IOCL Recruitment 2026: Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Pipelines Division, has invited applications for about 500 apprentice training seats under the Apprentices Act, 1961. The seats are in technician, trade and data entry trades at locations across India. Tamil Nadu has 38 seats under the Southern Region Pipelines, at Asanur, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Sankari and Trichy. Applications are open from 6 November to 5 December 2026 on the NATS or NAPS portal and then on the IOCL Pipelines portal. The training lasts 12 months. There is no written test or interview, and selection is by marks in your qualifying exam. This is apprenticeship training, not a regular job.
IOCL Recruitment 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Indian Oil Corporation Limited (Pipelines Division) |
| Advertisement No. | PL/HR/ESTB/APPR (2026), dated 06.11.2026 |
| Scheme | Apprentices Act, 1961 (NATS / NAPS portals) |
| Total seats | About 500 (tentative) |
| Tamil Nadu seats | 38 |
| Trades | Technician (Mechanical, Electrical, Telecom & Instrumentation), Assistant-HR, Accountant, Data Entry Operator |
| Age | 18 to 24 years (as on 30 November 2026) |
| Training period | 12 months |
| Selection | Merit based on marks in the qualifying exam; no written test or interview |
| Last date | 5 December 2026 |
| Application fee | Not mentioned in the notification |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement date | 6 November 2026 |
| Application opens (NATS / NAPS and IOCL portal) | 6 November 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 5 December 2026 |
| Cut-off date for age and qualification | 30 November 2026 |
| Document verification | Not stated; the provisional list will be on the IOCL website |
Region and State-wise Seats
| Region | State (seats) | Region total |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern (ERPL) | Assam 13, Bihar 25, Jharkhand 3, Uttar Pradesh 30, West Bengal 45 | 116 |
| Western (WRPL) | Gujarat 83, Madhya Pradesh 5, Maharashtra 13, Rajasthan 48 | 149 |
| Northern (NRPL) | Delhi 13, Haryana 29, Himachal Pradesh 5, Punjab 21, Rajasthan 5, Uttar Pradesh 32, Uttarakhand 5 | 110 |
| Southern (SRPL) | Andhra Pradesh 3, Karnataka 5, Tamil Nadu 38 | 46 |
| South Eastern (SERPL) | Andhra Pradesh 14, Chhattisgarh 8, Jharkhand 3, Odisha 49, Telangana 5 | 79 |
| Total | 500 |
The notification does not give a trade-wise split of the seats. You pick your trade based on your qualification when you apply. Seats are tentative, and reservation for SC, ST, OBC (NCL), EWS and PwBD follows Government rules.
Tamil Nadu Seats and Locations
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Region | Southern Region Pipelines (SRPL) |
| Seats | 38 |
| Locations | Asanur, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Sankari, Trichy |
| NATS Establishment ID | STNCHC000040 |
| NAPS Establishment ID | E12183300008 |
You select three preferred training places in the state when the Bank mails you a link after shortlisting. The final place is allotted by merit.
Eligibility: Trades and Qualification
| Sl. | Trade | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Technician Apprentice (Mechanical) | 3-year full-time Diploma in Mechanical or Automobile Engineering (lateral entry diploma also accepted) |
| 2 | Technician Apprentice (Electrical) | 3-year full-time Diploma in Electrical Engineering or Electrical & Electronics Engineering |
| 3 | Technician Apprentice (Telecommunication & Instrumentation) | 3-year full-time Diploma in Electronics & Communication, Electronics & Telecommunication, Electronics & Radio Communication, Instrumentation & Control, Instrumentation & Process Control, or Electronics Engineering |
| 4 | Trade Apprentice (Assistant-Human Resource) | Full-time bachelor’s degree (any graduation) from a recognised institute or university |
| 5 | Trade Apprentice (Accountant) | Full-time bachelor’s degree in commerce |
| 6 | Data Entry Operator (Fresher Apprentices) | 12th pass, but below graduate |
| 7 | Domestic Data Entry Operator (Skill Certificate Holders) | 12th pass, but below graduate, plus a Domestic Data Entry Operator skill certificate (under one year) from an NSQF-recognised body |
- You must already have passed the qualification by 30 November 2026. Candidates awaiting results cannot apply.
- Diploma and degree must be a regular full-time course with at least 50% marks in aggregate (45% for SC, ST and PwBD in reserved posts). Part-time, correspondence or distance courses are not accepted.
- Not eligible: holders of higher professional qualifications such as BE/B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB or MCA, anyone who has done apprenticeship before or is doing it now, anyone with 1 year or more of training or job experience after qualifying, and anyone who qualified more than 5 years before the cut-off date.
- The applicant must be medically fit as per IOCL’s pre-engagement medical standard.
Age Limit and Relaxation
| Category | Age (as on 30 November 2026) |
|---|---|
| General | 18 to 24 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years relaxation |
| OBC (non-creamy layer) | 3 years relaxation |
| PwBD | 10 years; plus 5 years for SC/ST PwBD and 3 years for OBC (NCL) PwBD |
The OBC caste must be in the Central List of OBCs for the state, and the non-creamy layer certificate must be no more than 12 months old on 30 November 2026.
Stipend and Training
- Training period: 12 months from the date of engagement.
- Stipend: as set by the Apprentices Act, 1961, the Apprentices Rules and IOCL’s guidelines. The notification does not state a rupee amount.
- Applying or being empanelled gives no right to engagement, and an apprentice has no claim to a job at IOCL.
Selection Process
- A panel-cum-merit list is made from the applicants, in descending order of the aggregate percentage in the qualification for the trade applied.
- If marks are equal, the older candidate comes first, and then the one with higher Matriculation marks.
- Provisionally selected candidates are called for document verification and medical fitness, and the list is published on the IOCL website.
There is no written test or personal interview. If you have CGPA or letter grades, you must give the equivalent percentage and a certificate from your board or university.
How to Apply
Applying has two parts. You must apply on NATS or NAPS first, then register on the IOCL Pipelines portal.
Step 1: Register and Apply on NATS or NAPS
| Trade | Portal |
|---|---|
| Technician Apprentice (Mechanical / Electrical / Telecom & Instrumentation) | NATS: nats.education.gov.in |
| Trade Apprentice (Assistant-HR / Accountant) | NATS: nats.education.gov.in |
| Data Entry Operator / Domestic Data Entry Operator | NAPS: apprenticeshipindia.gov.in |
- Log in and apply for the opening of Indian Oil Corporation Limited with the Establishment ID of your region. For Tamil Nadu, use STNCHC000040 on NATS or E12183300008 on NAPS.
- Check that your profile and aggregate percentage show correctly. For corrections, contact the NATS or NAPS office.
Step 2: Register on the IOCL Pipelines Portal
- Go to plapps.indianoilpipelines.in and complete Part-I: basic details, and create a password. A registration number is sent to your email and SMS.
- Log in and complete Part-II: upload a colour photograph (20 to 50 KB, JPG) and black-ink signature (10 to 30 KB, JPG), and give your education and experience details. Enter your NATS or NAPS enrolment number.
- Submit the form. No changes are allowed after final submission. Print the filled application.
Use the same email ID and mobile number on both portals. You must finish both steps between 6 November and 5 December 2026, and you must apply on NATS or NAPS before registering on the IOCL portal.
Documents for Verification
- 10th / Matriculation certificate or mark sheet as proof of date of birth (no other proof is accepted)
- Latest caste certificate for reserved categories, and OBC (NCL) certificate in the Government of India format
- Semester-wise or year-wise mark sheets and the final certificate of your diploma, degree or 12th
- First page of a bank passbook (Aadhaar-seeded account), Aadhaar card, PAN card and a cancelled cheque
- Pre-engagement medical fitness certificate
- Disability certificate in the prescribed form for PwBD candidates
Bring originals and self-attested copies. False information leads to cancellation of candidature, even after engagement.
Important Links
| Link | Action |
|---|---|
| Official Website (IOCL Apprenticeships) | CLICK HERE |
| Notification PDF | DOWNLOAD NOW |
| Step 1: NATS Portal (Technician and Trade Apprentice: Assistant-HR / Accountant) | APPLY NOW |
| Step 1: NAPS Portal (Data Entry Operator) | APPLY NOW |
| Step 2: IOCL Pipelines Registration Portal | APPLY NOW |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many apprentice seats does IOCL Pipelines have in 2026?
About 500 seats, of which 38 are in Tamil Nadu.
What is the last date to apply?
5 December 2026.
Which Tamil Nadu locations are included?
Asanur, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Sankari and Trichy.
Is there an exam or interview?
No. Selection is based on your percentage of marks in the qualifying exam.
What is the age limit?
18 to 24 years as on 30 November 2026, with relaxation for SC, ST, OBC (NCL) and PwBD.
Is this a permanent IOCL job?
No. It is 12 months of apprenticeship training, and the notification says there is no right to a job.
Can B.E. or B.Tech graduates apply?
No. Candidates with BE/B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB, MCA or similar higher professional qualifications are not eligible.
About This Information
This article summarises IOCL Pipelines Division Advertisement No. PL/HR/ESTB/APPR (2026). This website is not affiliated with Indian Oil Corporation Limited, NATS or NAPS. We do not charge any fee for jobs or applications. Seats and dates can change, and IOCL posts all updates on iocl.com/apprenticeships only, so confirm everything there before you apply. If you find an error, tell us and we will correct it. Get More Job Update: Visit Now
