South Central Railway has announced the recruitment of Act Apprentices for the year 2025-26, offering a total of 2,801 apprentice positions across various trades. This recruitment effort aims to engage eligible candidates from specified districts in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh under the provisions of the Apprentices Act 1961 and Apprenticeship Rules 1962. Interested and eligible candidates are encouraged to apply online through the official portal during the specified application window.
South Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2025-26 Overview
| Advertisement | Recruitment for South Central Railway Act Apprentice 2025-26 |
|---|---|
| Organization | South Central Railway (SCR), Railway Recruitment Cell, Secunderabad |
| Notification Number | No. SCR/P-HQ/RRC/111/Act. App/2025-26 dated 11.03.2026 |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice (various trades) |
| Total Vacancies | 2,801 posts |
| Trades Offered | Fitter, Electrician, Welder, AC Mechanic, Carpenter, COPA, Diesel Mechanic, Electronic Mechanic, Machinist, MMTM, Motor Mechanic Vehicle, Painter, Welder, etc. |
| Training Units | Workshops, Divisions, and Sheds of Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Personnel, and S&T Departments under SCR, including locations like Lallaguda, Rayanapadu, Tirupati, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntakal, Guntur, Nanded, etc. |
| Training Year | 2025-26 Apprenticeship Training Program |
| Educational Qualification | 10th class (10+2 system) with minimum 50% marks + ITI in relevant trade from NCVT/SCVT recognized institute |
| Age Limit | 15 to 24 years as on 11.04.2026, with relaxations as per rules for reserved categories |
| Selection Process | Merit list based on average of 10th and ITI marks; no written test or interview |
| Application Mode | Online via RRC/SC webpage |
| Application Fee | ₹100 for UR/OBC/EWS males; exempted for SC/ST, female, Transgender, and PwBD candidates |
| Official Website | https://scr.indianrailways.gov.in → About Us → RRC-SCR |
Crucial Dates and Timeline
Important Dates
| Release Date of Notification | 11 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Start of Online Application | 12 March 2026, 17:00 hrs |
| Last Date to Apply | 11 April 2026, 23:59 hrs |
| Cut-off Date for Age Calculation | 11 April 2026 |
| Merit List & Document Verification | Details will be notified on RRC/SCR website |
Eligibility Criteria for Candidates
Educational Qualifications
Applicants must have completed 10th class under the 10+2 system with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a recognized board. Additionally, candidates must have an ITI certificate in the relevant trade issued by an institute recognized by NCVT/SCVT. Please note that engineering graduates and diploma holders are not eligible for this apprentice recruitment, as this scheme specifically targets ITI-qualified candidates.
Age Criteria
The minimum age to apply is 15 years and the maximum age is 24 years as of 11 April 2026. Relaxations are available based on category:
- SC/ST: up to 5 years
- OBC-NCL: up to 3 years
- PwBD (UR): up to 10 years
- Ex-Servicemen/PwBD (SC/ST/OBC): up to 10 years, with specific upper age limits
The age relaxation calculations are based on the candidate’s date of birth in the prescribed format, within the specified date ranges for each category.
Residence and Jurisdiction
Candidates must reside in districts falling under the jurisdiction of South Central Railway. Valid proof of residence is required. Eligible districts include:
- Telangana: All districts
- Andhra Pradesh: All districts except Manyam, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram
- Maharashtra: Akola, Amaravati, Aurangabad, Beed, Chandrapur, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Nasik, Parbhani, Washim, Yavatmal
- Karnataka: Balki, Bellari, Belgaum, Bidar, Gulbarga/Kalaburgi, Raichur, Yadgir
- Tamil Nadu: Vellore
- Madhya Pradesh: Burhanpur, Khandwa
Reservation Certificates
Applicants claiming reservation under SC/ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, or PwBD categories must provide valid certificates in the prescribed format:
- SC/ST: Central Government format caste certificate (Annexure-B)
- OBC-NCL: caste + NCL certificate issued within 3 years in Central format (Annexure-C) + self-declaration (Annexure-D)
- EWS: Income & Asset certificate (Annexure-E)
- PwBD: Disability ≥40% in prescribed format (Annexure-G/H)
Selection Process Details
Merit-Based Selection
Selection will be purely on merit, calculated as the average percentage of marks obtained in 10th (minimum 50%) and ITI examinations. Equal weightage is given to both marks, ensuring transparency in shortlisting.
No Written Test or Interview
There will be no written examination or viva-voce. The merit list will be prepared based solely on academic marks, simplifying the selection process.
Tie-Breaking Rules
In case of a tie in the merit list:
- The older candidate (by date of birth) will be given preference.
- If DOB is same, the candidate who passed matriculation earlier will be prioritized.
Document Verification and Medical Examination
Shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification, where they must produce original certificates including educational qualification, ITI, caste, disability, Ex-Serviceman, RDAT registration, and medical fitness certificates. Medical fitness will be assessed through a certificate from authorized government doctors.
Training and Contract Details
Selected apprentices will undergo training as per the Central Apprenticeship Council syllabus. During this period, candidates will receive a stipend according to prescribed rates. This apprenticeship provides valuable hands-on experience but does not guarantee regular employment with South Central Railway upon completion.
How to Apply for South Central Railway Apprentice 2025-26
- Visit the official SCR website: https://scr.indianrailways.gov.in
- Navigate to About Us → RRC-SCR section and click on the link for Online Act Apprentice Application.
- Carefully read the detailed notification and verify your eligibility regarding the states, districts, and qualification criteria.
- Register yourself by providing basic details like mobile number, email, and upload proof of residence.
- Login with the registration credentials and fill in personal data, educational qualifications, ITI details, and preference for training units.
- Upload recent color photograph, scanned signature, and relevant certificates (10th, ITI, caste, EWS, PwBD, ExSM, medical).
- Ensure RDAT/NAPS registration is completed at www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in and include registration number.
- Review all details and click on Submit. Note that once submitted, edits are not permitted.
- Pay the ₹100 application fee online if applicable; fee exemption applies to SC/ST, Female, Transgender, and PwBD candidates.
- Download and print the completed application form along with fee receipt and uploaded documents for future reference and verification.
Important Links and Resources
- Official Notification PDF: Download Notification PDF
- Official Website: https://scr.indianrailways.gov.in
- Application Portal: Available on the above official website under RRC section
- Join Telegram and WhatsApp channels for updates and latest notifications (links available on the official site and recruitment portal)
Disclaimer
The details provided in this job description are based on the official notification released by South Central Railway for the 2025-26 apprenticeship recruitment. Candidates are advised to read the official notification thoroughly and check official updates for any changes or clarifications regarding dates, procedures, or eligibility.
Further Assistance and Clarifications
For any queries or assistance regarding the application process or eligibility, candidates can contact the South Central Railway recruitment helpline or visit the official website listed above.