA: Passed Class 10th with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks, along with a National Trade Certificate in Computer Operator and Programming Assistant issued by the National Council for Vocational Training

Important Eligibility Notes

• The minimum 50 percent marks requirement in Class 10th does not apply to SC, ST and PwBD candidates
• Course Completed Act Apprentices, Engineering Graduates, Diploma Holders, or Vocational Certificate holders who have had training or job experience of one year or more after obtaining these qualifications are not eligible to apply as a Trade Apprentice under the Act Apprentice Rules, 1992

Age Limit (As on 28 August 2026)

• Minimum Age: 15 years
• Maximum Age, Fresher category: 22 years
• Maximum Age, Ex-ITI and MLT category: 24 years
• Railway provides age relaxation for RRC SR Apprentice posts as per its own regulations for reserved categories

Monthly Stipend and Training Benefits

Selected apprentices receive a monthly stipend during their training period rather than a regular government salary.

• 10th-pass Fresher candidates: Rs. 8,200 per month
• 12th-pass Fresher candidates and Ex-ITI candidates: Rs. 9,600 per month

The stipend is increased in the second and third years of training, where applicable, based on the trade and training duration. This is a training engagement under the Apprentices Act, 1961, and does not guarantee permanent employment with Indian Railways upon completion, since apprenticeship training and regular recruitment are governed by separate rules.

Application Fee

• General, OBC and EWS category candidates: Rs. 100
• SC, ST, PH and Female candidates: No fee

The fee can be paid online using Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, or Cash Card and Mobile Wallet options, and is non-refundable once paid.

Selection Process

There is no written examination for this recruitment. Selection is based on the following stages.

• Merit List: For Fresher candidates, the merit list is prepared based on Class 10th marks. For Ex-ITI candidates, the merit list is prepared by giving equal weightage to marks obtained in both Class 10th and the ITI course
• Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates will be called to verify their original educational certificates, ITI certificates where applicable, category certificates, and other required documents
• Medical Fitness Test: Candidates must be found medically fit to undergo the apprenticeship training for their chosen trade

How to Apply Online

Interested and eligible candidates can submit their application online before 27 September 2026, 5:00 PM. Candidates should visit the official RRC-SR application portal, or the official Southern Railway website, to complete the process, filling in personal, educational and category related details, selecting the appropriate trade and unit, uploading the required documents and photograph as specified in the notification, and paying the applicable application fee online if required, before the deadline. Candidates are strongly advised to read the official notification carefully before filling the form, paying close attention to the last date, age limit and trade-wise educational qualification sections.

Important Notice and Disclaimer

• All information in this article is based on the official RRC-SR notification, Advertisement Number 01/2026, released on 28 August 2026, along with independent reports tracking this recruitment.
• The merit list and document verification shortlist date of 15 October 2026 is tentative and subject to change as per the official notification.
• Candidates must verify every detail on the official Southern Railway website before applying.
• NaukariGPT provides curated information only and is not responsible for any errors or changes made by the recruiting authority.