HPCL Graduate Apprentice Trainee Recruitment 2026

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Recruitment 2026 – Overview

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has released the official notification for engagement of Graduate Apprentice Trainees (Engineering) for the year 2026-27. This recruitment is conducted under the Apprentices Act, 1961 for a fixed tenure of one year. A total of 610 training slots have been announced across India, including 29 positions in Gujarat. For engineering graduates from Gujarat in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Instrumentation streams, this apprenticeship offers valuable industry exposure in refining, storage, distribution, and petroleum marketing operations. The engagement is purely contractual for one year and does not guarantee permanent employment, but it provides structured technical training in one of India’s leading oil and gas corporations.

Eligibility, Selection Process & Key Highlights

To apply for HPCL Graduate Apprentice Trainee Recruitment 2026, candidates must hold a full-time B.E./B.Tech degree in the relevant engineering discipline and must have completed graduation on or after 01-04-2023. A minimum of 60% aggregate marks is required for UR/OBC-NC candidates and 50% for SC/ST/PwBD applicants. The age limit is 18 to 25 years as on 02-03-2026, with relaxation as per Government norms. Selection is based purely on academic merit, followed by document verification in a 1:5 ratio. There is no written examination. Selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend of ₹25,000 (₹20,500 from HPCL and ₹4,500 via DBT by Government of India). Successful completion also provides future recruitment benefits such as age relaxation and 5% grace marks in HPCL CBT exams.

About Important Dates of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Recruitment 2026

The application window for HPCL Graduate Apprentice Trainee Recruitment 2026 is open from 16-02-2026 to 02-03-2026. Candidates must complete their registration within this fixed deadline through the official HPCL recruitment portal. Since the application window is short, applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the last date due to possible server congestion or technical errors. There is no correction window provided, so all details entered during registration must be accurate and final. As this engagement does not involve a written examination, there will be no admit card release or exam date announcement. Candidates should also ensure that their NATS 2.0 registration is completed before the closing date, as it is a mandatory eligibility requirement for final selection.

About Application Fees of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Recruitment 2026

One of the key highlights of HPCL Graduate Apprentice Trainee Recruitment 2026 is that there is no registration fee for any category of candidates. Applicants belonging to General, OBC, EWS, SC, ST, PwBD, and Female categories can apply completely free of cost. Since no application fee is charged, there is no payment gateway process, no transaction confirmation, and no refund policy applicable. However, candidates must note that although the registration is free, no Travel Allowance (TA) or Daily Allowance (DA) will be provided for document verification. All expenses related to attending the verification stage must be borne by the candidate. Applicants should carefully complete their form and retain the application confirmation email for future reference.

About Vacancy Details of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Recruitment 2026

The total seats announced for HPCL Graduate Apprentice Trainee Recruitment 2026 are 610, distributed state-wise across India based on operational requirements. Gujarat has been allotted 29 training slots, making it a significant opportunity for engineering graduates in the state. Since this is a merit-based selection without any written examination, competition will be primarily driven by academic percentage. Reservation benefits are applicable as per Government of India norms; however, the detailed category-wise breakup is not separately mentioned in the notification. Candidates should understand that the number of seats is moderate compared to large PSU recruitments, and shortlisting is done in a 1:5 ratio for document verification. Higher academic scores will significantly improve selection chances.

About Eligibility Criteria of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Recruitment 2026

The Graduate Apprentice Trainee (Engineering) qualification requires a full-time B.E./B.Tech degree from a recognized university approved by AICTE or UGC. Candidates must ensure that their degree completion date is on or after 01-04-2023, as earlier graduates are not eligible under Apprentices Act norms. The age limit for HPCL is calculated strictly as on 02-03-2026, and any deviation will lead to rejection. Applicants must carefully calculate their aggregate percentage, as fractions like 49.99% are not rounded up. Mandatory NATS 2.0 registration is also part of the eligibility process. Freshers without prior apprenticeship or one year of work experience should apply to maximize their eligibility under this scheme.

About Category Wise Posts of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Recruitment 2026

In HPCL Graduate Apprentice Trainee Recruitment 2026, the total seats are 610, but the detailed category-wise breakup for UR, OBC-NC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwBD is not separately published in the notification. The reservation policy is implemented as per Government of India guidelines and state-level recruitment percentages. This means candidates must carefully apply under the correct category and possess valid supporting documents such as Non-Creamy Layer certificate for OBC-NC, valid EWS income certificate, or disability certificate (minimum 40% benchmark disability for PwBD). Incorrect category selection or mismatch in certificate details can lead to rejection during document verification. Category status also impacts eligibility relaxations like age benefits and minimum qualifying marks, so candidates must ensure their documentation is accurate and updated.

About Exam Pattern of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Recruitment 2026

The selection process for HPCL Graduate Apprentice Trainee Recruitment 2026 does not include any written examination. It follows a merit-based screening system where candidates are shortlisted purely on their engineering degree percentage. In Stage I, applications are screened academically. Stage II involves shortlisting in a 1:5 ratio for document verification. Stage III focuses on verifying educational certificates, category certificates, medical fitness, and police verification. Final selection is based on merit ranking among verified candidates. Since there is no competitive written test, candidates must focus on accuracy in application details and ensure all eligibility conditions are fully satisfied to secure their place in the final merit list.

About Physical Eligibility Criteria of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Recruitment 2026

For HPCL Graduate Apprentice Trainee (Engineering) Recruitment 2026, there is no Physical Efficiency Test such as running, height measurement, or chest expansion requirement. Since this is a technical apprenticeship role under the Apprentices Act, the focus is on medical fitness rather than physical endurance standards. However, candidates must be medically fit and are required to submit a valid Medical Fitness Certificate in the prescribed format before final engagement. HPCL may conduct verification of health parameters to ensure the candidate is capable of working in industrial and refinery environments. Police verification is also compulsory. Candidates are advised to undergo a basic health check-up before document verification to avoid last-minute rejection due to medical unfitness.

About Salary of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Recruitment 2026

The salary structure for HPCL Graduate Apprentice Trainee Recruitment 2026 is based on a fixed monthly stipend model rather than a 7th Pay Commission pay scale. Selected candidates will receive ₹25,000 per month, out of which ₹20,500 is paid directly by HPCL and ₹4,500 is credited through the Government of India’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme. This amount is a consolidated stipend, meaning no additional benefits like Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), medical reimbursement, or travel allowance are included. The in-hand amount generally equals the full stipend, subject to statutory deductions if applicable. Although this is a one-year contractual apprenticeship, successful completion provides career advantages such as age relaxation and 5% additional marks in future HPCL recruitment exams, making it a valuable stepping stone for long-term PSU career growth.

About Syllabus of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Recruitment 2026

There is no written examination for HPCL Graduate Apprentice Trainee Recruitment 2026. The selection process is purely merit-based, relying entirely on the aggregate percentage obtained in the engineering degree. This makes academic performance the most important scoring factor. Candidates with higher percentages have better chances of shortlisting since applications are screened and shortlisted in a 1:5 ratio. As there is no competitive test, candidates do not need to prepare for aptitude or technical papers for this engagement. However, those planning to apply for permanent HPCL positions in the future should start preparing for Computer Based Tests (CBT), which usually include general aptitude and technical subjects. Strong fundamentals in core engineering subjects will be beneficial for long-term PSU career growth.

About How to Fill Application Form for Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Recruitment 2026

Filling the HPCL application form requires careful attention to detail. First, ensure that your NATS 2.0 registration is complete and approved, as it is mandatory for eligibility. While registering on the HPCL portal, use an active email ID and mobile number that will remain valid for at least one year. Avoid common mistakes such as spelling errors in name, incorrect percentage calculation, or uploading unclear photographs and signatures. Since there is no correction window, all details become final after submission. Always double-check category selection and state preference before clicking “Final Submit.” After submission, save the confirmation email and note the application number. Keeping a printout of the application form will help during document verification and avoid last-minute issues.

About Mode of Selection for Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Recruitment 2026

The selection process for HPCL Graduate Apprentice Trainee Recruitment 2026 is completely merit-based and does not involve any written examination. In Stage I, applications are screened based on the aggregate percentage obtained in the engineering degree. Candidates are then shortlisted in a 1:5 ratio for document verification. This means that for every available seat, five candidates with the highest marks are called for verification. There is no normalization or score adjustment since selection is based purely on academic performance. Final engagement is confirmed only after successful document verification, medical fitness clearance, police verification, and signing of the apprenticeship contract on the NATS portal. Candidates should regularly check their registered email for communication, as no separate call letters are sent by post.

About Documents Required for Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Recruitment 2026

Document verification is a critical stage in HPCL recruitment. Candidates must carry original documents along with self-attested photocopies. Any mismatch in name, date of birth, or percentage between the online application and original certificates can lead to immediate cancellation. OBC-NC and EWS certificates must be valid and issued in the prescribed Central Government format. PwBD candidates must ensure their disability certificate clearly mentions benchmark disability of 40% or more. If the university issues grades or CGPA instead of percentage, a proper conversion certificate is mandatory. Candidates are advised to verify spelling consistency across Aadhaar, mark sheets, and caste certificates to avoid last-minute disqualification. Proper documentation ensures a smooth and successful completion of the engagement process.

Beyond the standard recruitment details, the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) notification contains several crucial points that candidates must thoroughly understand before proceeding with their application:

Nature of Engagement and Career Implications

The HPCL Graduate Apprentice Trainee (Engineering) engagement is strictly a one-year apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, 1961. It is not a permanent government job, nor does it automatically convert into regular employment after completion. This is a fixed-term training program where candidates receive a consolidated monthly stipend instead of a structured 7th Pay Commission salary. There are no long-term service benefits such as provident fund, pension, gratuity, or medical coverage applicable to regular employees. However, this does not mean the opportunity lacks value. In fact, completing apprenticeship training in a Maharatna PSU like HPCL significantly strengthens a candidate’s profile. The notification clearly mentions age relaxation (up to one year) and 5% additional marks in future Computer Based Tests conducted by HPCL for regular posts. Therefore, candidates should treat this engagement as a strategic stepping stone into the oil and gas sector rather than expecting immediate permanency. Performance, discipline, and networking during this period can positively influence future recruitment prospects.

Mandatory Registrations and Technical Eligibility Conditions

One of the most important and often misunderstood requirements in this recruitment is mandatory registration on the NATS 2.0 portal and approval by the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT). Without valid NATS enrollment, a candidate cannot be engaged even if shortlisted on merit. HPCL insists on this because apprenticeship contracts are legally executed through the NATS platform under government supervision. Another critical requirement is the graduation timeline. Only candidates who completed their engineering degree on or after 01-04-2023 are eligible. Those who graduated earlier are automatically disqualified, regardless of marks. The minimum percentage criteria are also strictly enforced, and fractional marks like 49.99% are not rounded up. Additionally, candidates with one year or more of work experience or prior apprenticeship training are not eligible. These conditions ensure that the program is reserved exclusively for fresh engineering graduates who need structured industrial exposure under statutory training guidelines.

Operational Deployment and Training Location Policy

Although candidates are allowed to select one preferred state during the application process, HPCL retains full authority to assign any training location within that selected state. This means candidates must be prepared for postings in refineries, terminals, LPG bottling plants, marketing offices, or other operational units depending on organizational requirements. There is no provision for change of state after submission of application, and multiple applications for different states may lead to cancellation. The engagement does not include housing assistance, travel allowance, or additional perks beyond the fixed stipend. Therefore, candidates must plan accommodation and daily commute independently. The notification also clarifies that management reserves the right to modify the number of training slots or selection criteria depending on operational needs. This indicates that flexibility and willingness to adapt to different industrial environments are expected from selected apprentices.

Documentation Accuracy and Common Grounds for Rejection

Document verification is one of the most sensitive stages in the HPCL selection process. Even minor discrepancies can result in immediate cancellation of candidature. Candidates must ensure that their name, date of birth, and percentage of marks exactly match across all documents, including Aadhaar, degree certificates, and mark sheets. For OBC-NC candidates, the certificate must clearly mention “Non-Creamy Layer” status and match the Central Government list. Any variation in caste spelling compared to the notified list can lead to rejection. If the certificate is issued in a regional language, a self-certified English or Hindi translation is mandatory. Candidates with CGPA scoring must produce an official university conversion certificate during document verification. It is advisable to keep multiple self-attested photocopies along with originals neatly arranged in a file. Always verify certificate validity dates, especially for OBC-NC and EWS categories, to avoid last-minute disqualification. Careful preparation at this stage ensures smooth engagement without procedural complications.