Indian Oil Corporation Limited has thrown open 582 apprentice seats at its Paradip Refinery in Odisha, covering ten trades ranging from chemical plant operators to data entry roles. The window opened on 29 June 2026 and shuts on 28 July 2026 at 5 PM, so candidates don’t have much room to sit on this one.
There’s a catch that trips up a lot of applicants every year with IOCL: registering on the government apprenticeship portal isn’t enough on its own. You also need to fill a separate Microsoft Form, and skipping either step means your application won’t count. No written exam is involved here — the selection runs purely on academic merit.
This drive was advertised under reference number PDR/HR/01/Apprentices-26 and falls under the Apprentices Act, 1961/1973. Below is everything you need — vacancy breakup, who qualifies, the age cut-offs, and the exact steps to submit your form.
- Download the official notification PDF: Click here
- Apply online directly: Click here
IOCL Paradip Refinery Apprentice Recruitment 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Paradip Refinery |
| Advertisement number | PDR/HR/01/Apprentices-26 |
| Notification date | 29 June 2026 |
| Post name | Trade Apprentice & Technician Apprentice (multiple trades) |
| Total vacancies | 582 |
| Governing law | Apprentices Act, 1961/1973 (as amended) |
| Mode of application | Online — NAPS/NATS portal + Microsoft Forms |
| Application start | 29 June 2026, 10:00 AM |
| Last date to apply | 28 July 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Official website | iocl.com |
IOCL had earlier floated a separate, larger drive for 1,524 apprentice posts across its refineries — that one runs independently of this Paradip-specific notification, so don’t mix up the two application links.
Important Dates for IOCL Paradip Apprentice Recruitment 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opens on NAPS/NATS and MS Forms | 29 June 2026, 10:00 AM |
| Last date to submit both NAPS/NATS application and MS Form | 28 July 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Tentative release of shortlist for document verification | 5 August 2026 |
| Tentative document verification window | 11 to 18 August 2026 |
One date candidates often overlook: eligibility — both marks and age — is calculated as on 30 June 2026, not the closing date of the application.
Vacancy Breakup: Trade-wise Seats
The 582 seats are spread across ten trade and discipline codes. Category-wise numbers below are indicative and follow Odisha’s reservation norms.
| Code | Trade/Discipline | Qualification Required | Training Period | Total Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Trade Apprentice – Attendant Operator (Chemical Plant) | B.Sc (Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry) | 12 months | 180 |
| 102 | Trade Apprentice (Fitter) | Matriculation + 2-year ITI in Fitter trade | 12 months | 59 |
| 104 | Technician Apprentice (Chemical) | 3-year Diploma in Chemical/Petrochemical Engineering | 12 months | 130 |
| 105 | Technician Apprentice (Mechanical) | 3-year Diploma in Mechanical Engineering | 12 months | 60 |
| 106 | Technician Apprentice (Electrical) | 3-year Diploma in Electrical/Electrical & Electronics Engineering | 12 months | 80 |
| 107 | Technician Apprentice (Instrumentation) | 3-year Diploma in Instrumentation Engineering | 12 months | 20 |
| 108 | Trade Apprentice – Secretarial Assistant | B.A./B.Sc/B.Com | 15 months | 23 |
| 109 | Trade Apprentice – Accountant | B.Com | 12 months | 1 |
| 110 | Trade Apprentice – Data Entry Operator (Fresher) | Class XII pass | 12 months | 20 |
| 111 | Trade Apprentice – Data Entry Operator (Skill Certificate holders) | Class XII + Domestic Data Entry Operator skill certificate | 12 months | 9 |
| Total | 582 |
A word of caution here: IOCL has kept the right to adjust these numbers based on actual reservation calculations, and seats under codes 110 and 111 may be interchanged if suitable candidates aren’t found in one of the two.
Eligibility Criteria for IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Educational qualification
- Your qualification must be complete as on 30 June 2026 — if you’re still waiting on a final-semester result, you don’t qualify yet.
- The degree, diploma or Class XII certificate needs to come from a recognised, regular full-time course with at least 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST and PwBD candidates).
- Got a CGPA or grade instead of a straight percentage? You’ll need a conversion certificate from your board or university at the time of document verification.
- ITI candidates just need a pass mark, as long as the course is NCVET/SCVT-recognised and full-time.
- Diplomas or degrees from a branch other than the one specified for a given code won’t be entertained, even if it seems closely related.
- Correspondence, distance-learning or part-time qualifications are ruled out entirely.
- Code 110 is reserved strictly for “fresher apprentices” — anyone who has already gone through institutional or skill training elsewhere isn’t eligible for this particular code.
- Code 111 specifically needs a Domestic Data Entry Operator skill certificate of less than one year’s duration.
- Higher professional qualifications such as BE/B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB or MCA disqualify a candidate for these apprentice posts.
- There’s also a five-year cap from the date you completed your qualification — apply beyond that window and you’re no longer eligible.
- Applying for more than one trade or discipline code gets your application cancelled outright, so pick one and stick with it.
If you’ve already completed an apprenticeship elsewhere
Candidates who’ve done an apprenticeship in a different trade before can still apply, but a few conditions kick in:
- There needs to be at least a one-year gap between finishing your last apprenticeship and the eligibility cut-off date.
- If your earlier contract was terminated because of the employer’s fault, this gap requirement doesn’t apply.
- If you left your last apprenticeship yourself — due to health, financial trouble, relocation, travel issues or a language barrier — a minimum three-month gap is required (this condition is waived for women candidates).
- If your previous contract was cancelled because of something on your end, you’re not eligible to apply again.
- First-time apprentices get preference over repeat applicants during selection.
Age Limit and Relaxation
The minimum age is 18 and the maximum is 24 years for General/EWS candidates, calculated as on 30 June 2026. Only your Class X certificate will be accepted as proof of date of birth — no other document works for this.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 10 years (over and above reservation) |
| PwBD + SC/ST | Additional 5 years |
| PwBD + OBC (NCL) | Additional 3 years |
SC/ST and PwBD candidates also get a 5% relaxation in the minimum qualifying marks.
How Selection Works
There’s no written test for this recruitment. Once you’ve registered on NAPS/NATS, here’s how IOCL shortlists candidates:
- A merit list gets built purely on the aggregate percentage scored in your qualifying exam (all years or semesters combined), ranked highest to lowest.
- If two candidates end up with identical marks, the older candidate gets preference. If birthdates match too, whoever scored higher in Class X moves ahead.
- PwBD candidates who’ve availed the relaxed qualifying marks are considered only within their own reserved category, regardless of where they’d otherwise rank in the overall merit list.
- Filling every seat isn’t guaranteed — it’s entirely at management’s discretion, and no candidate can claim a right to a seat left vacant due to unavailability of suitable applicants.
Candidates who make the merit cut get called for document verification, followed by a pre-engagement medical check. Only those declared medically fit go on to be engaged as apprentices.
Stipend, Safety Gear and Other Terms
- Stipend: Paid as per the rates fixed under the Apprentices Act, 1961/1973 and the Apprentices Rules, 1992. The notification doesn’t spell out an exact monthly figure.
- Safety equipment: Apprentices selected under codes 101, 102, 104, 105, 106 and 107 get one pair of safety shoes and a helmet, which must be returned once training ends.
- Accommodation/HRA: None on offer — apprentices aren’t entitled to HRA or company housing.
- Leave: 32 days of general leave per year (8 per quarter, medical leave included), plus 12 days of casual leave annually on a pro-rata basis. Unused leave lapses once the training period is over.
- Insurance: Every apprentice is covered under accident insurance for the training duration.
- No job guarantee: Completing the apprenticeship does not obligate IOCL to offer employment afterward, and apprentices cannot stake any claim to a job on that basis.
Application Fee
The official notification does not mention any application fee for this recruitment.
Reservation for PwBD Candidates
Candidates with benchmark disabilities can apply only under codes 102, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110 and 111. A minimum of 40% disability, as defined under Section 2(r) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, is required. The categories accepted are:
- PV – Low vision, blindness
- PH – Hard of hearing, deaf
- PL – Locomotor disability (orthopaedic, one arm/one leg affected), dwarfism, acid attack survivors, cerebral palsy, leprosy cured
- Multiple disabilities combining the above categories
You’ll need a disability certificate issued by a competent authority under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017 — without it, your claim under the PwBD category won’t be accepted. Given that refining is a hazardous industry, IOCL has restricted PwBD eligibility to these specific categories rather than opening it up broadly.
Documents Required at Verification
Keep both originals and self-attested photocopies of these ready:
- Class X/Matriculation certificate (for date of birth proof)
- Class XII marksheet, and semester or year-wise marksheets for ITI/Degree/Diploma
- Final passing certificate for Class XII/ITI/Degree/Diploma from the concerned board or authority
- Percentage conversion certificate, if your marksheet shows CGPA/OGPA or grades
- A certificate from your institution’s principal confirming the date your result was declared, if required
- SC/ST certificate, disability certificate, OBC (NCL) certificate with declaration, or EWS income & asset certificate with declaration, whichever applies
- Domestic Data Entry Operator skill certificate, for candidates applying under code 111
- Printout of your NATS/NAPS portal registration
- A signed affidavit (Annexure-A) confirming you meet all eligibility conditions
- Photo ID proof — Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, driving licence or passport
- Any other certificate or document as specified by IOCL
How to Apply for IOCL Paradip Refinery Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Before you start, make sure you already have an active Apprentice Registration/Enrolment number on the NAPS or NATS portal, with your profile fully and correctly updated. You’re allowed to apply for only one trade or discipline code — apply to more than one and your application gets rejected. Applying involves two separate steps, and both are mandatory.
Step 1: Register and Apply on NAPS or NATS
For codes 101, 102, 108, 109, 110 and 111:
- Register on the NAPS portal: https://apprenticeshipindia.gov.in/
- Go to “Apprenticeship Opportunities” in the top menu, search by location for IOCL’s refinery unit, and select the trade you’re eligible for.
- Log in and complete your registration with the required basic details.
For codes 104, 105, 106 and 107:
- Register on the NATS portal, run by the Board of Apprenticeship Training: https://nats.education.gov.in
- Once registered, apply against the IOCL Paradip Refinery advertisement from your dashboard.
While applying, use the correct Establishment ID for Paradip Refinery:
| Unit | NATS Establishment ID | NAPS Establishment ID |
|---|---|---|
| Paradip Refinery | EORJSC000003 | E07192100001 |
Step 2: Fill the Microsoft Form
After completing your NAPS/NATS application, you still need to fill this Microsoft Form with additional details: https://forms.office.com/r/LZyLWrpk16. Submit it only once — multiple responses from the same candidate aren’t needed and could cause confusion during shortlisting.
If you’d rather navigate from the source, go to www.iocl.com → “What’s New” → “Engagement of Apprentices at Paradip Refinery – 2026” → open the detailed advertisement → follow the link to register on NAPS/NATS → then follow the link to fill the Microsoft Form.
Use the same email ID and mobile number across both the portal and the form, and keep them active for at least a year — every update on your application status goes out through the website, email or SMS. Any application submitted outside this online process will not be considered.
Points Worth Remembering
- Read the full advertisement carefully before you start, and keep your NATS/NAPS profile 100% updated.
- Furnishing false information leads to disqualification and can also invite legal action.
- Your candidature stays provisional until your certificates are verified — even after being engaged, discrepancies found later can lead to termination.
- Any correction or update to this recruitment will be published only on www.iocl.com, so keep checking there rather than relying on third-party pages.
- Disputes, if any, fall under the jurisdiction of the local court nearest to Paradip Refinery.
- Any attempt at canvassing or recommendation can get a candidate disqualified.
- Stay alert for fraudulent agents or fake job consultants — IOCL doesn’t charge for this recruitment, and the only reliable sources are www.iocl.com and official Employment News listings.
Important Links
- Apply online: Click here
- Official notification PDF: Click here
- NAPS portal: Click here
- NATS portal: Click here
- Microsoft Form link: Click here
- Official website: Click here
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is IOCL Paradip Refinery Apprentice Recruitment 2026? It’s a recruitment drive by Indian Oil Corporation Limited to fill 582 Trade and Technician Apprentice posts across ten trade codes at its Paradip Refinery unit, conducted under the Apprentices Act, 1961/1973.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for IOCL Paradip Apprentice Recruitment 2026? Online applications opened on 29 June 2026 at 10 AM, and both the NAPS/NATS application and the Microsoft Form must be submitted by 28 July 2026, 5 PM.
Q3. How many total vacancies are there in this recruitment? There are 582 posts spread across chemical, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, secretarial assistant, accountant and data entry operator trades.
Q4. What is the age limit for IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026? General and EWS candidates need to be between 18 and 24 years as on 30 June 2026. SC/ST, OBC (NCL) and PwBD candidates get age relaxation as per government norms.
Q5. Is there a written exam for this recruitment? No. Selection is based entirely on a merit list drawn up from the percentage of marks scored in the qualifying examination, ranked in descending order.
Q6. How do I apply for IOCL Paradip Refinery Apprentice Recruitment 2026? You need to complete two steps — register and apply on the NAPS portal (codes 101, 102, 108, 109, 110, 111) or NATS portal (codes 104, 105, 106, 107), and then separately fill the mandatory Microsoft Form. An application counts as complete only when both are done.
Q7. How much stipend will IOCL apprentices get in 2026? The stipend follows the rates prescribed under the Apprentices Act, 1961/1973 and the Apprentices Rules, 1992. The notification does not disclose an exact monthly amount.
Q8. Does completing the apprenticeship guarantee a job at IOCL? No. IOCL is under no obligation to offer employment after the apprenticeship period ends, and candidates cannot claim a job based on completing the training.