Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Pipelines Division, has invited online applications for the engagement of 500 Trade, Technician and Data Entry Operator Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This recruitment provides an opportunity for eligible 12th-pass candidates, diploma holders and graduates to undergo apprenticeship training with one of India’s leading public sector oil and gas companies.
The recruitment is being conducted across five regional pipelines divisions: Northern, Western, Eastern, South Eastern and Southern. Interested candidates can apply online from 6 November 2026 to 5 December 2026.
IOCL Pipelines Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) |
| Division | Pipelines Division |
| Recruitment Name | IOCL Pipelines Apprentice Recruitment 2026 |
| Advertisement Number | PL/HR/ESTB/APPR (2026) |
| Post Name | Trade, Technician and Data Entry Operator Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 500 |
| Training Duration | 12 Months |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 06 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 05 December 2026 |
| Age Limit | 18–24 Years |
| Age/Qualification Cut-off Date | 30 November 2026 |
| Selection Process | Merit List and Document Verification |
| Official Website | iocl.com |
IOCL Apprentice Vacancy 2026 – Trade-wise Details
A total of 500 apprenticeship seats are available across seven trade categories.
| Apprentice Trade | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Technician Apprentice – Mechanical | Included in regional allocation |
| Technician Apprentice – Electrical | Included in regional allocation |
| Technician Apprentice – Telecommunication & Instrumentation | Included in regional allocation |
| Trade Apprentice – Assistant-Human Resource | Included in regional allocation |
| Trade Apprentice – Accountant | Included in regional allocation |
| Data Entry Operator (Fresher) | Included in regional allocation |
| Domestic Data Entry Operator (Skill Certificate Holder) | Included in regional allocation |
| Total | 500 |
Note: The detailed advertisement contains region-wise and trade-wise seat allocation. Candidates should check the official notification for the exact seat availability under their preferred region and trade.
Region-wise Vacancy Distribution
| Region | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Western Region Pipelines (WRPL) | 149 |
| Eastern Region Pipelines (ERPL) | 116 |
| Northern Region Pipelines (NRPL) | 110 |
| South Eastern Region Pipelines (SERPL) | 79 |
| Southern Region Pipelines (SRPL) | 46 |
| Total | 500 |
Odisha Vacancy Details
Odisha falls under the South Eastern Region Pipelines (SERPL). The region has 79 apprenticeship seats, of which 49 seats are reported for Odisha.
The locations associated with Odisha include Balasore, Bhubaneswar, Brahmapur, Jatni, Jharsuguda, Paradip and Sambalpur. Candidates should refer to the official notification for the applicable trade and location-wise allocation.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess the prescribed educational qualification for the particular apprenticeship trade. The qualification requirements are broadly as follows:
| Apprentice Trade | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Technician Apprentice – Mechanical | Three-year full-time Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or the prescribed equivalent discipline |
| Technician Apprentice – Electrical | Three-year full-time Diploma in Electrical Engineering or the prescribed equivalent discipline |
| Technician Apprentice – Telecommunication & Instrumentation | Three-year full-time Diploma in the relevant Telecommunication, Electronics, Instrumentation or prescribed equivalent engineering discipline |
| Trade Apprentice – Assistant-Human Resource | Full-time Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline |
| Trade Apprentice – Accountant | Full-time B.Com degree |
| Data Entry Operator (Fresher) | Class 12 pass; candidate must meet the prescribed below-graduate eligibility |
| Domestic Data Entry Operator (Skill Certificate Holder) | Class 12 pass with the prescribed Domestic Data Entry Operator skill certificate |
Important educational conditions:
- The prescribed qualification must be obtained from a recognised institution or university.
- Candidates must satisfy the full-time course requirements specified in the notification.
- Part-time, correspondence and distance-learning qualifications are not accepted where the notification requires a regular full-time course.
- Candidates possessing or pursuing higher professional qualifications such as BE/B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB or MCA may be ineligible under the notification’s higher-qualification restrictions.
- Candidates should carefully check the qualification conditions for their selected trade before applying.
Age Limit
The prescribed age limit for IOCL Pipelines Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is:
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 Years |
| Maximum Age | 24 Years |
The age will be calculated as on 30 November 2026.
Age Relaxation
Age relaxation is applicable to eligible reserved-category candidates as per the notification and applicable government guidelines.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| PwBD | 10 Years, subject to applicable conditions |
Candidates claiming age relaxation must possess valid supporting certificates.
Apprenticeship Training Duration
The selected candidates will undergo apprenticeship training for a period of 12 months under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
The apprenticeship is intended to provide practical workplace exposure and technical or administrative training in the respective trade.
Please note: Apprenticeship engagement is for training purposes and should not be treated as a regular permanent employment appointment in IOCL.
Stipend
Selected apprentices will receive a monthly stipend as prescribed under the Apprentices Act, 1961 and applicable government rules and IOCL guidelines.
The applicable stipend may vary depending on the apprenticeship category and prescribed qualification. Candidates should refer to the official advertisement for the applicable stipend provisions.
Application Fee
Candidates should refer to the official notification and online application instructions for any applicable fee requirement. Do not make payment through unofficial websites or agents.
Selection Process
The selection of candidates for IOCL Pipelines Division Apprentice Recruitment 2026 will be based on the prescribed merit-based process.
The selection stages include:
- Merit List: Candidates will be shortlisted based on the marks obtained in the prescribed qualifying examination and the applicable trade-wise criteria.
- Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates will be required to produce original educational, identity and category documents.
- Pre-Engagement Medical Examination: Candidates must satisfy the prescribed medical fitness requirements before engagement.
- Final Engagement: Engagement will be subject to verification of eligibility, documents and medical fitness.
There is no conventional written examination or interview indicated in the recruitment process described for this notification. Candidates should follow the official advertisement for the precise merit calculation and shortlisting rules.
How to Apply Online for IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
The application process involves two stages. Candidates must first register and apply through the appropriate apprenticeship portal, followed by completion of the application on the Indian Oil Pipelines portal.
Step 1: Register on NATS or NAPS
Candidates must select the appropriate portal according to their apprenticeship trade:
- NATS: For Technician Apprentices and the prescribed graduate-level Trade Apprentice categories, including Assistant-HR and Accountant.
- NAPS: For Data Entry Operator (Fresher) and Domestic Data Entry Operator (Skill Certificate Holder) categories.
Complete the registration and apply for the relevant IOCL apprenticeship opportunity. Keep the registration or enrolment number safely.
Step 2: Apply through the IOCL Pipelines Portal
Visit the official application portal: https://plapps.indianoilpipelines.in
Register or log in and complete the application using the same email address and mobile number used on the NATS/NAPS portal.
Step 3: Enter Personal and Educational Details
Provide the required personal information, educational qualifications, category details and apprenticeship registration information.
Check the aggregate percentage and other educational details carefully before submission.
Step 4: Upload Required Documents
Upload the scanned photograph, signature and other documents in the prescribed format, wherever required by the application portal.
Step 5: Final Submission
Review all entered details and submit the application. Download or print the final submitted application for future reference.
Important Documents Required
Candidates should keep the following documents ready for application and subsequent verification:
- Class 10 certificate or mark sheet as date-of-birth proof.
- Class 12 certificate and mark sheet, wherever applicable.
- Diploma certificate and mark sheets, wherever applicable.
- Bachelor’s degree certificate and mark sheets, wherever applicable.
- NATS/NAPS registration or enrolment details.
- Recent passport-size photograph.
- Scanned signature.
- Aadhaar card or other valid identity proof.
- SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS certificate, if applicable.
- PwBD certificate, if applicable.
- Domestic Data Entry Operator skill certificate, wherever applicable.
- Other documents required under the official notification.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 06 November 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | 06 November 2026 |
| Age and Qualification Cut-off Date | 30 November 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application | 05 December 2026 |
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Candidates must apply for only one apprenticeship trade code. Multiple applications may result in rejection as per the notification.
- NATS/NAPS registration must be completed before submitting the application on the IOCL Pipelines portal.
- The same mobile number and email ID should be used in both application stages.
- Ensure that the educational details and aggregate marks in the apprenticeship portal are correct.
- Candidates must satisfy the prescribed regular-course and qualification conditions.
- Engagement is subject to successful document verification and medical fitness.
- Mere submission of an application or inclusion in a merit list does not guarantee engagement.
- Candidates should regularly visit the official IOCL apprenticeship website for corrigenda and further announcements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many vacancies are available in IOCL Pipelines Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
A. A total of 500 apprenticeship seats are available under the recruitment notification.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
A. The last date for online application is 5 December 2026.
Q3. What is the age limit for IOCL Apprenticeship 2026?
A. The prescribed age limit is 18 to 24 years as on 30 November 2026, with applicable category-wise relaxation.
Q4. What is the qualification required for IOCL Apprentice Recruitment?
A. Depending on the trade, candidates must possess a relevant engineering diploma, a bachelor’s degree, B.Com, Class 12 qualification or the prescribed skill certificate.
Q5. How many vacancies are available in Odisha?
A. Odisha has 49 reported seats under the South Eastern Region Pipelines allocation.
Q6. What is the duration of IOCL apprenticeship training?
A. The apprenticeship training duration is 12 months.
Q7. Is there any written examination for IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
A. Selection is based on the prescribed merit-list process, followed by document verification and medical fitness requirements.
Q8. Is NATS/NAPS registration compulsory?
A. Yes. Candidates must first register and apply through the applicable NATS or NAPS portal before completing the application on the IOCL Pipelines portal.
Q9. Can candidates with MBA or B.Tech qualifications apply?
A. Candidates possessing or pursuing higher qualifications such as MBA or BE/B.Tech may be ineligible under the notification’s higher-qualification conditions. Candidates must check the exact eligibility clause before applying.
Q10. What is the official application website?
A. Candidates can complete the application at https://plapps.indianoilpipelines.in/.
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