Applications are invited for the RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 from eligible candidates across India. Before submitting the online application form, candidates are advised to carefully read the official recruitment notification and ensure that they meet all the prescribed eligibility conditions.Under this recruitment drive, apprentices will be engaged in various designated trades across different units of Southern Railway. The available apprentice slots, along with the applicable communal reservation, have been provided trade-wise and unit-wise in the official notification for the information and reference of candidates.
Candidates seeking the benefit of reservation under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category must produce a valid disability certificate issued by the competent authority, such as a Medical Board constituted by the Central or State Government.For preparing the merit list, marks obtained in Matriculation will be considered after conversion to a scale of 200 marks. The merit list will be prepared on the basis of these converted marks, subject to the requirement that candidates must have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in Matriculation.
The prescribed age limit, educational qualification, trade-wise eligibility, reservation rules, selection process, application fee, and other important details are given in the official recruitment notification. Candidates should check these requirements carefully before applying online for the RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 31/08/2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 27/09/2026 |
| Last Date to Pay Application Fee | 27/09/2026 |
| Merit List Date | To Be Notified Soon |
| Document Verification Date | To Be Updated Soon |
| More Details | Check Official Notification |
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General (UR) / OBC / EWS | ₹100/- |
| SC / ST / PH / Other Categories | ₹0/- |
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Age Limit
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 15 Years |
| Maximum Age – Fresher | 22 Years |
| Maximum Age – Ex-ITI / MLT | 24 Years |
| Age Calculated As On | 28/08/2026 |
| Age Relaxation | As per Government Rules |
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Educational Qualification
| Post/Category | Total Posts | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher Category – Fitter, Painter, Welder | 143 | Class 10th/Matriculation from any recognized board in India |
| Fresher Category – Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) | 20 | Passed 10+2 Intermediate/Senior Secondary Examination from any recognized board in India |
| Ex-ITI Category – Various Trades | 4,308 | Class 10th/Matriculation from any recognized board in India and ITI in the relevant trade |
RRC Southern Railway Recruitment 2026: Category-Wise Vacancy
Fresher Category Vacancy
| Unit Name | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur | 32 | 21 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 80 |
| Central Workshop, Ponmalai | 16 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 43 |
| Signal & Telecom Workshop, Podanur | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 20 |
| Railway Hospital, Perambur (MLT) | 11 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 20 |
| Fresher Grand Total | 68 | 43 | 24 | 13 | 14 | 163 |
Ex-ITI Category Vacancy
| Zone/Workshop Name | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur (All Divisions) | 610 | 409 | 230 | 120 | 149 | 1,528 |
| Central Workshop, Ponmalai (All Divisions) | 523 | 353 | 192 | 95 | 129 | 1,292 |
| Signal & Telecom Workshop, Podanur (All Divisions) | 611 | 382 | 206 | 104 | 116 | 1,488 |
| Ex-ITI Grand Total | 1,744 | 1,144 | 628 | 319 | 394 | 4,308 |
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Overall Vacancy Summary
| Category | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total Posts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresher | 68 | 43 | 24 | 13 | 14 | 163 |
| Ex-ITI | 1,744 | 1,144 | 628 | 319 | 394 | 4,308 |
| Grand Total | 1,812 | 1,187 | 652 | 332 | 408 | 4,471 |
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Selection Process
The selection process for RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 will primarily be based on the merit list prepared from the marks obtained by eligible candidates. After the merit list is prepared, shortlisted candidates will be called for Document Verification (DV). The authorities will verify the candidate’s original educational, identity, category, and other required documents during this stage. After successful verification, the final merit list will be prepared, and selected candidates will receive their joining letter for engagement as apprentices.
General Instructions Before Applying Online
Candidates should carefully read the official notification and verify their eligibility before submitting the online application. Candidates seeking reservation benefits under the disability category must produce a valid disability certificate issued by the competent authority, such as a Medical Board constituted by the Central or State Government. In the case of National or State Certificate holders, the period of training already completed at a school or other institution recognized by the National or State Council may be considered according to the applicable rules.
The selection will be based on a merit list prepared from all eligible candidates who apply against the recruitment notification. If two candidates secure the same marks, the older candidate will be given preference. If their dates of birth are also the same, preference will be given to the candidate who passed the Matriculation Examination earlier.
Candidates should keep a printout of the acknowledgement generated after submitting the online application, as it may be required during Document Verification. Selected candidates will generally be engaged in the unit chosen by them, subject to the availability of vacancies. However, candidates may also be required to undergo apprenticeship training in other units falling under the jurisdiction of Southern Railway, if required based on administrative needs and available vacancies.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 application process start?
The online application process for RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 starts on 31 August 2026.
What is the last date to apply for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application form is 27 September 2026.
How many apprentice vacancies are available in Southern Railway Recruitment 2026?
A total of 4,471 apprentice posts are available, including 163 Fresher and 4,308 Ex-ITI vacancies.
What is the minimum age required for Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Candidates must be at least 15 years old to apply. The maximum age limit varies according to the applicable category and trade.
What is the educational qualification for RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment?
For Fresher trades, candidates generally need to have passed Class 10th/Matriculation, while MLT candidates require 10+2. Ex-ITI candidates must have passed Class 10th and hold an ITI certificate in the relevant trade.
Conclusion
RRC Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a valuable opportunity for candidates looking to begin their apprenticeship career with Indian Railways. With 4,471 vacancies across Fresher and Ex-ITI categories, eligible applicants should carefully check the age limit, educational qualification, trade requirements, reservation rules, and other conditions before applying. Since selection is based mainly on merit, candidates should ensure that all information and documents submitted in the application form are accurate. Interested candidates should complete the online application before the 27 September 2026 deadline and keep the application acknowledgement safely for future Document Verification.
