Indian Railways continues to be one of the most trusted career pathways in the country—offering security, skill development, and long-term growth. For 2025, Southern Railway (SR) has released a major recruitment notification for 3518 Apprentice vacancies across its key workshops and divisions.
The best part? No exam is required. Selection will be based entirely on merit.

Whether you are a 10th pass, 12th pass, or ITI-qualified, this recruitment drive is a golden chance to begin your career with one of India’s biggest government sectors.

🔔 Quick Updates

Total Vacancies: 3518
Application Mode: Online
Who Can Apply: Freshers + Ex-ITI
Qualification: 10th / 12th (Science) / ITI
Selection: Merit-Based (No Exam)
Location: Southern Railway Zone

🚆 About Southern Railway

Southern Railway is one of the oldest and most important zones of Indian Railways. Its headquarters is located in Chennai, and it covers:

Tamil Nadu
Kerala
Puducherry
Parts of Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka

The zone operates major railway workshops, including:

Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur
Central Workshop, Golden Rock (Tiruchirappalli)
Signal & Telecom Workshop, Podanur

These workshops regularly train apprentices to create a skilled workforce for India’s railway operations.

📊 Total Vacancies – 3518 Posts

Vacancies have been released for three major units:

Unit	Vacancies
Carriage & Wagon Works, Perambur	1394
Central Workshop, Golden Rock	857
Signal & Telecom Workshop, Podanur	1267

This makes it one of the largest apprentice recruitments announced for 2025.

📅 Important Dates

Online Application Starts: 25 August 2025
Last Date to Apply: 25 September 2025

📌 Tip: Apply early to avoid last-minute server issues.

🎓 Eligibility Requirements

Educational Qualification

Freshers

10th Class Pass (Minimum 50% marks)
For MLT trades:
- 12th Class (Science) with Physics, Chemistry & Biology

Ex-ITI

10th Pass (50% marks)
ITI Certificate in relevant trade (NCVT/SCVT)

🎯 Age Limit (as on 25 August 2025)

Category	Age
Minimum Age	15 years
Freshers	15–22 years
Ex-ITI / MLT	15–24 years

Relaxations

OBC: +3 years
SC/ST: +5 years
PwBD: +10–15 years (as applicable)

💳 Application Fee

General / OBC / EWS: ₹100
SC / ST / PwBD / Women: No Fee

Payment Mode: Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI

🛠️ Trade-Wise Vacancy Distribution

Approximate trade-wise positions include:

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
Refrigeration & AC Mechanic – 83
MLT (Radiology) – 3
MLT (Pathology) – 8
MLT (Cardiology) – 9
COPA – 137
PASAA – 96
MMV – 34
MMTM – 20
Trimmer – 15
Draughtsman (Civil) – 10
Others (ICTSM, SAA, Block Smith etc.)

This wide variety of trades allows candidates to apply according to their background and interest.

💰 Monthly Stipend

10th Pass Freshers: ₹6,000
12th Pass Freshers: ₹7,000
Ex-ITI Candidates: ₹7,000

Stipend is paid under the Apprenticeship Act, 1961.

📝 How to Apply – Simple Guide

Visit the official website: sr.indianrailways.gov.in
Open the Recruitment / Notifications section
Select “Apprentice Recruitment 2025”
Read the official notification carefully
Register using your email ID and mobile number
Fill the online application form
Upload required documents:
- Photo
- Signature
- 10th/12th/ITI certificates
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
Pay the application fee (if applicable)
Submit your application and save the acknowledgment

✔️ Selection Process – No Exam, Merit Only

The selection will be done through:

1. Merit List

Based on marks obtained in:

10th
12th (only for MLT trades)
ITI (for Ex-ITI candidates)

2. Document Verification

3. Medical Fitness Test

This makes the recruitment process simple and transparent.

⭐ Why You Should Apply for Southern Railway Apprenticeship

No written test or interview
Government-recognized skill training
Stable career opportunities in railways & private industries
Monthly stipend during training
Training at top railway workshops

📌 Key Highlights (Summary Table)

Item	Details
Organization	Southern Railway
Post Name	Apprentice
Total Vacancies	3518
Workshops	Perambur, Golden Rock, Podanur
Qualification	10th / 12th (Science) / ITI
Age Limit	15–22 (Freshers), 15–24 (Ex-ITI)
Selection	Merit List + Document Verification
Stipend	₹6,000–₹7,000
Fee	₹100 (Gen/OBC/EWS), Free for others
Website	sr.indianrailways.gov.in

⚠️ Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Applicants must verify all details from the official Southern Railway notification before applying. Any changes, corrections, or updates will be published only on the official website.

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