Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), one of the largest commercial undertakings in India and a prestigious Fortune “Global 500” Company, has officially released Advertisement No.- PR/P/Apprentice/60(2026-27). As a crucial measure of its Skill Building Initiative for the Nation, IOCL invites online applications from eligible and dynamic candidates for engagement as Apprentices at its Panipat Refinery & Petrochemical Complex.
This mega recruitment drive aims to fill a whopping 1450 vacancies across various highly sought-after Trade and Technician Apprentice disciplines, including Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Data Entry Operator, and Secretarial Assistant roles. The selection will be strictly on a merit basis without any written examination.
The online application portal opens on 14 July 2026, and the final deadline to submit the forms across NAPS/NATS and Microsoft Forms is 12 August 2026. Read this comprehensive article to check the trade-wise vacancy breakdown, educational criteria, age limit, selection process, and step-by-step application guide.
Quick Review: IOCL Panipat Recruitment 2026
Important Dates Schedule
Candidates must adhere to the strict deadlines prescribed by IOCL Panipat. The portals will automatically close after the specified time.
Vacancy Details (Trade & Discipline-Wise)
A massive total of 1450 vacancies are meticulously distributed among various trades. Candidates can apply for only ONE Trade/Discipline of their choice.
(Reservation Note: There is no reservation for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category in the State of Haryana. UR, SC, OBC-NCL, EWS, and PwBD reservations apply as per the state rules.)
Eligibility Criteria (Education, Age & Disqualifications)
The decisive cut-off date for checking age and educational qualification eligibility is 31-07-2026.
1. Age Limit (As on 31.07.2026)
- Minimum Age: 18 years.
- Maximum Age: 24 years for General/EWS candidates.
- Age Relaxation: SC candidates get 5 years, OBC(NCL) get 3 years, and PwBD candidates get 10 years of relaxation in the upper age limit.
2. Educational Qualifications
Candidates must hold the prescribed qualification from a recognized Board/University/Institute as a regular full-time course.
- Attendant Operator (Chemical):
- 3 years B.Sc. (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry).
- Trade Apprentice (Fitter):
- Matric with ITI in Fitter Trade (min 2 years).
- Technician Apprentice (Chemical/Mech/Elec/Inst):
- 3 years regular Diploma in the respective Engineering discipline.
- Secretarial Assistant / Accountant:
- 3 years B.A./B.Sc./B.Com.
- Data Entry Operator:
- Class XII pass. Fresher and Skill Certificate holders are eligible under separate codes.
(Minimum Marks: 50% aggregate for General/OBC/EWS and 45% for SC/PwBD candidates).
Disqualifications to Note:
- Candidates with higher professional qualifications like B.E./B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB, MCA are strictly NOT eligible.
- Part-time, correspondence, or distance education degrees are not acceptable.
- Candidates with 1 year or more of job experience are not eligible.
Selection Process & Merit Criteria
A standout feature of this recruitment is that there shall be NO Written Test.
- Merit-Based Selection:
- Candidates will be selected based on the descending order of the percentage of marks obtained in their prescribed educational qualification.
- Tie-Breaker:
- In case of a tie in percentage, the older candidate (by date of birth) will be ranked higher. If the age is also identical, higher marks in Matriculation will be the deciding factor.
- Document Verification:
- Shortlisted candidates will be called for document checking with original certificates.
- Medical Fitness:
- Final engagement is subject to clearing a pre-engagement medical fitness examination.
How to Apply Online for IOCL Panipat Apprentice 2026?
The application procedure involves TWO mandatory steps. Failing to complete both steps will lead to immediate rejection.
STEP I: Registration on NAPS/NATS Portal
- For Trade Apprentices (Codes 101, 102, 108, 109, 110 & 111): Register on the NAPS portal at
apprenticeshipindia.gov.in. - For Technician Apprentices (Codes 104, 105, 106 & 107): Register on the NATS/BOAT portal at
nats.education.gov.in. - Search for the establishment “IOCL, Panipat Refinery & Petrochemical Complex” and apply against the desired opportunity.
STEP II: Filling up additional details on Microsoft Forms
- After successfully applying via NAPS/NATS, you must visit
www.iocl.com. - Go to ‘What’s New’ > ‘Engagement of Apprentices under Panipat Refinery 2026’ > ‘Click here to submit additional information on Microsoft Forms’.
- Fill in the form precisely matching the details (Enrollment no./Mobile/Email) used in Step I.
- Submit the Microsoft Form before 12 August 2026 (17:00 Hrs).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the total number of vacancies announced in the IOCL Panipat Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Ans: IOCL Panipat has announced a massive total of 1450 vacancies for various Trade and Technician Apprentice disciplines.
Q2. What is the last date to apply online for IOCL Panipat apprenticeships?
Ans: The last date to complete the registration on NAPS/NATS and submit the Microsoft Form is 12 August 2026 up to 17:00 Hrs.
Q3. Is there a written examination for the selection process?
Ans: No, there shall be no written test. Selection will be strictly based on the descending order of the percentage of marks obtained in the prescribed educational qualification.
Q4. Can a candidate with a B.E. / B.Tech degree apply for these posts?
Ans: No. Candidates possessing higher professional qualifications such as B.E./B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB, MCA are strictly ineligible to apply for these apprentice roles.
Q5. Can I apply for multiple trades or disciplines?
Ans: No, a candidate can apply for apprenticeship in only one trade/discipline of their choice. Applications submitted for more than one trade will be summarily rejected.
Q6. What is the age limit for general category candidates?
Ans: The minimum age limit is 18 years, and the maximum age limit is 24 years as on the cut-off date of 31-07-2026 for General and EWS candidates.
Q7. What does the “Two-Step” application process involve?
Ans: Candidates must first register and apply for the opportunity on the NAPS or NATS portal (Step I), and then mandatorily submit their details on an IOCL Microsoft Form (Step II). Failing either step will result in rejection.
Q8. Are there any reservations for Scheduled Tribes (ST) in this recruitment?
Ans: No, as per the official notification and the prescribed reservation rules of Haryana State, there is no reservation for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category in this specific drive.
