The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) of the South Central Railway (SCR) has officially announced a massive recruitment drive for Act Apprentices for the year 2025-26. With 2,801 vacancies available across various technical trades, this is an excellent opportunity for ITI-certified youths to gain hands-on industrial experience and build a solid foundation for a career in the Indian Railways.
Here are the complete, fact-checked details you need to know before applying.
Job Overview
| Organization | South Central Railway (SCR) – Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 2,801 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Selection Process | Merit-Based (10th + ITI Marks) |
| Official Website | scr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Important Dates
It is critical to submit your application well before the deadline to avoid last-minute server issues.
| Event | Date / Time |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 11 March 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 12 March 2026 (17:00 hrs) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 11 April 2026 (23:59 hrs) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 11 April 2026 |
| Age Calculation Date | 11 April 2026 |
Vacancy Details (Major Trades)
There are a total of 2,801 slots spread across various divisions (like Secunderabad, Vijayawada, Guntakal, etc.). Here is a look at the trades with the highest number of vacancies:
| Trade | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Electrician | 1,258 |
| Fitter | 539 |
| AC Mechanic | 251 |
| Welder | 202 |
| COPA | 181 |
| Diesel Mechanic | 105 |
| Electronic Mechanic | 88 |
| Machinist | 54 |
| Others (Painter, Carpenter, etc.) | 123 |
| Total | 2,801 Posts |
Eligibility Criteria
1. Educational Qualification
- Basic: Must have passed the 10th Class (Matriculation) or its equivalent (under the 10+2 system) with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a recognized board.
- Technical: Must possess an ITI Certificate in the relevant trade recognized by NCVT or SCVT.
- Note: Candidates with Engineering Degrees or Diplomas are NOT eligible to apply for this Act Apprentice scheme.
2. Age Limit (As of 11 April 2026)
- Minimum Age: 15 Years
- Maximum Age: 24 Years (For UR/EWS candidates)
- Age Relaxations: SC/ST: 5 Years | OBC-NCL: 3 Years | PwBD: 10 Years | Ex-Servicemen: As per government norms.
3. Territorial Jurisdiction (Who Can Apply?)
This recruitment is not strictly All-India; it is geographically restricted to the jurisdiction of the South Central Railway. Candidates residing in the following states/districts are eligible:
- Telangana (All districts)
- Andhra Pradesh (All districts)
- Maharashtra (Specific districts falling under SCR, such as Nanded, Latur, etc.)
- Karnataka (Specific bordering districts under SCR)
- Madhya Pradesh (Districts like Burhanpur, Khandwa)
- Tamil Nadu (Districts like Vellore)
Note: You must possess a valid domicile/residence proof for the applicable districts during document verification.
Salary / Stipend Details
As this is an apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, 1961, candidates will not receive a standard “salary” but will be provided a monthly stipend during their 1-year training period.
| Category | Estimated Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| 1st Year of Training | ₹7,000 to ₹8,000 (Approx., as per Railway Board guidelines) |
| Standard ITI Pass Stipend | Usually finalized around ₹8,050 to ₹9,000+ depending on the specific trade. |
Disclaimer: Apprenticeship does not guarantee permanent employment in the Railways, though it provides a 20% reservation quota in future Level-1 (Group D) railway recruitments.
Selection Process
The best part about this recruitment? There is no written exam or interview.
- Merit List: Selection is purely merit-based. A merit list will be generated by taking the average of the percentage marks obtained in your 10th Class and your ITI examination.
- Tie-Breaker: If two candidates have the same marks, the older candidate will be preferred. If ages are also identical, the candidate who passed the 10th class earlier gets the nod.
- Document Verification & Medical Test: Shortlisted candidates will be called to present original documents and a medical fitness certificate signed by a government-authorized doctor.
Documents Required
Keep scanned copies of the following documents ready before applying (usually under 2MB in PDF/JPEG format, with photos/signatures under 1MB):
- Recent passport-size color photograph and scanned signature.
- 10th Class Marksheet and Certificate.
- ITI Consolidated Marksheet and National Trade Certificate (NCVT/SCVT).
- Proof of Date of Birth (10th certificate usually works).
- Community/Caste Certificate for SC/ST/OBC-NCL (in Central Government format).
- EWS Income and Asset Certificate (if applicable).
- Disability Certificate (for PwBD candidates).
- NAPS Registration Number (Registered on the Apprenticeship India Portal).
- Aadhar Card.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹100/- (Non-refundable) |
| SC / ST / PwBD / All Female Candidates | Nil (Exempted) |
Payment mode is entirely online (Debit/Credit Card, UPI, Net Banking).
How to Apply & Official Advertisement PDF
- Step 1: First, register yourself on the National Apprenticeship Portal: www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in to generate your registration number.
- Step 2: Visit the official South Central Railway website: scr.indianrailways.gov.in.
- Step 3: Navigate to the “About Us” menu, then click on “RRC-SCR”.
- Step 4: Look for the link titled “Online Act Apprentice Application 2025-26”.
- Step 5: Download the Official Notification PDF directly from this portal to read the fine print before applying.
- Step 6: Fill out the registration form, upload your documents, pay the fee, and hit submit. Make sure to print a copy for your records!
