CPCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) has released its notification for the Engagement of Apprentices 2026-27. Applications are invited for Trade Apprentices, Technician (Diploma) Apprentices and Graduate Apprentices across engineering and non-engineering disciplines.
Also Read: Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026
CPCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Overview
Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited is a Public Sector Undertaking in the oil and gas sector with a refinery in Chennai. This apprenticeship drive offers one year of practical industrial training to fresh ITI holders, diploma holders and graduates. Selection is based on merit, so there is no written exam or interview stage mentioned in the notification.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) |
| Notification No. | HRD:03:26 dated 22.09.2026 |
| Engagement Under | Apprentices Act, 1961 |
| Apprentice Categories | Trade, Technician (Diploma) and Graduate Apprentices |
| Total Vacancies | Not specified in the notification |
| Application Mode | Online only, via NAPS or NATS portal |
| Last Date to Apply | 12 October 2026 |
| Age Limit | 18 to 26 years (as on 01.10.2026) |
| Eligible Passing Years | 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 |
| Minimum Marks | First Class, 60% (55% for SC/ST/PwBD) |
| Stipend | ₹4,800 to ₹12,300 per month |
| Application Fee | No fee mentioned in the notification |
| Selection Process | Merit list based on marks in the essential qualification |
| Helpdesk Email | recruitment@cpcl.co.in |
Also Read: RRB NTPC UG 07/2026 Notification Out
CPCL Apprentice Trade-wise Details and Stipend 2026
Candidates who passed their qualifying exam in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 with first class (minimum 60% marks, or 55% for SC/ST/PwBD) and are aged 18 to 26 years as on 01.10.2026 can apply. Applications are accepted only through the NAPS or NATS apprenticeship portals, and the last date to apply is 12 October 2026. The notification lists the following apprentice categories, qualifications and monthly stipends.
| Trade / Category | Qualification | Stipend (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Trade Apprentice (ITI Passed) | Matric plus 2-year full-time ITI (NCVT/SCVT) in Fitter, Welder, Electrician, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Machinist, Mechanic Refrigeration & AC, Instrument Mechanic, Draughtsman (Civil), Draughtsman (Mechanical), or COPA | ₹11,040 |
| Laboratory Assistant (Chemical Plant) | B.Sc. Chemistry with Physics, Mathematics or Biology | ₹12,300 |
| Guest House Service Asst. (Food & Beverages for Canteen & Housekeeping) | 10th Pass | ₹8,200 |
| Graduate Apprentice: Non-Engineering Degree | BA / B.Com / B.Sc / BCA / BBA | ₹12,300 |
| Secretarial Office Assistant – Oil & Gas | Graduate in any non-engineering discipline | ₹12,300 |
| Executive (Human Resource) – Oil & Gas | MBA (HR) / MSW / PG Diploma in Personnel Management or PM & IR (2-year full-time) | ₹12,300 |
| Graduate Apprentice: Engineering Degree | BE/B.Tech in Chemical, Mechanical, EEE, ECE/Instrumentation, Civil, CSE, IT, Fire & Safety, Environment Protection & Safety | ₹12,300 |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma) | Diploma in Chemical, Mechanical, EEE, ECE/Instrumentation | ₹10,900 |
| Data Entry Operator (Fresher) | Class 12 passed, below graduate | ₹4,800 to ₹9,600 |
| Data Entry Operator (Skilled Certificate Holder) | Class 12 passed, below graduate, plus NSQF-recognised “Domestic Data Entry Operator” skill certificate | ₹9,600 |
Note on NATS stipend: For apprentices engaged under NATS (Sl. No. 3, 6 and 7), 50% of the total stipend is paid by the Government directly to the apprentice’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Also Read: RRB NTPC Graduate CEN 06/2026
Chennai Petroleum Corporation Apprentice Eligibility Criteria 2026
Applicants must meet every condition below. The notification states clearly that no equivalent qualification other than those listed will be accepted.
Age Limit
Candidates must be at least 18 and at most 26 years old as on the date of reckoning, 01 October 2026. Age relaxation applies for reserved categories as per Presidential Directives on Reservation.
Educational Qualification and Marks
The qualification must be from a recognised institution and must match the trade exactly as listed in the table above. Candidates need a First Class with at least 60% marks in the qualifying exam of the relevant discipline, relaxed to 55% for SC, ST and PwBD candidates.
Year of Passing
Only candidates who passed their final exams in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 are eligible. Candidates who are still awaiting results cannot apply.
Prior Experience Restriction
Candidates who have already worked elsewhere for one year or more are not eligible. This rule exists because apprenticeship is meant for fresh candidates who have not yet received substantial on-the-job training.
Portal Registration
Candidates must be registered on the relevant apprenticeship portal (NAPS or NATS) with a 100% complete profile before applying.
CPCL Apprentice Notification 2026
The official notification sets out the trades, required qualifications, stipend amounts, registration portals, eligibility conditions and application process. Candidates should read the full notification on the CPCL website before applying, particularly the rules on passing year, minimum marks and prior work experience, because these are strictly applied.
Which Portal Should You Register On?
Choosing the correct portal is the most common source of mistakes in apprenticeship applications, so check your trade number carefully.
| Portal | Applicable For | Website |
|---|---|---|
| NAPS (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme) | Sl. No. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8 (ITI, Lab Assistant, Guest House Asst., Secretarial Office Asst., HR Executive, Data Entry Operator) | www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in |
| NATS (National Apprenticeship Training Scheme) | Sl. No. 3, 6 and 7 (Non-engineering graduates, Engineering graduates, Diploma holders) | nats.education.gov.in |
Additional DBT Requirement for NATS Candidates
NATS applicants must have an active Aadhaar-seeded bank account that is DBT-enabled, and these bank details must be submitted at the time of application. You can check your Aadhaar–bank seeding status on the UIDAI website at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in (Bank Seeding Status section). If your account is not seeded, contact your bank well before the deadline, since seeding can take a few days.
How to Apply Online for CPCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Applications are accepted only through the NAPS/NATS portal. No other mode, such as post or email, will be entertained.
- Identify your trade and the correct portal (NAPS or NATS) from the table above.
- Register on the portal if you have not already, and complete your profile to 100%.
- NATS candidates should confirm their bank account is Aadhaar-seeded and DBT-enabled.
- Log in to the portal with your User ID or registered Email ID.
- Search the apprenticeship openings for the establishment name “Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited”.
- Apply for the opening that matches your qualification.
- Upload all required documents and make sure your profile details (marks, passing year, category) are accurate.
- Submit the application before 12 October 2026 and keep a screenshot or record of the submission.
If you face technical difficulties while applying, the notification directs candidates to email the CPCL HR Department at recruitment@cpcl.co.in.
CPCL Apprentice Application Fee 2026
The notification does not mention any application fee. Registration on the NAPS and NATS government portals is also free. Candidates should be wary of any third party asking for payment to “confirm” a CPCL apprenticeship seat.
CPCL Apprentice Selection Process 2026
Shortlisting will be done on the basis of a merit list prepared from the percentage of marks obtained in the essential qualification for the respective trade. The notification does not mention a written test or interview for shortlisting. Shortlisted candidates should expect document verification and a medical fitness check, which are standard before engaging apprentices in PSUs, so keep original certificates ready.
Because selection is purely marks-based, entering your percentage correctly on the portal profile matters a great deal. An error there could affect your position on the merit list.
CPCL Apprentice Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 22 September 2026 |
| Online Application Start | Open now (via NAPS/NATS portal) |
| Last Date to Apply | 12 October 2026 |
| Age Reckoning Date | 01 October 2026 |
CPCL Apprentice Stipend 2026
The stipend depends on the trade. Graduate-level categories (engineering graduates, non-engineering graduates, Lab Assistant, Secretarial Office Assistant and HR Executive) receive ₹12,300 per month. ITI trade apprentices receive ₹11,040, diploma holders ₹10,900, Guest House Service Assistants ₹8,200, and Data Entry Operators between ₹4,800 and ₹9,600. Under NATS, half the stipend is credited by the Government through DBT.
Expert Tips Before You Apply
Apprenticeship applications through NAPS and NATS are often rejected for avoidable reasons. Make sure your profile shows 100% completion, because incomplete profiles cannot apply. Double-check that your passing year falls between 2022 and 2026, and that your percentage meets the 60% (or 55%) cut-off, since “first class” alone is not enough if it falls below this number. Apply on the correct portal for your trade, and do not wait until the last two days, as government portals frequently slow down near deadlines.
CPCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 FAQs
How many vacancies are there in CPCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The notification does not state the total number of vacancies or a trade-wise break-up.
What is the last date to apply for CPCL Apprentice 2026?
The last date to apply through the NAPS/NATS portal is 12 October 2026.
What is the age limit for CPCL Apprentice 2026?
Candidates must be between 18 and 26 years as on 01.10.2026, with relaxation for reserved categories as per government rules.
What is the stipend for CPCL Apprentices?
The stipend ranges from ₹4,800 to ₹12,300 per month depending on the trade. Graduate categories receive ₹12,300.
Is there a written exam for CPCL Apprentice selection?
No written exam is mentioned. Shortlisting is based on a merit list of marks in the essential qualification.
Can candidates who passed before 2022 apply?
No. Only those who passed their final exams in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 are eligible.
Can I apply if I am awaiting my final results?
No. Candidates awaiting results are not eligible.
I have one year of work experience. Can I apply?
No. Candidates who have worked elsewhere for one year or more are not eligible.
Which portal should engineering graduates and diploma holders use?
Engineering graduates, diploma holders and non-engineering graduates under Sl. No. 3 use the NATS portal. All other trades use NAPS.
Is there an application fee?
No application fee is mentioned in the official notification.
