CPCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Job highlights
| Organisation | Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) |
|---|---|
| Employment type | Other |
| Salary | INR 4,800 – 12,300 / month |
| Posted | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Apply by | Oct 12, 2026 |
| Education | Qualifications vary by opportunity: specified two-year ITI trades after matriculation; B.Sc. Chemistry with Physics, Mathematics or Biology; Class 10; BA, B.Com, B.Sc., BCA or BBA; a non-engineering degree; specified postgraduate HR qualifications; BE/B.Tech in listed engineering disciplines; a diploma in listed engineering disciplines; or Class 12 for Data Entry Operator roles, with an additional recognized Domestic Data Entry Operator skill certificate for the skilled-certificate option. Candi |
| Age limit | 18 to 26 years as on 2026-10-01. Relaxation is as per Presidential Directives on Reservation; specific relaxation periods are not stated. |
| Application fee | Nil for all candidates; no application fee is specified. |
Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) has issued notification HRD:03:26 for apprentice engagement under the Apprentices Act, 1961. ITI-qualified candidates, diploma holders and graduates who meet the requirements for a listed trade or discipline can apply through the relevant apprenticeship portal.
The recruitment covers Trade, Technician and Graduate Apprentice opportunities, but the notification text does not state a total vacancy count or a post-wise vacancy breakup. Online applications opened with the notification on 22 September 2026 and must be submitted by 12 October 2026 through NAPS or NATS, as applicable to the opportunity. Candidates will be shortlisted on merit based on marks in the essential qualification for their respective trade.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification issued | 22 September 2026 |
| Date for reckoning age | 1 October 2026 |
| Last date to submit an application through NAPS/NATS | 12 October 2026 |
Vacancy Details
CPCL lists ten apprentice opportunities across ITI trades, science and general degree qualifications, engineering, office support, human resources, hospitality and data entry. The notification provides no numerical vacancy total or category-wise seat allocation.
| Post or trade | Prescribed qualification | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Trade Apprentice (ITI Passed) | Matriculation and a regular, full-time two-year ITI course recognized by NCVT or SCVT in Fitter, Welder, Electrician, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Machinist, Mechanic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Instrument Mechanic, Draughtsman (Civil), Draughtsman (Mechanical), or Computer Operator and Programming Assistant. | NAPS |
| Designated Trade: Laboratory Assistant (Chemical Plant) | B.Sc. in Chemistry with Physics, Mathematics or Biology. | NAPS |
| Optional Trade: Guest House Service Assistant (Food & Beverages for canteen and housekeeping) | 10th pass. | NAPS |
| Graduate Apprentice: Non-Engineering Degree | BA, B.Com, B.Sc., BCA or BBA degree. | NATS |
| Graduate Apprentice: Secretarial Office Assistant – Oil & Gas | Graduation in any non-engineering discipline. | NAPS |
| Optional Trade: Executive (Human Resource) – Oil & Gas | MBA in HR, MSW, or a two-year full-time postgraduate diploma in Personnel Management or Personnel Management and Industrial Relations. | NAPS |
| Graduate Apprentice: Degree in Engineering | BE or B.Tech in Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronics, Electronic and Communication or Instrumentation, Civil, Computer Science, Information Technology, Fire and Safety, or Environment Protection and Safety. | NATS |
| Technician Apprentice: Diploma in Engineering | Diploma in Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronics, or Electronic and Communication or Instrumentation engineering. | NATS |
| Trade Apprentice: Data Entry Operator (Fresher Apprentice) | Class 12 pass and below graduate level. | NAPS |
| Trade Apprentice: Data Entry Operator (Skilled Certificate Holders) | Class 12 pass and below graduate level, plus a skill certificate in Domestic Data Entry Operator for training of less than one year. The certificate must be issued by an awarding body recognized under the National Skill Qualifications Framework or another authority recognized by the Central Government. | NAPS |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Applicants must have obtained the qualification prescribed for their selected trade or discipline from a recognized institution. The notification states that candidates must have passed their final examinations in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026. The required qualification differs by opportunity: it ranges from Class 10 or Class 12, to an ITI certificate, science or general degree, engineering diploma or degree, and the specified postgraduate HR qualifications. Applicants should check the vacancy table and the official notice against the portal opportunity they intend to apply for.
The eligibility details also state a First Class requirement with at least 60% marks, relaxed to 55% for SC, ST and PwBD candidates. This benchmark should be considered alongside the specific qualification requirements for the chosen opportunity.
Age Limit
Candidates must be at least 18 and no older than 26 years on the age-reckoning date, 1 October 2026. Age relaxation is available as per Presidential Directives on Reservation; the notification does not specify individual relaxation periods in the provided details.
Application Fee
No application fee is specified for this recruitment. The application fee is listed as nil for all candidates applying through the relevant online portal.
| Applicant category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All candidates | Nil |
How to Apply
- Identify the apprentice trade or discipline for which you meet the qualification requirements, then check whether its listing directs you to NAPS or NATS.
- Register on the applicable apprenticeship portal and make sure your profile is complete. The NAPS portal is apprenticeshipindia.gov.in; the NATS student registration portal is nats.education.gov.in.
- For NATS engagement, arrange an active Aadhaar-seeded bank account that is enabled for Direct Beneficiary Transfer (DBT), as required for the additional DBT registration.
- Sign in to the relevant portal using your user ID or email ID and locate the apprenticeship opening with “Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited” as the establishment name.
- Complete or update your profile and upload the required documents before submitting the application.
- Submit the online application by 12 October 2026. CPCL will not accept applications through another mode.
- If you encounter a problem with the process, contact CPCL’s HR Department at recruitment@cpcl.co.in.
Salary & Pay Scale
The monthly stipend ranges from INR 4,800 to INR 12,300, depending on the trade. For apprentices engaged through NATS, 50% of the total stipend is to be paid by the Government through Direct Beneficiary Transfer (DBT).
Selection Process
CPCL will shortlist applicants using a merit list based on the percentage of marks obtained in the essential qualification applicable to the candidate’s selected trade. The notification describes this merit-based shortlisting as the selection stage and does not mention a separate examination or interview.
Eligible candidates should review the official notice and submit their application through the correct apprenticeship portal before the 12 October 2026 deadline.
Important links
- NAPS portal: https://www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in
- NATS student registration: https://nats.education.gov.in/student_register.php
- CPCL official website: http://www.cpcl.co.in
- CPCL Apprentice notification PDF: https://www.cpcl.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Notification_20for_20Engagement_20of_20Apprentices_20at_20CPCL_20for_202026-27.cleaned.pdf
- CPCL HR contact: mailto:recruitment@cpcl.co.in
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to apply for CPCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026? +
Applications must be submitted through the relevant NAPS or NATS portal by 12 October 2026.
How many apprentice vacancies has CPCL announced? +
The notification text provided lists ten apprentice opportunities, but does not state a total number of vacancies or a seat count for each trade.
What qualifications are required for the CPCL apprentice posts? +
Requirements depend on the opportunity and include Class 10 or Class 12, specified ITI trades, degrees, engineering diplomas or degrees, and specified postgraduate HR qualifications. Candidates must also meet the examination-year and marks requirements in the notification.
What is the age limit for CPCL Apprentice 2026? +
Applicants must be 18 to 26 years old as on 1 October 2026. Age relaxation is as per Presidential Directives on Reservation.
Is there an application fee? +
No. The application fee is nil for all candidates.
How will CPCL select apprentices? +
Candidates will be shortlisted on merit using the percentage of marks obtained in the essential qualification for the respective trade.