Indian Railways announces recruitment for apprentices and engineers

The Southern Railway has released recruitment notifications for various positions, including 6,171 apprentice roles and 3,993 Junior Engineer vacancies.

For the apprentice positions, which offer a monthly stipend of Rs 9,600, concerns have been raised regarding potential violations of recruitment guidelines. Critics note that the requirement for candidates to be registered with state employment exchanges between 2019 and 2026 has been removed. Additionally, the eligibility criteria allow applicants from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and other states to apply for workshops in Tamil Nadu, such as those in Trichy, Perambur, and Coimbatore, which may impact local employment opportunities for Tamil Nadu youth.

Separately, the Railway Recruitment Board has announced 3,993 vacancies for Junior Engineer, Depot Material Superintendent, and Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant roles. These positions require a diploma or degree in relevant engineering fields. Candidates aged 18 to 33 (with age relaxations for reserved categories) can apply online via the RRB Chennai website until September 13, 2026. The selection process will involve a two-stage examination, including a computer-based test.