Are you a civil engineering diploma holder with a couple of years of experience under your belt? RITES Limited, the Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, has just opened applications for 31 Senior Technical Assistant posts in its Southern region. Applications started on 2 November 2026, so the window is open right now. Let’s break it all down.

The Job in a Nutshell

RITES is hiring 31 Senior Technical Assistants (Advertisement No. CL/12/26) on a contract basis, with postings across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Lakshadweep. 

The monthly gross pay ranges from about Rs. 26,218 to Rs. 39,137 depending on the city, and you need to be no older than 40 years. You apply online through the Career section of the RITES website, and the last date is 22 November 2026. 

The application fee is Rs. 300 for General and OBC candidates and Rs. 100 for EWS, SC, ST and PwD candidates, plus applicable taxes. One thing worth knowing upfront: the selected candidates can also be posted anywhere in India as per company needs.

How Are the 31 Posts Divided?

Out of these, 2 posts are reserved for PwBD candidates (one for Cat-b and one for Cat-c). Keep in mind that RITES says the number of vacancies may vary.

Who Can Apply?

Here’s what you need to have:

• A Full-Time Diploma in Civil Engineering from a Recognized Institution

• 2 years of post-qualification experience in the relevant field of engineering

• At least 50% marks in your qualification (45% for reserved categories applying against reserved posts)

• Candidates with a degree or PG degree in the same discipline can apply too

A few details that often catch people off guard:

• Training, internships, teaching, fellowships and PhD research don’t count as experience.

• If your marksheet doesn’t show a percentage, you’ll need the university’s conversion formula. Where there isn’t one, a minimum of 5 on a 10-point scale is treated as 50%.

• The age limit is 40 years as on 22 November 2026, with relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC-NCL, and an extra 10 years for PwBD candidates.

What Will You Earn?

The pay depends on the city of posting, and it’s revised in line with the minimum wage rates notified by the Central Government.

The Fine Print on Contract

This is not a permanent job, and it’s best to go in knowing that:

• The appointment is purely on contract, initially for one year.

• It can be extended until the assignment is complete, subject to mutual consent and good performance.

• Services can be ended without notice for poor performance, misconduct, or if the client discontinues the service.

• Being shortlisted doesn’t guarantee a job, as offers are issued according to project and company requirements.

How Will You Be Selected?

Selection is through a written test followed by document scrutiny, and those selected also need to clear a medical fitness check. The test has 125 one-mark objective questions to be solved in 2.5 hours, with no negative marking, and you need at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories against reserved posts) to move ahead. 

It covers quantitative aptitude, data interpretation, logical reasoning and general knowledge, with no civil engineering paper, so brush up on those basics. It’s tentatively scheduled for 29 November 2026, and the likely test centres are Chennai, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram and Secunderabad.

Important Dates

How to Apply

1. Open the registration form in the Career section of the RITES website between 2 and 22 November 2026.

2. Note down the registration number the system generates and quote it in all future communication.

3. Fill in your details carefully, especially the identity proof, since you’ll need the same original document later.

4. Choose two preferences for the written test centre.

5. Upload all the required documents.

6. Pay the fee online, then download the final application form.

7. Print it, sign it and keep a copy, and carry it if you’re called for selection.

Documents to keep ready include

• Your date of birth proof (High School certificate)

• Qualification certificates and marksheets of all semesters or years

• Category certificate, if applicable (EWS, SC, ST, OBC-NCL or PwBD)

• Identity and address proof, plus your PAN card

• All your experience proofs, combined in a single PDF in chronological order (offer letter, joining order, relieving letter, service certificate, pay slips)

Don’t send hard copies by post or courier, as everything is uploaded online. Also note that SC, ST and PwBD candidates who pay the fee get a refund after taking part in the written exam or interview.