Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27 – RRC Chennai Notification 01/2026 | 4471 Posts

Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Southern Railway, Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur, Chennai–600 023 has issued Notification No. CPB/P1/98/Act/TP/Vol.XXI dated 28 August 2026 for engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961 across various Divisions, Workshops and Units in the jurisdiction of Southern Railway. Online applications are invited from eligible candidates residing in the Southern Railway geographical zone.

Important Dates

Geographical Jurisdiction (Residency Requirement)

Candidates must be residing in the following locations/areas falling within the geographical jurisdiction of Southern Railway:

1. Whole State of Tamil Nadu
2. Whole Union Territory of Puducherry
3. Whole State of Kerala
4. Whole Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands
5. ONLY two districts of Andhra Pradesh — SPSR Nellore and Chittoor
6. ONLY one district of Karnataka — Dakshina Kannada

Vacancy Summary

Fresher Category – Unit-wise Break-up

Ex-ITI Category – Major Units

Ex-ITI apprentices are engaged across the following units (trade-wise details available in the full notification):

• C&W Works, Perambur – 250 slots (Fitter, Welder, Painter, MMV, MMTM, COPA/PASAA)
• Chennai Division – Multiple depots (ELEC/RS/RPM, ELEC/RS/AVD, ELS/RS/AJJ, DME/DSL/TNP, ELEC/RS/TBM, Mechanical C&W, Engineering) – 489 slots
• Electrical Workshop, Perambur – 135 slots (Electrician, Mech.R&AC, Wireman, PASAA, Elec. Mechanic, SSA)
• Engineering Workshop, Arakkonam – 35 slots (Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist)
• Engineering/HQ/SR – 31 slots (Draughtsman Civil, COPA)
• Loco Works, Perambur – 228 slots (Fitter, Welder, PASAA, Painter)
• Railway Hospital, Perambur – 3 slots (PASAA)
• Central Workshop, Ponmalai – 347 slots (Mechanical, Electrical, Personnel)
• Madurai Division – 383 slots (Electrical, Mechanical, Personnel, Engineering)
• Tiruchirappalli Division – 562 slots (Personnel, Mechanical, Electrical, S&T, Engineering)
• Palakkad Division – 488 slots (14 trades)
• Salem Division – 628 slots (16 trades)
• S&T Workshop, Podanur – 83 slots (Fitter, Turner, Machinist, Welder, Electrician, Elec. Mechanic, COPA)
• Trivandrum Division – additional slots

Educational Qualification

Fresher Category

Ex-ITI Category

Note: Minimum 50% marks in 10th is NOT applicable for SC/ST/PwBD candidates. Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAA), Engineering Graduates, Diploma Holders or Vocational Certificate holders who had training or job experience of 1 year or more after attaining these qualifications are NOT eligible to be engaged as trade apprentice under the Act Apprentice Rules 1992.

Age Limit (as on date of notification)

Age Relaxation

Period of Training

Stipend

During the second year of apprenticeship training, an increase of 10% in the prescribed minimum stipend amount; further 15% increase in the third year.

Selection Process

Selection is based on Merit List prepared from the marks obtained in the qualifying examination:

• Fresher Category: Marks obtained in Matriculation (10th) converted to 200 — merit list drawn on the basis of converted marks (minimum 50% aggregate in Matriculation).
• Ex-ITI Category: Matriculation (10th) marks converted to 100 + ITI marks converted to 100 = 200 marks (equal weightage).
• MLT: Marks obtained in Higher Secondary (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) converted to 200.
• For SC/ST/PwBD candidates, minimum 50% in Matriculation is not insisted upon.
• In case of same marks, older candidate is preferred; if dates of birth are also same, the candidate who passed Matriculation earlier is considered.
• Shortlisted candidates (1:5 ratio) are called for document verification. No TA/DA is paid.

Application Fee

Rs. 100/- (non-refundable), payable online through the application portal. No fee for SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates. Candidates are advised to take a printout of the acknowledgement generated by the system for submission at the time of document verification.

Medical Standards

Candidates must satisfy the minimum standards of physical fitness specified in Schedule-II of Apprenticeship Rules 1992 (as amended). Medical certificate must be signed by a Government Authorised Doctor (Gaz.) not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon of a Central/State Government Hospital.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official online application portal: sronline.etrpindia.com/rrcchennaiapprentice26
2. Fill in the online application form with all required personal, educational and category details.
3. Upload scanned copies of Matriculation (10th) certificate, ITI certificate (if applicable), caste certificate (if applicable), disability certificate (if applicable), and recent passport-size photograph.
4. Pay the processing fee of Rs. 100/- online (if applicable) or claim fee exemption (SC/ST/PwBD/Women).
5. Submit the application before 27 September 2026 (17:00 Hrs) and retain the acknowledgement.
6. All official communication, notifications and lists for document verification will be published on the official Southern Railway website: www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in → News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information.

Important Notes

• This notification is purely for apprenticeship training and NOT for employment. There is no guarantee of employment on completion of training.
• However, 20% of vacancies in case of direct recruitment to posts in Level 1 may be filled giving preference to Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) trained in railway establishments and possessing National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC).
• Candidates can apply for ONLY one region/unit/trade. Multiple applications will be summarily rejected.
• Any false declaration will result in disqualification/termination at any stage.
• Selected candidates must execute a contract of apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, 1961.

Important Links

• Full Notification PDF: Download PDF
• Apply Online: sronline.etrpindia.com/rrcchennaiapprentice26
• Official Website: www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in