IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Notification: Trade, Graduate, Technician and General Stream Seats at Chavara
IREL (India) Limited, the Government of India undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy, has announced 12 apprentice seats at its Chavara unit in Kollam district, Kerala for 2026-27. The seats are spread across four groups: Trade, Graduate, Technician and General Stream apprentices. If you hold an ITI, a Diploma, a B.Tech, a B.Com / BBA (Finance) or an M.Sc in Chemistry and want practical apprenticeship training in a central PSU, this notice is worth a careful read.
This is not an online-only form. You must first register on the right apprenticeship portal and then post a hardcopy application that reaches IREL by 31 October 2026. Below we explain the seats, eligibility, age rules, the selection priority and every step of the application. Read it fully before you start, because a single missed condition can get your application rejected. GovtJobsAlert.in has checked every detail against the official notification.
What are the Key Highlights of IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 (Chavara)?
IREL (India) Limited, formerly Indian Rare Earths Limited, runs a unit at Chavara. This notification (dated 12-10-2026) engages apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. It is a training engagement, not a permanent job.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | IREL (India) Limited, Chavara, Kerala |
| Notification No. | IREL(India) Limited / Chavara/Intermediate Engagement of Apprentices/2026-27 |
| Apprentice Groups | Trade, Graduate, Technician, General Stream |
| Total Seats | 12 |
| Training Period | 1 year (1½ years for AAO(P)) |
| Stipend | As per Apprenticeship Rules, 1992 |
| IREL Apprentice Age Limit and Relaxation | 18 to 25 years; SC / ST up to 5, OBC (NCL) up to 3, PWD up to 10 years relaxation |
| Application Mode | Portal registration + hardcopy by post |
| Last Date (hardcopy to reach) | 31 October 2026 |
| Training Location | IREL Chavara unit, Kollam district |
IREL Apprentice Vacancy 2026: How Many Trade, Graduate, Technician and General Stream Seats?
| Apprentice Group | Trade / Discipline | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Trade Apprentice | Fitter | 5 |
| Trade Apprentice | Welder | 1 |
| Trade Apprentice | AAO(P) | 1 |
| Graduate Apprentice | Mechanical | 1 |
| Technician Apprentice | Mechanical | 2 |
| General Stream | Executive | 2 |
| Total | 12 |
The notification says the number of apprentices finally selected may vary according to the company’s requirements. Reservation for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PWD candidates applies as per the percentage prescribed for the State of Kerala, along with the government guidelines for apprentices. The notification does not print a category-wise split for each trade.
What is the Eligibility for IREL Apprentice 2026 (Trade, Graduate, Technician and General Stream)?
Educational Qualification for Each Trade
| Trade / Discipline | Qualification | Training Period |
|---|---|---|
| Fitter (Trade) | ITI in Fitter trade | 1 year |
| Welder (Trade) | ITI in Welder | 1 year |
| AAO(P) (Trade) | M.Sc (Chemistry) | 1½ years |
| Mechanical (Graduate) | B.Tech / B.E. in Mechanical | 1 year |
| Mechanical (Technician) | Diploma in Mechanical | 1 year |
| Executive (General Stream) | BBA (Fin) / B.Com | 1 year |
If you are an ITI pass candidate, five of the twelve seats are for Fitter, so that is the biggest group here. Remember you can apply for one trade only. Pick the seat that matches your exact qualification. A B.Tech / B.E. holder in Mechanical should look at the Graduate seat, while a Diploma holder in Mechanical fits the two Technician seats. Commerce graduates with a B.Com or a BBA (Finance) can try the two Executive seats in the General Stream group.
Who Cannot Apply for IREL Apprentice 2026
| Condition | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Distance / part-time / correspondence qualification | Shall not be considered |
| Already did or are doing apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, 1961 (any Govt., PSU or private organisation, including IREL) | NOT eligible |
| Higher qualification (ME / M.Tech, MCA, MBA, M.Sc, MA, M.Com or equivalent, CA / ICWA, PhD, LL.B) | Need not apply — except for AAO(P), where M.Sc is the required qualification |
| Hiding a higher qualification you hold or are pursuing | Ineligible at any stage; engagement can be terminated |
| Nationality | Only Indian nationals |
The higher-qualification bar trips many students. If you already hold a postgraduate degree, you are out of every seat except AAO(P), and the management’s decision on what counts as “higher” is final.
Age Limit
| Category | Age Limit / Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 years |
| Maximum age | 25 years |
| SC / ST | Up to 5 years relaxation |
| OBC (NCL) | Up to 3 years relaxation |
| PWD | Up to 10 years relaxation |
🎂 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 any age relaxation you qualify for. →
Age is counted as on the last date of application, which is 31 October 2026. Item 8 of the Annexure A form is labelled “Age on 01.01.2026”, but the eligibility condition itself uses the last date. Your date of birth is accepted only from your 10th / Matriculation certificate or birth certificate — no other document.
What is the Salary (Stipend) for IREL Apprentice 2026?
The notification does not print a rupee figure. It says the stipend will be as prescribed under the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992 and as notified by the government from time to time.
- Stipend: as per Apprenticeship Rules, 1992
- Other benefits: IREL will not provide any other benefit or financial assistance during training
- Job after training: IREL has no obligation to offer regular employment during or after the apprenticeship
Treat this as paid hands-on training at a central PSU. It adds solid industry experience to your CV, but it is not a permanent job.
What is the Selection Process for IREL Apprentice 2026?
Selection is on a merit list based on marks in the specified qualification, subject to being declared medically fit. In a tie, higher marks in that qualification win; if still tied, the older candidate gets preference.
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Merit list | Marks in the specified qualification |
| Document verification | Originals plus one set of self-attested copies |
| Medical examination | Must be declared “Medically Fit” by IREL’s Medical Officer |
| Police Verification Certificate | Mandatory before joining |
| Contract | Signed as per the Apprentices Act |
IREL also follows this priority order when selecting:
| Priority | Group |
|---|---|
| a | Land Affected Category (certificate from Resources Department) |
| b | Mining area / peripheral villages within 10 km of the Chavara unit |
| c | Wards of serving employees / Forum members |
| d | Belonging to Kollam district |
| e | Belonging to Kerala State |
| f | Others |
This order means land-affected families, nearby mining villages, employee wards and Kollam residents are considered ahead of others. Candidates from outside Kerala can still apply under “Others”, but with only 12 seats, keep this order in mind and attach every proof you are entitled to.
If your final aggregate is not printed on your marksheet, the average of all semesters / years is taken. If you got CGPA, write the equivalent percentage and bring a university certificate for it. Management may raise the standard to limit candidates called, and can cancel or modify the process. Meeting eligibility alone does not entitle you to selection. You can follow other apprentice and job results on our site.
How to Apply for IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 (Trade, Graduate, Technician and General Stream)?
The process has two parts: portal registration first, then a posted hardcopy. Applications will not be accepted without registration.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Register first on the correct portal. Trade apprentices register on the Apprenticeship India portal (link in Essential Links). Graduate, Technician and General Stream apprentices register on the NATS portal (National Apprenticeship Training Scheme). The portal gives you a registration number you will need in step 3. |
| 2 | Note your registration / enrolment number. Apply on the portal against IREL establishment registration No. E08153200007. |
| 3 | Fill the Annexure A form from the notification, preferably typed on A4 paper. Write your Portal Registration No. from step 1 in item (i), and paste a recent passport-size photograph. |
| 4 | Attach self-attested copies: 10th / Matric or birth certificate, 10th / HSC marksheet, semester-wise marksheets and pass certificate, category / EWS / disability certificate (if any), priority-category proof (if any), Nativity Certificate and Aadhaar Card. |
| 5 | Write on the envelope: “APPLICATION FOR ENGAGEMENT OF APPRENTICE AGAINST NOTIFICATION NO. IREL(India) Limited / Chavara/Apprentices Engagement/2026-27 dated 12-10-2026”. |
| 6 | Send it by post, preferably through speed post, to The DGM (HRM), IREL (India) Limited, Chavara, Kollam District, Kerala – 691583, so it reaches by 31 October 2026. Keep a photocopy of your application form. |
Submitting the hardcopy is a must for screening, even after portal registration. Other delivery modes are also accepted, but IREL is not responsible for postal delay or loss, and no correspondence will be entertained in this regard. Use an email ID and mobile number that stay active until one year after the apprenticeship ends, because the provisional offer letter comes by mail.
What Can Get Your IREL Apprentice 2026 Application Rejected?
| Condition | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Late hardcopy | Applications received after 31 October 2026 for any reason will not be considered |
| Incomplete form | Treated as “Rejected” |
| False or suppressed information | Candidature cancelled; engagement liable to be terminated if found later |
| Originals not produced at verification | Candidature rejected; no engagement even after a provisional offer |
| Updates | Corrigenda appear only on IREL’s official website |
What are the Important Dates for IREL Apprentice 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification date | 12 October 2026 |
| Last date for hardcopy to reach IREL | 31 October 2026 |
| Document verification | Specific date before joining (to be informed) |
What is the Application Fee for IREL Apprentice 2026?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All categories | Not mentioned in the notification |
The notification does not mention any application fee or payment mode. Your main cost is postage, so spend it on speed post and send early.
Essential Links — IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
- Download IREL Apprentice 2026 Detailed Advertisement PDF
- Register Online for IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Trade Apprentice Posts (Chavara)
- Visit IREL Apprentice Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
Twelve seats is a small batch, so complete your portal registration this week and post the hardcopy early so it reaches Chavara well before 31 October 2026. If you live near the unit or in Kollam, keep your priority-category proof ready. For more Kerala government jobs and apprentice openings, keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in.