South Central Railway SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply Online, Fees, Salary, Selection Process & Eligibility Check
The South Central Railway (SCR) has officially released a comprehensive notification for the engagement of 2,801 apprentices for the 2025-26 training cycle. This recruitment drive is conducted under the Apprentices Act of 1961 and is open to candidates residing in specific districts within the SCR jurisdiction. The online application process is scheduled to begin on March 12, 2026, at 17:00 hours and will conclude on April 11, 2026, at 23:59 hours. Interested and eligible candidates must submit their applications through the official recruitment portal provided in the notification. This initiative aims to provide vital technical training across various railway establishments, helping thousands of ITI-qualified individuals gain practical experience in the railway sector.
South Central Railway SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Participating in the SCR apprentice program offers a structured path for technical skill development in a real-world industrial environment. The training is governed by the Apprenticeship Rules of 1962 and focuses on standardizing the syllabus prescribed by the Central Apprenticeship Council. While this engagement is strictly for training purposes for a period of one year and does not guarantee permanent employment in the railways, it provides a prestigious certificate that is highly valued across the engineering and manufacturing industries.
Candidates are encouraged to read the instructions carefully to ensure they meet the residency and educational requirements before applying. The recruitment process is entirely digital, requiring a valid Aadhaar number and active contact details for all communication. RRC Secunderabad will oversee the selection process, ensuring a merit-based approach that rewards academic performance in both matriculation and technical trades.
Overview of South Central Railway SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026
The current recruitment cycle features a total of 2,801 training slots distributed across multiple departments and units. These units include major workshops like Lallaguda and Tirupati, as well as various divisions such as Secunderabad, Hyderabad, and Vijayawada. Each unit is designated to train apprentices in specific technical trades, ensuring that the diverse technical needs of the railway are met.
Key Dates and Application Summary
The following table provides a quick reference for the essential details of the SCR apprentice recruitment for the year 2026.
| Information Category | Details from Official Notification |
| Notification Number | SCR/P-HQ/RRC/111/Act. App/2025-26 |
| Total Vacancies | 2,801 Slots |
| Application Start Date | March 12, 2026 (17:00 hrs) |
| Application End Date | April 11, 2026 (23:59 hrs) |
| Training Duration | One Year |
| Selection Mode | Merit-Based (No Exam) |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (General/OBC) |
| Minimum Age | 15 Years |
| Maximum Age | 24 Years |
Eligibility Criteria for South Central Railway SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026
To be eligible for this recruitment, applicants must meet specific age and educational standards.
- Age Limit: Candidates must be between 15 and 24 years of age as of April 11, 2026. Upper age relaxations apply: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC-NCL, and 10 years for PwBD candidates.
- Educational Qualification: Applicants must have passed the 10th class or equivalent with at least 50% aggregate marks. Additionally, a National Trade Certificate (ITI) in the relevant trade recognized by NCVT or SCVT is mandatory.
South Central Railway SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Trade-wise Vacancy Distribution
The vacancies are spread across 13 different technical trades, providing opportunities for a wide range of ITI graduates.
| Trade Name | Total Slots |
| Electrician | 1,258 |
| Fitter | 539 |
| AC Mechanic | 251 |
| Welder | 202 |
| COPA | 181 |
| Diesel Mechanic | 105 |
| Electronic Mechanic | 88 |
| Machinist | 54 |
| Industrial Electronics | 33 |
| Painter | 32 |
| MMTM | 24 |
| Carpenter | 22 |
| Motor Mechanic | 12 |
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South Central Railway SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Selection Process and Merit List Criteria
Selection is based purely on merit. The RRC prepares a merit list by calculating the average percentage of marks from both the 10th Class and the ITI examination, giving equal weightage to both. There is no written test or viva-voce. In the event of a tie in marks, the older candidate is given preference. If the ages are also the same, the candidate who passed their 10th class earlier will be ranked higher.
South Central Railway SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Application Fees
The following table provides the application fee details for the SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 as per the official notification.
| S.No | Category of Applicant | Application Fee Amount |
| 1 | General Category Male Candidates | Rs. 100 |
| 2 | OBC (Other Backward Classes) Male Candidates | Rs. 100 |
| 3 | EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) Male Candidates | Rs. 100 |
| 4 | Scheduled Caste (SC) | No Fee (Exempted) |
| 5 | Scheduled Tribe (ST) | No Fee (Exempted) |
| 6 | Female Candidates (All Communities) | No Fee (Exempted) |
| 7 | Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | No Fee (Exempted) |
| 8 | Transgender Candidates | No Fee (Exempted) |
South Central Railway SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Salary
Selected candidates for the SCR Apprentice recruitment will receive a stipend during their one-year training period The following table summarizes the salary and financial terms based on the official notification
| Financial Category | Details from Official Notification |
| Stipend (Monthly Salary) | Paid at prescribed rates according to extant instructions during the apprenticeship. |
| Training Duration | The stipend is provided for a fixed training period of one year. |
| Payment Rules | Apprentices must fulfill their contract obligations to receive the stipend. |
| Refund Liability | Candidates who willfully abscond or remain absent must refund the entire cost of training and any stipend received. |
| Other Allowances | No daily allowance, conveyance allowance, or traveling allowance is provided for document verification. |
How to Set Unit Preferences in the Application
During the online application, candidates must select their preferred railway establishments for training.
- Candidates should only choose units that are notified for their specific trade.
- It is advised to submit as many options as possible to increase the chances of selection.
- The options selected are final and cannot be modified after the application is submitted.
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Online South Central Railway SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Applicants must follow a four-stage process to complete their registration.
- Registration: Visit the official website, select your state and district, and provide an email and mobile number to receive OTPs.
- Details Entry: Fill in personal information, educational details, and technical qualifications.
- Upload Documents: Upload a recent color photograph, signature, and necessary certificates in the prescribed digital format.
- Fee Payment: Pay the ₹100 fee online via net banking, debit, or credit card. (Note: SC/ST, PwBD, and female candidates are exempt from this fee) .
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the application fee exemption? SC/ST candidates, female and transgender candidates of all communities, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are not required to pay the application fee.
Is there an exam for this recruitment? No, there is no written exam or interview. Selection is based entirely on the merit list prepared from 10th class and ITI marks.
Can engineering graduates apply for these posts? No, engineering graduates and diploma holders are specifically excluded from this apprenticeship scheme as they fall under a different program.
Conclusion
The SCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a premier opportunity for ITI-qualified candidates in the South Central region to gain valuable industrial training within the Indian Railways. With a transparent, merit-based selection process and a high number of vacancies, it serves as a significant stepping stone for technical careers. Eligible candidates should ensure they complete their applications before the April 11, 2026, deadline to be considered for this one-year training program
| Apply Link | Click Here |
| Notification Pdf | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |