Introduction: A Golden Career Opportunity with Indian Oil
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), a diversified, integrated energy major and a “Maharatna” Public Sector Enterprise, has released the official notification for the IOCL Pipelines Division Apprentice Recruitment 2026. This is a prestigious opportunity for young aspirants looking to kickstart their careers with a Fortune “Global 500” company. The recruitment drive aims to engage 394 Apprentices across various states in the Pipelines Division under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
This recruitment is part of the nation’s Skill Building Initiative, offering world-class training in Technical and Non-Technical trades. Whether you are a Diploma holder in Engineering, a General Graduate (BA/B.Sc/B.Com), or a 12th-pass student, this notification holds a potential seat for you. The application window is short and competitive, starting from 28th January 2026 and closing on 10th February 2026. Getting trained at IOCL not only adds immense value to your resume but also provides practical industry exposure that is highly valued in the job market. There is no written exam, making it an excellent chance for meritorious students to secure a position based solely on their academic marks. Read on for a comprehensive, 1200+ word guide on eligibility, salary structure, and the step-by-step application process.
Key Highlights: IOCL Pipelines Division Recruitment 2026
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (Pipelines Division) is inviting applications from eligible Indian Nationals. The selection is purely merit-based, making it a fair ground for meritorious students. The engagement is for a structured training period of 12 months.
- Recruiting Organisation: Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) – Pipelines Division
- Post Name: Technician Apprentice, Trade Apprentice, Data Entry Operator (DEO)
- Advertisement No.: PL/HR/ESTB/APPR (2025)-2 (Supp.)
- Total Vacancies: 394
- Job Location: All India (Across 5 Regions – Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern, South Eastern)
- Application Mode: Online
- Application Dates: 28th January 2026 to 10th February 2026
- Selection Basis: Merit List (Based on Marks) – No Interview/Exam
Vacancy Breakdown: State-Wise Distribution
The IOCL Pipelines Division Apprentice Recruitment 2026 offers vacancies across five major regions. It is crucial to check the vacancy in your state before applying, as you can apply for only one trade code.
| State | Locations | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Assam | Bongaigaon, Guwahati | 10 |
| Bihar | Banka, Barauni, Motihari, Muzaffarpur, Patna | 21 |
| Jharkhand | Jasidih | 03 |
| Uttar Pradesh | Baitalpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mughalsarai, Prayagraj | 29 |
| West Bengal | Asansol, Bolpur, Budge Budge, Durgapur, Haldia, Kolkata, etc. | 38 |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad, Hazira, Jamnagar, Kandla, Rajkot, Vadinar, etc. | 77 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Ratlam | 05 |
| Maharashtra | Ahmednagar, Manmad, Solapur | 12 |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur, Jodhpur, Chittorgarh, etc. | 42 |
| Delhi | New Delhi | 07 |
| Haryana | Ambala, Panipat, Rewari, Kohand | 11 |
| Himachal Pradesh | Una | 04 |
| Punjab | Bhatinda, Jalandhar, Nabha, Sangrur | 19 |
| Rajasthan | Bharatpur | 03 |
| Uttar Pradesh | Agra, Meerut, Najibabad | 08 |
| Uttarakhand | Roorkee | 02 |
| Andhra Pradesh | Chittoor | 02 |
| Karnataka | Bangalore | 05 |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, etc. | 33 |
| Andhra Pradesh | Vijayawada, Vizag, Rajahmundry, etc. | 40 |
| Chhattisgarh | Korba, Raipur | 14 |
| Jharkhand | Khunti | 02 |
| Odisha | Bhubaneswar, Paradip, Sambalpur, etc. | 37 |
| Telangana | Hyderabad | 05 |
| 394 |
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
To ensure your candidature is accepted, you must meet the specific educational and age requirements set by IOCL. The cutoff date for age and qualification reckoning is 31.01.2026.
Educational Qualification
- Technician Apprentice (Mechanical):
- Three years (or two years through lateral entry after ITI/12th) full-time Diploma in Mechanical or Automobile Engineering from a government-recognized institute.
- Minimum 50% marks in aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwBD).
- Technician Apprentice (Electrical):
- Three years full-time Diploma in Electrical or Electrical & Electronics Engineering.
- Minimum 50% marks in aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwBD).
- Technician Apprentice (Telecommunication & Instrumentation):
- Three years full-time Diploma in Electronics & Communication, Electronics & Telecommunication, Radio Communication, Instrumentation & Control, or Electronics Engineering.
- Minimum 50% marks in aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwBD).
- Trade Apprentice (Assistant – Human Resource):
- Full-Time Bachelor’s degree (Graduation) in any discipline (BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA, etc.) from a recognized Government Institute/University.
- Minimum 50% marks in aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwBD).
- Trade Apprentice (Accountant):
- Full-Time Bachelor’s degree (Graduation) in Commerce (B.Com).
- Minimum 50% marks in aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwBD).
- Data Entry Operator (Fresher Apprentices):
- Minimum 12th Pass (but below Graduate).
- Candidates must have passed Class XII.
- Domestic Data Entry Operator (Skill Certificate Holders):
- Minimum 12th Pass (below Graduate).
- PLUS possession of a ‘Domestic Data Entry Operator’ Skill Certificate for training of less than one year issued by a recognized awarding body.
Important Note on Higher Qualifications: Candidates possessing higher professional qualifications such as BE/B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB, MCA, or any such equivalent qualification are NOT eligible to apply. If you are pursuing these courses and complete them before joining, you are also ineligible.
Age Limit (as on 31.01.2026)
- Minimum Age: 18 Years
- Maximum Age: 24 Years
Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST: 5 Years (Upto 29 Years)
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 Years (Upto 27 Years)
- PwBD: 10 Years (Upto 34 Years; 15 years for SC/ST PwBD and 13 years for OBC PwBD)
Salary and Benefits: Stipend Structure Explained
Under the IOCL Pipelines Division Apprentice Recruitment 2026, selected candidates are engaged as trainees for a period of one year. While this is not a permanent employment offer, the financial support provided is substantial for a trainee role.
Stipend Details: The rate of stipend is payable as per the Apprentices Act, 1961/1973 and the Corporation’s guidelines.
- Technician Apprentices (Diploma Holders): typically receive a higher stipend bracket suited for technical roles.
- Trade Apprentices (Graduates): receive a stipend commensurate with graduate-level entry.
- Data Entry Operators (12th Pass): receive a stipend fixed for the 10+2 category.
While the exact figure varies by location and latest government notifications, IOCL is known to provide a competitive stipend that covers basic living costs comfortably.
Perks & Facilities:
- Leave: Apprentices are entitled to holidays and leaves as per the company’s apprenticeship rules.
- Insurance: Candidates are covered under a Group Personal Accident Insurance policy.
- No Allowances: It is important to note that apprentices are not eligible for HRA (House Rent Allowance), TA/DA, Accommodation, or Medical facilities from the corporation. You must make your own living arrangements at the applied location.
Why is this valuable? The “Certificate of Proficiency” awarded by the Government of India upon successful completion of training is a gold standard document. It fulfills the “Experience” criteria for many future permanent vacancies in PSUs like ONGC, GAIL, HPCL, and even future permanent roles within IOCL, should they arise.
Selection Process Explained
The selection methodology for the IOCL Apprentice vacancy is designed to be quick and transparent. There is no written examination and no personal interview, which removes the stress of exam preparation.
1. Merit List Generation
- A state-wise and discipline-wise merit list will be prepared.
- The merit is calculated based on the percentage of marks obtained by the candidate in their qualifying examination (Diploma/Graduation/12th).
- Calculation Method: The marks of all semesters/years will be aggregated to find the percentage.
2. Tie-Breaking Rule
- If two candidates secure the same percentage, the candidate older in age will be placed higher in the merit list.
- If dates of birth are also identical, the candidate with higher marks in Matriculation (10th) will be preferred.
3. Document Verification (DV)
- Shortlisted candidates will be notified to appear for verification of original documents.
- You must produce 10th Marksheet (for Date of Birth), Qualification Marksheets (All Semesters), Caste Certificate (if applicable), and PwBD certificate.
4. Medical Fitness
- Finally selected candidates must be declared medically fit as per IOCL’s pre-engagement medical standards.
How to Apply Online: Step-by-Step Guide
Applying for the IOCL Pipelines Division Apprentice Recruitment 2026 involves a specific two-step process. You cannot apply directly on the IOCL website without first registering on the government portal.
Step 1: Registration on Government Portals (Mandatory) You must register on the correct portal based on your qualification:
- For Technician Apprentices (Diploma): Register on the NATS 2.0 Portal (nats.education.gov.in).
- For Trade Apprentice (Assistant-HR) & (Accountant): Register on the NATS 2.0 Portal (nats.education.gov.in). (Note: Even though these are Trade Apprentices, the notification specifically directs them to the NATS portal).
- For Trade Apprentice (DEO) & Domestic DEO: Register on the NAPS Portal (apprenticeshipindia.gov.in).
Tip: After registration, note down your Registration/Enrolment Number immediately.
Step 2: Apply on IOCL Pipelines Portal
- Visit the Official IOCL Pipelines Apprentice Portal (Link provided in Essential Links below).
- Click on “Register” (Part-I Registration).
- Enter your Name, Date of Birth, Mobile, Email, and the NATS/NAPS Registration Number from Step 1.
- Create a password. You will receive a Registration Number via Email/SMS.
- Part-II Registration: Log in with your new credentials.
- Upload Documents:
- Passport size color photograph (Size: 20-50 KB, JPG format).
- Signature in black ink (Size: 10-30 KB, JPG format).
- Educational mark sheets and certificates.
- Submit the form. Note: Once submitted, you cannot edit the form.
- Print the final application confirmation page.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | 23rd January 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 28th January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 10th February 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Age/Qualification Cut-off Date | 31st January 2026 |
Application Fees
IOCL encourages broad participation and does not charge any application fee for this recruitment.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | Nil (₹0) |
| SC / ST / PwBD | Nil (₹0) |
| Female Candidates | Nil (₹0) |
Essential Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online (IOCL Portal) | Click Here to Apply |
| NATS Registration (Diploma/HR/Accountant) | Register on NATS |
| NAPS Registration (DEO) | Register on NAPS |
| Download Official Notification PDF | Download Notification |
| Official Website | Visit IOCL Website |
| Whatsapp Channel for Government Jobs | Join WhatsApp Channel |
| Telegram Channel for Government Jobs | Join Telegram Channel |
| Follow us on Our Indian App Arattai | Follow on Arattai |
State-Specific Government Job Telegram Channels:
- Andhra Pradesh: Join AP Jobs Telegram
- Assam: Join Assam Jobs Telegram
- Bihar: Join Bihar Jobs Telegram
- Chhattisgarh: Join CG Jobs Telegram
- Delhi: Join Delhi Jobs Telegram
- Gujarat: Join Gujarat Jobs Telegram
- Haryana: Join Haryana Jobs Telegram
- Himachal Pradesh: Join HP Jobs Telegram
- Jharkhand: Join Jharkhand Jobs Telegram
- Karnataka: Join Karnataka Jobs Telegram
- Madhya Pradesh: Join MP Jobs Telegram
- Maharashtra: Join Maharashtra Jobs Telegram
- Odisha: Join Odisha Jobs Telegram
- Punjab: Join Punjab Jobs Telegram
- Rajasthan: Join Rajasthan Jobs Telegram
- Tamil Nadu: Join TN Jobs Telegram
- Telangana: Join Telangana Jobs Telegram
- Uttar Pradesh: Join UP Jobs Telegram
- Uttarakhand: Join Uttarakhand Jobs Telegram
- West Bengal: Join WB Jobs Telegram
This IOCL Pipelines Division Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a fantastic gateway for freshers to enter the industrial world. With no exam pressure and a merit-based selection, your academic hard work can directly land you a role in India’s top energy company. Ensure you register on the NATS/NAPS portal immediately and submit your application before the 10th February 2026 deadline. Don’t wait for the last minute—start your journey towards a skilled future today!