South Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Reaches Final Deadline
The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) of South Central Railway (SCR) has announced that the application window for its 2026 Act Apprentice recruitment drive closes today, April 11, 2026, at 11:59 pm. This significant notification, dated March 11, 2026, offers a total of 2,801 apprentice positions across various trades under the Apprentice Act of 1961.
Application Process and Key Dates
The online registration portal opened on March 12, 2026, at 5:00 pm and will remain active until the final deadline tonight. Eligible candidates must submit their applications exclusively through the official Railway Recruitment Cell portal. The notification emphasizes that no applications will be accepted after the closing time, making this the last opportunity for interested individuals to apply.
Eligibility Criteria and Required Qualifications
Educational Requirements: Applicants must have successfully completed their Secondary School Certificate (SSC) or Class 10 examination with a minimum aggregate of 50 percent marks. Additionally, candidates must possess an ITI certificate in the relevant trade, which must be recognized by either the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or the State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT).
Age Limit: The age requirement for applicants is between 15 and 24 years as of April 4, 2026. However, age relaxation is applicable for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes - Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), and Ex-servicemen, as per established government rules.
Application Fee Structure
The application fee for General, OBC, and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) candidates is set at 100 rupees. Importantly, candidates from SC, ST, female, transgender, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities categories are fully exempt from this payment. The fee can be conveniently paid through multiple online methods, including net banking, debit cards, credit cards, or SBI UPI.
Available Trades and Geographical Eligibility
The recruitment drive covers a diverse range of trades, including but not limited to:
- Electrician
- Fitter
- Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA)
- Welder
- Diesel Mechanic
- Carpenter
These positions are distributed across various South Central Railway units. Candidates from eligible districts in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh (excluding specified areas), Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh are permitted to apply online through the official SCR website.
Selection Process and Merit-Based Evaluation
The selection of candidates will be based entirely on a merit list prepared from the average marks obtained in both the SSC/Class 10 examination and the ITI certificate, with equal weightage given to both qualifications. Following the merit list preparation, shortlisted candidates will undergo document verification and a comprehensive medical examination as part of the final selection process.
Registration Requirements and Final Steps
Prospective applicants must complete their registration with valid Aadhaar details, mobile numbers, and email addresses, which will be verified during the application process. The application procedure involves filling in registration details, uploading necessary documents, paying the applicable fee, and finally submitting the completed form before the deadline. Once submitted, no changes to the application will be permitted, as per strict official rules.
After the application window closes, the merit list will be published for further recruitment stages, marking the next phase in this extensive apprentice recruitment initiative by South Central Railway.
