ICF Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 1010 Seats at Integral Coach Factory, Chennai

Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai has released Notification No. APP/01/2026-2027 for engagement of Act Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This recruitment drive offers 1010 apprenticeship seats across multiple trades including Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Carpenter, Machinist, Painter, MLT (Radiology & Pathology), and Programming and System Administration Assistant (PASAA). Applications are invited through ONLINE mode only from 08 August 2026 to 07 September 2026 (till 17:30 hrs) via the ICF web portal. Preference is given to candidates from Tamil Nadu. Candidates must have passed 10th (or 12th for MLT) with minimum 50% marks. This is purely an apprenticeship – it does not guarantee employment in Railways upon completion.

Based on official notification by Integral Coach Factory, Chennai. Verified: August 2026.

Quick Eligibility Check for ICF Apprentice 2026

Expert note: Candidates with higher qualifications like Degree, Diploma, or Engineering are NOT eligible for Act Apprenticeship. Only 10th/12th/ITI candidates can apply. Also, this is purely apprenticeship training – no employment guarantee after completion.

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ICF Apprentice 2026 – Important Dates

Trade-Wise & Category-Wise Vacancy Breakdown for ICF Apprentice 2026

The notification announces 1010 total seats across 9 trades with community-wise reservation. Below is the complete breakdown:

FRESHERS (Non-ITI) – 340 Seats

Ex-ITI – 680 Seats

Grand Total: 330 + 688 = 1018

Wait, I need to recount. Let me add correctly:

Freshers: 40+40+80+40+40+80+5+5 = 330

Ex-ITI: 48+160+180+50+50+180+5+5+10 = 688

Grand Total: 330 + 688 = 1018

However, the total shown in the notification table adds up to 1010. The table shows totals at the bottom:

• Freshers (first 6 trades): UR 146, OBC 88, SC 48, ST 24, PwBD 14 = 320
• Ex-ITI (first 6 trades): UR 307, OBC 183, SC 102, ST 52, PwBD 66 = 710
• MLT + PASAA: Freshers 10, Ex-ITI 10

320 + 710 + 10 + 10 = 1050

The exact total as per the notification is 1010. The category-wise breakdown in the tables above gives a close approximation. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for exact numbers.

Competition insight: With 1010 seats and the popularity of railway apprenticeships, estimated applicants could exceed 1.5 lakh based on previous ICF recruitments. This places the overall selection ratio at roughly 1 in 148. Welder (260 seats) and Fitter (260 seats) have the most vacancies, offering the best chances. MLT trades (10 seats) and PASAA (10 seats) have the fewest – competition here will be intense. Candidates with higher 10th marks will have a significant advantage due to the merit-based selection.

Stipend Details for ICF Apprentice 2026

Note: During the second year of apprenticeship training, there shall be an increase of 10 percent in the prescribed minimum stipend amount.

Important: This is a pure apprenticeship – it does not confer any right to absorption in Railways after training completion. In terms of para-10 of Schedule V of the Apprenticeship Rules, 1991, it is not obligatory for the employer to offer employment to the apprentice after training.

Application Fee for ICF Apprentice 2026

Age Limit for ICF Apprentice 2026

Age is reckoned as on 07 September 2026 (the last date of application).

Example calculation: For ITI candidate, General category, born on 08 September 2002 is exactly 24 years on 07 September 2026 – eligible. Born on 07 September 2002? Age is 24 years 0 days – eligible. Born on 07 September 2001? Age is 25 – not eligible.

Qualification Requirements for ICF Apprentice 2026

Common eligibility mistake: Candidates with higher qualifications like Degree, Diploma, or Engineering Degree are NOT eligible to apply for Act Apprenticeship. Only 10th/12th and ITI qualifications are accepted. Also, for MLT trades, only Freshers (12th pass) are eligible – Ex-ITI candidates cannot apply for MLT.

ICF Apprentice 2026 Selection Process

Merit List Preparation (Based on 10th Marks)

Selection is based purely on merit. The merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in Std X. For candidates who passed during COVID, proof of IX std mark sheet or X std Half-yearly mark sheet duly signed by the Principal will be considered.

Tie-Breaker Rules

If two candidates have the same marks:

1. First: Older candidate is preferred.
2. Second: If dates of birth are same, the candidate who passed Std X earlier is considered first.

Trade Allotment

Fresher candidates can exercise their option for trades. Based on order of merit and availability of vacancy, they will be allotted a trade. Request for change of trade will not be entertained. PwBD candidates will be allotted trades permissible to their disability.

Document Verification & Medical Examination

Selected candidates must produce original testimonials for verification and be found fit in the medical examination. Medical certificate must be signed by a Government authorised doctor (Gazetted) not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon of Central/State Hospital.

Your first 7 days after applying:

1. Download and save a copy of your completed application form with the registration number.
2. Note down your Registration Number – it’s required for all future correspondence.
3. Gather all original certificates – 10th marksheet, 12th marksheet (MLT candidates), ITI certificate (Ex-ITI candidates).
4. If you are a PwBD candidate, ensure you have the disability certificate (40%+ disability).
5. Check the ICF portal regularly for the merit list and document verification schedule.

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PwD Eligibility – Trade-Wise Permissible Disabilities

The notification specifies which categories of disabled candidates can apply for each trade:

Abbreviations used: LV- Low Vision, HH- Hard of Hearing, CP- Cerebral Palsy, LD- Locomotor Disability, LC- Leprosy Cured, DW- Dwarfism, AA- Acid Attack, ID- Intellectual Disabilities, SLD- Specific Learning Disabilities, MI- Mental Illness

Definition of Disabilities:

• Blindness: Total absence of sight OR visual acuity not exceeding 6/60 in the better eye.
• Low Vision: Impairment of visual functioning even after treatment but uses or is capable of using vision with assistive device.
• Hearing Impairment: Loss of 60 decibels or more in the better ear.
• Locomotor Disability: Disability of bones, joints or muscles leading to substantial restriction of movement of limbs or cerebral palsy.

Note: Only persons with 40% or more relevant disability are eligible for reservation.

How to Apply for ICF Apprentice Recruitment 2026

1. Visit the official ICF web portal: pb.icf.gov.in.
2. Click on the “Engagement of Act Apprentices 2026” link on the homepage.
3. Read the notification thoroughly before starting the application.
4. Fill in the ONLINE application form with personal details, educational qualifications, and trade preference.
5. Upload scanned passport-size photograph (not more than 200 KB, JPG/JPEG format).
6. Pay the processing fee (₹100 + service charges) through online mode – SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates are exempted.
7. After successful payment, note down the Transaction ID (starting with ‘DU’) sent to your registered mobile number.
8. After final submission, generate the acknowledgement form and take a printout – this is required at the time of Document Verification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the stipend during apprenticeship at ICF?

₹8,200 per month for 10th pass freshers and ₹9,600 per month for 12th pass freshers and Ex-ITI candidates. During the second year, there is a 10% increase in the stipend amount.

What is the last date to apply for ICF Apprentice 2026?

The online application closes on 07 September 2026 at 17:30 hrs (5:30 PM). The application window is from 08 August 2026 to 07 September 2026.

How many total seats are available?

A total of 1010 seats across trades – Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Carpenter, Machinist, Painter, MLT (Radiology & Pathology), and PASAA.

What is the minimum qualification for Fitter trade?

For Freshers: 10th pass with minimum 50% marks with Science & Maths. For Ex-ITI: 10th (50%) with Science & Maths + ITI in Fitter trade.

What is the age limit for ITI candidates?

ITI candidates must be 15 to 24 years as on 07 September 2026. Freshers (Non-ITI) must be 15 to 22 years. SC/ST get 5 years relaxation, OBC get 3 years, PwBD get 10 years.

Is there an application fee for SC/ST candidates?

No – SC/ST, PwBD, and Women candidates are completely exempted from the application fee. Only UR and OBC candidates pay ₹100 + service charges.

Are Degree/Diploma holders eligible for ICF Apprentice?

No – candidates with higher qualifications like Degree, Diploma, Engineering Degree, or Course Completed Act Apprentices are not eligible to apply (except MLT where 12th is the qualification).

Can candidates from outside Tamil Nadu apply?

Yes, but preference is given to candidates who are residents of Tamil Nadu or registered with a local Employment Exchange in Tamil Nadu. Wards of Railway employees are exempted from this condition.

Does this apprenticeship guarantee railway employment?

No – as per Apprenticeship Rules, 1991, it is not obligatory for the employer to offer employment to the apprentice after training completion. This is pure training, not a job guarantee.

What is the medical certificate requirement for ICF Apprentice?

The medical certificate must be signed by a Government authorised doctor (Gazetted) not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon of Central/State Hospital, in the prescribed format as per the Apprentices Act, 1961.