ICF Act Apprentice 2026: Apply Online for 1010 Posts
1. ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview
ICF Chennai, one of Indian Railways' premier coach-manufacturing production units, conducts this apprenticeship drive every year under the Skill India Mission to train young candidates in designated trades. Selection has no written exam — it runs purely on Class 10 merit, which makes documentation accuracy more important than exam prep.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai |
| Ministry | Ministry of Railways |
| Notification No. | APP/01/2026-2027 (PB/RR/39/App/2026) |
| Post Name | Act Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 1,010 (330 Freshers + 680 Ex-ITI) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Apply Start Date | 08 August 2026, 09:30 hrs |
| Last Date to Apply | 07 September 2026, 17:30 hrs |
| Selection Process | Merit List (Class 10 marks) → Document Verification → Medical Exam |
| Official Website | pb.icf.gov.in |
2. Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 08 August 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | 08 August 2026, 09:30 hrs |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 07 September 2026, 17:30 hrs |
| Age Reckoning Date | 07 September 2026 |
3. Trade-Wise Vacancy Details
A. Freshers Vacancy (330 Seats)
| Trade | UR | OBC | SC | ST | PwBD | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | 18 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 40 |
| Electrician | 18 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 40 |
| Fitter | 37 | 22 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 80 |
| Machinist | 18 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 40 |
| Painter | 18 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 40 |
| Welder | 37 | 22 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 80 |
| MLT-Radiology | 3 | 1 | 1 | – | – | 5 |
| MLT-Pathology | 3 | 1 | 1 | – | – | 5 |
| Total | 152 | 90 | 50 | 24 | 14 | 330 |
B. Ex-ITI Vacancy (680 Seats)
| Trade | UR | OBC | SC | ST | PwBD | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | 22 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 50 |
| Electrician | 75 | 43 | 24 | 12 | 6 | 160 |
| Fitter | 83 | 49 | 27 | 14 | 7 | 180 |
| Machinist | 22 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 50 |
| Painter | 22 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 50 |
| Welder | 83 | 49 | 27 | 14 | 7 | 180 |
| PASAA | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | – | 10 |
| Total | 311 | 186 | 104 | 53 | 26 | 680 |
*PASAA = Programming and System Administration Assistant. MLT trades have no Ex-ITI seats; PASAA has no Freshers seats.
4. Trade-Wise Training Duration & Stipend (At a Glance)
Is table mein aapko ek jagah pata chalega ki har trade ka training period kitna hai aur stipend kya milega — ye comparison kahin aur ek table mein nahi milega.
| Category | Trades | Training Duration | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-ITI | Fitter, Electrician, Machinist, Carpenter, Painter, Welder, PASAA | 1 Year | ₹9,600 |
| Freshers (Class 10 pass) | Fitter, Electrician, Machinist, Carpenter, Painter | 2 Years | ₹8,200 |
| Freshers | Welder | 1 Year 3 Months | ₹8,200 |
| Freshers (Class 12 pass) | MLT-Radiology, MLT-Pathology | 1 Year 3 Months | ₹9,600 |
5. Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
| Category | Trade | Qualification Required |
|---|---|---|
| Freshers | Fitter, Electrician, Machinist | Class 10 (50%+) with Science & Maths |
| Freshers | Carpenter, Painter, Welder | Class 10 (50%+ marks) |
| Freshers | MLT-Radiology / Pathology | Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Ex-ITI | All 7 Ex-ITI trades | Class 10 (50%+) + National/State Trade Certificate (1 yr+) in the relevant trade |
Tamil Nadu Residency Proof — Accepted Documents
Ye section koi bhi competitor detail mein nahi deta. ICF apprenticeship mainly Tamil Nadu candidates ke liye reserved hai, isliye residency proof zaroori document hai:
- Tamil Nadu domicile / residence certificate issued by Revenue/Tahsildar office, OR
- Valid registration card with a Tamil Nadu Employment Exchange (registration date before the application closing date)
- Wards of Railway employees: Railway employee's Identity Card / Service Certificate (attested by a Gazetted Officer) + UMID card + PPO copy
6. Age Limit 2026
| Candidate Type | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| Freshers (Non-ITI) | 15 Years | 22 Years |
| Ex-ITI | 15 Years | 24 Years |
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| PwBD | 10 Years |
7. Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC (Male) | ₹100 + service charges |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women (All Categories) | No Fee |
Fee is non-refundable. Payment modes: Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI.
8. Selection Process 2026
ICF Act Apprentice mein koi likhit exam nahi hota. Poora selection Class 10 marks ke merit list par based hai.
- Merit List: Class 10 marks ke basis par tayyar hoti hai. Equal marks hone par older candidate ko priority milti hai.
- Trade Allotment: Freshers apne trade options dete hain, merit order aur vacancy availability ke hisaab se allotment hota hai.
- Document Verification: Original Class 10/12/ITI marksheet, category certificate, Transfer Certificate aur system-generated acknowledgment saath rakhein.
- Medical Examination: Government-authorised doctor (Assistant Surgeon rank ya usse upar) se fitness certificate zaroori hai.
9. PwBD (Divyang) Candidates — Special Provisions
- Reservation trade-wise diya gaya hai (table Section 3 mein dekhein)
- Minimum 40% relevant disability required, category ICF-notified list ke anusar honi chahiye
- Central/State Government se issued disability certificate compulsory hai
- Selected PwBD candidates ko sirf unke liye permissible trade hi allot hoga
- Upper age relaxation: 10 years
10. Step-by-Step: How to Apply Online
- Official portal pb.icf.gov.in/act2026 par jaayein.
- Notification PDF pehle poori padhein aur apni eligibility confirm karein.
- Passport-size photo (max 200 KB, JPG/JPEG) taiyar rakhein.
- Online form fill karein — registration ID system-generated milega, password aapki date of birth (ddmmyyyy) hogi.
- Applicable fee online pay karein (SC/ST/PwBD/Women exempt).
- Saari details dobara check karein, phir final submit karein.
- Acknowledgement print/download karein — ye Document Verification ke time zaroori hoga.
11. ICF Apprentice 2026 vs Other Railway Apprentice Drives
2026 mein multiple Railway units apprentice bharti nikal rahe hain — ek nazar mein comparison:
| Recruiter | Total Posts | Location |
|---|---|---|
| ICF Chennai | 1,010 | Chennai, TN |
| NFR (Northeast Frontier Railway) | 6,777 | Northeast India |
| RCF Kapurthala | 734 | Punjab |
| IOCL Marketing Division | 433 | Northern Region |
| KRCL (Konkan Railway) | 134 | Konkan Region |
Agar aap Tamil Nadu se bahar ke hain aur ICF ke residency criteria nahi milte, to upar diye gaye alternatives explore kar sakte hain.
12. Important Instructions
- Ye notification sirf apprenticeship training ke liye hai — completion ke baad Railway mein permanent job ki koi guarantee nahi hai.
- Canvassing kisi bhi form mein candidature disqualify kar degi.
- Accommodation/food apne kharche par arrange karna hoga — ICF nahi degi.
- Training beech mein chhodne par stipend aur training cost refund karna pad sakta hai.
13. Official & Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Download PDF |
| Official Website | pb.icf.gov.in |
| Helpdesk | Contact Helpdesk |
| Latest Government Jobs 2026 | View All Jobs |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. 1. What is ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
A: It is a recruitment drive by Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, to engage Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961, for training in trades like Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Carpenter, Painter, Machinist, MLT, and PASAA.
Q. 2. How many total vacancies are there in ICF Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
A: A total of 1,010 vacancies — 330 for Freshers and 680 for Ex-ITI candidates.
Q. 3. What is the last date to apply for ICF Act Apprentice 2026?
A: 7 September 2026, till 5:30 PM.
Q. 4. Is there any written exam for ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment?
A: No. Selection is based entirely on Class 10 marks merit list.
Q. 5. What is the age limit for ICF Act Apprentice 2026?
A: 15–22 years for Freshers (Non-ITI) and 15–24 years for Ex-ITI, as on 7 September 2026.
Q. 6. What is the application fee for ICF Apprentice 2026?
A: ₹100 plus service charges for General/OBC candidates. No fee for SC, ST, PwBD, and Women candidates.
Q. 7. What is the stipend for ICF Act Apprentice 2026?
A: ₹8,200 per month for Class 10-pass Freshers and ₹9,600 per month for Class 12-pass Freshers and Ex-ITI candidates.
Q. 8. Can candidates from outside Tamil Nadu apply?
A: Generally no — candidates must be Tamil Nadu residents or registered with a Tamil Nadu Employment Exchange, except wards of Railway employees.
Q. 9. Does ICF Apprentice training guarantee a permanent Railway job?
A: No. The notification clearly states this is only for training and does not guarantee employment.
Q. 10. What documents are needed at Document Verification?
A: Original Class 10/12/ITI marksheets, Transfer Certificate, category certificate (if applicable), and the system-generated application acknowledgment.
Q. 11. What is the selection process for ICF Apprentice 2026?
A: Merit list based on Class 10 marks, followed by trade allotment, document verification, and medical examination.
Q. 12. What is the training duration for ICF Apprentice trades?
Can Diploma or Degree holders apply for ICF Act Apprentice 2026?
Q. 13. How can I apply for ICF Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
A: Applications can be submitted online only at pb.icf.gov.in between 8 August and 7 September 2026.
Q. 14. Can Diploma or Degree holders apply for ICF Act Apprentice 2026?
A: No, candidates with higher qualifications like Degree, Diploma, or Engineering Degree are not eligible, except for MLT trades.
Q. 15. What age relaxation is available for reserved categories?
A: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, and 10 years for PwBD candidates.
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