ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026

The Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, under Indian Railways, has released the ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification for apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This recruitment is meant for training purposes and does not guarantee employment with ICF/Railways after completion. Eligible candidates (with preference for candidates from Tamil Nadu) can apply online for Act Apprentice positions across multiple trades.

A total of 1010 apprentice slots have been announced for Freshers and Ex-ITI candidates, along with additional slots under MLT and PASAA categories. The online application window is open from 2026-08-08 (09:30 hrs) to 2026-09-07 (17:30 hrs). Candidates must submit applications only through the online mode; applications received through any other method will not be accepted. Selection will be based on merit marks (as specified for each candidate category), followed by trade allotment as per preference and vacancy availability.

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Ex-ITI candidates: For trades Fitter, Electrician and Machinist, candidates must have passed Class 10 (Std X) with minimum 50% marks in Science and Maths under the 10+2 pattern, and also possess the National Trade Certificate (NCVT/SCVT) of 1 year or above. For trades Carpenter, Painter and Welder, candidates must have passed Std X with minimum 50% marks under 10+2, along with the National Trade Certificate of 1 year or above. For PASAA (Programming and System Admin. Asst.), candidates must have passed Std X with minimum 50% marks and hold the National Trade Certificate in IT/Computer Operator & Programming Assistant/Database System Assistant/Software Testing Assistant.

Freshers: For trades Fitter, Electrician and Machinist, candidates must have passed Class 10 with minimum 50% aggregate including Science and Maths under 10+2 (or equivalent). For Carpenter and Painter, candidates must have passed Class 10 with minimum 50% aggregate under 10+2 (or equivalent). For Welder, candidates must have passed Class 10 with minimum 50% aggregate under 10+2 (or equivalent). For MLT (Radiology & Pathology), candidates must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology under the 10+2 pattern.

Important note on higher qualifications: Candidates with higher qualifications than 10th/Matric/SSLC (such as Degree/Diploma, Engineering Degree, or completion of Course/Act Apprenticeship) are not eligible to apply. The only exception stated is for MLT, where the qualification requirement is 12th/HSC.

Age Limit

The candidate’s age will be considered as on 2026-09-07.

ITI candidates: Completed 15 years and not completed 24 years.

Non-ITI candidates: Completed 15 years and not completed 22 years.

Age relaxation: SC/ST candidates get +5 years relaxation, OBC candidates get +3 years relaxation, and Persons with Disability (PwBD) candidates get +10 years relaxation.

Application Fee

How to Apply

1. Go to the ICF web portal: https://pb.icf.gov.in and open the Act Apprentice 2026 application page.
2. Read the notification carefully and keep all required documents/certificates ready before starting the form-filling process.
3. Prepare a recent passport-size photograph in jpg/jpeg format with a maximum size of 200 KB.
4. Complete the online registration. Your Registration ID and date of birth (in ddmmyyyy format) will be used as login credentials.
5. Fill the application form accurately and submit it online.
6. Pay the processing fee of 100 plus applicable service charges through the online payment method. Fee is exempted for SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates.
7. After payment, save the Transaction ID (it starts with DU) sent to your registered mobile number.
8. Download and print the acknowledgement form after final submission. This printed acknowledgement is required during document verification.

Salary & Pay Scale

The stipend is stated to increase by 10% during the second year of apprenticeship training.

Selection Process

Selection will be made based on a merit list prepared from marks obtained in Std X. For COVID-batch candidates, the notification specifies that IX std marksheet or X std half-yearly marksheet duly signed by the Principal will be considered. In case of a tie, preference will be given to the older candidate; if the date of birth is also the same, the candidate who passed Std X earlier will be considered first.

After merit selection, trade allotment will be done for Freshers based on their trade preference, in merit order and as per vacancy availability. Once a trade is allotted, the notification states that trade change requests will not be entertained. PwBD candidates will be allotted only the trade permissible to their disability category. Ex-ITI candidates will be trained in the trade matching their ITI certificate. Selected candidates will also be required to complete document verification, including producing a Medical Certificate signed by a Government-authorized doctor (Gazetted) not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon of a Central/State Hospital. Candidates must submit the original Transfer Certificate for the qualifying examination (Std X/XII/ITI) during document verification and also submit a declaration acknowledging that they have no right to employment in ICF/Railways in the future.

Eligible candidates should complete their online application and payment before 2026-09-07 (17:30 hrs) to ensure timely participation in the selection process.