IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 335 Western Region Posts

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), the country's top energy major and a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking, has released an official recruitment notification for the engagement of Apprentices across its Marketing Division in the Western Region. Under advertisement number IOCL/MKTG/WR/APPR/2026-27, the corporation is inviting online applications to fill 335 Apprentice positions. The vacancies are distributed across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Chhattisgarh, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. This recruitment drive offers practical industrial training for graduates, diploma engineers, ITI holders, and Class 12 passouts. The online application portal opened on October 5, 2026, and candidates can submit their forms until November 4, 2026.

Important Dates

Applicants must track these official deadlines to complete their multi-portal registration process on time.

• Official Notification Release Date: October 3, 2026
• Online Application Start Date: October 5, 2026 (10:00 AM)
• Last Date to Apply Online: November 4, 2026 (5:00 PM)
• Cut-off Date for Age and Qualification: September 30, 2026
• Tentative Date for Document Verification: Late November 2026

Vacancy Details

IOCL has divided the 335 apprentice openings across four separate qualification categories to meet operational needs in depots, terminals, and regional offices.

• Graduate Apprentice: 174 Posts
• Technician Apprentice (Diploma Engineering): 99 Posts
• Trade Apprentice (ITI): 40 Posts
• Data Entry Operator (DEO - Fresher and Skill Certificate Holder): 22 Posts

The openings include statutory reservation quotas for SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), EWS, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) in accordance with central government apprentice regulations.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet distinct educational standards and age parameters as of September 30, 2026.

Educational Qualification & Trade Requirements

• Graduate Apprentice: Candidates must hold a regular, full-time Bachelor's degree (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com., or B.B.A.) from a recognized university with at least 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates).
• Technician Apprentice: A regular 3-year Diploma in Engineering in disciplines such as Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Civil, Electronics, or Electrical and Electronics Engineering with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates).
• Trade Apprentice: Matriculation (Class 10) plus a regular 2-year ITI certificate recognized by NCVT or SCVT in trades including Fitter, Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, Instrument Mechanic, or Machinist.
• Data Entry Operator (DEO): Class 12 (Higher Secondary) pass from a recognized board. Skill certificate holders must hold a Domestic Data Entry Operator certificate issued by an authorized skill training agency.
• Mandatory Condition: Candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training elsewhere or possess post-qualification work experience of one year or more are not eligible.

Age Limit

• Minimum Age: 18 years
• Maximum Age: 24 years as of September 30, 2026.
• Age Relaxation: Upper age limits are relaxed by 5 years for SC and ST candidates, 3 years for OBC (NCL) candidates, and 10 years for PwBD candidates.

Stipend Details

Selected candidates will receive a consolidated monthly stipend as prescribed under the Apprentices Act, 1961 and the Apprenticeship Rules.

• Graduate Apprentices: Approximately Rs 9,000 per month.
• Technician (Diploma) Apprentices: Approximately Rs 8,000 per month.
• Trade (ITI) Apprentices and DEO: Approximately Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,050 per month based on state minimum wages and apprenticeship categories.
• Training Duration: The apprenticeship engagement period is 12 months (1 year) from the date of joining.

How to Apply

The application process involves a two-step registration route. Candidates must register on the central apprenticeship portals before applying through IOCL.

1. Portal Registration:
   • Graduate and Diploma candidates must register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal at nats.education.gov.in and obtain an enrollment number.
   • Trade Apprentice and Data Entry Operator candidates must register on the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) portal at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in and generate their registration profile.
2. IOCL Portal Application:
   • Visit the official IOCL recruitment portal at iocl.com/apprenticeships.
   • Click on the link titled "Engagement of Apprentices in Marketing Division Western Region 2026".
   • Log in and enter your NATS or NAPS registration number, personal details, state choice, and qualification marks.
   • Upload scanned copies of your passport photo, signature, Aadhaar card, proof of date of birth, and final mark sheets.
   • Review all details and submit the application.
3. Application Fee: There is no application or examination fee for any category of applicants.

Official Links

• IOCL Official Careers Page: iocl.com/apprenticeships
• NATS Portal for Degree and Diploma: nats.education.gov.in
• NAPS Portal for ITI and Class 12: apprenticeshipindia.gov.in

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does completing this apprenticeship guarantee a permanent job at IOCL?

No. This engagement is solely for 12 months of skill development training under the Apprentices Act. Apprentices cannot claim regular or permanent appointment in IOCL on completion of their training.

How are candidates selected for these apprentice positions?

Selection is based on academic merit scores obtained in the qualifying examination (Degree, Diploma, ITI, or Class 12) followed by verification of original documents and medical fitness assessment.

Can candidates who passed their qualifying exam before 2023 apply for technician posts?

Candidates whose qualification year falls outside the active three-year window from the notification date may face portal validation checks under current NATS guidelines. Candidates must verify their eligibility status on the NATS portal prior to submission.