Railway jobs in India are among the most popular and respected career opportunities. They are not only stable but also come with good benefits and growth options. Every year, the Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs) under different railway zones announce thousands of vacancies for various posts.
For 2025, the Southern Railway (SR) has announced 3,518 Apprentice vacancies under its Apprenticeship Training Program. These posts are open for Freshers as well as Ex-ITI candidates in different trades across multiple railway workshops and divisions.
This article explains the complete details of Southern Railway Recruitment 2025 in simple English—including eligibility, age limits, selection process, stipend, application steps, important dates, trade-wise vacancies, and disclaimer.
What is Southern Railway?
The Southern Railway is one of the major zones of Indian Railways. It has its headquarters in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and covers important states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
The Southern Railway is known for its wide network and major workshops like Carriage and Wagon Works (Perambur), Central Workshop (Golden Rock), and Signal & Telecom Workshop (Podanur). These workshops regularly take apprentices to provide training and create a skilled workforce for future railway operations.
The 2025 recruitment is part of this process, where apprentices are trained in different trades such as Fitter, Welder, Electrician, Diesel Mechanic, Machinist, Carpenter, Painter, Plumber, Wireman, and Medical Lab Technician (MLT).
Total Vacancies Announced – 3518
The recruitment notification has announced 3518 vacancies distributed across three major units of Southern Railway:
- Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur – 1394 posts
- Central Workshop, Golden Rock – 857 posts
- Signal & Telecom Workshop, Podanur – 1267 posts
This makes it one of the biggest railway apprentice recruitment drives of 2025.
Important Dates
If you want to apply for this recruitment, you need to keep track of these dates:
- Starting Date of Online Application: 25 August 2025
- Last Date for Submission of Online Application: 25 September 2025
👉 Candidates are advised not to wait until the last date to apply, as server issues or payment errors may occur near deadlines.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
The eligibility depends on whether you are a Fresher or an Ex-ITI candidate:
- Fresher Category
- Must have passed 10th Class (SSLC/Matriculation) with at least 50% marks.
- For Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) trades, candidates must have passed 12th Class (Intermediate) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Ex-ITI Category
- Must have passed 10th Class with 50% marks.
- In addition, must hold a National Trade Certificate (NTC) in the relevant trade issued by NCVT/SCVT (National Council/State Council for Vocational Training).
Age Limit (as on 25 August 2025)
- Minimum Age: 15 years
- Maximum Age:
- Freshers: 22 years
- Ex-ITI/MLT: 24 years
Age Relaxation:
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): +3 years
- SC/ST: +5 years
- Persons with Disabilities (PwBD): +10 years
- PwBD + OBC: +13 years
- PwBD + SC/ST: +15 years
This makes the recruitment inclusive for all categories of candidates.
Application Fee
- General, OBC, EWS: ₹100/-
- SC/ST, PwBD, Women: No Fee (Exempted)
- Mode of Payment: Online – Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, or Net Banking.
👉 Note: Application fee once paid is non-refundable.
Trade-Wise Vacancy Distribution
Here is the trade-wise vacancy list (approximate):
- Fitter – 1,070
- Welder – 503
- Electrician – 711
- Diesel Mechanic – 117
- Carpenter – 92
- Painter – 123
- Machinist – 77
- Turner – 49
- Plumber – 50
- Wireman – 55
- Electronics Mechanic – 124
- Mechanic Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning – 83
- MLT (Radiology) – 3
- MLT (Pathology) – 8
- MLT (Cardiology) – 9
- COPA – 137
- PASAA – 96
- MMTM – 20
- MMV – 34
- Trimmer – 15
- Draughtsman (Civil) – 10
- Others (Block Smith, ICTSM, SAA etc.) – remaining
This wide range of trades gives opportunities to both technical and non-technical aspirants.
Monthly Stipend
- Freshers (10th pass): ₹6,000 per month
- Freshers (12th pass): ₹7,000 per month
- Ex-ITI Candidates: ₹7,000 per month
👉 The stipend is as per the rules of the Apprenticeship Act, 1961.
How to Apply – Step-by-Step Guide
- Visit the official website of Southern Railway: sr.indianrailways.gov.in
- Go to the “Recruitment / Notification” section.
- Find the Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2025 notification.
- Read the notification carefully before applying.
- Register yourself with a valid mobile number and email ID.
- Fill out the online application form with correct details.
- Upload scanned copies of:
- Passport size photo
- Signature
- Certificates (10th/12th/ITI/Category/Domicile etc.)
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Submit the application and take a printout/acknowledgment slip for future reference.
Selection Process
Unlike many railway jobs, this recruitment does not require a written exam.
The selection process is based on:
- Merit List – prepared based on marks obtained in 10th/12th and ITI (as applicable).
- Document Verification – shortlisted candidates must show original certificates.
- Medical Examination – basic fitness check before final joining.
This makes the process simple and fair for all candidates.
Why Choose Southern Railway Apprentice Jobs?
- Stable career path with Indian Railways.
- No competitive exam required – selection is purely merit-based.
- Skill training in reputed workshops of Southern Railway.
- Monthly stipend to support candidates during training.
- Better future job opportunities in government and private industries.
Key Points at a Glance
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Southern Railway (RRC) |
| Post Name | Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 3518 |
| Units Covered | Perambur, Golden Rock, Podanur |
| Application Start Date | 25 August 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 25 September 2025 |
| Minimum Qualification | 10th Pass / 12th Pass (Science) / ITI |
| Age Limit | 15–22 (Freshers), 15–24 (Ex-ITI) |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (General/OBC/EWS); Free for SC/ST/Women/PwBD |
| Selection Process | Merit List + Document Verification |
| Monthly Stipend | ₹6,000–₹7,000 |
| Official Website | sr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Tips for Applicants
- Keep your documents ready (10th/12th/ITI certificates, caste certificate, photo, and signature).
- Apply before the last date to avoid last-minute technical issues.
- Double-check details like name, date of birth, and marks before submission.
- Follow the official website only—avoid fake job websites.
- Save a copy of your submitted application for reference.
Disclaimer
This article is for information purposes only. We have tried to provide accurate and updated details of the Southern Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2025. However, applicants are strongly advised to check the official notification and website (sr.indianrailways.gov.in) before applying. The final eligibility, dates, selection process, and rules are subject to the official Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC). We do not take responsibility for any errors, changes, or updates in the official notification.
Leave a Reply