Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL), a premier Navratna public sector enterprise and a subsidiary of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), has announced its official notification under reference HRD:03:26 for the Engagement of Apprentices for the financial year 2026-27.
This recruitment drive is open to candidates possessing qualifications ranging from 10th Pass and ITI to Diploma, BE/B.Tech, General Degrees (BA, B.Com, B.Sc, BCA, BBA), and MBA (HR). Selected apprentices will undergo one year of hands-on industrial training at CPCL’s state-of-the-art refinery facilities in Manali, Chennai, alongside an attractive monthly stipend ranging from ₹8,200/- up to ₹12,300/- per month.
Online registrations are processed through the official national apprenticeship portals (NAPS and NATS), with the application window closing on 12 October 2026. In this comprehensive guide, Jobtheta.com outlines every detail regarding trade-wise qualifications, age limits, stipend rates, and the step-by-step application procedure.
1. CPCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview
| Particular | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) |
| Parent Organization | Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) |
| Notification Reference | HRD:03:26 (Dated: 22.09.2026) |
| Engagement Type | Apprenticeship Training under Apprentices Act, 1961 |
| Apprentice Categories | Trade, Technician (Diploma), and Graduate (Engg / Non-Engg) |
| Selection Mode | Purely Merit-Based (No Written Examination) |
| Monthly Stipend | ₹8,200/- to ₹12,300/- per month |
| Application Mode | Online via NAPS / NATS Apprenticeship Portals |
| Application Deadline | 12 October 2026 |
| Official CPCL Portal | cpcl.co.in |
2. Important Dates & Recruitment Schedule
Candidates must submit their online apprenticeship applications before the designated closing date:
| Event Milestone | Scheduled Timeline |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Released | 22 September 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 22 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply via NATS / NAPS Portal | 12 October 2026 |
| Publication of Merit List & Shortlist | To be notified on cpcl.co.in |
| Document Verification & Medical Check | Expected in November 2026 |
3. Trade-Wise Qualifications, Stipend & Registration Portal
CPCL has invited applications across a diverse set of technical, vocational, and non-engineering trades. The stipend and portal requirements vary depending on the chosen discipline:
| Trade / Discipline Name | Prescribed Minimum Qualification | Monthly Stipend | Registration Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade Apprentice (ITI Passed) | Matric (10th) with regular 2-year ITI in Fitter, Welder, Electrician, MMV, Machinist, RAC, Instrument Mechanic, Draughtsman, or COPA | ₹11,040/- | NAPS Portal |
| Laboratory Assistant (Chemical Plant) | B.Sc. in Chemistry with Physics, Mathematics, or Biology | ₹12,300/- | NAPS Portal |
| Guest House Service Assistant | 10th (Matriculation) Pass | ₹8,200/- | NAPS Portal |
| Graduate Apprentice (Engineering) | Regular BE / B.Tech in Chemical, Mechanical, EEE, ECE, Instrumentation, Civil, CSE, IT, or Fire & Safety | ₹12,300/- | NATS Portal |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma) | Regular 3-Year Diploma in Chemical, Mechanical, EEE, ECE, or Instrumentation Engineering | ₹10,900/- | NATS Portal |
| Graduate Apprentice (Non-Engineering) | Regular Degree in BA / B.Com / B.Sc / BCA / BBA | ₹12,300/- | NATS Portal |
| Secretarial Office Assistant (Oil & Gas) | Graduate Degree in any discipline (Non-Engineering) | ₹12,300/- | NAPS Portal |
| Executive (Human Resource) | Two-year full-time MBA (HR) / MSW / PG Diploma in Personnel Management / PM & IR | ₹12,300/- | NAPS Portal |
| Trade Apprentice: Data Entry Operator (Fresher) | Class 12th passed (below graduate level) | ₹4,800/- to ₹9,600/- | NAPS Portal |
| Trade Apprentice: DEO (Skill Certificate) | Class 12th passed + NSQF Domestic Data Entry Operator Skill Certificate | ₹9,600/- | NAPS Portal |
(Note: For candidates engaged through the NATS portal, 50% of the total monthly stipend is credited directly through Direct Beneficiary Transfer (DBT) by the Government of India).
4. Eligibility Criteria & Passing Year Norms
- Eligible Passing Years: Only candidates who completed their final degree, diploma, or ITI examinations in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 are eligible to apply.
- Minimum Marks Requirement: Candidates must have secured a First Class with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks (relaxed to 55% for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates).
- Work Experience Restriction: Candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training or who have one year or more of industrial work experience are not eligible.
- Profile Completion: Applicants must have an active profile with 100% profile completion on the respective national apprenticeship portal.
5. Age Limits & Category-Wise Relaxations
The age cutoff is evaluated as on 01 October 2026:
- Minimum Age: 18 Years
- Maximum Age Limit (General / Unreserved): 26 Years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Relaxation: Upper age relaxable by 3 years (Up to 29 Years)
- SC / ST Candidates Relaxation: Upper age relaxable by 5 years (Up to 31 Years)
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): Relaxable by 10 years (13 years for OBC-PwBD, 15 years for SC/ST-PwBD)
6. Selection Process: 100% Merit-Based
There is no written examination or interview for CPCL Apprentice Recruitment:
[Online Application via NAPS/NATS] ➔ [Academic Merit List Preparation] ➔ [Document Verification at Chennai] ➔ [Pre-Engagement Medical Check]- Shortlisting Criteria: Candidates are shortlisted strictly in order of merit, calculated from the aggregate percentage of marks scored in the qualifying degree, diploma, ITI, or 12th standard examination.
- Tie-Breaking Rule: In cases where two or more candidates achieve the same percentage, preference is awarded to the candidate older in age.
- Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates must present their original educational, caste, and Aadhaar-seeded bank account certificates for physical verification at CPCL, Manali, Chennai.
7. How to Apply Online (Step-by-Step Guide)
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the official government apprenticeship portals:
Step 1: Portal Registration
- For ITI, DEO, Secretarial, and MBA HR: Register on the NAPS portal at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.
- For Engineering Degree, Diploma, and General Degrees: Register on the NATS portal at nats.education.gov.in.
Step 2: Profile Completion & Bank Seeding
- Complete your profile up to 100% by entering personal details, education records, and uploading marksheet scans.
- Ensure your bank account is Aadhaar-seeded and DBT-enabled (mandatory for government stipend credits). You can verify your seeding status on the UIDAI portal.
Step 3: Search Establishment & Apply
- Log in to your respective portal using your registered credentials.
- Navigate to “Apprenticeship Opportunities / Openings”.
- In the Establishment Name search box, search for:
Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited. - Locate your desired trade and click “Apply for this Opportunity”.
- Confirm your submission and download a copy of your application dashboard confirmation for future records.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for CPCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit online applications via NATS or NAPS portals is 12 October 2026.
Q2. Is there any written examination for CPCL Apprenticeship?
No. The selection is based entirely on the academic merit list prepared from the marks obtained in the qualifying educational examination.
Q3. What is the monthly stipend offered?
Stipends range from ₹8,200/- per month (for 10th pass) up to ₹12,300/- per month (for Engineering Graduates, Non-Engineering Graduates, and MBA HR candidates).
Q4. Which passing years are eligible to apply?
Candidates who graduated or completed ITI/Diploma in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 are eligible.
Q5. Is there an application fee for CPCL Apprenticeship?
No. There is no application fee for any category. Registration and application on government apprenticeship portals is completely free.
Q6. What is the age limit for CPCL Apprentice Recruitment?
Candidates must be between 18 and 26 years of age as on 01 October 2026, with standard government age relaxations for reserved categories.
9. Official Links & Application Portals
| Resource | Official Direct Link |
|---|---|
| Official CPCL Notification (PDF) | Download Official Notification PDF |
| NAPS Portal (ITI & Trade Apprentices) | apprenticeshipindia.gov.in |
| NATS Portal (Degree & Diploma Apprentices) | nats.education.gov.in |
| Check Aadhaar Bank Seeding Status | myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in |
| Latest PSU Apprenticeship Updates | Jobtheta.com |
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