The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) has officially released the notification for the Railway RRC SR Apprentice Recruitment 2026, offering 4471 posts across Southern Railway jurisdictions. Eligible candidates must complete their online submissions by 27 September 2026 to be considered for the merit-based selection process, which is scheduled for merit list publication on 15 October 2026. Aspirants should immediately verify their educational credentials and pay the applicable fees before the final deadline to secure their candidature.
The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) has issued Railway RRC SR Apprentice Recruitment 2026. Candidates can apply online until 27 September 2026. Total Vacancies: 4,471 Posts. Application Fee for General candidates is ₹ 100/-. Eligibility age criteria: 18 to 35 Years. Direct server links to apply, view merit list, and download syllabus PDF are available in the Direct Useful Links table below.
Candidate Advisory: Avoid Top 3 Application Rejection Traps
Trap 1 (Photo Specs): Do not upload photos with dark sunglasses, caps, or blurred background. Use our free Photo Resizer Tool to crop and compress strictly to official 20KB–50KB size.
Trap 2 (Age Verification): Calculate your exact eligibility against the crucial cutoff date using our Age Calculator before paying fees.
Trap 3 (Fee Confirmation): Ensure your payment status reflects 'Transaction Successful' before downloading the confirmation slip. Estimate your monthly allowances using our Salary Calculator.
Important Dates
- Online Apply Start Date 28 August 2026
- Online Apply Last Date 27 September 2026
- Last Date For Fee Payment 27 September 2026
- Merit List 15 October 2026
Application Fee & Payment
- General/ OBC/ EWS ₹ 100/- (Exempted)
- SC/ ST/ PH Female ₹ 00/- (Exempted)
Age Limit & Eligibility
- Age Calculated As On As on 01 August 2026
- Upper Age Relaxation As Per Government Norms
Total Vacancy Overview
Salary, Pay Scale & 7th CPC Allowances
Selected candidates for Railway RRC SR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 receive remuneration as per the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix.
- Pay Matrix: Monthly Stipend as per Apprenticeship Rules
- Basic Pay: ₹ 7,000 – ₹ 10,000/- per month
- Metro (X-City) In-Hand: ₹ 8,000 – ₹ 12,000/- per month (Fixed Stipend)
- State/Town (Y/Z City): ₹ 8,000 – ₹ 12,000/- per month (Fixed Stipend)
- Allowances Included: Dearness Allowance (DA 50%), HRA (9%-27%), Transport Allowance (TA), NPS Contribution & Medical
| Post Name / Cadre | Department | Total Posts | Educational Qualification Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRC SR Apprentice | General / Respective Cadre | 4471 Posts |
| Candidate Category | Permissible Age Relaxation | Mandatory Document / Verification Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Other Backward Classes (OBC - Non Creamy Layer) | 3 Years | Must produce valid OBC-NCL certificate issued in prescribed format |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 5 Years | Applicable for all central and state reservations |
| PwBD / Divyangjan (General / Unreserved) | 10 Years | Minimum 40% permanent benchmark disability certificate needed |
| PwBD (OBC-NCL) | 13 Years | Cumulative relaxation (10 yrs PwD + 3 yrs OBC) |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | 15 Years | Cumulative relaxation (10 yrs PwD + 5 yrs SC/ST) |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 3 Years + Service Rendered | Deduction of military service from actual age |
| Stage / Paper | Subjects & Question Distribution | Total Marks / Questions | Duration & Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBT-1 (Screening Test) | Mathematics (20), Mental Ability & Reasoning (25), General Science (20), General Awareness (10) | 75 Questions / 75 Marks | 60 Minutes 1/3rd Negative Marking |
| CBT-2: Part A (Merit Ranking) | Maths (25), General Intelligence (25), Basic Science & Engineering (40), General Awareness (10) | 100 Questions / 100 Marks | 90 Minutes 1/3rd Negative Marking |
| CBT-2: Part B (Trade Test) | Relevant Technical Trade Syllabus (ITI / Diploma / Degree standard) | 75 Questions / 75 Marks | 60 Minutes Mandatory 35% Qualifying Mark |
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply Online
- Visit the Official Portal: Open the authorized website of Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) and locate the online application link under the recruitment section.
- One-Time Registration (OTR): New applicants must complete registration using an active email address and mobile number. Note down the system-generated Registration ID and Password sent via SMS.
- Fill Personal & Educational Credentials: Log in and carefully enter your Name, Father's Name, Date of Birth (as recorded in Class 10th certificate), Category, Address, and Educational qualifications.
- Upload Scanned Photograph & Signature: Upload recent color passport photograph (Size: 20 KB to 50 KB, JPEG/JPG format, white background, taken within 3 months) and clear running-hand signature (Size: 10 KB to 20 KB, black or blue ink).
- Upload Category / Qualification Certificates: Upload required scanned copies of Caste/EWS certificate, Matriculation certificate, and degree marksheet if prompted by the system (PDF size: 100 KB to 300 KB).
- Pay Application Fee Online: Verify all entered details using the 'Preview Form' button, then proceed to the online payment gateway. Pay via UPI, Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking. Do not refresh or close browser during payment processing.
- Download & Print Confirmation Page: Upon successful transaction, download the final submitted application form and fee receipt. Keep at least 2 printed copies safe for future examination stages and Document Verification (DV).
Required Documents Checklist for Online Application
| 27 September 2026. | Visit Website |
| Apply Online Link | Visit Website |
Frequently Asked Questions (Candidate FAQs)
Railway RRC SR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 — Comprehensive Guide & Key Details
Cadre Scope, Departmental Role & Notification Background
The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) Southern Region has officially initiated the recruitment drive for 4471 apprentice positions under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This cadre encompasses specialized technical training across various workshops, carriage and wagon depots, and diesel sheds within the Southern Railway zone. Selected candidates undergo intensive practical and theoretical training, equipping them with vital industrial competencies recognized by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT). As part of the public sector undertakings, this training structure serves as a primary pipeline for skilled technical manpower, offering distinct advantages in subsequent Group D recruitment notifications where course-completed act apprentices receive weighted preferences.
The administrative oversight of this recruitment falls directly under the RRC SR board jurisdiction, ensuring strict adherence to Central Government reservation norms, including provisions for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). Candidates must navigate the official portal to submit their particulars accurately, as discrepancies between submitted data and original certificates result in immediate disqualification.
Examination Scheme, Cutoff Benchmarks & Selection Criteria
Unlike conventional recruitment drives featuring written examinations, the selection process for the Railway RRC SR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is strictly merit-based. The merit list is compiled by calculating the average of percentage marks obtained in both the Matriculation (Class 10th or equivalent with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks) and the mandatory ITI examination in the relevant trade issued by NCVT/SCVT. For trades requiring only Class 8th qualifications, the merit is computed based on marks secured in the 8th standard.
Tie-breaking rules are rigorously applied when two or more candidates secure identical aggregate percentages. The candidate older in age is given preference in the merit ranking. If ages are identical, the candidate who passed the matriculation exam earlier is ranked higher. No written test, Computer Based Test (CBT), or interview is conducted for this specific engagement, making academic consistency the sole benchmark for shortlisting.
Candidate Action Plan & Verification Guidelines
Aspirants must ensure that all scanned documents—including photograph, signature, 10th marksheet, ITI certificate, and community certificates—meet the precise dimensional and formatting criteria specified by RRC SR before initiating the online application. The application fee of ₹100/- for General, OBC, and EWS candidates must be remitted via online payment gateways prior to the 27 September 2026 deadline, while SC, ST, PH, and female candidates are exempt from fee payment.
Upon publication of the provisional merit list on 15 October 2026, shortlisted candidates will be summoned for Document Verification (DV). During DV, candidates must produce original copies and self-attested photocopies of their educational certificates, medical fitness certificates signed by a Government Assistant Surgeon, and valid caste certificates in Central Government formats (specifically ensuring OBC-NCL and EWS certificates are issued within the designated financial year). Failure to present authentic documentation during the verification stage forfeits the apprenticeship allotment permanently.