IREL (India) Limited Apprentice Recruitment 2026 — 35 Vacancies at OSCOM Unit, Odisha (Department of Atomic Energy)
IREL (India) Limited — a Mini-Ratna Category-I Central PSU under the Department of Atomic Energy — has released Notification IREL/OS/AA/2026 dated 24 April 2026 for 35 Apprentice posts at its OSCOM unit at Matikhalo, District Ganjam, Odisha. This is a wonderful chance for ITI passed candidates and B.E. / Diploma / M.Sc / MBA / ICWA / ICAI Inter holders to gain industrial training at one of India’s most strategic rare-earth and atomic-mineral PSUs.
The application is online + offline (hardcopy by speed post must reach by 15 May 2026). Trade ITI candidates apply via the Apprenticeship India portal (NAPS Reg. E0421210003), and Graduate / Diploma candidates apply via the NATS portal (Reg. EORGNC000001). With stipend per Apprenticeship Rules 1992 and the prestige of working under the Department of Atomic Energy, this is a recruitment that adds real weight to your CV. If you are looking for PSU government jobs, this is one to grab. GovtJobsAlert.in has put together every detail you need below.
Key Highlights — IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
IREL is one of India’s strategic rare-earth and beach-sand mineral producers, with operating units at OSCOM-Chatrapur (Odisha), Manavalakurichi (Tamil Nadu) and Aluva (Kerala). The 2026 apprentice cycle focuses on the OSCOM unit and brings 35 vacancies across four apprentice categories.
- Recruiting Body: IREL (India) Limited (formerly Indian Rare Earths Limited)
- Notification No.: IREL/OS/AA/2026 (dated 24 April 2026)
- Total Vacancies: 35 posts
- Apprenticeship Duration: 1 year
- Stipend: As per Apprenticeship Rules 1992 (₹7,700 – ₹9,000 approx)
- NATS Reg. No. (Graduate / Technician): EORGNC000001
- NAPS Reg. No. (Trade): E0421210003
- Job Location: OSCOM Unit, Matikhalo, Ganjam, Odisha – 761045
- Last Date: 15 May 2026 (hardcopy must reach IREL by this date)
Vacancy Breakdown — IREL Apprentice 2026
The 35 vacancies are split into four categories — Graduate Apprentice (2), Technician (Diploma) Apprentice (6), Trade Apprentice Graduate-level (7), and Trade Apprentice ITI (20). Below is the post-wise summary.
| Category | Trade / Discipline | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | Chemical, Instrumentation | 2 |
| Technician (Diploma) | Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Instrumentation, Civil | 6 |
| Trade Apprentice (Graduate) | Geology, Chemistry, HRM, Finance, Marketing | 7 |
| Trade Apprentice (ITI) | Fitter, Electrician, Painter, Plumber, Carpenter, Welder, AC Mechanic, Solar Electrician | 20 |
| Total | — | 35 |
The biggest categories are ITI Trade (20 — Fitter 7, Electrician 6, others) and Graduate Trade (7 — Geologist, Lab, HRM, Finance, Marketing). Reservation follows Government of Odisha guidelines across Gen, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and EWS categories.
Eligibility Criteria — IREL Apprentice 2026
Read the eligibility carefully. IREL has strict cut-offs on year of qualification, mode of study, and prior apprenticeship status — failing any one will lead to rejection.
Educational Qualification
- Graduate Apprentice (2 posts): B.E. / B.Tech in Chemical or Instrumentation / IT / CS.
- Technician (Diploma) Apprentice (6 posts): Diploma in Chemical / Electrical / Mechanical / Instrumentation / Civil Engineering.
- Trade Apprentice (Graduate-level) (7 posts): M.Sc / B.Sc in Geology or Chemistry; MBA-HRM / MA-IRPM; MBA-Finance / ICWA-Inter / ICAI-Inter; MBA-Marketing.
- Trade Apprentice (ITI) (20 posts): ITI in Fitter, Electrician, Painter, Plumber, Carpenter, Welder, AC Mechanic, or Solar Electrician trade.
- All qualifications must be full-time — Distance Learning, Part-time and Correspondence are NOT accepted.
- Candidates must have passed within the last 3 years — older qualifications are not eligible.
- Higher / professional qualification holders are NOT eligible.
This recruitment is open to candidates seeking ITI government jobs, diploma government jobs, and engineering sector government jobs.
Age Limit (as on 15 May 2026)
- Minimum: 18 years
- Maximum: 25 years
- Age Relaxation: SC/ST — 5 years; OBC-NCL — 3 years; PwD — 10 years.
What is the Stipend for IREL Apprentice 2026?
IREL pays its apprentices the stipend rates fixed by the Government under the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992. The exact amount varies by category — Graduate, Diploma and Trade apprentices each have different stipend slabs.
- Graduate Apprentice: Approximately ₹9,000 per month (NATS rates)
- Technician Apprentice: Approximately ₹8,000 per month (NATS rates)
- Trade Apprentice (Graduate / ITI): Approximately ₹7,700 to ₹8,050 per month (NAPS rates)
- Engagement Duration: 1 year (non-extendable)
- No additional benefits: No HRA / DA / TA / boarding cost or financial assistance during training
Working at IREL — a Mini-Ratna PSU under the Department of Atomic Energy — is a strong start to a career in mining, atomic minerals and rare-earth processing. The OSCOM Odisha unit is a strategic Indian asset.
Note that the apprenticeship is a temporary training engagement only, with no claim to permanent posts in IREL after completion. Apprentices must arrange their own accommodation and travel.
What is the Selection Process for IREL Apprentice 2026?
There is no written test. Selection is purely merit-based on qualifying-examination marks, plus medical fitness and police verification before joining. Refer to general results pages for selection list updates.
- Stage 1 — Merit List Preparation: IREL prepares a merit list based on the marks obtained in the qualifying educational qualification.
- Stage 2 — Medical Fitness Examination: Conducted by an IREL Medical Officer; certifying physical fitness to perform the apprentice duties.
- Stage 3 — Document Verification: Originals (qualification certificates, caste certificates, nativity / land-affected proof if applicable) verified.
- Stage 4 — Police Verification Certificate: Mandatory clearance before joining IREL OSCOM, which is a high-security area under DAE.
IREL applies a clear priority order for selection — Land-Affected Category candidates first, followed by villages within 7 km of OSCOM, wards of IREL employees, villages 7-10 km away, Odisha state domicile, and finally Rest of India.
How to Apply Online for IREL Apprentice 2026?
The application is a two-step process — register & apply online, then send hardcopy by speed post. Read every step carefully because skipping any step will cause your application to be rejected.
- Identify your post category — Trade ITI applicants must use the Apprenticeship India (NAPS) portal; Graduate / Technician applicants must use the NATS portal.
- Trade ITI candidates: Visit NAPS Portal (link provided below), register, complete profile, and apply against IREL’s Establishment Reg. No. E0421210003.
- Graduate / Technician candidates: Visit NATS Portal (link provided below), register, and apply against IREL’s Establishment Reg. No. EORGNC000001.
- Upload all required documents on the portal — 10th certificate, qualification certificates, caste / EWS / PwD certificate, nativity certificate, Aadhaar, APAAR ID, and NATS / NAPS registration proof.
- Take a printout of the submitted online application.
- Send the hardcopy along with self-attested photocopies of all documents by Speed Post to: Head of Department HRM, OSCOM, IREL (India) Limited, Matikhalo, District Ganjam, Odisha – 761045.
- Ensure the hardcopy reaches IREL OSCOM on or before 15 May 2026 — late receipts are automatic rejection.
Important Dates — IREL Apprentice 2026
The application window is just three weeks long. Mark these key IREL Apprentice 2026 dates carefully — especially the hardcopy receipt deadline.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 24 April 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 24 April 2026 |
| Online + Hardcopy Receipt Last Date | 15 May 2026 |
| Document Verification | After merit list |
Application Fees — IREL Apprentice 2026
IREL has not specified any application fee for this recruitment. Registration on both NAPS and NATS portals is also free. The only spend is on Speed Post charges (~₹50-100) and document photocopies.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Categories | No Application Fee |
This is a free-to-apply recruitment — no payment is required at any stage. However, factor in the postal courier cost for the hardcopy submission.
Essential Links — IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Apply Online — Trade ITI via NAPS Portal
- Apply Online — Graduate / Diploma via NATS Portal
- Visit IREL Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
This is a great chance for ITI and graduate / diploma candidates to start their career at a strategic atomic-mineral PSU in Odisha. The IREL brand (under the Department of Atomic Energy) is highly respected, and apprenticeship experience here opens doors to private mineral / chemical / engineering jobs and future PSU recruitments. Apply online and send your hardcopy so it reaches IREL OSCOM by 15 May 2026, and don’t miss the priority-ranking advantage if you are from a land-affected village near Matikhalo. For more such opportunities, visit GovtJobsAlert.in and our Odisha government jobs page regularly.