IIT Bombay Graduate Apprentice Recruitment 2026

IIT Bombay Recruitment 2026 – Overview

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has released an official notification for the engagement of 70 Graduate Apprentices in the Non-Technical (General) stream for the year 2026. This recruitment is conducted under the Apprentices Act, 1961 through the NATS 2.0 portal and offers a structured three-year on-the-job training opportunity. Although the institute is located in Mumbai, candidates from Gujarat and nearby states can greatly benefit from this prestigious apprenticeship program, as it provides exposure to high-level institutional administration and public sector governance. The engagement is purely contractual in nature and does not guarantee permanent employment after completion. However, it offers valuable professional experience in departments such as administration, accounts, recruitment, and student services within one of India’s premier educational institutions.

Eligibility, Selection Process & Key Highlights

This opportunity is open to fresh graduates who have completed their Bachelor's degree in Arts, Commerce, Science, Management, BCA, Hotel Management, or Journalism after March 2023. The age limit is 18 to 25 years as on 28 February 2026, with relaxation for reserved categories as per Government norms. The selection process is completely merit-based, without any written exam. Candidates will be shortlisted based on their graduation percentage or CGPA, followed by in-person document verification. The consolidated stipend is Rs. 12,300 per month, with partial funding through Direct Benefit Transfer in the first year. No application fee is required, making it a cost-effective and high-value opportunity for freshers seeking structured training in a reputed central institution.

About Important Dates of IIT Bombay Recruitment 2026

The application window for IIT Bombay Graduate Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is open from 17 February 2026 to 28 February 2026. Candidates must complete registration through the NATS 2.0 portal and subsequently submit the application on the official IIT Bombay career portal before the deadline. Since the timeline is short, applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the last day to apply. Heavy traffic on the portal during the final hours may cause technical delays or submission errors. There is no correction window provided after final submission, and document verification is scheduled shortly after the closing date. Therefore, freshers should carefully review their personal, academic, and bank details before submitting the form to avoid rejection during verification.

About Application Fees of IIT Bombay Recruitment 2026

One of the biggest advantages of this recruitment drive is that there is no registration fee for any category. Candidates belonging to General, OBC, EWS, SC, ST, and PwBD categories are not required to pay any application charges. As the process is completely fee-free, there is no payment gateway, refund policy, or transaction confirmation required. However, applicants must ensure that their NATS registration and IIT Bombay application are successfully submitted and that they keep a printed copy of the final application form for document verification. Even though no fee is charged, incorrect details or incomplete submission may lead to disqualification, so candidates should carefully follow the official instructions.

About Vacancy Details of IIT Bombay Recruitment 2026

IIT Bombay has announced a total of 70 seats for the Graduate Apprentice (Non-Technical) post under the 2026 recruitment cycle. The vacancy distribution strictly follows central government reservation norms, including 30 seats for Unreserved, 18 for OBC-NCL, 10 for SC, 5 for ST, and 7 for EWS categories. This structured reservation ensures fair representation while maintaining merit-based selection. Considering the national reputation of IIT Bombay and the attractive three-year training period, the competition level is expected to be high. Even though 70 total seats appear moderate, applicants from across India are eligible, which increases the overall competition ratio. Candidates should carefully check their category eligibility and certificate validity before applying to secure their position within the reserved quota.

About Eligibility Criteria of IIT Bombay Recruitment 2026

The Graduate Apprentice qualification requires a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institution approved by UGC or equivalent authority. Candidates must have completed their degree after March 2023, meaning only 2023, 2024, or 2025 pass-outs are eligible. The age limit for IIT Bombay is calculated as on 28 February 2026, and candidates must strictly fall within the prescribed range after applying category relaxation. It is important to note that this opportunity is only for freshers; candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training under NATS or have prior job experience are not eligible. Applicants should verify their marks percentage conversion formula carefully, as selection is purely merit-based without any written examination.

About Category Wise Posts of IIT Bombay Recruitment 2026

The 70 total seats announced by IIT Bombay are distributed according to central government reservation norms. Out of the total posts, 30 are allotted to Unreserved candidates, 18 to OBC-NCL, 10 to SC, 5 to ST, and 7 to EWS categories. Category-wise distribution plays a crucial role in determining cut-off marks, as each category competes within its own quota. Candidates must ensure that their caste or EWS certificates are valid for the financial year 2025-2026 and issued in the prescribed format. OBC candidates must specifically hold a valid Non-Creamy Layer certificate within the required date range. Applying under the wrong category or submitting an invalid certificate may result in rejection or shifting to the Unreserved category, which can significantly affect selection chances.

About Exam Pattern of IIT Bombay Recruitment 2026

Unlike many government recruitments, IIT Bombay does not conduct a written examination for this Graduate Apprentice post. The selection process is purely merit-based and focuses on academic performance. In Stage I, applications are screened for eligibility conditions such as age limit and year of graduation. Stage II involves merit ranking based on the final percentage or CGPA obtained in graduation. There is no negative marking or subject-wise paper. Stage III consists of strict document verification at the campus, where original certificates are checked. Candidates should prepare by ensuring accurate percentage calculation and keeping all documents ready. Since there is no written test, academic marks and proper documentation become the most critical factors for final selection.

About Physical Eligibility Criteria of IIT Bombay Recruitment 2026

For the Graduate Apprentice (Non-Technical) post at IIT Bombay, there are no specific height, chest, or physical efficiency test requirements. This is because the nature of the job is administrative and office-based, involving data handling, record management, communication, and institutional support services rather than field or physical duties. However, selected candidates must be medically fit and mentally capable of performing regular office work for the full duration of the apprenticeship. During document verification or joining, candidates may be required to submit a medical fitness certificate as per institutional norms. Even though no strict physical standards are prescribed, applicants should ensure that they are in good general health to manage daily office responsibilities within a structured academic environment.

About Salary of IIT Bombay Recruitment 2026

The stipend structure for IIT Bombay Graduate Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is fixed at Rs. 12,300 per month throughout the three-year training period. This is a consolidated stipend, meaning there are no additional allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), or Travel Allowance (TA). In the first year, Rs. 4,500 is funded through the NATS Direct Benefit Transfer system, while the remaining amount is paid by IIT Bombay. From the second year onward, the entire stipend is borne by the Institute. Since this is an apprenticeship engagement, it does not follow the 7th Pay Commission pay scale and does not include long-term service benefits like pension. However, the structured training, certificate of proficiency, and experience at a premier institution significantly enhance future career prospects and employability.

About Syllabus of IIT Bombay Recruitment 2026

There is no written examination for the IIT Bombay Graduate Apprentice Recruitment 2026. Instead, the “syllabus” refers to the practical learning modules that apprentices will experience during their three-year training. The focus is on administrative governance, financial processes, digital data management, and official communication within a premier educational institution. Since selection is merit-based on graduation marks, candidates do not need to prepare for competitive exams. However, having strong basic computer knowledge, good communication skills, and understanding of office procedures will be highly beneficial during training. The program is designed to be skill-oriented and hands-on, meaning performance during the apprenticeship plays an important role in continuation for the second and third years.

About How to Fill Application Form for IIT Bombay Recruitment 2026

The application process is a two-stage online procedure involving both the NATS 2.0 portal and the IIT Bombay career website. Candidates must first complete registration on the NATS portal and obtain their enrolment ID before applying on the Institute’s official site. A common mistake freshers make is uploading unclear or cropped documents, which can lead to rejection during verification. Always use a clear scanned copy and ensure all personal details match your 10th certificate and Aadhaar card exactly. Use an active email ID and mobile number because all communication will be sent electronically. After final submission, keep a printed copy of the application form safely, as it is mandatory during document verification at the IIT Bombay campus.

About Mode of Selection for IIT Bombay Recruitment 2026

The selection process for IIT Bombay Graduate Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is purely merit-based and does not include any written examination or interview. In Stage I, applications are screened to ensure candidates meet the age limit, fresh graduate condition, and completion year criteria. Stage II involves preparation of a merit list based strictly on graduation percentage or CGPA converted into percentage as per university norms. In case of a tie, preference is given to the older candidate. Stage III consists of physical document verification at the IIT Bombay campus, where original documents are checked thoroughly. There is no normalization process as there is no exam; selection depends entirely on academic performance and eligibility compliance. Candidates should remain mentally prepared for strict verification standards.

About Documents Required for IIT Bombay Recruitment 2026

Document verification is the most critical stage of this recruitment. Candidates must bring both original documents and one set of self-attested photocopies. Any mismatch in name, date of birth, or marks between Aadhaar, 10th certificate, and graduation documents may lead to immediate cancellation of candidature. Special attention must be given to category certificates. OBC-NCL certificates must be issued within the financial year 2025-2026 and clearly mention the Non-Creamy Layer clause. EWS certificates must reflect income of the previous financial year and remain valid for 2025-2026. Candidates should also ensure that their bank account is Aadhaar-seeded for Direct Benefit Transfer. Carrying incomplete or expired certificates can result in disqualification at the final stage.

Beyond the standard recruitment details, the IIT Bombay notification contains several crucial points that candidates must thoroughly understand before proceeding with their application:

Nature of Engagement and Career Implications

The Graduate Apprentice (Non-Technical) position at IIT Bombay is strictly an apprenticeship engagement under the Apprentices Act, 1961. It is not a permanent government job and does not fall under the 7th Pay Commission structure. The appointment is contractual in nature, initially for one year, with possible extension up to three years based on annual performance assessment and institutional requirement. Candidates must clearly understand that completion of apprenticeship does not create any right to claim regular employment at IIT Bombay. This condition is repeatedly emphasized in the notification to avoid future disputes. However, from a career perspective, working at a premier institution like IIT Bombay significantly strengthens a candidate’s resume. The exposure to institutional administration, financial systems, and compliance procedures provides practical experience that is highly valued in both public and private sector roles. Fresh graduates should view this opportunity as a structured training platform rather than a guaranteed long-term job.

Eligibility Restrictions and Special Compliance Conditions

One of the most critical conditions in this recruitment is the “fresh graduate” requirement. Candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training under NATS or have prior work experience are not eligible. This restriction ensures that government-funded stipend benefits are given only once per candidate. Additionally, OBC-NCL and EWS candidates must pay close attention to the validity period of their certificates. The OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate must be issued within the specified financial year window, and the EWS certificate must reflect income of the relevant financial year. These time-bound conditions are strictly verified during document verification. The authority insists on Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts for Direct Benefit Transfer of the stipend, which ensures financial transparency and avoids duplication of benefits. These requirements are not formalities; they are compliance safeguards under central government guidelines.

Operational Framework, Performance Review and Institutional Control

The apprenticeship is conducted at the IIT Bombay campus in Mumbai, and selected candidates must be prepared for full-time engagement within the institutional environment. There is no provision for remote work or flexible posting. The institute reserves the right to allocate apprentices to different administrative departments such as accounts, recruitment, estate office, or student services depending on operational needs. Continuation beyond the first year depends entirely on satisfactory performance evaluation. If an apprentice’s conduct or performance is found unsatisfactory, the engagement may be terminated without further extension. The notification also mentions a strict seven-day joining rule after issuance of the appointment letter. Failure to report within this period may lead to automatic cancellation and selection of the next candidate from the waitlist. This highlights the disciplined and time-bound administrative approach followed by IIT Bombay.

Document Verification Nuances and Practical Pro-Tips

Document verification is the most sensitive stage of the entire process. Candidates must carry original documents along with self-attested photocopies. A common mistake observed in government recruitments is mismatch in name spelling or date of birth between Aadhaar, 10th certificate, and graduation records. Even a minor variation such as initials versus full name can create complications. If there is any discrepancy, candidates should prepare supporting affidavits or correction documents in advance. For OBC and EWS applicants, using an outdated certificate format or expired document can lead to rejection from the reserved category. Another important point is CGPA to percentage conversion. Candidates must bring official proof of the university’s conversion formula; self-calculated percentages without documentary support may not be accepted. Keeping documents properly arranged in a file and reaching the venue on time reflects professionalism and reduces last-minute stress.