IOCL Paradip Refinery Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Notification for 342 Trade & Technician Posts

Indian Oil Corporation Limited – A Name of Trust

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), the largest commercial oil company in India and a premier Maharatna PSU, has released Advertisement No. PDR/HR/03/Apprentices-25 for engagement of Apprentices at its state-of-the-art Paradip Refinery in Odisha. This is not a regular recruitment but an apprenticeship training opportunity under the Apprentices Act 1961/1973 (as amended). A total of 342 seats have been notified across 8 distinct trades including Attendant Operator, Fitter, Technician (Chemical/Mechanical/Electrical/Instrumentation) and Data Entry Operator. The most attractive feature for freshers? No Written Examination. Selection will be prepared purely on the basis of percentage of marks in the essential qualification, followed by document verification and medical fitness. This notification is a golden opportunity for candidates in Odisha and neighbouring states who have been waiting for a government apprenticeship without the burden of competitive exams.

Why This Recruitment is Different from Regular Jobs

It is crucial for applicants to understand that this is an apprenticeship engagement, not a permanent employment. The training period is fixed at 12 months for all codes. During this period, candidates will receive a stipend as per the Apprentices Act and Rules, but they will not be entitled to HRA or company accommodation. However, the experience gained at Indian Oil’s Paradip Refinery — one of the most modern refining complexes in Asia — holds immense value for future placements in PSUs and private sector. Many candidates use this apprenticeship as a launchpad for their careers. Moreover, the application process is bifurcated: candidates must register on either NAPS Portal or NATS Portal depending on their trade, and crucially, must also fill the mandatory MS Form provided by IOCL. Failure to complete both steps will result in immediate rejection. The last date is tight: 25th February 2026 (17:00 Hrs). Plan accordingly.

Deep Explanation: Why Dates Matter & No Fee Policy

The notification explicitly states "No Application Fee". This is a standard practice for apprenticeship engagements sponsored by the Government of India. Candidates must not pay any agent or third party for application assistance. The dates mentioned are strictly adhered to; the NAPS and NATS portals automatically disable submission at 17:00 Hrs on 25th February. A common mistake candidates make is registering on the portal correctly but forgetting to fill the IOCL-specific MS Form. This MS Form acts as a unique identifier for the refinery. Without it, your candidature is considered incomplete even if you have a valid enrollment number on NAPS/NATS. The tentative DV schedule is aggressive; merit lists will be prepared quickly because there is no written exam. Prepare your documents well in advance.

What this means for you: Unlike PSU jobs where the upper age limit is often higher, IOCL has kept a strict upper cap of 24 years for General category. This is to target fresh graduates/diploma holders. Candidates who have crossed 24 years as on 31st Jan 2026 are not eligible unless they belong to reserved categories with applicable relaxation. Note: Only the Matriculation certificate is accepted for age proof; Aadhaar or PAN cards will not suffice during document verification. OBC candidates must possess a valid Non-Creamy Layer certificate issued between 01-04-2025 to 31-01-2026. EWS candidates need Income & Asset Certificate as per DoPT OM 31-01-2019.

IOCL Paradip Refinery has meticulously distributed 342 seats. The mathematical cross-verification confirms that the sum of category-wise posts equals total vacancies. Below is the comprehensive breakdown:

⚠️ Critical: PwBD candidates are eligible only for specific codes: 102, 105, 106, 107, 110. No PwBD seats in Code 101, 104, 111. Horizontal reservation applies as per government norms.

Explanation: Percentage Calculation & Tie Breaker

Since there is no written exam, your entire selection depends on your academic marks. CGPA must be converted to percentage using the institute’s official conversion certificate; without this, your application will be considered incomplete. The tie-breaking rule is often overlooked: If two candidates have same percentage, the older candidate (as per Matric) gets priority. If still tied, higher marks in Matric decide the winner. Therefore, even your 10th marks play a role in final selection.

Apprenticeship involves shop floor training in a refinery environment. Therefore, medical fitness is non-negotiable. Candidates with colour blindness or certain physical limitations may be deemed unfit for specific trades like Attendant Operator or Fitter. PwBD candidates get horizontal reservation but only in identified trades.

Since there is no written test, candidates often ask “How will the merit list be prepared?” The answer: Directly from your aggregate marks. Each candidate’s overall percentage (all semesters/years combined) will be the sole criteria. This is both a boon and a bane — academically strong students have a clear edge; those with lower percentages have no chance to compensate via exam performance.

Deep Explanation: Why Two Platforms?

Government of India manages apprenticeship through two streams: NATS for technician/diploma apprentices, NAPS for trade apprentices (ITI and graduate). IOCL Paradip Refinery is required to advertise on both. However, to centrally manage the applications, IOCL uses an internal MS Form to collect your enrollment IDs and preferences. Ensure that the name, date of birth, and father's name exactly match on the portal and MS Form. Discrepancies lead to rejection at the DV stage. Candidates often make the mistake of applying through both portals — only one trade, one portal, one application is allowed.

Rail Fare Reimbursement for SC/ST/PwBD

A benevolent clause often missed: SC, ST and PwBD candidates residing more than 30 km from Paradip Refinery are eligible for railway fare reimbursement for attending Document Verification. Third AC fare is paid. Keep your tickets and bank details ready.

Previous Apprentice Termination – Permanent Bar

If you were previously engaged as an apprentice under any Central/State organization and were terminated due to your own fault (misconduct, indiscipline, fraud), you are permanently disqualified. Additionally, candidates who have already completed or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training elsewhere are not eligible.

Annexure-A: The Undertaking

Annexure-A is a mandatory self-declaration stating that you have not undergone apprenticeship earlier or if you did, you have not been terminated. It must be notarized or at least sworn on Rs. 10/- non-judicial stamp paper as per state rules. Many candidates ignore this document and face rejection at DV.

No Employment Guarantee

This is explicitly stated: “There is no guarantee of employment after completion of training.” However, IOCL maintains a pipeline of apprentices and may consider them for future contract roles, but no legal right exists. Apply for the experience, not the promise of a job.

1. What is the last date to apply for IOCL Paradip Apprentice 2026?

25th February 2026, till 17:00 Hrs. Both NAPS/NATS and MS Form must be submitted before this deadline.

2. Can a B.Tech (Chemical Engineering) candidate apply for Attendant Operator (Code 101)?

No. Higher qualifications (BE/BTech/MCA/LLB/MBA) are strictly not eligible. Only B.Sc graduates can apply.

3. I have done Diploma in Electrical & Electronics. Can I apply for Code 106?

Yes. Diploma in Electrical Engg. OR Electrical & Electronics Engg. is allowed for Technician Apprentice (Electrical).

4. Is there any negative marking or written exam?

No written exam. No negative marking. Direct selection on marks percentage.

5. What if my CGPA is not converted to percentage on my marksheet?

You must obtain an official conversion certificate from your university/institute. Without this, your percentage will not be calculated, leading to rejection.

6. I passed B.Sc in 2020. Am I eligible?

No. Candidates who have completed the qualification more than 5 years before 31-01-2026 are not eligible. Your passing year must be 2021 or later.

7. Can I apply for both Fitter and Technician Mechanical?

No. Only one trade application is permitted. Multiple applications will lead to rejection of all.

8. I am from West Bengal. OBC certificate from West Bengal is valid?

For Central PSU like IOCL, OBC-NCL certificate must be issued by the competent authority of your state as per Central list of OBC. It should be issued between April 2025 and Jan 2026.

9. Is stipend paid during training?

Yes, monthly stipend as per Apprenticeship Rules. No HRA/accommodation.

10. I forgot to fill MS Form but completed NAPS registration. What to do?

Fill the MS Form immediately. Without it, IOCL will not receive your application. If the MS Form link is active, fill it before 25th Feb.

11. What is the selection criteria if two candidates have same percentage?

Older candidate (age) gets preference. If same age, higher marks in Matriculation decides the tie-breaker.

12. I have 1 year of job experience in a private firm. Can I apply?

No. Candidates with 1 year or more of job experience after obtaining qualification are not eligible.