Overview & Important Highlights
Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, operating under the Ministry of Railways, has published Notification No. APP/01/2026-2027 for the engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. A total of 1,010 apprenticeship slots are available across various trades, divided into Freshers (Non-ITI) and Ex-ITI categories. The trades offered include Fitter, Electrician, Machinist, Carpenter, Painter, Welder, PASAA, and Medical Lab Technician (MLT Radiology & Pathology).
Interested candidates can submit online applications starting from 08 August 2026 (09:30 AM) until the closing date on 07 September 2026 (05:30 PM). Candidates should note that residents of Tamil Nadu or those registered with local Employment Exchanges in Tamil Nadu are eligible for selection, with exceptions granted for wards of Railway employees.
Eligibility & Selection Criteria
Educational qualifications and age criteria differ based on the selected post category:
- Freshers (Class 10): Candidates must have passed Class 10/SSLC with at least 50% aggregate marks. The age limit is 15 to 22 years.
- Freshers (MLT): Candidates must have completed Class 12 under the 10+2 system with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Ex-ITI: Candidates must have passed Class 10 with a minimum of 50% marks alongside a National Trade Certificate (NTC) issued by NCVT/SCVT in the relevant trade. The age limit is 15 to 24 years.
Selection will be purely based on a merit list compiled from Class 10 marks. There will be no written examination or personal interview. Equal marks tie-breakers prioritize older candidates followed by earlier passing years.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official portal at https://pb.icf.gov.in.
- Click on the Act Apprentice 2026 online application link.
- Fill out the personal details, educational qualifications, trade preferences, and contact details carefully.
- Upload a passport-sized photograph (max 200 KB in JPG/JPEG format).
- Pay the application fee of ₹100 via the online gateway if applicable (SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates are exempt).
- Submit the completed application form and retain the system-generated registration acknowledgment printout for future Document Verification.
Important Instructions & Advice
Candidates must carefully ensure all entered academic details match their original marks sheets. Higher qualifications such as Degrees, Diplomas, or Engineering degrees are strictly ineligible for trade apprentice slots (except for MLT). Apprenticeship training does not confer any guaranteed permanent absorption or employment right in Indian Railways. Applicants must maintain their registered mobile number and email ID active until all merit lists and document verification rounds are concluded.