South Western Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2025‑26: Your Gateway to a Bright Railway Career

Introduction

The Railway Recruitment Cell – South Western Railway (RRC-SWR), Hubballi has officially released the long awaited Act Apprentice Recruitment 2025-26 notification (Advt No. SWR/RRC/Act Appr/01/2025) and dated 11 July 2025. The notification provides an opportunity for eligible candidates to apply for 904 Act Apprentice vacancies under Apprentices Act, 1961 . 

This is a golden opportunity for candidates that have completed Class-10 and possess a valid ITI (NCVT/SCVT) trade certificate. If you are seeking a technical training for Indian Railway Jobs, this one is for you.

Vacancy Overview & Divisional Breakup

904 apprentices are available, broken down among SWR zone’s divisions and workshops:

• Hubballi Division – 237
• Carriage Repair Workshop, Hubballi – 217
• Bengaluru Division  – 230
• Mysuru Division – 177
• Central workshop, Mysuru – 43

These slots cover trades such as Fitter, Welder, Electrician, Machinist, Turner, Carpenter, Painter, Ref. & AC Mechanic, PASAA etc.

Key Dates to Remember

Candidates must complete their applications by midnight, 13 August 2025 .

Who Can Apply? | Eligibility Criteria

1. Academic Requirements

• Class 10 pass with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized board.
• ITI (National Trade Certificate) in the field issued by NCVT/SCVT, or a recognized Provisional Certificate.

2. Age Limit

• Min: 15 years
• Max: 24 years as of 13 August 2025
• Concession is offered as follows:
  • SC/ST: +5 years
  • OBC: +3 years
  • PwBD: +10 years
  • Ex‑Servicemen: as applicable per rules 

3. Residency/Nationality

The eligibility is restricted to the Indian nationals, and preference is generally given to the local citizens of Karnataka or the surrounding states and to the wards of the railway servants.

What’s in It: Stipend, Training & Career Perks

Training Time & Stipend

• Selected apprentice candidates shall undergo a year of training in accordance with the provisions of the Apprentices Act. While the official notification does not indicate precisely the stipend amount, reports from sources suggest there would be an amount from ~₹30,000-₹40,000 pm varying by trade and region. 

Facilities & Opportunities

• Training occurs in real workshops on SWR. 
• Upon successful completion, apprentices receive a certificate of apprenticeship. This improves employability as well as job prospects in rail-related sectors.

Selection Process: Merit‑Based & Transparent

Merit Calculation

• Candidates are selected solely on the basis of the average marks of Class 10 and the ITI, weightage is given equally to both aspects
• There are no written test or interview

Tie-Breaker Rule

• If scores are identical, candidates favoured with older candidates for selection
• If birthdates are identical preference occurs with the candidate who has passed Class 10 earlier
• Shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification and medical fitness verification

Application Fee

1. General & OBC candidates: ₹100 (non-refundable)
2. SC/ST, PwBD and Female candidates may apply for free.

Trade‑Wise Vacancies & Reservations

The detailed trade‑wise and unit‑wise vacancy breakdown is available in the official notification. For example:

• Fitter, Welder, Electrician are among the most allocated trades
• Numerical reservation per category (UR/SC/ST/OBC) is clearly stated for every trade-unit combination

Prospective applicants should refer to the notified trades relevant to their ITI specialization and check reserved seats carefully.

Final Thoughts

South Western Railway’s Act apprentice 2025–26 notification is a unique and beneficial opportunity for ITI candidates looking to kick-start a career in Indian Railways. The recruitment has 904 vacancies with divisions at important locations such as Hubballi, Bengaluru, and Mysuru. Since the recruitment will be based on merit with no written exam, the merit list will rely on your scores in Class 10 & ITI. The application window is now open on the official portal from 14 July 2025 to 13 August 2025 for eligible candidates. During your apprenticeship, you will earn a monthly stipend of ₹30000 to ₹40000 and practical experience from the railway’s workshop. This training program adds good prospects for your future Indian Railway Jobs.