IOCL Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 500 Apprentice Posts, Last Date 05 December 2026 OPEN

IOCL Recruitment 2026 – Overview

IOCL Recruitment 2026 – Quick Summary (In Simple Words)

Indian Oil, one of India’s biggest public sector companies, needs 500 Apprentices in its Pipelines Division, which runs the pipelines that carry fuel across the country. There are posts for Diploma holders, Graduates and Class 12 pass candidates – Technician Apprentice, Trade Apprentice (Assistant-HR and Accountant) and Data Entry Operator. This is a 12-month training programme, not a permanent job, and selected candidates get a stipend as per the Apprenticeship Rules. The age limit is 18 to 24 years and there is no application fee for any category. You have to apply in two steps – first register on the NATS or NAPS portal as per your post, and then complete the registration on the Pipelines portal, plapps.indianoilpipelines.in. The last date to apply is 05 December 2026, so read the notification and apply early.

IOCL Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates

IOCL Recruitment 2026 – Vacancy Details

A total of 500 Apprentice posts are available in the Pipelines Division of Indian Oil. The posts are divided into Technician Apprentice, Trade Apprentice and Data Entry Operator categories. The trade-wise and region-wise list of seats is given in the official notification PDF – check it before you choose your trade, because the number of seats is different for every trade and region.

IOCL Apprentice 2026 – Post Wise Qualification

IOCL Recruitment 2026 – Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, read the eligibility conditions carefully. If you do not meet any one condition, your application can be rejected at the document verification stage.

Important Eligibility Conditions

• Minimum 50% marks: Candidates must have at least 50% aggregate marks in the qualifying examination. For SC, ST and PwBD candidates applying against reserved posts, the minimum is 45%.
• Only one trade: A candidate can apply for only one trade. Applying for more than one trade can lead to rejection.
• Higher qualification not allowed: Candidates who hold or are pursuing BE, B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB, MCA or any higher qualification are not eligible for this apprenticeship.
• Qualification must be complete: Your qualifying examination must be complete before 30 November 2026. Candidates whose result is still awaited are not eligible.
• Training period: The apprenticeship training is for 12 months.
• Nationality: The candidate must be an Indian citizen.

Age Limit (as on 30 November 2026)

Age Relaxation (as per Government Rules)

IOCL Recruitment 2026 – Application Fee

Stipend and Training Period

Selected candidates will get training for 12 months in the Pipelines Division of Indian Oil. During the training, a stipend is paid as prescribed under the Apprentices Act, 1961/1973 and the applicable rules. The exact stipend amount for each trade is given in the official notification. This is apprenticeship training, not regular salaried employment, so allowances like DA, HRA and PF do not apply to the stipend.

IOCL Recruitment 2026 – Selection Process

The notification does not mention a written examination for this apprenticeship. In IOCL apprentice recruitments, candidates are normally shortlisted on the basis of the marks obtained in the qualifying examination for their trade, and then called for document verification and a medical examination before training starts. Read the official notification carefully for the exact selection process for your trade, because the process can differ from one trade to another. There is no interview mentioned in the notification.

How to Apply Online for IOCL Recruitment 2026

Applying for this recruitment needs two steps. First register on the NATS or NAPS portal as per your post, and then complete the registration on the Pipelines portal. Use the same email ID and mobile number on both portals.

1. Step 1 – NATS or NAPS registration: Technician Apprentice and Trade Apprentice (Assistant-HR, Accountant) candidates must register and apply on the NATS portal, nats.education.gov.in, using their region’s Establishment ID. Data Entry Operator and Domestic Data Entry Operator candidates must register on the NAPS portal, apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.
2. Step 2 – Pipelines portal registration: After that, open the Indian Oil Pipelines portal, plapps.indianoilpipelines.in, and complete the registration with the same email ID and mobile number (Part-I and Part-II).
3. Read the full notification PDF first, including the trade-wise and region-wise seats and the Establishment IDs.
4. Fill in your personal details and education details exactly as they appear on your certificates.
5. Select your trade and region carefully. You can apply for only one trade.
6. Upload your passport size photograph and signature in the size and format given in the notification.
7. Check the full form once again, submit it before 05 December 2026, and download and save the acknowledgement and your application number.

Note: Do not wait for the last date. The portals can become slow on the last day because of heavy traffic. Apply early and keep your application number safe.

Documents Required for IOCL Apprentice 2026

• Class 10 Certificate and Marksheet – for date of birth proof
• Class 12 Certificate and Marksheet – for Data Entry Operator posts
• Diploma Certificate and Marksheet – for Technician Apprentice posts
• Degree Certificate and Marksheet – for Trade Apprentice posts
• Skill Certificate of Domestic Data Entry Operator – for Domestic DEO posts, if applicable
• Category Certificate – SC / ST / OBC / EWS, if applicable
• PwBD Certificate – if applicable
• Photo ID Proof – Aadhaar Card or any valid government ID
• Passport Size Photograph – recent photograph
• Signature – scanned copy in the given format
• Mobile Number and Email ID – active and in use

Keep all original documents ready before document verification. The details in your application form must match your certificates exactly.

IOCL Recruitment 2026 – Key Highlights

• Total 500 Apprentice posts in the Pipelines Division of Indian Oil, across India.
• Posts for Diploma holders, Graduates and Class 12 pass candidates – Technician Apprentice, Trade Apprentice and Data Entry Operator.
• No application fee for any category.
• Age limit is 18 to 24 years as on 30 November 2026, with relaxation for reserved categories as per rules.
• Minimum 50% marks in the qualifying examination (45% for SC, ST and PwBD against reserved posts).
• Training period is 12 months, with a stipend as per the Apprentices Act.
• You can apply for only one trade – choose it carefully.
• BE, B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB and MCA holders are not eligible for this apprenticeship.
• This is apprenticeship training, not a permanent job – training does not guarantee a job in Indian Oil.
• Apply in two steps – first NATS or NAPS portal, then the Pipelines portal plapps.indianoilpipelines.in.

Common Mistakes While Applying

• Skipping the NATS or NAPS registration: Only filling the Pipelines portal form is not enough. You must first register on the NATS or NAPS portal as per your post.
• Applying for more than one trade: A candidate can apply for only one trade. Multiple applications can lead to rejection.
• Applying with a higher qualification: BE, B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB and MCA holders are not eligible, even if they also hold a Diploma or a Bachelor degree.
• Less than 50% marks: The minimum is 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC, ST and PwBD against reserved posts). Candidates below this are not eligible.
• Qualification not complete: Your qualifying examination must be complete before 30 November 2026.
• Different email or mobile on the two portals: Use the same email ID and mobile number on the NATS or NAPS portal and on the Pipelines portal.
• Waiting for the last date: The portals can slow down on 05 December 2026. Apply early.
• Thinking it is a permanent job: This is apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act. It does not guarantee a permanent job in Indian Oil.

Other Live IOCL Apprentice Notifications 2026

Along with the Pipelines Division recruitment, another IOCL apprentice notification is live at the same time. Check it if you are eligible.

FAQs – IOCL Recruitment 2026

Q1. How many posts are available in IOCL Recruitment 2026?
There are 500 Apprentice posts in the Pipelines Division of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, under Advertisement No. PL/HR/ESTB/APPR (2026).

Q2. What is the last date to apply for IOCL Apprentice 2026?
The last date to apply online is 05 December 2026. Online applications started on 06 November 2026.

Q3. What is the qualification for IOCL Apprentice 2026?
It depends on the post. Technician Apprentice needs a three years full time Diploma in Engineering, Trade Apprentice needs a full time Bachelor degree, and Data Entry Operator needs minimum 12th pass. Minimum 50% aggregate marks are required (45% for SC, ST and PwBD against reserved posts).

Q4. What is the age limit for IOCL Recruitment 2026?
The age limit is 18 to 24 years as on 30 November 2026. Age relaxation is given to SC and ST candidates (5 years), OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates (3 years) and PwBD candidates (10 years) as per government rules.

Q5. Is there any application fee for IOCL Apprentice 2026?
No. There is no application fee for any category in this recruitment.

Q6. Is there any exam in IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
No written examination is mentioned in the notification. Candidates are normally shortlisted on the basis of marks in the qualifying examination, followed by document verification and a medical examination. Check the official notification for the exact process for your trade.

Q7. Can I apply for more than one trade in IOCL Recruitment 2026?
No. A candidate can apply for only one trade. Applying for more than one trade can lead to rejection.

Q8. Are BE or B.Tech holders eligible for IOCL Apprentice 2026?
No. Candidates who hold or are pursuing BE, B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB, MCA or any higher qualification are not eligible for this apprenticeship.

Q9. Is IOCL Apprentice a permanent job?
No. This is apprenticeship training for 12 months under the Apprentices Act, 1961/1973. Selected candidates get training and a stipend as per the Apprenticeship Rules, but training does not guarantee a permanent job in Indian Oil.

Q10. Where can I apply for IOCL Recruitment 2026?
Apply in two steps. First register on the NATS portal (nats.education.gov.in) for Technician and Trade Apprentice posts, or on the NAPS portal (apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) for Data Entry Operator posts. Then complete the registration on the Pipelines portal, plapps.indianoilpipelines.in, with the same email ID and mobile number.