CPCL Junior Engineering Assistant 2026: CBT Exam Date Out (31 October 2026) — Latest Update
Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited has announced the Computer Based Test (CBT) date for the 60 Junior Engineering Assistant-IV posts under Advt. No. 01 of 2026. As per CPCL’s notice dated 06.10.2026, the CBT is scheduled to be held on 31 October 2026 (Saturday) at Chennai. The notice does not give an admit card release date — candidates are advised to visit the CPCL Careers Page regularly for updates and the admit card download, and to keep their registered e-mail ID and mobile number active. As per the original advertisement, admit cards are issued tentatively ten days before the CBT, are downloaded with the Application Number/Roll Number and Password/Date of Birth, and are not sent by post.
On exam day (as per the advertisement): carry the admit card with a recent photograph affixed, the Photo Identity Proof specified on it in original and a photocopy of the same. Candidates reporting after the reporting time on the admit card will not be permitted to take the exam, and calculators are not permitted in the examination premises. Admission to the CBT is strictly provisional — an admit card does not mean the candidature has been finally cleared.
📄 Download CPCL JEA CBT Exam Date Notice (06.10.2026)
🔗 CPCL Careers Page (admit card and further updates)
CPCL Recruitment 2026 Notification Out for Diploma Holders in Chennai Refinery
Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited has released Advertisement No. 01 of 2026 for 60 Junior Engineering Assistant-IV posts. This is a Navratna public sector company and a group company of Indian Oil Corporation Limited. Selected candidates join the Non-Supervisory Cadre in Grade IV with a starting basic pay of ₹25,000 in the IDA pay scale of ₹25,000–₹1,05,000. If you have a 3-year Diploma and three years of plant experience, this is a strong opening among PSU job notifications.
Online applications were invited from 14 August 2026 to 11 September 2026 (23:59 hours) as per the advertisement. The drive covers four disciplines — Production, Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation — and CPCL’s refinery is at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, where the CBT is now scheduled on September / October 2026 (tentative) 31 October 2026, Saturday (Updated). In this article we have covered the full vacancy break-up, eligibility, salary, exam pattern, fees and step-by-step application process, all taken straight from the official notification. Bookmark GovtJobsAlert.in so you never miss an update on this recruitment.
Key Highlights — CPCL Junior Engineering Assistant Recruitment 2026
Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) is a Navratna Public Sector Organization and a group company of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. It runs a 10.5 MMTPA refinery at Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This 2026 drive is aimed at experienced Diploma holders who can handle refinery operations and maintenance from day one.
- Post Names: Junior Engineering Assistant-IV (Production), (Mechanical), (Electrical) and (Instrumentation)
- Total Vacancies: 60 posts
- Salary / Pay Level: Grade IV, IDA pay scale ₹25,000–₹1,05,000 with starting basic pay of ₹25,000
- Minimum Qualification: 3-year Diploma in the relevant branch (or B.Sc. with Chemistry for Production) with 3 years of experience
- Job Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Last Date to Apply: 11 September 2026 (23:59 hrs) per advertisement
Diploma holders should also keep an eye on other Diploma government job openings that open alongside PSU drives.
How Many Vacancies are in CPCL Junior Engineering Assistant 2026?
The 60 posts are split across four position codes. Note that women candidates are not being considered for Production (CPCL01) because of hazardous round-the-clock shift operations — women may apply for Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation only.
| Position Code / Post | Discipline | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| CPCL01 Jr. Engg. Asstt-IV | Production | 40 |
| CPCL02 Jr. Engg. Asstt-IV | Mechanical | 10 |
| CPCL03 Jr. Engg. Asstt-IV | Electrical | 5 |
| CPCL04 Jr. Engg. Asstt-IV | Instrumentation | 5 |
| Total | — | 60 |
The category-wise reservation across all four posts (current plus backlog vacancies taken together) is given below. There are no ST vacancies in this notification.
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 26 |
| OBC | 18 |
| SC | 11 |
| EWS | 5 |
| Total | 60 |
Three backlog PwBD posts are horizontal — one in Mechanical (OH) and two in Electrical (MD) — and are counted inside the totals above, not in addition to them. Ex-Servicemen reservation is also horizontal and adjusted within each discipline. CPCL notes that the number of vacancies is tentative and may increase or decrease in the relevant categories at the absolute discretion of the Management.
What is the Eligibility for CPCL Junior Engineering Assistant 2026?
Both qualification and experience are reckoned as on 01.07.2026.
Educational Qualification
- Production (CPCL01): 3-year Diploma in Chemical, Petroleum, Petrochemical Engineering or Technology, or B.Sc. with Chemistry as a major subject
- Mechanical (CPCL02): 3-year Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical (CPCL03): 3-year Diploma in Electrical or Electrical & Electronics Engineering
- Instrumentation (CPCL04): 3-year Diploma in Instrumentation, Instrumentation & Electronics, Instrumentation & Control, or Electronics & Communication
- Minimum marks: 60% aggregate for General / OBC / EWS and 55% for SC (and PwBD where applicable) against reserved positions
- Experience: minimum three years of relevant post-qualification work experience — in continuous process units of refining, chemical, petrochemical, fertilizer or gas processing industry for Production, and in refinery, petrochemical, chemical, fertilizer, power plant or large industrial establishments for Mechanical and Electrical (power plants not listed for Instrumentation)
Two important conditions from the notification: candidates holding higher professional qualifications such as B.E./B.Tech, MBA, C.A., LLB or MCA are not eligible, and the percentage is not rounded up — 59.99% is treated as below 60%. Apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961 does count as work experience. Engineering aspirants can track parallel openings on the Engineering government jobs page.
Age Limit
The upper age limit for all four positions is 30 years as on 01.07.2026. The notification does not prescribe a minimum age.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST (against reserved positions) | 5 years |
| OBC (against reserved positions) | 3 years |
| PwBD (General) | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Service rendered + 3 years (max 50 years) |
For PwBD candidates applying against reserved positions the relaxation is 13 years for OBC and 15 years for SC. Cumulative age relaxation is not allowed under any combination. Ex-Servicemen must also be released, or due for release, on or before 31 December 2026, and must be able to join CPCL by that date.
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age on the cut-off date and instantly check your eligibility — including SC / ST / OBC / PwBD age relaxation. →
What is the Salary for CPCL Junior Engineering Assistant 2026?
Money is a big reason this notification is worth your time. Selected candidates are appointed in the Non-Supervisory Cadre (Grade IV) in the IDA pay scale of ₹25,000–₹1,05,000, with a starting basic pay of ₹25,000 per month, subject to being found medically fit. The notification is very clear that no pay protection will be given, so your basic starts at ₹25,000 regardless of what you earn today.
- Pay scale: ₹25,000 – ₹1,05,000 (IDA)
- Starting basic pay: ₹25,000 per month
- Cadre: Non-Supervisory, Grade IV
Over and above the basic pay, you get Dearness Allowance, HRA or self-lease accommodation, Provident Fund, Gratuity, LTC/LFA, reimbursement of medical expenses and superannuation benefits as per Corporation rules.
With DA, HRA or self-lease accommodation and medical reimbursement on top of basic pay, this is a solid package for a Diploma-level entry role in a Navratna PSU.
What is the Selection Process for CPCL Junior Engineering Assistant 2026?
The selection has five clear stages. Do not skip any of them while planning your preparation.
- Computer Based Test (CBT) — 120 marks, 2 hours, conducted at Chennai only
- Document Verification for candidates shortlisted on the basis of CBT performance
- Skill, Proficiency and/or Physical Test (SPPT) — qualifying in nature, shortlisting in the ratio of 1:3
- Category-wise Merit List prepared on CBT marks, only for candidates who qualify SPPT
- Medical fitness as per CPCL’s pre-employment medical standards
Exam Pattern
The CBT has two parts. General Aptitude carries 50 objective questions covering Verbal Ability, General Knowledge, Reasoning / Logical Deduction and Numerical Ability. Discipline Knowledge carries 70 objective questions from your own branch. There is a penalty of 1/4 mark for every wrong answer, and the total duration is 2 hours.
Every candidate must score at least 40% in the CBT to be shortlisted for SPPT, with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST/PwBD candidates against reserved positions. If two candidates tie for the last place on the merit list, the one senior by age gets the seat. Since 70 of the 120 marks come from your discipline, revise your Diploma subjects first — a topic-wise plan from the exam syllabus and pattern guide will help you structure it.
The CBT is scheduled on September / October 2026 (tentative) 31 October 2026, Saturday (Updated) at Chennai, and as per the advertisement admit cards are issued tentatively ten days before the test.
How to Apply Online for CPCL Junior Engineering Assistant 2026?
Applications are accepted online only through the CPCL Careers Page. Each candidate may apply for only one post, using a single email ID and mobile number.
- Visit the CPCL Careers Page (link available in Essential Links below) and open the recruitment link.
- Read the instruction page, tick the declaration checkbox and click CONTINUE.
- Select your post in the “Post Applying for” dropdown, fill your basic details, and validate your email ID and mobile number through OTP.
- Note the User ID and password generated on screen — these are also emailed to you.
- Log in and complete every section in order: Personal Details, Academic Details, Work Experience, Photo, Signature and Documents.
- Upload a passport-size photograph (20 KB to 60 KB) and signature (10 KB to 30 KB) in JPG, JPEG or PNG format, and certificates in PDF (60 KB to 2 MB).
- Check the Preview page carefully, then click PROCEED TO PAYMENT and submit — no changes are possible after this step.
- Pay the fee online through SBI e-pay using Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card or UPI.
- Download the filled application form and payment receipt from your candidate dashboard.
Work experience details are mandatory for all four position codes. You do not need to post any printout or certificate to CPCL at the application stage.
What are the Important Dates for CPCL Junior Engineering Assistant Exam 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 14 August 2026 |
| Online application starts | 14 August 2026 |
| Last date to apply & pay fee | 11 September 2026 (23:59 hrs) as per the advertisement |
| Age / qualification reckoning date | 01 July 2026 |
| Admit card for CBT | About 10 days before CBT |
| CBT date (Chennai) |
OBC (NCL) and EWS certificates must have been issued on or after 01 April 2026.
What is the Application Fee for CPCL Junior Engineering Assistant 2026?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General (UR) / EWS / OBC | ₹500 |
| SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen and Women | Nil |
The registration fee is non-refundable and bank charges must be borne by the candidate. Payment is accepted online only through SBI e-pay using Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI or Net Banking — no other mode of payment will be accepted.
Essential Links — CPCL Junior Engineering Assistant Recruitment 2026
- CPCL JEA CBT Exam Date Notice (06.10.2026)
- Download Original Advertisement PDF (Advt. No. 01 of 2026)
- Official Notification Page for CPCL Junior Engineering Assistant Exam Date 2026 Out
- Visit CPCL Junior Engineering Assistant Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
Sixty posts in a Navratna PSU, with a clear pay scale and a single test city, is a genuinely strong chance for any experienced Diploma holder. With the CBT fixed for 31 October 2026 at Chennai, use the coming weeks to revise your discipline subjects, which carry 70 of the 120 questions, and keep checking the CPCL Careers Page for the admit card. Candidates reporting after the time printed on the admit card will not be permitted to take the exam, so plan your travel to the venue in advance. For more PSU and central government job updates, keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in.