Introduction
Southern Railway has released Notification No. 01/2025 for the engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This is a golden opportunity for candidates from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and a few districts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The recruitment is purely for apprenticeship training in various trades across workshops, divisions, and units under Southern Railway.
This apprenticeship program is designed to provide practical training in trades such as Fitter, Welder, Electrician, Carpenter, Painter, Machinist, Diesel Mechanic, and many others. Successful completion of this training can significantly boost career prospects, as apprentices will be given preference in future recruitment drives conducted by the Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs).
It is important to note that this apprenticeship does not guarantee permanent employment. However, candidates who successfully complete training will receive a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) and preference in future Level-1 recruitment by Indian Railways.
Notification Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Southern Railway |
| Notification No. | 01/2025 |
| Posts | Act Apprentices (Fresher & Ex-ITI) |
| Total Vacancies | 3,000+ (Tentative) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Starting Date | 25-08-2025 |
| Closing Date | 25-09-2025 (till 5:00 PM) |
| Official Website | www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
| Training Location | Various Divisions/Workshops under Southern Railway |
Vacancy Details
The apprenticeship opportunities are divided into Fresher and Ex-ITI categories. Some of the major trades include Fitter, Welder, Electrician, Machinist, Turner, Carpenter, Painter, Diesel Mechanic, Electronics Mechanic, COPA, and Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT).
A few examples of vacancies (tentative):
| Trade | Fresher Vacancies | Ex-ITI Vacancies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitter | 20 | 120+ | 140+ |
| Welder | 20 | 100+ | 120+ |
| Painter | 20 | 20 | 40 |
| Electrician | – | 80+ | 80+ |
| Diesel Mechanic | – | 50+ | 50+ |
| COPA/PASAA | – | 40+ | 40+ |
| MLT (Pathology, Radiology, Cardiology) | 20 | – | 20 |
| Others (Turner, Machinist, Carpenter, R\&AC, Wireman, etc.) | – | 300+ | 300+ |
👉 Total Vacancies: 3,000+ (tentative and subject to change)
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit (as on 25-08-2025)
The minimum age required to apply for Southern Railway Apprentice 2025 is 15 years. For freshers, the upper age limit is 22 years, while for Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) posts, it is 24 years. Age relaxations are applicable as per government rules: candidates belonging to the OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) category are eligible for a relaxation of 3 years, while those from SC/ST communities are given a relaxation of 5 years.
Similarly, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are entitled to 10 years of relaxation. In case a candidate belongs to both a reserved category and PwBD, the relaxation is applied together, i.e., PwBD + OBC (13 years) and PwBD + SC/ST (15 years). However, candidates must produce valid caste/community/disability certificates at the time of document verification; otherwise, they will be considered under the Unreserved (UR) category without any relaxation.
- Minimum Age: 15 years
- Maximum Age:
- 22 years for Freshers
- 24 years for Ex-ITI and MLT (12th pass) candidates
Age Relaxation:
- OBC (NCL): +3 years
- SC/ST: +5 years
- PwBD: +10 years (additional relaxation for SC/ST/OBC PwBD candidates)
Educational Qualification
For Fresher Category:
- Fitter, Welder, Painter: 10th Class with 50% marks (SC/ST/PwBD exempted from 50% rule).
- MLT (Pathology, Radiology, Cardiology): 12th Class with Physics, Chemistry & Biology, with 50% marks.
For Ex-ITI Category:
- 10th Class with 50% marks + ITI in relevant trade from NCVT/SCVT recognized institute.
- Electrician: 10th with Science + ITI in Electrician trade.
- Electronics Mechanic: 10th with Science & Math + ITI.
- COPA/PASAA: 10th + ITI in COPA trade.
- Stenographer/Secretarial Assistant: 12th + ITI in relevant trade.
Application Fee
- ₹100/- (Non-refundable)
- No Fee for SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates.
Selection Process
- Selection will be purely on merit basis (no exam, no interview).
- Fresher Category: Based on 10th marks.
- Ex-ITI: 50% weightage to 10th marks + 50% to ITI marks.
- MLT: Based on 12th (PCB) marks.
- In case of a tie, preference will be given to older candidates, and if DOB is the same, then the one who passed earlier.
Stipend / Salary
As per Apprentices Act, selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend:
| Category | Stipend |
|---|---|
| Fresher (10th pass) | ₹6,000/- |
| Fresher (12th pass – MLT) | ₹7,000/- |
| Ex-ITI | ₹7,000/- |
👉 10% increase in 2nd year and 15% increase in 3rd year of training.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Visit the official website: www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in.
- Go to News & Updates → Personnel Branch Information.
- Click on Act Apprentice 2025 Online Application.
- Register with your email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in personal, educational, and trade preference details.
- Upload scanned photo, signature, and required documents.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Submit the form and take a printout of acknowledgement for document verification.
Important Instructions for Candidates
1. The apprenticeship program is training only and does not guarantee employment.
2. Candidates must arrange their own accommodation during training.
3. Original documents such as caste certificate, educational certificates, ITI certificate, and PwBD certificate (if applicable) must be produced at the time of document verification.
4. Candidates who withdraw after joining may be required to refund the training cost and stipend.
5. Only candidates from Southern Railway jurisdiction (TN, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, specific AP & Karnataka districts) are eligible.
Important Links
FAQs
Q1. Is this a permanent job in Indian Railways?
No. This is an apprenticeship training program under the Apprentices Act, 1961. However, candidates with NAC certificates will get preference in future Level-1 recruitments.
Q2. What is the last date to apply?
25th September 2025 (5:00 PM).
Q3. How many vacancies are there in total?
Over 3,000 tentative vacancies across different trades.
Q4. Is there any exam?
No written exam or interview. Selection is based on academic merit.
Q5. Can candidates from outside Southern Railway states apply?
No. Only candidates from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, SPSR Nellore & Chittoor (AP), and Dakshina Kannada (Karnataka) are eligible.