Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), one of India's largest Fortune Global 500 companies and a Government of India undertaking, is inviting applications for engagement as Apprentices at its Panipat Refinery & Petrochemical Complex. This is a massive recruitment drive with 637 vacancies across multiple trade and discipline categories. This is an excellent opportunity for fresh graduates and skilled professionals to join IOCL for on-the-job apprenticeship training. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the NAPS/NATS portal. The last date for submission of applications is 20-02-2026 (17:00 hours).
IOCL Panipat Refinery Apprenticeship 2026 Overview
| Organization | Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) |
| Location | Panipat Refinery & Petrochemical Complex, Haryana |
| Recruitment Type | Apprenticeship Training (Under Apprentices Act, 1961/1973) |
| Total Vacancies | 637 Apprentices |
| Number of Trades | 11 different trade/discipline categories |
| Training Duration | 12-15 months (as per trade) |
| Age Limit | 18-24 years as on 31-01-2026 |
| Eligibility | Class XII pass, ITI, Diploma, B.Sc., B.Com (Freshers preferred) |
| Selection Method | Merit-based (No written test) |
| Application Start Date | 07-02-2026 (10:00 hrs) |
| Last Date to Apply | 20-02-2026 (17:00 hrs) |
| Application Mode | Online (NAPS/NATS Portal + Google Forms) |
| Official Website | https://iocl.com |
Vacancy Details - All Trade Categories
| Code | Trade/Discipline | Qualification | Total Seats | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Trade Apprentice - Attendant Operator (Chemical Plant) | 3 years B.Sc. (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Industrial Chemistry) | 129 | 12 months |
| 102 | Trade Apprentice - Fitter (Mechanical) | Matric + ITI Fitter (2 years, Pass class) | 143 | 12 months |
| 104 | Technician Apprentice - Chemical | 3 years Diploma (Chemical/Petrochemical/Chemical Technology) | 107 | 12 months |
| 105 | Technician Apprentice - Mechanical | 3 years Diploma in Mechanical Engineering | 49 | 12 months |
| 106 | Technician Apprentice - Electrical | 3 years Diploma (Electrical/Electrical & Electronics) | 126 | 12 months |
| 107 | Technician Apprentice - Instrumentation | 3 years Diploma (Instrumentation/Electronics/Control Engineering) | 39 | 12 months |
| 108 | Trade Apprentice - Secretarial Assistant (Panipat + New Delhi) | 3 years B.A./B.Sc./B.Com | 11 (3 Panipat + 8 Delhi) | 15 months |
| 109 | Trade Apprentice - Accountant | 3 years B.Com | 1 | 12 months |
| 110 | Trade Apprentice - Data Entry Operator (Fresher) | Class XII pass (No prior training) | 25 | 12 months |
| 111 | Trade Apprentice - Data Entry Operator (Skill Certificate Holders) | Class XII + Skill Certificate in Data Entry | 7 | 12 months |
| TOTAL VACANCIES | 637 Apprentices | |||
Category-wise Reservation Breakdown
| Category | Seats Available |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 282 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 63 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 121 |
| OBC (NCL) - Non-Creamy Layer | 171 |
| PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) | 25 |
| GRAND TOTAL | 637 |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualifications by Trade
- Code 101 - Attendant Operator (Chemical Plant): 3 years B.Sc. with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Industrial Chemistry (50% marks minimum)
- Code 102 - Fitter (Mechanical): Matric + ITI in Fitter Trade (minimum 2 years duration) with Pass class
- Code 104 - Technician (Chemical): 3 years Diploma in Chemical Engineering, Petrochemical Engineering, or Chemical Technology (50% marks)
- Code 105 - Technician (Mechanical): 3 years Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (50% marks)
- Code 106 - Technician (Electrical): 3 years Diploma in Electrical Engineering or Electrical & Electronics Engineering (50% marks)
- Code 107 - Technician (Instrumentation): 3 years Diploma in Instrumentation Engineering, Electronics, Control Engineering, or Applied Electronics (50% marks)
- Code 108 - Secretarial Assistant: 3 years B.A./B.Sc./B.Com (50% marks minimum)
- Code 109 - Accountant: 3 years B.Com (50% marks minimum)
- Code 110 - Data Entry Operator (Fresher): Class XII pass (no prior training, fresher status)
- Code 111 - Data Entry Operator (Skill Certificate): Class XII + Skill Certificate in Domestic Data Entry Operator
Age Limit
- General/EWS Candidates: Minimum 18 years, Maximum 24 years as on 31-01-2026
- SC Candidates: Maximum 29 years (5 years relaxation)
- OBC (NCL) Candidates: Maximum 27 years (3 years relaxation)
- PwBD Candidates: Maximum 34 years (10 years relaxation)
- PwBD-SC Candidates: Maximum 34 years (5 years relaxation for SC + 10 years for PwBD = 34)
- PwBD-OBC Candidates: Maximum 32 years (3 years for OBC + 10 years for PwBD)
Important Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum percentage for qualification: 50% marks (45% for SC/PwBD reserved positions)
- Regular full-time course only (no part-time/correspondence/distance education)
- Qualifications must be from recognized Board/University/NCVET recognized institution
- Preference given to candidates applying for apprenticeship for the first time
- Candidates with higher professional qualifications (B.E., B.Tech., MBA, CA, LLB, MCA) are NOT eligible
- Candidates with more than 1 year job experience after qualification are NOT eligible
- Candidates who completed qualification more than 5 years ago are NOT eligible
- Candidates with previous apprenticeship can apply if proper gap exists (1 year minimum)
- Note: No Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation in Haryana state
Important Dates
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Opening of Online Application Portal (NAPS/NATS) | 07-02-2026 at 10:00 Hours |
| Last Date for Submission of Applications | 20-02-2026 at 17:00 Hours |
| Tentative Date of Publication of Selected Candidates List | 26-02-2026 |
| Tentative Document Verification Dates | 05-03-2026 to 10-03-2026 |
Selection Process
- No Written Test: Selection is based on merit (percentage of marks) without any written examination
- Merit List Creation: Candidates ranked based on percentage of marks in prescribed qualification in descending order
- Tie-breaking: In case of same marks, senior by age (date of birth) is preferred; if same DOB, Matriculation marks are compared
- Preference: Candidates applying for first time apprenticeship are preferred over those applying again
- Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates called for document verification and verification of eligibility
- Final Selection: Based on merit and successful document verification
- No Employment Guarantee: Completion of apprenticeship does NOT guarantee employment with IOCL
How to Apply
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Register on NAPS/NATS Portal: Visit https://www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in/ (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme) or relevant NATS portal
- Complete Step I: Register/login on NAPS/NATS portal with your details and get Enrollment/Registration number
- Fill Google Form - Step II: Access the Google form link at: https://forms.gle/yYXqu3R42BVV9bW7A
- Enter Details: Fill all required information in Google form including:
- NAPS/NATS Enrollment/Registration number
- Trade/Discipline code you are applying for
- Percentage of marks in qualification
- Date of birth and category
- Contact details (email, mobile)
- Verification: Ensure details match between NAPS/NATS portal and Google form
- Final Submission: Submit the Google form before the deadline
Application Deadline
Last Date & Time: 20-02-2026 at 17:00 Hours (5:00 PM)
Important Notes on Application
- Completion of BOTH Step I (NAPS/NATS registration) AND Step II (Google form) is compulsory
- Use the same email ID and mobile number in both steps - ensure they remain valid throughout
- Only one application per candidate will be considered (no multiple submissions)
- Candidates applying for Code 108 must specify location preference (Panipat or New Delhi)
- A candidate with B.Sc. (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) can apply for Code 101 OR Code 108 only (not both)
- A candidate with B.Com can apply for Code 108 OR Code 109 only (not both)
- Candidates applying for multiple trades will be summarily rejected
- Incomplete applications or those not meeting eligibility will be rejected
- No offline applications accepted
Selection Criteria & Ranking
- Merit-based selection on percentage of marks in descending order
- Percentage of all subjects of all years/semesters will be considered
- Category-wise merit lists will be prepared (UR, SC, OBC, EWS, PwBD)
- Seats filled from respective category merit lists
- In case of unavailability of suitable candidates in a category, seats can be filled by candidates from other categories
Reservation & Concessions
| Category | Reservation | Age Relaxation | Mark Relaxation |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/EWS | As per vacancy | None | None |
| SC | 121 seats | 5 years | 5% marks relaxation |
| OBC (NCL) | 171 seats | 3 years | None |
| EWS | 63 seats | None | None |
| PwBD | 25 seats (identified trades only) | 10 years | 5% marks relaxation |
Reservation for PwBD
- PwBD seats available only for Codes: 102, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111
- PwBD category candidates must submit disability certificate issued by competent authority
- Disability Certificate as per Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 with minimum 40% disability required
General Instructions
- No Written Test - selection purely on merit (percentage of marks)
- Freshers are preferred - candidates applying for first apprenticeship given preference
- Completion of apprenticeship does NOT guarantee employment with IOCL
- Petroleum refining is a hazardous industry - strict safety compliance required
- Applicants must be available to join immediately upon selection
- SC/ST/PwBD candidates will be reimbursed railway fare for document verification (distance >30 km)
- Keep visiting website www.iocl.com for updates and notifications
- Regular checks of registered email for official communication
- Canvassing in any form will result in disqualification
- Beware of frauds - rely only on official website www.iocl.com for genuine information
Documents Required for Document Verification
- Original Mark Sheet/Certificate of prescribed qualification
- Original Class X/Matriculation certificate (for proof of age)
- Original ITI/Diploma/Degree certificate (as applicable)
- Category Certificate (SC/OBC/EWS/PwBD) - in prescribed format
- Income & Asset Certificate (for EWS candidates only)
- Disability Certificate (for PwBD candidates only)
- No Objection Certificate from employer (if currently employed)
- Date of Result certificate from institution (if not on mark sheet)
- Affidavit (if applying for second apprenticeship)
- Original identity proof (Aadhar, Passport, Voter ID, etc.)
- Two passport size photographs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the total number of apprentice vacancies?
A: Total 637 apprentices will be recruited across 11 different trade categories at Panipat Refinery.
Q: When can I apply?
A: Applications opened on 07-02-2026 at 10:00 AM. Last date to apply is 20-02-2026 at 5:00 PM.
Q: What are the different trade categories?
A: There are 11 trades: Attendant Operator (Chemical), Fitter, Technicians (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation), Secretarial Assistant, Accountant, Data Entry Operator (Fresher and Skill Certificate holders).
Q: What is the age limit?
A: Minimum 18 years, Maximum 24 years as on 31-01-2026 for General/EWS. SC candidates get 5 years relaxation, OBC 3 years, and PwBD 10 years.
Q: Am I eligible if I have a B.Tech degree?
A: No, candidates with higher professional qualifications like B.Tech, B.E., MBA, CA, LLB, or MCA are NOT eligible for apprenticeship.
Q: Can I apply for more than one trade?
A: No, you can apply for only ONE trade. Applications for multiple trades will be rejected. Special rule: B.Sc. (PCM) can apply to Code 101 OR 108 only, not both. B.Com can apply to Code 108 OR 109 only.
Q: Is there a written test?
A: No, there is no written test. Selection is purely merit-based on percentage of marks obtained in the prescribed qualification.
Q: Will I get employment after completing apprenticeship?
A: No, completion of apprenticeship does NOT guarantee employment with IOCL. Employment opportunity depends on business requirements and performance.
Q: What is the training duration?
A: Training duration is 12 months for most trades and 15 months for Secretarial Assistant positions.
Q: What is the minimum qualification percentage required?
A: Minimum 50% marks in the prescribed qualification (45% for SC and PwBD reserved positions).
Q: How is merit list prepared?
A: Merit list is prepared based on percentage of marks in descending order. In case of tie, senior by age (older) is ranked higher.
Q: Can I apply if I have already done an apprenticeship?
A: Yes, if you apply for a different trade/discipline and there is at least 1 year gap from your previous apprenticeship completion date.
Q: What documents do I need to bring for document verification?
A: Original mark sheets, certificates, category certificate (if applicable), disability certificate (for PwBD), income certificate (for EWS), and identity proof.
Q: Will TA/DA be reimbursed?
A: SC/ST/PwBD candidates will be reimbursed single second class railway fare if distance is more than 30 km.
Contact Information
| For | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Panipat Refinery Apprenticeship Queries | Phone: 0180-252-2087/2048 |
| Email for Clarification | [email protected] |
| Official IOCL Website | https://iocl.com |
| NAPS/NATS Portal | https://www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in/ |
Important Links
| Apply Online (NAPS/NATS Portal) | Click here |
| Google Form for Application | Click here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click here |
| IOCL Official Website | Click here |