Kochi Metro Apprentice 2026: Graduate Tech, Graduate Non-Tech, Diploma Technician and ITI Trade Apprentice Guide
Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), a 50-50 joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Kerala, has announced 70 apprentice posts for a one-year apprenticeship at Kochi. There are four groups: Graduate Tech (16), Graduate Non-Tech (6), Diploma Technician (28) and ITI Trade Apprentice (20). This is a good chance to get real metro-rail work experience, along with a monthly stipend of up to ₹12,300.
The application window runs from 15 October 2026 to 10 November 2026. Note that this is not a fully online process. You must first register on a government apprenticeship portal and then send a filled form to the KMRL office in Kochi. Read every section below, especially the conditions table. Many Kerala government job seekers lose a chance only because of a small missed rule. GovtJobsAlert.in has put it all in one place.
What is Kochi Metro Apprentice Recruitment 2026? Key Highlights
This is an apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, 1961, not a regular job. KMRL engages apprentices for one year only, and the notification says a candidate has no right to claim employment after the training ends.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) |
| Advertisement No. | KMRL/Apprenticeship/2026-27/HR-Admin/01 |
| Total Posts | 70 (indicative, may change) |
| Duration | One year from date of joining |
| Job Location | Kochi, Kerala |
| Opening Date | 15 October 2026 |
| Closing Date | 10 November 2026 |
How Many Vacancies in Kochi Metro Apprentice 2026? Post-wise and Category-wise
The notification gives seats per group, not per trade. The reservation split is different for each group, so read your own row. Note that Graduate Non-Tech has 0 seats for ST.
| Post | Category-wise Vacancies | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Tech | UR 6 / SC 2 / ST 1 / OBC (NCL) 4 / EWS 2 | 16 |
| Graduate Non-Tech | UR 2 / SC 1 / ST 0 / OBC (NCL) 2 / EWS 1 | 6 |
| Diploma Technician | UR 11 / SC 4 / ST 2 / OBC (NCL) 8 / EWS 3 | 28 |
| ITI Trade Apprentice | UR 8 / SC 3 / ST 2 / OBC (NCL) 5 / EWS 2 | 20 |
| Printed table check | Graduate Tech categories add up to 15, not the printed 16. The UR, SC and EWS columns add up to 27, 10 and 8, not the printed 28, 11 and 7. Confirm your category seats with KMRL | As printed |
| All four groups | UR 28 / SC 11 / ST 5 / OBC (NCL) 19 / EWS 7 | 70 |
The notification says the number of posts is indicative and tentative. It may change with the company’s requirement and statutory compliance. Reservation, including for PwBD, will be as per Government guidelines only.
What is the Eligibility for Kochi Metro Apprentice 2026?
Educational Qualification
Every qualification must be a Government recognised, full-time regular course. The trades and branches below are the ones named in the vacancy table.
| Post | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Graduate Tech | B.Tech / B.E (4-year, full-time) in Civil, EEE / Electrical, ECE / Electronics & Instrumentation, Mechanical, or IT / Computer Science |
| Graduate Non-Tech | BBA, B.Com or BCA (3-year, full-time) |
| Diploma Technician | Diploma (3-year, full-time) in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Electronics or Computer Science |
| ITI Trade Apprentice | ITI Trade (full-time) in Electrician, Electronics, Welder, Fitter or Plumber |
You must have passed your final examination (date of result) within five years from the closing date, and you must be medically fit as per the Apprentices Act, 1961. If you are a diploma holder, ITI pass candidate or an engineering graduate, match your exact branch with the table before you apply.
Age Limit
The notification says only that candidates who have not completed 18 years of age are not eligible. It states no maximum age, no age cut-off date and no age relaxation.
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to check that you have completed 18 years of age. →
What is the Kochi Metro Apprentice Salary 2026? Monthly Stipend and Benefits
| Apprentice Group | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| ITI Tradesmen | ₹9,600 |
| Diploma Technician | ₹10,900 (including DBT) |
| Graduate Apprentices (Tech and Non-Tech) | ₹12,300 (including DBT) |
Every apprentice also gets an additional ₹1,200 food / messing allowance per month. The DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) part is paid by the Government of India under the NATS scheme: ₹5,450 for Diploma apprentices and ₹6,150 for Graduates. KMRL will help with Aadhaar seeding of your active bank account.
Apprentices get 12 days of casual leave (pro-rata) and 15 days of medical leave for medical illness during the year. Your performance will be checked from time to time. The training ends after one year and no extension is allowed.
Which Conditions Can Cancel Your Kochi Metro Apprentice 2026 Application?
Read this table slowly. Each line comes from the notification.
| Condition | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Awaiting final result | You are not eligible if your final examination result is still awaited |
| Under 18 | You are not eligible if you have not completed 18 years of age |
| Earlier apprenticeship | You are not eligible if you have undergone or are undergoing apprenticeship in any organisation, for any duration |
| Part-time or distance courses | A qualification from part-time, correspondence, distance or online mode is not eligible |
| Result older than five years | Your result must be within five years from the closing date |
| Marks not on mark sheet | If the final mark sheet shows no percentage, attach the Percentage Conversion Letter from your institute or university |
| Specialisation not on certificate | If the certificate does not show your specialisation, attach a letter from your college or university stating it |
| Wrong format | Applications must be in the attached format only. No other mode of application will be accepted |
| Incomplete or ineligible form | It will be summarily rejected without any intimation |
What is the Selection Process for Kochi Metro Apprentice 2026?
The notification says there is no application fee, written examination or interview process for applicants. Selection works like this.
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Screening | Incomplete or ineligible applications are rejected |
| Document verification | Shortlisted candidates are called to verify documents and certificates |
| Engagement | Acceptance of the tripartite apprenticeship contract on the NATS / NAPS website |
| Final papers | Medical certificate in the prescribed format and police verification, submitted by the candidate |
The notification does not explain how candidates will be shortlisted. KMRL has also kept the right to amend these terms at any time, and says its decision will be final and binding. Keep an eye on the official website and your registered email for any change.
How to Apply for Kochi Metro Apprentice 2026 (Register, Then Send Form)?
This is a two-step process: registration on a portal first, then an offline application to KMRL. The first page of the notice says “online applications”, but the application steps ask you to send the form to the address below. Follow the steps, not the first line.
- Register as a candidate / student on NAPS (for ITI) or NATS (for Degree / Diploma in Engineering and Non-Engineering). Use the registration links in Essential Links below. Complete your profile and upload all required documents.
- Note your NAPS / NATS registration or enrolment number. You will need it for the form, and your profile must be 100% complete.
- Fill the Apprentice Bio-Data Form given in the notification PDF (pages 3 and 4). Write in capital letters, affix a passport size photo and quote your enrolment ID.
- Attach scanned copies of your certificates and mark sheets, and proof of age (Matriculation Certificate, Aadhaar Card, Passport, etc.). Add your SC / ST / OBC (NCL) / EWS / PwBD certificate if it applies to you.
- Send the form with the documents to: General Manager (HR, ADMN & TRG), Kochi Metro Rail Ltd., Corporate Office, 4th Floor, JLN Stadium Metro Station, Kaloor, Kochi, Kerala – 682017.
- For any query, write to kmrl.apprentices@gmail.com. Keep proof of how and when you sent the form.
The notification does not say whether the form must be received or only posted by 10 November 2026, so send it early. Candidates who want other options can see more diploma and ITI apprentice openings on our site.
What are the Important Dates for Kochi Metro Apprentice 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 15 October 2026 |
| Application Opens | 15 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 10 November 2026 |
Is There Any Application Fee for Kochi Metro Apprentice 2026?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All candidates | No application fee |
The notification itself says there is no application fee.
Kochi Metro Apprentice 2026 Essential Links
- Download Kochi Metro Apprentice Notification and Bio-Data Form PDF
- Visit Kochi Metro Apprentice Official Website
- Register Online for Kochi Metro Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – 70 Posts (NAPS registration)
- Register Online for Kochi Metro Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – 70 Posts (NATS registration)
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Kerala Government Jobs Telegram Channel
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If you are eligible, do not wait for the last week. Register on NAPS or NATS, get your enrolment number, fill the form carefully and send it to the Kochi office by 10 November 2026. A one-year apprenticeship at a metro rail company is a strong start for your career. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for more government job updates.