Canara Bank Graduate Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Canara Bank has announced a nationwide engagement of Graduate Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961, for the 2026–27 financial year. Graduates who meet the education, age, local-language and other eligibility conditions may apply for this one-year practical training opportunity.

The bank has notified 3,500 training seats across States and Union Territories. Online applications are scheduled to open on October 1, 2026, and close on October 17, 2026; candidates must first register on the NATS apprenticeship portal and then complete the bank application online. There is no written examination: selection is based on academic merit, followed by document verification, a local-language test where required, and medical fitness.

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

Canara Bank has notified 3,500 Graduate Apprentice training seats. The category distribution is shown below. A further 125 seats are reserved horizontally for candidates with benchmark disabilities; these are included within the overall vacancies. The bank states that seat numbers are provisional and may change according to its requirements.

The horizontal PwBD reservation comprises 32 seats for HI, 30 for OC, 39 for VI and 24 for ID candidates. Applicants may choose only one State or Union Territory. The local language listed for that choice is relevant to eligibility and testing.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Applicants must hold a degree in any discipline from a university recognised by the Government of India, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government. The degree must have been completed between January 1, 2023, and September 1, 2026, inclusive. The selection merit calculation uses marks obtained in 12th Standard (HSC/10+2) or a Diploma. The stated minimum is 60% for General, OBC and EWS candidates and 55% for SC, ST and PwBD candidates. Fractions are ignored, so 59.99% does not meet a 60% threshold. Candidates with CGPA must convert it to a percentage according to their Board or University rules.

Age Limit

As of September 1, 2026, candidates must be at least 20 and no older than 28. Applicants must have been born from September 2, 1998, through September 1, 2006, with both dates included. The upper-age limit is relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST candidates, 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates and 10 years for persons with benchmark disabilities. Widows, divorced women and women legally separated from their husbands who have not remarried may be considered up to age 35 for General/EWS, 38 for OBC and 40 for SC/ST.

Those who have completed or are currently undertaking apprenticeship training with Canara Bank or another organisation are not eligible. Candidates with one year or more of training or job experience after completing their qualification are also ineligible, as are Ex-Servicemen. Applicants must know the local language of their selected State/UT. A candidate without 10th- or 12th-standard proof of having studied that language must pass a local-language test.

Application Fee

The fee must be paid online by October 17, 2026. It is non-refundable. SC, ST and PwBD applicants are exempt; all other candidates pay INR 500, inclusive of GST and intimation charges. Accepted payment methods include debit card, credit card, internet banking, IMPS and mobile wallets. During payment, applicants should not use the browser Back or Refresh controls, as this could result in a duplicate charge.

How to Apply

1. Register on the NATS apprenticeship portal at nats.education.gov.in and complete your profile to 100%.
2. Visit the Canara Bank website at canarabank.bank.in and open the Careers section.
3. Select Recruitment and find the notice for engagement of Graduate Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961, for FY 2026–27.
4. Choose the new-registration option and complete the registration process using your details, including your NATS enrolment ID, a valid email address and mobile number.
5. Complete the online form, choose one State and provide district preferences as requested. Upload the required documents and check that the details are accurate.
6. Pay the applicable fee online by the deadline, then submit the application. Keep a copy of the submitted form and payment confirmation for your records.

Applications are accepted online only; Canara Bank will not accept an offline application.

Salary & Pay Scale

Selected apprentices will receive a total monthly stipend of INR 16,650 during the 12-month training period. Canara Bank will pay INR 10,500 directly into the apprentice’s account, while the Government of India contribution of INR 6,150 will be credited through DBT. Apprentices are not eligible for other allowances or benefits and are not treated as employees of the bank. On successful completion of training, they receive a joint NATS certificate.

Selection Process

There is no written examination. Canara Bank will prepare a separate merit list for each State using candidates’ percentage marks in 12th Standard (HSC/10+2) or Diploma. The minimum stated merit percentage is 60% for General/OBC/EWS and 55% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates. Percentage fractions are disregarded; CGPA results must be converted as per the applicable Board or University rules. If candidates have the same percentage, the older candidate is ranked higher. Shortlisted candidates are called for document verification, with the local-language test conducted at that stage when required. Final engagement depends on the candidate being declared medically fit in accordance with the bank’s requirements.

Eligible graduates should complete their NATS registration and submit the online form, including any applicable fee, by October 17, 2026. Check the official notice and application portal for the full conditions and any recruitment updates before applying.