Railway jobs in India are considered one of the most secure and respected career paths. They offer stability, attractive allowances, and a promising future. Every year, the Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs) across India release thousands of vacancies for freshers and experienced candidates.
For the year 2025, the Southern Railway (SR) has issued a major notification for 3518 Apprentice posts under its Apprenticeship Training Program. These opportunities are open to both Freshers and Ex-ITI candidates across multiple trades in different railway divisions and workshops.
This guide explains everything you need to know about the Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2025—eligibility, trade-wise vacancies, important dates, selection process, stipend, and how to apply.
About Southern Railway
The Southern Railway is one of the largest zones of Indian Railways with its headquarters in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It covers major states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
The zone is home to prestigious workshops like:
- Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur
- Golden Rock Workshop, Tiruchirappalli
- Signal & Telecom Workshop, Podanur
These workshops provide skill training to apprentices and create a strong technical workforce for the future of Indian Railways.
Total Vacancies
The 2025 notification has announced 3518 apprentice posts distributed among three major units:
- Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur – 1394 posts
- Golden Rock Workshop, Tiruchirappalli – 857 posts
- Signal & Telecom Workshop, Podanur – 1267 posts
This makes it one of the largest apprentice recruitments of the year in Indian Railways.
Important Dates
- Starting Date of Application: 25 August 2025
- Last Date to Apply: 25 September 2025
👉 Candidates should apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute server issues or payment failures.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
For Freshers:
- Must have passed 10th Class/Matriculation with at least 50% marks.
- For Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) trades, candidates must have passed 12th Class with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
For Ex-ITI Candidates:
- Must have passed 10th Class with 50% marks.
- Must also hold a National Trade Certificate (NTC) in the relevant trade issued by NCVT/SCVT.
Age Limit (as on 25 August 2025)
- Minimum Age: 15 years
- Maximum Age:
- Freshers: 22 years
- Ex-ITI/MLT: 24 years
Age Relaxation:
- OBC: +3 years
- SC/ST: +5 years
- PwBD: +10 years (with further relaxation for OBC/SC/ST PwBD candidates)
Application Fee
- General, OBC, EWS: ₹100
- SC/ST, PwBD, Women: No Fee
- Mode of Payment: Online (Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, Net Banking)
👉 Note: Fees once paid are non-refundable.
Trade-Wise Vacancies
Here is the approximate distribution of vacancies by trade:
- Fitter – 1,070
- Electrician – 711
- Welder – 503
- Diesel Mechanic – 117
- Carpenter – 92
- Painter – 123
- Machinist – 77
- Turner – 49
- Plumber – 50
- Wireman – 55
- Electronics Mechanic – 124
- Refrigeration & AC Mechanic – 83
- MLT (Radiology) – 3
- MLT (Pathology) – 8
- MLT (Cardiology) – 9
- COPA – 137
- PASAA – 96
- MMTM – 20
- MMV – 34
- Trimmer – 15
- Draughtsman (Civil) – 10
- Other minor trades – Remaining posts
Monthly Stipend
- Freshers (10th pass): ₹6,000 per month
- Freshers (12th pass): ₹7,000 per month
- Ex-ITI candidates: ₹7,000 per month
👉 Stipend is paid as per the Apprenticeship Act, 1961.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Visit the official website: sr.indianrailways.gov.in
- Go to the Recruitment/Notification section.
- Click on Apprentice Recruitment 2025.
- Read the official notification carefully.
- Register with your mobile number and email ID.
- Fill out the application form with accurate details.
- Upload scanned copies of:
- Photo and signature
- Educational/ITI certificates
- Caste or category certificate (if applicable)
- Pay the application fee (if required).
- Submit the form and save a copy for future use.
Selection Process
No written test is conducted. Selection is based on:
- Merit List – Prepared from marks in 10th/12th/ITI.
- Document Verification – Original certificates to be verified.
- Medical Examination – Basic fitness check.
👉 This makes the process simple, transparent, and fair.
Why Apply for Southern Railway Apprenticeship?
- No competitive exam – purely merit-based.
- Training in reputed workshops of Indian Railways.
- Monthly stipend during training.
- Career opportunities in government as well as private sector after completion.
- Stable and respected job profile in the railway industry.
At a Glance
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Southern Railway (RRC) |
| Post Name | Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 3518 |
| Units | Perambur, Golden Rock, Podanur |
| Application Start Date | 25 August 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 25 September 2025 |
| Minimum Qualification | 10th/12th Pass or ITI |
| Age Limit | 15–22 (Freshers), 15–24 (Ex-ITI) |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (Gen/OBC/EWS); Free for SC/ST/Women/PwBD |
| Selection Process | Merit List + Document Verification + Medical Test |
| Monthly Stipend | ₹6,000 – ₹7,000 |
| Official Website | sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Tips for Candidates
- Apply early to avoid last-minute errors.
- Keep all certificates ready before starting the application.
- Double-check personal details like name, marks, and date of birth.
- Rely only on the official website for updates.
- Keep a printout of the submitted application for future reference.
Disclaimer
This article is only for informational purposes. Applicants should confirm details from the official Southern Railway notification available on sr.indianrailways.gov.in. Final eligibility, selection rules, and recruitment terms will be based on the official notification. We do not hold responsibility for any changes or errors.
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