ONGC Apprentice 2026: Eligibility, Age, Stipend and Selection
Government Job Desk Team
5 min read
ONGC has opened apprentice training for 3,047 tentative seats across 24 work centres. If you are thinking of applying before 20 November 2026, this guide explains who can apply, the age rule, the stipend for each type of apprentice, and how the merit list is made. There is no written test mentioned in the notice.
ONGC Apprentice 2026 at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Advertisement | ONGC/APPR/1/2026, dated 29.10.2026 |
| Tentative seats | 3,047 (the notice says trades and seat numbers may change) |
| Work centres | 24 |
| Training period | 12 months for all trades |
| Application mode | Online only, through the NAPS or NATS portal |
| Applications opened | 29.10.2026 |
| Last date | 20.11.2026 |
| Result / selection date | 15.12.2026 |
The last date can change. The notice says ONGC may extend it if enough suitable applications are not received.
Who can apply: qualification by trade
The qualification depends on the trade you choose. A few examples from Para D of the notice:
- Library Assistant: passed 10th class.
- ITI trades such as Electrician, Fitter, Instrument Mechanic, Machinist, Mechanic Diesel, Welder and Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA): ITI in the same trade.
- Fire Safety Technician (Oil & Gas): 12th class, or a two-year ITI after 10th.
- Lab Chemist/Analyst (Petroleum Products): B.Sc. (Chemistry).
- Executive HR (Oil & Gas): BBA degree.
- Accounts Executive: bachelor's degree in Commerce.
- Secretarial Office Assistant (Oil & Gas) and Store Keeper (Petroleum Products): any graduate.
- Petroleum Executive: graduate with Geology as one of the subjects.
- Engineering executive posts (Graduate): degree in the matching engineering discipline.
- Engineering executive posts (Diploma): three-year diploma in the matching engineering discipline.
Two points from the notes deserve attention. First, for trades that ask for an Electrician certificate, a Wireman certificate is not accepted. Second, ITI certificates must come from institutes recognised by the State Board of Technical Education or NCVT, and degrees must be recognised by bodies such as UGC or AICTE.
Age limit and relaxation
The age is counted as on 29.11.2026. You must be at least 18 and at most 24 years old, which means your date of birth should fall between 29.11.2002 and 29.11.2008.
| Category | Relaxation in upper age limit |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| PwBD (general) | Up to 10 years |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | Up to 15 years |
| PwBD (OBC Non-Creamy Layer) | Up to 13 years |
The domicile rule for work centres
You can apply for a work centre only if you live in one of its eligible districts, or if you obtained your required qualification from one of them. The list is in Annexure 1 of the notice. Check the Annexure for your centre before you choose, because the eligible districts differ from centre to centre. You may choose your trade and centre, but you should apply for one trade at one work centre. The notice also says that if you apply for more than one, ONGC will allot only one centre and one trade at its discretion.
Stipend for ONGC apprentices
| Type of apprentice | Qualification | Stipend per month |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate apprentice | B.A / B.Com / B.Sc / BBA / B.E. / B.Tech | Rs 12,300 |
| Diploma apprentice | Three-year diploma in engineering | Rs 10,900 |
| Trade apprentice | 10th / 12th | Rs 8,200 |
| Trade apprentice | ITI of one-year duration | Rs 9,600 |
| Trade apprentice | ITI of two-year duration | Rs 10,560 |
The notice states that apprentices get no TA/DA, boarding or lodging expenses and no help with transport. It also says apprenticeship does not give any right to a regular job at ONGC.
How the selection works
The notice does not describe a written test. The steps are:
- After the window closes, ONGC downloads the NAPS and NATS applications and sorts them trade-wise, qualification-wise and centre-wise.
- Applications are checked for qualification, age, relaxation and scheme eligibility. Incomplete, duplicate or ineligible applications are dealt with as per the rules.
- A provisional merit list is prepared for each trade and centre on the marks in the qualifying examination. If marks are tied, the older candidate gets preference.
- Candidates may be shortlisted for document verification in a ratio decided by ONGC. Shortlisting gives no right to engagement.
- After verification, the final merit list is made, following the reservation rules.
- Results are published on www.ongcapprentices.ongc.co.in, and selected candidates are told by email.
Documents that may be asked for include proof of date of birth, mark sheets, ITI/diploma/degree certificates, category and PwBD certificates, ID proof, and NAPS/NATS registration details. Candidates must be medically fit as per the Apprentices Act, 1961.
Other rules that can cancel your application
- You must not have completed apprenticeship earlier or be doing one now.
- For Technician Apprentice, one year or more of training or job experience after your qualification makes you ineligible.
- You must not have passed the qualifying exam more than three years before 29.11.2026.
- Hard-copy applications are not accepted.
- Canvassing of any kind disqualifies you.
Practical tips
- Create your NAPS or NATS profile early and keep your marks and certificate details ready, since merit depends on your qualifying marks.
- Check the scheme (NAPS or NATS) shown for your trade and centre, because each uses a different portal.
- Use an email address you check daily, including the spam folder, as ONGC says it will contact you by email.
- Keep scanned originals of your date of birth proof and certificates ready for verification.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a written exam for ONGC Apprentice 2026?
The notice does not mention one. Selection is by a merit list based on marks in the qualifying examination, followed by document verification.
Is ONGC apprenticeship a permanent job?
No. It is training for 12 months under the Apprentices Act, 1961. ONGC says it has no obligation to offer regular employment afterwards.
Can I apply for more than one trade or centre?
The notice says you should apply for one trade at one work centre. If you submit more, only one centre and trade will be allotted at the management's discretion.
What is the maximum age for an OBC candidate?
The base limit is 24 years as on 29.11.2026, with a 3-year relaxation for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer). Read Para C of the notice for the exact wording.
Where will the result be published?
On www.ongcapprentices.ongc.co.in, and selected candidates are also informed by email. The notice gives 15.12.2026 as the result date.
See the full recruitment details on our ONGC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 page. Always confirm every detail in the official notification on ongcindia.com before you apply.