Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has released the official notification for the engagement of 394 Apprentices in its Pipelines Division for the 2025-26 cycle. This recruitment is a major opportunity for Diploma holders, Graduates, and ITI pass-outs to gain experience in a premier PSU.
Important Dates For IOCL
| Event | Date |
| Notification Released | January 23, 2026 |
| Online Application Start | January 28, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | February 10, 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Cut-off Date (Age/Education) | January 31, 2026 |
Region-wise Vacancy Breakdown (Total 394)
The vacancies are distributed across five operational regions of the Pipelines Division:
- Western Region (WRPL): 136 Posts
- Eastern Region (ERPL): 101 Posts
- South Eastern Region (SERPL): 63 Posts
- Northern Region (NRPL): 54 Posts
- Southern Region (SRPL): 40 Posts
Eligibility Criteria
1. Age Limit (as on 31.01.2026)
- Minimum: 18 Years
- Maximum: 24 Years
- Relaxation: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC (NCL), and 10 years for PwBD candidates.
2. Educational Qualification
Qualifications must be from a regular, full-time course recognized by AICTE/UGC/NCVT.
- Technician Apprentice (Mechanical/Electrical/T&I): 3-year Diploma in the relevant Engineering discipline with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwBD).
- Trade Apprentice (Assistant HR/Accountant): Full-time Graduate degree (BA/B.Com/B.Sc/BBA) with minimum 50% marks.
- Data Entry Operator (DEO): Minimum 12th pass (but below Graduate).
Important: Candidates with higher professional qualifications like B.E./B.Tech, MBA, CA, or LLB are not eligible for these posts.
Selection Process
The selection is purely merit-based. There is no written exam or interview.
- Merit List: Prepared based on the percentage of marks obtained in the qualifying examination (Diploma/Degree/12th).
- Tie-Breaker: If marks are equal, the candidate older in age will be ranked higher.
- Document Verification (DV): Shortlisted candidates will be called for physical verification of original certificates.
- Medical Fitness: Candidates must clear a pre-engagement medical examination.
Region-Wise Vacancy Overview
The 394 vacancies are distributed across 5 major pipeline regions. The Western Region holds the highest number of posts.
| Region | Regional Headquarters | Total Vacancies |
| Western Region (WRPL) | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | 136 |
| Eastern Region (ERPL) | Kolkata, West Bengal | 101 |
| South Eastern Region (SERPL) | Bhubaneswar, Odisha | 63 |
| Northern Region (NRPL) | Panipat, Haryana | 54 |
| Southern Region (SRPL) | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | 40 |
Detailed State-Wise Chart
Candidates can apply for vacancies in a specific state within a region. Below is the breakdown of key states:
| Region | State/UT | Vacancies | Primary Disciplines |
| Western | Gujarat | 88 | Mechanical, Electrical, T&I, HR |
| Rajasthan | 38 | Mechanical, Electrical | |
| Maharashtra | 10 | Mechanical, T&I | |
| Eastern | West Bengal | 44 | Mechanical, Electrical, Accountant |
| Bihar | 36 | Mechanical, T&I, DEO | |
| Uttar Pradesh | 18 | Electrical, Mechanical | |
| Assam | 3 | T&I | |
| South Eastern | Odisha | 39 | Mechanical, Electrical, T&I |
| Chhattisgarh | 12 | Electrical, HR | |
| Jharkhand | 12 | Mechanical, Electrical | |
| Northern | Haryana | 24 | Mechanical, Electrical, T&I |
| Punjab | 14 | Mechanical, T&I | |
| Delhi / UP | 16 | Graduate Apprentice, HR | |
| Southern | Tamil Nadu | 22 | Mechanical, Electrical, T&I |
| Karnataka | 12 | Mechanical, Electrical | |
| Andhra Pradesh | 6 | T&I |
Discipline-Wise Distribution (Approximate)
While the official notification lists specific codes, the majority of seats are allocated as follows:
- Technician Apprentices (Diploma): ~60% of total posts (Mechanical being the largest).
- Trade Apprentices (ITI/Graduate): ~30% of total posts (Assistant HR & Accountants).
- Data Entry Operators: ~10% of total posts (Freshers and Skill Certificate holders).
How to Apply Online
The application process is free. Follow these steps starting January 28:
- Portal Registration (Mandatory):
- Technician/Graduate Apprentices: Register at nats.education.gov.in.
- Trade Apprentice/DEO: Register at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.
- IOCL Official Application: Visit the IOCL Pipelines recruitment portal: plaaps.indianoilpipelines.in.
- Fill Form: Enter your registration number from the NATS/NAPS portal, upload your photo and signature, and select your preferred region/state.
- Submit: Save the registration number and print the confirmation page for the DV stage.
