About the Recruitment
The Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has officially released its Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification, inviting applications for a substantial 1,524 Trade and Technician Apprentice positions. This significant recruitment drive aims to engage skilled and aspiring individuals across four of its major refinery units: Bongaigaon Refinery, Gujarat Refinery, Mathura Refinery, and Paradip Refinery. The apprenticeship program covers a wide array of trades and disciplines, including Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Secretarial Assistant, Accountant, and Data Entry Operator roles. Interested candidates who meet the specified eligibility criteria can submit their applications online through the official IOCL website, www.iocl.com, from 29 June 2026, with the application window closing on 28 July 2026. A key feature of this recruitment is the absence of a written examination; selection will be based purely on the candidates' merit in their qualifying examinations.
Post-wise and Category-wise Vacancy Details
The IOCL Apprentice Notification 2026 outlines a total of 1,524 vacancies distributed across 11 distinct trade and discipline codes within four refinery units. Candidates are advised to carefully review the unit-specific notifications and apply only for the refinery unit and a single trade or discipline they intend to join. The number of seats mentioned below is provisional and may be adjusted at the discretion of the management.
Bongaigaon Refinery – Apprentice Vacancy 2026 (Total: 144)
| Code | Trade / Discipline | Total Vacancies | Training Period |
|---|
| 101 | Trade Apprentice – Attendant Operator (Chemical Plant) – Chemical | 43 | 12 months |
| 102 | Trade Apprentice (Fitter) – Mechanical | 6 | 12 months |
| 103 | Trade Apprentice (Boiler) – Mechanical | 14 | 24 months |
| 104 | Technician Apprentice – Chemical | 14 | 12 months |
| 105 | Technician Apprentice – Mechanical | 20 | 12 months |
| 106 | Technician Apprentice – Electrical | 15 | 12 months |
| 107 | Technician Apprentice – Instrumentation | 9 | 12 months |
| 108 | Trade Apprentice – Secretarial Assistant | 15 | 15 months |
| 109 | Trade Apprentice – Accountant | 1 | 12 months |
| 110 | Trade Apprentice – Data Entry Operator (Fresher) | 5 | 12 months |
| 111 | Trade Apprentice – Data Entry Operator (Skill Certificate Holders) | 2 | 12 months |
Gujarat Refinery – Apprentice Vacancy 2026 (Total: 647)
| Code | Trade / Discipline | Total Vacancies | Training Period |
|---|
| 101 | Trade Apprentice – Attendant Operator (Chemical Plant) – Chemical | 120 | 12 months |
| 102 | Trade Apprentice (Fitter) – Mechanical | 87 | 12 months |
| 103 | Trade Apprentice (Boiler) – Mechanical | 19 | 24 months |
| 104 | Technician Apprentice – Chemical | 120 | 12 months |
| 105 | Technician Apprentice – Mechanical | 81 | 12 months |
| 106 | Technician Apprentice – Electrical | 101 | 12 months |
| 107 | Technician Apprentice – Instrumentation | 51 | 12 months |
| 108 | Trade Apprentice – Secretarial Assistant | 34 | 15 months |
| 109 | Trade Apprentice – Accountant | 2 | 12 months |
| 110 | Trade Apprentice – Data Entry Operator (Fresher) | 17 | 12 months |
| 111 | Trade Apprentice – Data Entry Operator (Skill Certificate Holders) | 15 | 12 months |
Mathura Refinery – Apprentice Vacancy 2026 (Total: 151)
| Code | Trade / Discipline | Total Vacancies | Training Period |
|---|
| 101 | Trade Apprentice – Attendant Operator (Chemical Plant) – Chemical | 18 | 12 months |
| 102 | Trade Apprentice (Fitter) – Mechanical | 14 | 12 months |
| 103 | Trade Apprentice (Boiler) – Mechanical | 14 | 24 months |
| 104 | Technician Apprentice – Chemical | 22 | 12 months |
| 105 | Technician Apprentice – Mechanical | 15 | 12 months |
| 106 | Technician Apprentice – Electrical | 15 | 12 months |
| 107 | Technician Apprentice – Instrumentation | 15 | 12 months |
| 108 | Trade Apprentice – Secretarial Assistant | 29 | 15 months |
| 109 | Trade Apprentice – Accountant | 1 | 12 months |
| 110 | Trade Apprentice – Data Entry Operator (Fresher) | 5 | 12 months |
| 111 | Trade Apprentice – Data Entry Operator (Skill Certificate Holders) | 3 | 12 months |
Paradip Refinery – Apprentice Vacancy 2026 (Total: 582)
| Code | Trade / Discipline | Total Vacancies | Training Period |
|---|
| 101 | Trade Apprentice – Attendant Operator (Chemical Plant) – Chemical | 180 | 12 months |
| 102 | Trade Apprentice (Fitter) – Mechanical | 59 | 12 months |
| 104 | Technician Apprentice – Chemical | 130 | 12 months |
| 105 | Technician Apprentice – Mechanical | 60 | 12 months |
| 106 | Technician Apprentice – Electrical | 80 | 12 months |
| 107 | Technician Apprentice – Instrumentation | 20 | 12 months |
| 108 | Trade Apprentice – Secretarial Assistant | 23 | 15 months |
| 109 | Trade Apprentice – Accountant | 1 | 12 months |
| 110 | Trade Apprentice – Data Entry Operator (Fresher) | 20 | 12 months |
| 111 | Trade Apprentice – Data Entry Operator (Skill Certificate Holders) | 9 | 12 months |
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the IndianOil Apprentice Recruitment 2026 vary depending on the specific trade code, and all required qualifications must be obtained from a recognized Board, University, or Institute through a
regular full-time course. It is crucial for candidates to have already passed their prescribed qualification as of 30 June 2026; those awaiting results are not eligible to apply. Furthermore, candidates holding higher professional qualifications such as B.E./B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB, MCA, or equivalent degrees are explicitly not eligible for these apprenticeship positions.
Qualification Required by Trade Code
| Code | Trade / Discipline | Required Qualification | Minimum Marks |
|---|
| 101 | Attendant Operator (Chemical Plant) | 3-year B.Sc. in Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry | 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwBD) |
| 102 | Trade Apprentice (Fitter) | Matriculation + ITI in Fitter Trade (minimum 2 years duration) | Pass class |
| 103 | Trade Apprentice (Boiler) | 3-year B.Sc. in Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry | 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwBD) |
| 104 | Technician Apprentice – Chemical | 3-year Diploma in Chemical Engg./Petrochemical Engg./Chemical Technology/Refinery and Petrochemical Engg. | 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwBD) |
| 105 | Technician Apprentice – Mechanical | 3-year Diploma in Mechanical Engg. | 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwBD) |
| 106 | Technician Apprentice – Electrical | 3-year Diploma in Electrical Engg. / Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engg. | 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwBD) |
| 107 | Technician Apprentice – Instrumentation | 3-year Diploma in Instrumentation Engg / Instrumentation & Electronics / Instrumentation & Control Engg / Applied Electronics and Instrumentation Engg. | 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwBD) |
| 108 | Trade Apprentice – Secretarial Assistant | 3-year B.A. / B.Sc. / B.Com | 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwBD) |
| 109 | Trade Apprentice – Accountant | 3-year B.Com | 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwBD) |
| 110 | Trade Apprentice – Data Entry Operator (Fresher) | Class XII pass (non-graduate fresher with no prior institutional/skill training) | 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwBD) |
| 111 | Trade Apprentice – Data Entry Operator (Skill Certificate Holders) | Class XII pass + Skill Certificate in 'Domestic Data Entry Operator' (issued under NSQF, training less than 1 year) | 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwBD) |
Age Limit and Relaxation
The age limit for the IOCL Apprentice 2026 recruitment specifies a minimum age of 18 years and a maximum age of 24 years for General and EWS category candidates, calculated as of 30 June 2026. The age verification process will rely solely on the Matriculation (Class X) certificate issued by the respective Board of Secondary Education. Certain relaxations in the upper age limit are provided for reserved categories: Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates receive a 5-year relaxation, Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) [OBC(NCL)] candidates receive a 3-year relaxation, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) candidates are granted a 10-year relaxation, regardless of their specific category.
| Category | Maximum Age (as on 30.06.2026) |
|---|
| UR / EWS | 24 years |
| OBC (NCL) | 27 years |
| SC / ST | 29 years |
| PwBD (General) | 34 years |
| PwBD (OBC-NCL) | 37 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 39 years |
Additional Eligibility Conditions
Beyond the basic educational and age requirements, candidates must adhere to several other conditions. Applicants should not have completed five years after acquiring their prescribed qualification as of 30 June 2026. Engineering graduates or diploma holders who possess one or more years of job experience after obtaining their qualification are not eligible for these apprenticeship roles. Specific restrictions apply to candidates with certain degrees: a candidate holding a B.Sc. (Physics, Maths, Chemistry/Industrial Chemistry) can apply for only one code among 101, 103, or 108. Similarly, a candidate with a B.Com degree can apply for only one code between 108 or 109. Submitting applications for more than one trade or discipline will lead to the summary rejection of the candidate's application. PwBD candidates are eligible to apply exclusively for identified seats under Codes 102, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, and 111.
Application Fee and Payment Method
The official notification for the IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 explicitly states that there is no application fee for any category of candidates. This means all eligible applicants can submit their online forms through the NAPS/NATS portals and the Microsoft Forms link completely free of charge.
Selection Process
The selection process for the IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is unique as it does not involve a written test. Instead, candidates will be selected entirely on a merit-based system, primarily determined by their academic performance. Preference will be given to individuals applying for apprenticeship training for the first time.
- Merit List Preparation — The merit list will be prepared by ranking candidates in descending order based on their aggregate percentage of marks obtained in the prescribed qualifying examination (considering all years or semesters).
- Tie-breaking Procedure — In situations where two or more candidates have the same percentage of marks, the tie will be broken by giving preference to the candidate who is senior by age (i.e., has an earlier date of birth). If the dates of birth are also identical, the candidate with a higher percentage in their Matriculation (Class X) examination will be ranked higher.
- Shortlisting for Document Verification — Candidates will be shortlisted for the next stage, Document Verification, based on their position in the merit list and the total number of available seats for each trade and refinery unit. The tentative date for the publication of this shortlist is 05 August 2026.
- Document Verification (DV) — Shortlisted candidates are required to appear in person for document verification, bringing all original documents along with self-attested copies. This stage is tentatively scheduled to take place from 11 August 2026 to 18 August 2026.
- Pre-Engagement Medical Examination — Following successful document verification, candidates must undergo and pass a medical fitness test, as prescribed under the Apprentices Act. Only those declared medically fit will be considered for engagement.
- Offer of Engagement — Candidates whose documents are found to be in order and who successfully clear the medical fitness examination will receive a formal offer for engagement as an apprentice.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus
It is important for all applicants to note that the IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 does
not include a written examination. The selection process is strictly merit-based, relying solely on the academic performance of candidates in their qualifying examinations. Therefore, there is no specific exam pattern or syllabus to prepare for in the traditional sense. Candidates should focus on ensuring their academic records are accurately reflected in their applications and that they meet all other eligibility criteria.
Pay Scale and Benefits
The stipend for IOCL Apprentice 2026 will be disbursed in accordance with the provisions of the Apprentices Act, 1961/1973, and the Apprentices Rules 1992 (as amended), along with the Corporation's internal guidelines. The official notification does not specify a fixed monthly stipend amount. Apprentices will not be provided with House Rent Allowance (HRA) or company accommodation. However, they will receive accident insurance coverage throughout their training period. Additionally, for selected trades (Codes 101–107 for Bongaigaon, Gujarat, and Mathura Refineries; and Codes 101, 102, 104–107 for Paradip Refinery), apprentices will be provided with essential safety equipment, including one pair of safety shoes and a helmet, which must be returned upon completion of the apprenticeship.
| Benefit | Details |
|---|
| Monthly Stipend | As per Apprentices Act, 1961/1973 and Corporation guidelines |
| HRA / Accommodation | Not provided |
| Accident Insurance | Provided |
| Safety Equipment (Codes 101–107 for BGR/GR/MR; 101, 102, 104–107 for PDR) | One pair of safety shoes and helmet (returnable on completion) |
| General Leave | 32 days (8 days per quarter) including medical grounds |
| Casual Leave | 12 days per calendar year (pro-rata) |
It is crucial for candidates to understand that upon the successful completion of the apprenticeship period, IOCL is under no obligation to offer permanent employment. Apprentices cannot claim any employment rights based solely on the completion of their training program.
How to Apply — Step by Step
The application process for the IndianOil Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a mandatory two-step online procedure. Both Step I, which involves registration and application on either the NAPS or NATS portal, and Step II, requiring the submission of additional details via Microsoft Forms, must be completed. Failure to complete either step will result in an invalid application. The application window is open from 29 June 2026 (10:00 hrs) to 28 July 2026 (17:00 hrs) on the official website, www.iocl.com.
Step I – Register and Apply on NAPS or NATS Portal
- For Trade Codes 101, 102, 103, 108, 109, 110, and 111: Candidates must register on the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) portal at https://apprenticeshipindia.gov.in/. After successful registration, applicants should search for and apply to the relevant IOCL refinery opportunity using the specific establishment ID provided in the official notification for NAPS.
- For Trade Codes 104, 105, 106, and 107: Candidates are required to register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal at https://nats.education.gov.in. Once registered, they should apply for the advertisement notified by their chosen IOCL refinery unit on their dashboard, utilizing the establishment ID for NATS.
Step II – Submit Additional Details via Microsoft Forms
After successfully completing Step I on either the NAPS or NATS portal, candidates are mandatorily required to submit additional information through a Microsoft Forms link. These links are available on the official IOCL website. It is essential that candidates submit only one response through these forms. The specific Microsoft Forms links for each refinery unit are provided below:
Full Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the Official Website: Navigate to www.iocl.com and locate the 'What's New' section on the homepage.
- Access Notification: Click on the apprenticeship engagement notification link that corresponds to your desired refinery unit.
- Review Advertisement: Read the comprehensive advertisement thoroughly to understand all eligibility criteria and instructions.
- NAPS/NATS Profile Update: Ensure your profile on the relevant NAPS or NATS portal is fully registered and 100% accurately updated. An incomplete profile may lead to application invalidation.
- Apply on Portal: Log in to the NAPS/NATS portal using your User ID/Email ID and apply for the specific apprenticeship opportunity under the correct refinery's Establishment ID.
- Submit Microsoft Form: After successfully applying on NAPS/NATS, return to www.iocl.com and click on the Microsoft Forms link designated for your chosen refinery unit.
- Provide Additional Information: Complete and submit the additional information form, ensuring that the Enrolment No./Student ID/Registration No. used here is identical to the one used in Step I.
- Verify Details: Double-check that all details provided in both application steps are consistent and accurate to avoid rejection.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in IOCL Apprentice Apply Online 2026
Many applicants inadvertently make errors during the online application process for the IOCL Apprentice Vacancy 2026, which often leads to their applications being summarily rejected. Based on common issues observed in similar public sector unit (PSU) apprenticeship recruitments, candidates should pay close attention to the following points:
- Incomplete Application: Failing to complete both Step I (NAPS/NATS portal application) and Step II (Microsoft Forms submission) is a common mistake. Both steps are mandatory, and completing only one will render the application invalid.
- Mismatched Information: Ensure that critical details such as the Enrolment No., email ID, and mobile number are exactly the same across both the NAPS/NATS portal and the Microsoft Forms submission. Any discrepancy will result in rejection.
- Multiple Applications: The notification explicitly prohibits applying for more than one trade or discipline. Candidates who submit multiple applications will face immediate rejection.
- Non-Regular Qualifications: Applications based on qualifications obtained through distance learning, correspondence courses, or part-time modes are not accepted. Only regular full-time courses are considered eligible.
- Higher Qualification Holders: Individuals possessing or having completed higher professional qualifications (e.g., B.E./B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB, MCA) before joining the apprenticeship are not eligible. Such candidates will be disqualified during document verification.
- CGPA Conversion Errors: Candidates with mark sheets showing CGPA or grade-based scores must convert these to an equivalent percentage as per their institute's official norms. They must also carry a conversion certificate for document verification.
- Last-Minute Submission: Waiting until the final hours to apply is risky. The application portal closes precisely at 17:00 hrs on 28 July 2026, and technical issues or server overload near the deadline are common. It is advisable to apply well in advance.
- Incomplete NAPS/NATS Profile: An incomplete or improperly updated NAPS/NATS profile (not 100% complete) can lead to the application being treated as invalid. Always verify and complete your profile before initiating the application.
Documents Required at Document Verification – IOCL Apprentice 2026
Candidates who are shortlisted for the document verification stage of the IOCL Refinery Apprentice Recruitment 2026 must ensure they bring both the original documents and self-attested photocopies of all required certificates. SC/ST/PwBD candidates will be eligible for reimbursement of a single second-class railway fare for attending document verification, provided their travel distance is not less than 30 km.
- Matriculation Certificate: The 10th Pass or Matriculation certificate is required as proof of the candidate's date of birth.
- Academic Marksheets: This includes Class XII mark sheets, ITI (Fitter) semester-wise or year-wise mark sheets, and Graduation or Diploma in Engineering mark sheets, as applicable to the chosen trade.
- Academic Certificates: The original Class XII, Final ITI (Fitter), Graduation, or Diploma Certificate issued by the respective Board or Authority.
- CGPA/OGPA Conversion Certificate: If applicable, a certificate from the University or Institute confirming the conversion of CGPA/OGPA/Letter Grade to a percentage.
- Course Completion Certificate: A certificate from the Principal of the School/Polytechnic/College/Institute verifying the date of result publication and confirming that the course was completed in a regular full-time mode.
- Category Certificate: Valid SC/ST/OBC(NCL)/EWS/Disability certificate in the prescribed format, issued by the Competent Authority, which can be downloaded from www.iocl.com.
- Skill Certificate (for Code 111): For candidates applying under Code 111, a Skill Certificate in 'Domestic Data Entry Operator' issued under NSQF or a Central Government recognized authority (for training less than 1 year) is mandatory.
- NATS/NAPS Registration Printout: A printout of the NATS/NAPS portal registration page, clearly showing the applicant's details.
- Affidavit (if applicable): An affidavit as per Annexure-A, specifically for candidates applying for a second-time apprenticeship.
- Photo ID Proof: One original Photo ID proof, such as an Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Driving License, or Passport.
Important Dates
All four IOCL refinery units adhere to the same critical dates for this IndianOil Apprentice Vacancy 2026. The online application portal will open on 29 June 2026, at 10:00 hrs, and the deadline for submitting applications is 28 July 2026, at 17:00 hrs. The tentative date for the publication of the shortlist of candidates called for Document Verification is 05 August 2026, with the Document Verification process provisionally scheduled from 11 August to 18 August 2026.
| Event | Date / Time |
|---|
| Notification Release Date | 29 June 2026 |
| Online Application Opens (NAPS/NATS + MS Forms) | 29 June 2026 (10:00 hrs) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 28 July 2026 (17:00 hrs) |
| Eligibility Cut-off Date (Age & Qualification) | 30 June 2026 |
| Tentative Date of Publication of Shortlist for Document Verification | 05 August 2026 |
| Tentative Dates for Document Verification | 11 August 2026 to 18 August 2026 |
Important Links
Candidates interested in the IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 can find all necessary information and application portals through the following important links. These resources are essential for accessing official notifications, registering for the apprenticeship, and submitting application details.
