IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 126 Vacancies at Digboi Refinery — Eligibility, Stipend, Dates & Apply Online

(Advertisement No. AOD-DR/TA-2026-27 | Notification Dated 07.07.2026)

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has released an official notification for IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026, inviting applications for 126 apprentice seats at its AOD Digboi Refinery in Assam. The drive covers Trade Apprentice and Technician Apprentice positions across Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, and Secretarial/Accounts disciplines, open to candidates with ITI, Diploma, B.Sc., or B.Com qualifications.

Online applications open on 8 July 2026 and close on 31 July 2026 (5:00 PM). There is no written test — selection is purely merit-based on academic percentage. If you’re looking to start your career with a Maharatna PSU and a Fortune Global 500 company, here’s everything you need to know before you apply.

IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026

• Total vacancies: 126 (Trade Apprentice + Technician Apprentice)
• Who can apply: ITI (Fitter), Diploma holders (Mechanical/Electrical/Chemical/Instrumentation Engg.), and B.Sc./B.Com graduates, depending on the post
• Application mode: Fully online, in two mandatory steps (NAPS/NATS portal + Microsoft Form)
• Last date to apply: 31 July 2026, 5:00 PM
• Selection process: No written exam — merit list based on percentage of marks, followed by document verification and medical fitness check

Table of Contents

1. IOCL Recruitment 2026 Overview
2. Quick Highlights Table
3. Vacancy Details (Trade/Discipline-wise)
4. Eligibility Criteria
5. Age Limit
6. Educational Qualification
7. Stipend & Other Benefits
8. Selection Process
9. Important Dates
10. Required Documents
11. Step-by-Step Apply Process
12. Important Links
13. FAQs

IOCL Recruitment 2026 Overview

Indian Oil Corporation Limited, one of India’s largest commercial undertakings and a Fortune “Global 500” company, has issued this notification as part of its Skill Building Initiative for the Nation. The engagement is being carried out under the Apprentices Act, 1961/1973 (as amended) at the AOD Digboi Refinery unit.

This is important to note upfront: this particular notification is specific to the Digboi Refinery in Assam. IOCL’s various refineries and units across India release separate apprentice notifications from time to time, so candidates outside Assam should watch for notifications from their nearest IOCL unit on the official website.

The recruitment covers 11 different trade/discipline codes (101 to 111), ranging from Attendant Operator and Fitter trades to Technician Apprenticeships in Mechanical, Electrical, and Instrumentation engineering, plus Secretarial Assistant, Accountant, and Data Entry Operator roles.

Quick Highlights Table

Vacancy Details (Trade/Discipline-wise)

Here is the full, code-wise breakup of seats as per the official notification, including the category-wise reservation:

Note: The number of seats indicated is tentative and may increase or decrease at management’s discretion, subject to Presidential Directives on reservation. PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) candidates can apply only against seats identified under Codes 105, 106, 107, 108, and 110.

Eligibility Criteria

A few critical eligibility rules from the official notification that candidates often miss:

• Candidates must have already passed the prescribed qualification as on the cut-off date (30.06.2026). Those awaiting results are not eligible.
• The qualification must be from a recognized Board/University/Institute, completed as a regular full-time course. Part-time, correspondence, or distance-education qualifications are not accepted.
• Minimum 50% aggregate marks required (45% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates against reserved seats).
• Only the specific branch/subject listed against each code is eligible — a diploma or degree in an unrelated stream will not be considered.
• Candidates with B.Sc. (Physics, Maths, Chemistry/Industrial Chemistry) may apply for only one of Code 101 or Code 103 — not both.
• A candidate can apply for only one trade/discipline overall. Multiple applications will be summarily rejected.
• Candidates holding higher qualifications such as BE/B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB, MCA (or pursuing and completing these before joining) are not eligible.
• Candidates with 1+ year of job experience after acquiring the qualification, or those who completed the qualification more than 5 years ago (as on 30.06.2026), are not eligible.
• Candidates who previously did an apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act may apply again in a different trade/discipline, subject to a minimum gap period (details in the notification and Annexure-A undertaking).

Age Limit

• Minimum age: 18 years
• Maximum age: 24 years (for General/EWS candidates), as on 30.06.2026
• Age relaxation:
  • SC/ST candidates: up to 5 years
  • OBC (NCL) candidates: up to 3 years
  • PwBD candidates: up to 10 years (irrespective of reserved seat), plus additional 5 years (SC/ST-PwBD) or 3 years (OBC-PwBD) where applicable
• Only the Matriculation (Class X) certificate issued by the education board is accepted as proof of date of birth.

Educational Qualification

Qualification requirements vary by trade code (summarized in the vacancy table above), but broadly:

• ITI holders (Fitter trade, min. 2 years, Matric + ITI) → Code 102
• B.Sc. (PCM/Industrial Chemistry) graduates → Codes 101, 103
• Diploma holders in Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Instrumentation Engineering → Codes 104–107
• Graduates (B.A./B.Sc./B.Com) → Code 108 (Secretarial Assistant)
• B.Com graduates → Code 109 (Accountant)
• Class XII pass (with or without a Data Entry Operator skill certificate) → Codes 110, 111

CGPA/OGPA or letter-grade holders must get an equivalent percentage certificate from their university/institute and submit it at the time of document verification.

Stipend & Other Benefits

The notification does not specify a fixed rupee amount for the monthly stipend. It states that the stipend will be paid “as prescribed under the Apprentices Act, 1961/1973, Apprentices Rules 1992 (as amended), and Corporation’s guidelines.” This means the exact stipend rate is statutory and trade/qualification-specific — candidates should check the detailed notification on www.iocl.com or contact the unit directly for the precise figure applicable to their code.

Other benefits and conditions mentioned in the notification:

• Safety gear: One pair of safety shoes and a helmet (returnable) for apprentices under Codes 101–107.
• No HRA or company accommodation is provided.
• Leave: 32 days of general leave (8 days/quarter, including medical grounds) + 12 days casual leave per year (pro-rata).
• Insurance: Accident insurance coverage is provided.
• No employment obligation: IOCL is under no obligation to offer a permanent job after apprenticeship completion, and apprentices cannot claim employment rights on that basis.

Selection Process

many PSU recruitments, this drive has no written examination. The process is:

1. Merit listing — based on the percentage of marks in the qualifying exam (aggregate of all years/semesters), in descending order.
2. Tie-breaker — if two candidates have the same percentage, the older candidate (by date of birth) ranks higher; if DOB also matches, higher Matriculation percentage decides.
3. Preference — first-time apprenticeship applicants are given preference over repeat applicants.
4. Document Verification (DV) — shortlisted candidates are called for DV based on merit position and seat availability.
5. Pre-engagement medical fitness test — only candidates declared medically fit are considered for final engagement.
6. Offer of engagement — issued after documents and medical fitness are confirmed satisfactory.

Filling of seats is entirely at management’s discretion; if suitable candidates aren’t available, seats can remain unfilled with no claim arising from that.

Important Dates

Required Documents

Keep these ready (originals + self-attested copies needed at Document Verification):

• 10th/Matriculation certificate (proof of date of birth)
• Class XII marksheet / ITI (Fitter) semester-wise marksheets / Diploma or Graduation marksheets
• Final Class XII / ITI / Diploma / Graduation certificate
• CGPA-to-percentage conversion certificate (if applicable)
• Certificate confirming date of result declaration and regular full-time course completion, from the Principal/Institute
• SC/ST/OBC(NCL)/PwBD/EWS certificate, in the prescribed format, as applicable
• Skill Certificate in Domestic Data Entry Operator (only for Code 111 applicants)
• Printout of NAPS/NATS portal registration with applicant details
• Signed Affidavit (Annexure-A) confirming eligibility compliance
• One original photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID/Driving Licence/Passport)

Step-by-Step Apply Process

Applying involves two mandatory steps — missing either one means your application won’t be considered.

Step 1: Register & Apply on NAPS or NATS Portal

• Codes 101, 102, 103, 108, 109, 110, 111 → Register on the NAPS portal: apprenticeshipindia.gov.in. Select “Apprenticeship Opportunities,” search by IOCL Refinery Unit location, choose your trade, and complete registration.
• Codes 104, 105, 106, 107 → Register on the NATS/BOAT portal: nats.education.gov.in. After registration, apply to the IOCL AOD Digboi Refinery advertisement from your dashboard.

Use the Establishment ID for Digboi Refinery when applying:

Step 2: Fill the Mandatory Microsoft Form

After applying on NAPS/NATS, you must also submit your details on the Microsoft Form here: forms.office.com/r/g0ZP2igeTa

Important: your Enrollment/Registration/Student ID must match exactly between the NAPS/NATS application and the Microsoft Form. Submit only one response. Use the same email ID and mobile number across both, and keep them active for the entire apprenticeship duration — all communication happens only via website/email/SMS. Incomplete applications or those submitted outside this two-step online process will be treated as rejected.

Important Links

A note on fraud alerts: IOCL’s own notification explicitly warns candidates not to trust job offers or recruitment communication circulated via email or social media by unofficial agencies. Rely only on www.iocl.com and official Employment News/Press Notifications.

(FAQs)

1. How to apply for IOCL Apprentice 2026?

You must complete two steps online: first register and apply through the NAPS portal (for Trade Apprentice codes) or NATS portal (for Technician Apprentice codes), then fill the mandatory Microsoft Form. Both steps must be completed between 8 July and 31 July 2026.

2. Is an IOCL apprentice a permanent job?

No. The notification clearly states IOCL has no obligation to offer employment after the apprenticeship ends, and apprentices cannot claim a job on the basis of completing training. It is a fixed-term skill-training engagement under the Apprentices Act.

3. What is the stipend for IOCL Apprenticeship 2026?

The notification does not list a specific rupee figure. It states the stipend will be paid as per the rates prescribed under the Apprentices Act, 1961/1973, and Apprentices Rules, 1992. Check the detailed notification on iocl.com or contact the unit for the exact monthly rate applicable to your qualification/trade.

4. What is the salary of an IOCL apprentice each month?

Apprentices receive a statutory stipend, not a regular salary — apprenticeship engagements are governed by the Apprentices Act rather than standard pay scales, and no HRA or other salary components are provided.

5. What is the last date to apply for IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

31 July 2026, up to 5:00 PM.

6. Who can apply for this recruitment?

Candidates with ITI (Fitter trade), a relevant 3-year Diploma in Engineering, B.Sc. (Maths/Physics/Chemistry), B.A./B.Com, or Class XII pass, depending on which trade/discipline code they’re applying for — subject to age and percentage criteria.

7. What is the age limit for IOCL Apprentice 2026?

18 to 24 years as on 30 June 2026 for General/EWS candidates, with relaxation of up to 5 years (SC/ST), 3 years (OBC-NCL), and up to 10 years (PwBD).

8. Is there any application fee?

The notification does not mention any application fee for this recruitment.

9. What is the selection process?

There is no written test. Selection is based purely on percentage of marks in the qualifying exam, followed by document verification and a pre-engagement medical fitness test.

10. Where can I find the official notification and apply online?

Visit www.iocl.com → “What’s New” → “Engagement of Apprentices under AOD Digboi Refinery Unit” → click “Detailed Advertisement” to read it, then follow the NAPS/NATS registration and Microsoft Form links given above.

Conclusion

The IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 at AOD Digboi Refinery offers 126 apprenticeship seats across Trade and Technician categories — a genuine opportunity to gain hands-on experience at one of India’s largest PSUs, even though it doesn’t guarantee permanent employment afterward. Since the process has no written exam and is purely merit-based on your academic percentage, it pays to double-check your aggregate marks, complete both the NAPS/NATS and Microsoft Form steps correctly, and apply well before the 31 July 2026 deadline. Always cross-verify every detail against the official notification on www.iocl.com before submitting your application.

sanjoy gorh

Sanjoy Gorh – Founder & Editor, FinBuzz India
Sanjoy Gorh is the founder and editor of FinBuzz India (finbuzzindia.com), an independent digital news platform delivering accurate, clear, and timely news to readers across Assam, Northeast India, and beyond.
Driven by a deep passion for digital journalism, Sanjoy launched FinBuzz India with a clear mission: to give grassroots stories the attention they deserve and bring local voices to a national stage. Hailing from Assam, he brings hands-on, on-ground experience in news reporting, content creation, and digital media management.
His editorial focus spans Assam local news, Northeast India developments, government schemes and exam updates, finance, technology and AI, business and startups, sports, and national affairs — always with an emphasis on making important topics simple, relevant, and accessible to everyday readers.
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