Railway Recruitment Cell, Southern Railway (Chennai) has formally notified Notification No. RRC/MAS/Apprentices/01/2026 for engagement of 4,471 Act Apprentices across designated railway production workshops and operating divisions. Aspirants possessing 10th matriculation with NCVT or SCVT certified ITI trade qualifications can submit their online registration through rrcmas.in before the closing deadline on 28-02-2026. In accordance with Apprentices Act 1961 statutory provisions, engagement is conducted purely through automated merit calculation without any written examination or oral interview.
Southern Railway Act Apprentice 2026: Fast Overview Table
The essential administrative specifications governing the 2026 apprenticeship intake under Railway Recruitment Cell Chennai are outlined below:
| Zonal Railway | Southern Railway Administration (RRC Chennai) |
|---|---|
| Statutory Notice Reference | Notification No. RRC/MAS/Apprentices/01/2026 |
| Designated Training Slots | 4,471 Act Apprentices |
| Prescribed Stipend Range | Prescribed Monthly Stipend as per Railway Board / Apprenticeship Rules (₹7,000 – ₹10,000/mo) |
| Age Limit Criteria | 15 to 24 years (Relaxable by 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, 10 years for PwBD) |
| Processing Remittance | ₹100/- (Non-Refundable) for General/OBC; Exempt for SC/ST/PwBD and Women candidates |
| Application Window Expiry | 28-02-2026 |
| Workshop Locations | Carriage & Wagon Workshop Perambur, Central Workshop Golden Rock Trichy, Signal & Telecommunication Workshop Podanur, Chennai, Palghat, Madurai, Salem, Trivandrum Divisions |
| Authorized Web Gateway | https://www.rrcmas.in/ |
Designated Trade Vacancies & Railway Workshop Allocation
Training slots are distributed across mechanical, electrical, civil engineering, and telecommunication units operating within Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Specific mechanical installations include Carriage and Wagon Works at Perambur, Loco Works at Perambur, Central Workshop at Golden Rock (Tiruchirappalli), Engineering Workshop at Arakkonam, and the specialized Signal & Telecommunication Workshop at Podanur (Coimbatore). Operating divisions accepting apprentices include Chennai Division, Madurai Division, Palakkad Division, Salem Division, and Thiruvananthapuram Division.
Sanctioned technical trades comprise Fitter, Machinist, Turner, Welder (Gas & Electric), Electrician, Wireman, Carpenter, Painter, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Diesel Mechanic, Information & Communication Technology System Maintenance (ICTSM), and Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanics. Statutory reservation percentages are strictly maintained: 15% for Scheduled Castes, 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes, 27% for Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer), and 4% horizontal reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities.
Apprentices in the Fitter trade receive hands-on training on coach assembly, brake rigging, and bogie overhaul procedures at Carriage Works Perambur. Electrician apprentices undergo intensive exposure to coach wiring, train lighting alternators, air-conditioning inverters, and high-tension sub-station switchgear maintenance. Diesel and Motor Vehicle apprentices work on hydraulic transmissions, fuel injectors, and traction motor overhauls at Golden Rock Central Workshop.
Eligibility Criteria: Educational Qualifications, Age Limits & Standards
Academic and Vocational Trade Requirements
Candidates must have passed 10th Class examination under the 10+2 system with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a recognized state board or central educational board (CBSE/ICSE). In addition, applicants must possess a National Trade Certificate (NTC) issued by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT) in the relevant trade discipline. Candidates applying for Welder, Carpenter, and Wireman trades must have completed 8th or 10th pass alongside corresponding ITI certificates.
Age Limits and Statutory Relaxation Rules
The candidate must have completed 15 years of age and must not have exceeded 24 years on the notification baseline date. Age relaxations apply under central directives: 5 years for SC and ST candidates, 3 years for OBC candidates possessing non-creamy layer certificates issued in the central government format, and 10 years for PwBD applicants. Ex-servicemen who have served in the Armed Forces receive service deduction allowances in accordance with Ministry of Defence regulations.
Physical & Medical Standards for Apprentices
Apprentices must conform to the physical standards laid down in the Apprenticeship Rules. Visual standards require distant vision not less than 6/12 with or without spectacles, normal color perception for electrical and signaling trades, adequate binaural hearing, and absence of speech impediments. Candidates suffering from contagious diseases or chronic physical impairments affecting workshop machine operations will not be cleared by the railway medical examiner.
Monthly Stipend Structure & Statutory Training Benefits
Engaged act apprentices receive monthly financial assistance directly into their bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). In conformity with the revised Apprenticeship Rules, ITI trade certificate holders who completed a 1-year vocational course receive a baseline stipend of ₹7,000 to ₹7,700 per month, while those holding 2-year ITI qualifications receive ₹8,050 to ₹10,000 per month during the training year.
Apprentices are not entitled to government railway quarters, medical passes, or daily travel allowances. However, candidates completing apprentice training inside Indian Railways obtain Course Completed Act Apprentice (CCAA) status, entitling them to a 20% vertical reservation quota in open-market Level-1 (Group D) recruitments conducted by Railway Recruitment Cells across India.
Selection Methodology: Automated Merit Calculation (No Exam, No Interview)
Selection is finalized strictly on academic merit without any screening test, computer-based exam, or personal interview. The merit ranking index is calculated through an arithmetic average taking 50% weightage from Matriculation (10th) marks and 50% weightage from the National Trade Certificate (ITI) marks. If two candidates score identical percentage aggregates, the candidate who is older in age based on date of birth receives higher placement on the merit list.
Candidates placed on the provisional merit list are summoned for physical Certificate Verification at designated divisional headquarters. Shortlisted candidates must also pass a pre-engagement Medical Examination conducted by authorized Railway Medical Officers to establish physical fitness as per Indian Railway Medical Manual standards.
How to Apply for Southern Railway Act Apprentice 2026 Step-by-Step
Applicants must adhere to the certified online registration procedure outlined below:
- Access the official web portal of Railway Recruitment Cell Chennai: https://www.rrcmas.in/.
- Select the link titled "Engagement of Act Apprentices 2026 (Notification No. RRC/MAS/Apprentices/01/2026)".
- Complete initial candidate registration by providing an active mobile number, personal email address, and Aadhaar identity number.
- Select your preferred workshop or divisional unit and designate your ITI trade branch.
- Enter matriculation percentage, board roll number, ITI trade certificate number, and marks obtained.
- Upload scanned copies of 10th standard marksheet, NCVT/SCVT Trade Certificate, community certificate (OBC/SC/ST), PwBD certificate if applicable, and a recent passport-sized photograph.
- Remit the non-refundable processing fee of ₹100/- through online net banking, debit card, or UPI. Women, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are exempt from fee payment.
- Verify all submitted fields, download the final application confirmation slip, and save your registration ID for future correspondence.
Important Dates & Application Schedule
| Notification Issuance Date | Published & Verified Online |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Commencement | Active Now |
| Application Window Cutoff Date | 28-02-2026 |
| Divisional Merit List Release | To be announced on rrcmas.in |
| Physical Document Scrutiny & Medicals | Scheduled across Railway Divisions |
Official Notification Downloads & Portal Links
Frequently Asked Questions (Southern Railway Apprenticeship)
Does Southern Railway guarantee a regular permanent job after completing apprenticeship?
No. Under Section 22 of the Apprentices Act 1961, the railway administration has no statutory obligation to absorb trainees into regular employment. However, Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAA) receive a 20% reserved vacancy quota and physical efficiency test exemptions in future open-market Railway Group D recruitments.
Is there any negative marking or written exam for this apprentice intake?
There is zero written examination and zero oral interview. The merit listing is derived 100% mathematically by combining candidate marks from 10th Matriculation and ITI trade examinations.
Can candidates appearing in the final ITI exams apply for this notification?
No. Candidates must possess the finalized National Trade Certificate (NCVT/SCVT) and marks statement on or before the closing date. Awaiting results or provisional marksheets without final certificate are not accepted.
What original documents are required during physical certificate verification?
Shortlisted candidates must present original 10th marks statement, date of birth certificate, NCVT/SCVT Trade Certificate, semester marksheets, community certificate in central format, medical certificate issued by a government civil surgeon, and two sets of self-attested photocopies.
Anti-Fraud Advisory & Transparency Notice
Recruitment Transparency Notice: Selection of apprentices in Southern Railway is completely transparent, merit-driven, and computerized. The Railway Recruitment Cell Chennai does not authorize any private agency, placement firm, or coaching institute to guarantee selection. Applicants must beware of fraudulent promises of railway appointments against payment of money. Any illegal solicitation should be reported to the Vigilance Officer of Southern Railway immediately via rrcmas.in.