IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – 39 Graduate/Technician/Trade Posts
IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - 39 Apprentice Seats at Manavalakurichi
Graduate, Technician and Trade Apprentice Opportunities at IREL Tamil Nadu
So here is a good opportunity for engineering and ITI candidates. IREL (India) Limited, which is a Mini Ratna CPSE under the Ministry of Atomic Energy, has released a notification for 39 Apprentice seats at its Manavalakurichi unit in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. See, IREL is known for rare earth minerals processing, and doing apprenticeship here gives you exposure to a unique industrial environment. The posts include Graduate Apprentice, Technician Apprentice, and Trade Apprentice across multiple disciplines like Electrical, Civil, Mechanical, Fitter, Electrician, and more. The application is offline, and the last date is . So you have about 20 days to prepare and send your application.
No Written Exam - Selection Based on Merit and Priority Categories
Now here is the interesting part - there is no written examination for this apprenticeship. Selection is purely based on a merit list of your qualifying marks, subject to priority categories. And the priority order is quite specific. Land Affected Candidates get first priority, then wards of IREL employees, then residents of specific villages near the plant, then Tamil Nadu residents, and then others. So if you are from Kanyakumari District or nearby areas, your chances are actually quite good. The stipend will be as per the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992. And remember, this is apprenticeship training, not permanent employment. But it gives you valuable experience in a PSU environment.
Two-Step Application - Portal Registration Plus Hardcopy by Post
The application process involves two steps. First, you need to register on the relevant Government apprenticeship portal. For Trade Apprentices, register on apprenticeshipindia.org. For Graduate and Technician Apprentices, register on nats.education.gov.in. After portal registration, you need to download the application form from the notification, fill it, attach all documents, and send it by post to IREL Manavalakurichi. And one important thing - you need a Police Verification Certificate because IREL is a highly protected area. So start that process early if you haven't already. The application must reach IREL by .
Key Details
- Conducting Authority: IREL (India) Limited, Manavalakurichi
- Post Name: Graduate, Technician and Trade Apprentice
- Total Vacancies: 39
- Application Last Date:
- Application Mode: Offline (Portal Registration + Hardcopy by Post)
- Training Duration: 1 Year (2 Years for Plumber/Carpenter)
Eligibility & Stipend
- Qualification: BE/Diploma/ITI in relevant trade
- Age Limit: 18-25 Years
- Job Location: Manavalakurichi, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
- Selection Process: Merit-based (No Written Exam)
- Stipend: As per Apprenticeship Rules, 1992
- Official Website: irel.co.in
IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Important Dates and Application Fee
Key Dates
The notification was released on . The last date to apply is . But here is the thing - the application must physically reach IREL by this date, not just be posted. So send it by Speed Post at least 3-4 days before the deadline. And the document verification and medical examination dates will be communicated to shortlisted candidates later. So keep checking the IREL website for updates.
Tip: Start your Police Verification Certificate process now. IREL is a highly protected area, and you cannot join without this certificate. It takes time, so don't wait until the last moment.
Application Fee
No application fee is mentioned in the official notification. So you can apply without paying anything. But make sure you register on the relevant apprenticeship portal first, because without portal registration, your application will not be considered.
IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Vacancy Breakdown and Eligibility
39 Apprentice Seats Across Three Categories
So let me break down the vacancies. There are 4 Graduate Apprentice seats - Electrical (2), Civil (1), Mechanical (1). Then 4 Technician Apprentice seats - Mechanical (1), Electrical (1), Civil (2). And 31 Trade Apprentice seats across 10 trades - Fitter has the most with 10 seats, then Electrician with 5, Welder with 4, PASAA with 3, and others with 1-2 each. See, if you are an ITI holder, Fitter trade has the highest number of seats. So that is actually a good option. But remember, you can apply for only one trade at a time.
Eligibility Conditions
The eligibility is trade-specific. For Graduate Apprentices, you need BE in the relevant discipline. For Technician Apprentices, you need a Diploma in the relevant trade. And for Trade Apprentices, you need ITI in the specific trade. But here is the catch - qualifications through distance learning, part-time, or correspondence mode are NOT accepted. You need regular qualifications only. Also, if you have higher qualifications like ME/M.Tech, MCA, MBA, or Ph.D., you are not eligible. And if you have already undergone apprenticeship training anywhere under the Apprentices Act, you cannot apply again. Age limit is 18 to 25 years as on the last date of application, with relaxation for reserved categories.
IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Selection Process
Selection Stages
- Merit list based on qualifying examination marks
- Priority categories applied within merit list
- Document verification with original certificates
- Medical fitness examination by IREL Medical Officer
- Police Verification Certificate mandatory
Priority Order
- Land Affected Candidates (highest priority)
- Wards of IREL employees
- Residents of nearby villages (within 10 km)
- Kanyakumari District residents
- Tamil Nadu state residents
- All other eligible candidates
IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Stipend and Training Details
Stipend as per Apprenticeship Rules - No Other Benefits
So the stipend will be paid as per the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992, and as notified by the Government of India from time to time. The exact amount is not mentioned in the notification. But generally, Graduate Apprentices get around Rs. 9,000 per month, Technician Apprentices get around Rs. 8,000, and Trade Apprentices get around Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 8,000. But don't quote me on this - check the official notification once. And here is the important thing - IREL will not provide any other benefits like accommodation, transport, or medical facilities during the training period. So you need to manage everything yourself.
What You Will Do During Apprenticeship
- Learn practical skills in your designated trade at IREL plant
- Work under supervision of experienced IREL engineers and technicians
- Understand rare earth minerals processing operations
- Get exposure to PSU work environment and safety protocols
- Complete training as per Apprentices Act requirements
- Maintain daily attendance and training records
And one thing - after completing the apprenticeship, IREL has no obligation to offer regular employment. So you need to look for other opportunities after training. But the experience you gain here is valuable, especially if you are planning to appear for government exams or PSUs.
IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - How to Apply
Two-Step Process - Portal Registration Then Hardcopy by Post
The application process is a bit lengthy, so let me explain step by step. First, you need to register on the relevant Government apprenticeship portal. For Trade Apprentices, register on apprenticeshipindia.org. For Graduate and Technician Apprentices, register on nats.education.gov.in. Use IREL's establishment registration numbers - E05203301006 for Trade Apprenticeship and STNKKC000004 for Graduate/Technician. After portal registration, download the application form from the notification, fill it, attach all documents, and send it by post to IREL Manavalakurichi.
How to Apply
- Step 1: Register on apprenticeshipindia.org (Trade) or nats.education.gov.in (Graduate/Technician)
- Step 2: Use IREL establishment numbers: E05203301006 (Trade) or STNKKC000004 (Graduate/Technician)
- Step 3: Download application form from IREL notification (Annexure A)
- Step 4: Fill the form typewritten on A4 paper, paste passport photo
- Step 5: Attach self-attested copies of all required documents
- Step 6: Superscribe envelope: "APPLICATION FOR APPRENTICE - NOTIFICATION NO. IREL/MK/Apprentices/2026/01"
- Step 7: Send by Speed Post to: The Chief Manager - HRM (Legal & ER), IREL (India) Limited, Manavalakurichi, Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu-629252
- Step 8: Application must reach IREL by
IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Documents Required
Documents to Submit with Application
- 10th/Matriculation certificate or Birth Certificate (for DOB proof)
- 10th/HSC Mark Sheet
- Semester-wise/year-wise mark sheets and Pass Certificate
- SC/ST/OBC(NCL)/EWS/PwD certificates (if applicable)
- Income and Assets Certificate (for EWS candidates)
- Nativity Certificate
- Land Loser Certificate (if applicable)
- Aadhaar Card
- 10 passport-size photographs
Documents Required at Joining
- Police Verification Certificate from local police
- Original certificates for physical verification
- Medical fitness certificate from IREL Medical Officer
- Printout of provisional offer letter
- Self-attested copy of all documents
And one important thing - the Police Verification Certificate is mandatory because IREL is a highly protected area. Start this process now, because it takes time. You cannot join without this certificate.
IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Important Links
Official Recruitment Links
- Official Notification PDF - Download PDF
- Trade Apprentice Portal - apprenticeshipindia.org
- Graduate/Technician Portal - nats.education.gov.in
- Official Website - irel.co.in
Join Our Job Community
- Telegram Channel - Join Channel
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- Blogs - Visit Blog
IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
It is a notification by IREL (India) Limited, Manavalakurichi for 39 Graduate, Technician and Trade Apprentice seats under the Apprentices Act, 1961, at its Kanyakumari District unit in Tamil Nadu.
Q2. How many vacancies are available?
A total of 39 seats - 4 Graduate Apprentice, 4 Technician Apprentice, and 31 Trade Apprentice across ten designated trades.
Q3. What is the last date to apply?
The application must reach IREL on or before 31 August 2026. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
Q4. What is the qualification required?
BE for Graduate Apprentices, Diploma for Technician Apprentices, and ITI in the specific trade for Trade Apprentices. Distance learning/correspondence qualifications are not accepted.
Q5. What is the age limit?
Minimum 18 years and maximum 25 years as on the last date of application. Age relaxation: SC/ST 5 years, OBC (NCL) 3 years, PWD 10 years.
Q6. Is there a written exam?
No, there is no written examination. Selection is based on a merit list of qualifying marks, subject to priority categories, followed by document verification and medical fitness.
Q7. How do I apply?
First register on the relevant Government apprenticeship portal (apprenticeshipindia.org for Trade, nats.education.gov.in for Graduate/Technician), then send the hardcopy application by post to IREL Manavalakurichi before 31 August 2026.
Q8. Is Police Verification Certificate mandatory?
Yes, because IREL is a highly protected area. You must submit a Police Verification Certificate issued by the concerned Police authorities of your residence area before joining.
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