Here’s your ticket to a career with Indian Railways! Southern Railway has just announced a massive recruitment for 3518 Act Apprentice positions, perfect for anyone who has passed their 10th, 12th, or ITI exams. This is one of the best ways to get hands-on technical training and valuable experience from a top government organization.
The best part? There's absolutely NO written exam or interview! Your selection is based purely on your marks in school and ITI. If you have a good academic record, this is a golden opportunity you don't want to miss. The online application portal is open from August 25, 2025, to September 25, 2025. Let's dive into all the details.
Southern Railway Apprentice 2025 - Key Highlights
| Organization | Southern Railway (SR) |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 3518 |
| Selection Process | Based on Marks Only (No Exam/Interview) |
| Who Can Apply | 10th, 12th, and ITI Pass Candidates |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Last Date to Apply | September 25, 2025 |
What is a Railway Apprentice? Is it a Permanent Job?
💡 Let's Clear This Up: Apprentice vs. Employee
A Railway Apprentice is a trainee, not a permanent employee. Think of this as a one-year skill development program where you get hands-on training in real Railway workshops and earn a monthly stipend.
- Is it a permanent job? No, completing the apprenticeship doesn't guarantee you a job in the Railways.
- So, what's the biggest benefit? This is the most important part! Apprentices trained by the Railways get a huge advantage: a 20% reservation quota in future Group D (Level-1) permanent job recruitments. This massively increases your chances of securing a permanent railway job later on.
Vacancy & Monthly Stipend
There are thousands of openings for both Freshers (if you've passed 10th/12th) and Ex-ITI candidates. The training will be in major workshops and divisions like Salem, Palakkad, and Perambur. For the full trade-wise list, please check the official notification.
| Stipend for Fresher (10th Pass) | ₹ 6,000/- per month |
| Stipend for Fresher (12th Pass) | ₹ 7,000/- per month |
| Stipend for Ex-ITI Candidates | ₹ 7,000/- per month |
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
⚠️ Super Important: Where You Live Matters!
This is a regional recruitment. You can only apply if you are a resident of the following states/UTs:
- Tamil Nadu & Kerala (The entire state)
- Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar, and Lakshadweep (The entire UT)
- Only SPSR Nellore and Chittoor districts in Andhra Pradesh.
- Only the Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka.
Education & Age Limit
- For Freshers: You need to have passed 10th or 12th with at least 50% marks. The age limit is 15-22 years.
- For Ex-ITI Candidates: You need to have passed 10th with 50% marks AND have an NTC certificate in your trade. The age limit is 15-24 years.
- Standard age relaxations apply for reserved categories.
The Selection Process (It's All About Your Marks)
The best part about this recruitment is that there is no written test or interview. Selection is done purely based on your academic merit.
💡 How Your Merit Score is Calculated (for Ex-ITI)
It's simple! They just take the average of your 10th-grade percentage and your ITI percentage. For example:
If you scored 80% in 10th and 90% in your ITI trade, your merit score would be:
(80 + 90) / 2 = 85%.
The higher your score, the better your chances!
- For Freshers: Your merit score is based directly on your marks in the 10th or 12th standard.
- Document Verification: If your name is on the merit list, you'll be called to verify your documents.
