Quick Answer
Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai has released Notification No. APP/01/2026-2027 for engagement of 1,010 Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. The intake includes 330 Freshers seats and 680 Ex-ITI seats across Carpenter, Electrician, Fitter, Machinist, Painter, Welder, MLT and PASAA trades.
Online applications opened on 8 August 2026 at 9:30 AM and close on 7 September 2026 at 5:30 PM. Selection is based on Class 10/Matriculation marks, followed by document verification and medical fitness; there is no written examination. Apprentices receive a monthly stipend of ₹8,200 or ₹9,600, depending on qualification/category.
This is apprenticeship training, not a regular Railway appointment, and the notification explicitly states that completion of training does not guarantee employment in ICF or Indian Railways.
ICF Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Overview & Important Dates
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai |
| Ministry | Ministry of Railways, Government of India |
| Notification | APP/01/2026-2027 |
| Reference No. | PB/RR/39/App/2026 |
| Post / Training | Act Apprentice |
| Total Seats | 1,010 |
| Freshers Seats | 330 |
| Ex-ITI Seats | 680 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start | 8 August 2026, 9:30 AM |
| Last Date | 7 September 2026, 5:30 PM |
| Selection | Merit based on Class 10 marks |
| Written Exam | No |
| Training Location | Integral Coach Factory, Chennai |
| Official Portal | https://pb.icf.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 8 August 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 8 August 2026, 9:30 AM |
| Last Date to Apply | 7 September 2026, 5:30 PM |
| Merit / Eligible List | To be notified |
| Document Verification | To be notified |
| Apprenticeship Training | As communicated by ICF |
Candidates should not wait for the final day because ICF itself advises applicants to avoid peak-hour delays.
ICF Apprentice Vacancy Details
The 1,010 seats are divided between Freshers and Ex-ITI candidates.
| Trade | Freshers | Ex-ITI | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | 40 | 50 | 90 |
| Electrician | 40 | 160 | 200 |
| Fitter | 80 | 180 | 260 |
| Machinist | 40 | 50 | 90 |
| Painter | 40 | 50 | 90 |
| Welder | 80 | 180 | 260 |
| MLT – Radiology | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| MLT – Pathology | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| PASAA | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 330 | 680 | 1,010 |
The official notification also gives category-wise UR, OBC, SC, ST and PwBD distribution for the applicable trades.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility differs between Freshers and Ex-ITI candidates.
Freshers Eligibility
For Fitter, Electrician and Machinist, candidates should have passed Class 10 with at least 50% aggregate marks, with Science and Mathematics under the 10+2 system or equivalent.
For Carpenter and Painter, candidates should have passed Class 10 with at least 50% aggregate marks.
For Welder, Class 10 with at least 50% aggregate marks is required.
For MLT Radiology and MLT Pathology, candidates should have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Ex-ITI Eligibility
For Fitter, Electrician and Machinist, candidates should have:
- Class 10 with at least 50% marks;
- Science and Mathematics as prescribed; and
- a National Trade Certificate in the relevant trade issued by NCVT or SCVT.
For Carpenter, Painter and Welder, candidates need Class 10 with at least 50% marks plus the relevant NCVT/SCVT trade certificate.
PASAA Eligibility
PASAA candidates should have Class 10 with at least 50% marks and an eligible NCVT/SCVT National Trade Certificate in a notified computer-related trade such as:
- Information Technology;
- Computer Operator and Programming Assistant;
- Database System Assistant; or
- Software Testing Assistant.
Higher Qualification Restriction
This recruitment has an unusual but important restriction.
Candidates holding qualifications higher than the prescribed Class 10/Matric/SSLC level, such as Engineering Degree, Engineering Diploma or other Degree/Diploma qualifications, are not eligible to apply for this Act Apprenticeship, except for the MLT qualification route where Class 12/HSC is prescribed.
Candidates should therefore not assume that a higher academic qualification automatically improves eligibility.
Tamil Nadu Residence / Employment Exchange Condition
Applicants who are resident in Tamil Nadu and/or registered with a local Employment Exchange within Tamil Nadu are eligible under the source-of-engagement condition in the notification.
The Employment Exchange registration date should not be later than the application closing date.
This condition does not apply in the same way to eligible wards of Railway employees, who must produce the prescribed Railway employee/service/UMID/PPO proof at document verification.
Age Limit, Fee & Stipend
Age Limit
Age is calculated as on 7 September 2026.
| Candidate Type | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Freshers / Non-ITI | 15 to 22 years |
| Ex-ITI | 15 to 24 years |
Upper-age relaxation:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- PwBD: 10 years
Candidates claiming reservation must produce the relevant certificates during document verification.
Processing Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| UR / OBC candidates where applicable | ₹100 + service charges |
| SC / ST | Nil |
| PwBD | Nil |
| Women | Nil |
The processing fee is non-refundable.
Monthly Stipend
| Apprentice Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Freshers – Class 10 pass-outs | ₹8,200 |
| Freshers – Class 12 pass-outs | ₹9,600 |
| Ex-ITI – NCVT/SCVT certificate holders | ₹9,600 |
During the second year of apprenticeship training, the prescribed minimum stipend increases by 10%.
The stipend is apprenticeship remuneration, not a Railway pay-scale salary.
Selection Process & Training
Selection Process
There is no written examination or interview.
The selection process is:
- Online Application
- Merit List based on Class 10 marks
- Trade allotment according to merit and availability
- Document Verification
- Medical Fitness Verification
- Execution of Apprenticeship Contract
- Apprenticeship Training
For candidates who passed Class 10 under the COVID-period arrangement without the usual marks, ICF provides an alternative marks-document rule in the notification.
Tie-Breaking Rule
If two candidates have the same Class 10 marks:
- the older candidate receives preference;
- if date of birth is also the same, the candidate who passed Class 10 earlier receives preference.
Training Period
| Category / Trade | Training Period |
|---|---|
| Ex-ITI trades | 1 year |
| Freshers – Fitter, Electrician, Machinist | 2 years |
| Freshers – Carpenter, Painter | 2 years |
| Freshers – Welder | 1 year 3 months |
| Freshers – MLT Radiology / Pathology | 1 year 3 months |
| PASAA Ex-ITI | 1 year |
Freshers can indicate trade preferences. Trade is allotted according to merit and vacancy availability, and ICF states that a change of trade will not be entertained after allotment.
Medical Fitness
Selected candidates must be physically fit under the Apprentices Act and applicable apprenticeship rules. A prescribed medical certificate signed by a Government-authorised doctor not below the stated rank must be produced during verification.
No Employment Guarantee
The notification clearly states that apprenticeship training does not create a right to employment in ICF or Indian Railways after completion.
ICF also does not provide food or accommodation; selected candidates must arrange these at their own cost.
How to Apply & Documents Required
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official ICF Personnel Branch portal at https://pb.icf.gov.in.
- Open Apply for Act Apprentice 2026-27.
- Read Notification No. APP/01/2026-2027 and the online instructions.
- Choose the correct route: Freshers or Ex-ITI.
- Complete new registration with valid personal, mobile and email details.
- Enter qualification, category and Employment Exchange details where applicable.
- Upload a recent passport-size photograph in the prescribed JPG/JPEG format.
- Pay the ₹100 processing fee plus service charges if applicable.
- Review the application carefully because submitted basic details cannot be modified later.
- Submit the form before 7 September 2026 at 5:30 PM.
- Save the generated Registration ID.
- Download and print the acknowledgement for document verification.
ICF states that candidates do not need to send the application or documents separately by post, email, fax or by hand.
Documents to Keep Ready
- Class 10 certificate and marksheet
- Class 12 certificate for MLT candidates
- NCVT/SCVT trade certificate for Ex-ITI/PASAA applicants
- Transfer Certificate
- Tamil Nadu residence / local Employment Exchange proof as applicable
- SC/ST/OBC-NCL certificate where applicable
- PwBD certificate where applicable
- Railway employee service/ID/UMID/PPO proof for eligible wards
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Medical fitness certificate at the verification stage
- Application acknowledgement
- Processing-fee transaction record where applicable
- Active mobile number and email ID
Useful Regal Career Application Tools & Important Links
Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| ICF Official Website | View |
| ICF Personnel Branch / Apprentice Portal | View |
| ICF Act Apprentice Instructions | View |
| ICF Act Apprentice FAQ | View |
| Apply Online | Use the active Act Apprentice 2026-27 registration link on https://pb.icf.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are available in ICF Chennai Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
There are 1,010 apprenticeship seats: 330 for Freshers and 680 for Ex-ITI candidates.
What is the last date to apply?
The last date is 7 September 2026 at 5:30 PM.
When did applications start?
Online applications opened on 8 August 2026 at 9:30 AM.
Is there a written examination?
No. Selection is based on Class 10 marks, followed by document verification and medical fitness.
What is the stipend?
Class 10 Freshers receive ₹8,200 per month. Class 12 Freshers and Ex-ITI apprentices receive ₹9,600 per month. The second-year minimum stipend increases by 10%.
What is the age limit?
Freshers must be 15–22 years and Ex-ITI candidates 15–24 years as on 7 September 2026, with category relaxation.
Can engineering degree or diploma holders apply?
The notification specifically states that candidates with Engineering Degree/Diploma and other higher Degree/Diploma qualifications are not eligible for this Act Apprenticeship, except the prescribed MLT Class 12 route.
Who can apply under the Tamil Nadu condition?
Candidates resident in Tamil Nadu and/or registered with a local Employment Exchange within Tamil Nadu are eligible under the notification’s source-of-engagement rule. The stated exception applies to eligible wards of Railway employees subject to documentary proof.
Is there any guarantee of a Railway job after training?
No. ICF explicitly states that completion of apprenticeship does not guarantee employment in ICF or Indian Railways.
Where can candidates apply?
Applications are accepted only through the official ICF Personnel Branch portal at https://pb.icf.gov.in.
Official Sources
This article has been prepared from Integral Coach Factory Notification No. APP/01/2026-2027, dated 8 August 2026, together with the official ICF Act Apprentice 2026-27 online instructions and FAQ.
Candidates should check the ICF portal for merit-list, document-verification or other updates. Any later selection-list or apprenticeship-stage update should remain connected to this recruitment rather than creating a duplicate main recruitment article.
