Indian Oil Corporation Limited has released the IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 for 2974 apprentice posts in Trade, Technician and Graduate categories. 1524 posts are for Mathura, Gujarat, Paradip and Bongaigaon refineries and 1450 posts are for the Panipat Refinery & Petrochemical Complex.
Interested and eligible candidates must apply online through the NATS/NAPS portal. The online form for the first set of refineries opened on 29 June 2026 and closes on 28 July 2026. The Panipat refinery application window opened on 14 July 2026 and will close on 12 August 2026. There is no application fee for any candidate.
Selection will be done only on the basis of marks in the qualifying exams, so there will be no written test. Shortlisted names will be published in August and document verification will take place between 11 August and 3 September 2026. The age requirement is 18 to 24 years with government relaxations for reserved categories.
IOCL Apprentice Recruitment: Overview
The Apprentice recruitment is announced by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). The application must be submitted online through the official IOCL website at iocl.com. You should read the full notification on the website to know the rules, dates and steps for applying.
| Post Name | Trade, Technician and Graduate Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 2,974 Vacancies |
| Location | Mathura, Gujarat, Paradip, Panipat and Bongaigaon |
| Application Fee | Nil (₹0) |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Official Website | https://iocl.com |
IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details
Indian Oil Corporation Limited announced 2,974 apprentice posts. These posts are divided among different refinery units to manage their work needs. First, four refineries got the vacancies and later Panipat refinery was added with its share.
| Refinery Location | Total Vacancies |
| Mathura, Gujarat, Paradip & Bongaigaon | 1,524 |
| Panipat Refinery | 1,450 |
| Total Vacancies | 2,974 |
Eligibility Criteria of IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Before applying online, candidates must check eligibility. They need the right education, proper age and required work experience. Only then the application can be submitted smoothly.
Education Qualification
Applicants must have specific educational qualifications. For some trades you need to have passed 12th grade. For other trades you must hold a Diploma. Some trades require a Bachelor’s degree. Which qualification you need depends on the trade you choose.
The table below shows the basic education required for each main discipline.
| Trade/Discipline | Qualifications |
| Trade Apprentice: Attendant Operator (Chemical Plant) Discipline – Chemical | 3 years B.Sc (Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry) |
| Trade Apprentice (Fitter) Discipline – Mechanical | Matric with ITI in Fitter Trade of minimum 2 years duration with Pass class |
| Trade Apprentice (Boiler) Discipline – Mechanical | 3 years B.Sc (Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry) |
| Technician Apprentice Discipline – Chemical | 3 years Diploma in Chemical Engg./Petrochemical Engg./Chemical Technology/Refinery and Petrochemical Engg. |
| Technician Apprentice Discipline – Mechanical | 3 years Diploma in Mechanical Engg. |
| Technician Apprentice Discipline – Electrical | 3 years Diploma in Electrical Engg./Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering |
| Technician Apprentice Discipline – Instrumentation | 3 years Diploma in Instrumentation Engg./Instrumentation & Electronics/Instrumentation & Control Engg./Applied Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering |
| Trade Apprentice – Secretarial Assistant | 3 years B.A./B.Sc/B.Com |
| Trade Apprentice – Accountant | 3 years B.Com |
| Trade Apprentice – Data Entry Operator (Fresher Apprentices) | Class XII pass |
| Trade Apprentice – Data Entry Operator (Skill Certificate Holders) | Class XII pass with Skill Certificate holder in ‘Domestic Data Entry Operator’ |
Age Limit
The recruitment board has set a clear age range so only candidates in the right age group apply for these apprentice posts. The board will follow government rules that allow age relaxations for reserved categories.
| Category | Minimum Age | Upper Age Relaxation | Maximum Age Limit |
| General | 18 years | None | 24 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 18 years | 3 years | 27 years |
| SC/ST | 18 years | 5 years | 29 years |
| PwBD | 18 years | As per Govt. of India rules | 24 years + applicable Govt. relaxation |
IOCL Apprentice Vacancy 2026 Salary and Benefits
Selected apprentices get a fixed monthly stipend under the Apprentices Act. The exact amount depends on the apprentice’s qualification. This stipend gives them a steady monthly income and standard benefits while they train.
Salary Structure:
- Rate of Stipend: Paid as per the prescribed Government Apprenticeship Rules, generally based on the level of education (ITI, Diploma, or Degree).
- Period of Training: Generally lasts for 12 months for most trades, up to 15-24 months for specific specialized profiles depending on the discipline.
Benefits and Perks:
- Leaves and Holidays
- Medical Coverage
- Career Value
Selection Process of IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
IOCL selects apprentices mainly based on past academic marks instead of a competitive written exam. Candidates who meet the merit cutoff and verify their original documents will get a position.
Stage 1 (Merit List Preparation):
- Shortlisting based strictly on the percentage of marks scored by the candidate in their qualifying academic exams (ITI, Diploma, or Degree).
Stage 2 (Document Verification):
- Shortlisted candidates must present all original educational, identity and category certificates in person.
Stage 3 (Medical Examination):
- A general health check-up to ensure candidates are physically fit to work safely in a demanding refinery environment.
IOCL Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
Indian Oil Corporation Limited has no application fee for apprentice posts. Candidates only need to complete and submit the online form without paying any charges.
| Category of Applicant | Application Fee Amount |
| General / OBC / EWS | Nil (₹0) |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Female | Nil (₹0) |
How to Apply Online for IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
The registration is done completely online. First, sign in or register on the NAPS or NATS portal and complete your profile there. After that, visit the IOCL careers website and apply for the apprentice post by using your NAPS/NATS details or by filling the IOCL form.
Step 1: Visit the official Indian Oil Corporation Limited website at iocl.com and navigate to the “What’s New” section.
Step 2: Ensure you are first registered on the respective NAPS (for ITI/12th trades) or NATS (for Diploma/Degree) government portals.
Step 3: Click on the specific link titled “Click here to Register/Apply on NAPS/NATS” for the IOCL 2026 apprenticeship.
Step 4: Fill in your personal information, contact details, educational records and preferred refinery location directly in the application form.
Step 5: Upload your scanned photograph, signature and other required educational or caste documents precisely as per the size guidelines.
Step 6: Review all filled data thoroughly since corrections might not be allowed later, then confidently submit the final form.
Step 7: Print or save a PDF copy of the final application confirmation page for your future reference during the document verification stage.
Documents Required
Before you start the online application, keep scanned copies of all important documents ready. Make sure each scan is clear and easy to read and that the file sizes follow the limits given in the notification.
- Recent Passport Photo: A clear color photo with a plain, light background.
- Scanned Signature: Your normal signature on white paper using a black or blue pen.
- Education Certificates: Your 10th/12th mark sheets, ITI, Diploma, or Degree certificates.
- Age Proof: Your 10th class certificate or birth certificate to prove your exact date of birth.
- Category Certificate: Your SC, ST, OBC, or EWS certificate in PDF format (only if you are applying for reserved seats).
- ID Proof: An original government ID with your photo on it, like an Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Voter ID.
IOCL Apprentice Notification PDF Important Links
Below are direct links that will help you open the official portal, read the full notification and begin your online application immediately.
| Apply Now | Click Here |
| Mathura Refinery | Download PDF |
| Gujarat Refinery | Download PDF |
| Bongaigaon Refinery | Download PDF |
| Paradip Refinery | Download PDF |
| Panipat Refinery | Download PDF |
| Official Website | Click Here |
IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
It is very important to note the deadlines because IOCL has given different dates for each refinery. The online application starts and ends on separate days depending on which refinery you choose. The table shows the opening and closing dates clearly so that candidates can apply within the right time.
| Advertisement Release Date (Phase 1 / Panipat) | 29 June 2026 / 14 July 2026 |
| Online Applications Start Date | 29 June 2026 (Phase 1) / 14 July 2026 (Panipat) |
| Closing Date for Application Submission | 28 July 2026 (Phase 1) / 12 August 2026 (Panipat) |
| Publication of Shortlisted Candidates | 05 August 2026 (Phase 1) / 20 August 2026 (Panipat) |
| Document Verification | 11-18 August 2026 (Phase 1) / 27 Aug-03 Sep 2026 (Panipat) |
Final Thought
The IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a great chance for ITI, Diploma and Degree holders to get real work experience in a large public sector company. If you get selected from the 2,974 vacancies, you will receive a regular monthly stipend and learn practical skills used in chemical, mechanical and electrical work.
Selection is based only on your marks, so there is no written exam to prepare for but you must make sure your application is complete and your documents are correct. Check the deadlines carefully because the Panipat refinery has different dates from the other refineries. Start collecting your academic records and category certificates now and submit your form well before the final August dates to avoid any last-minute problems.
IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 FAQs
How many total vacancies are available in the IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
A total of 2,974 vacancies have been announced with 1,524 for Mathura, Gujarat, Paradip and Bongaigaon refineries and 1,450 for the Panipat Refinery.
What is the age limit for applying to the IOCL Apprentice posts?
Candidates must be between 18 and 24 years of age. Standard upper age relaxations apply for reserved categories like SC, ST and OBC.
Is there any application fee required to apply for these vacancies?
No, the registration process is completely free. There is no application fee for any category of candidates.
Will there be an online computer-based test (CBT) for the IOCL Apprentice selection?
No, candidates will be shortlisted strictly based on the merit of marks obtained in their qualifying academic exams, followed by document verification.
What is the final deadline to apply online for the Panipat Refinery apprentice vacancies?
The last date to complete and submit the online application form for the Panipat Refinery is 12 August 2026.













