IREL India Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 42 Posts Across Graduate, Technician & ITI Trades – Apply by 15 May

IREL India apprentice recruitment 2026 OSCOM vacancy trade wise details are officially out: IREL (India) Limited (formerly Indian Rare Earths Limited), a Mini-Ratna Category-1 PSU under the Department of Atomic Energy, has released Notification No. IREL/OS/AA/2026 dated 24 April 2026 for engagement of 42 apprentices at its OSCOM Unit, Matikhalo, District Ganjam, Odisha. The notification covers Graduate Apprentices (BE/B.Tech), Technician Apprentices (Diploma), Trade Apprentices (MSc/MBA), and ITI Trade Apprentices across 18 disciplines. A critical and frequently missed rule: candidates who already hold or are pursuing a qualification higher than the prescribed one for any trade are automatically disqualified — suppression of this information leads to termination even after engagement. Applications must reach the HRM Department at OSCOM by post/courier on or before 15 May 2026.

Based on official notification IREL/OS/AA/2026 by Head of Department, HRM, IREL (India) Limited, OSCOM, Matikhalo, Odisha. Verified: April 2026.

Quick Eligibility Check

The “higher qualification” disqualification is the most unique and frequently misunderstood rule in this notification. A BE graduate cannot apply for a Diploma/Technician trade slot, and an MSc holder cannot apply for a BSc-designated trade. Even if the candidate conceals this information and gets selected, engagement will be terminated upon discovery at any stage.

Important Dates

Since applications must physically reach OSCOM by 15 May 2026 and IREL will not be responsible for postal delays, candidates should dispatch applications by Speed Post at least 7–10 days before the deadline — by 5–8 May 2026 at the latest.

Vacancy and Trade Analysis

ITI Trade Apprentices dominate this notification with 24 out of 42 seats — over 57% of total vacancies — making it the primary opportunity for ITI pass candidates. Within ITI trades, Fitter (7 seats) and Electrician (6 seats) together account for 13 seats, making these the two most available trades in this drive. Graduate and Technician Apprentices together account for only 7 seats across engineering disciplines, meaning competition per seat will be considerably higher for degree/diploma holders. The Non-ITI Trade Apprentice category is notable for including management and science graduates — MBA-HRM, MBA-Finance, MBA-Marketing, MSc/BSc Geology, and MSc/BSc Chemistry — giving non-engineering postgraduates a rare PSU apprenticeship opportunity under the DAE umbrella. IREL’s reservation policy follows Odisha Government guidelines, so category-wise seat allocation (SC/ST/OBC-NCL) will be as per the state’s prevailing reservation norms applied to these 42 seats. If suitable candidates are not found in a particular trade, management may reallocate those seats to other trades at its discretion.

Stipend and In-Hand Calculation

Apprentice stipends under the Apprentices Act have no DA, HRA, or TA components — deductions are minimal. The primary value of IREL’s OSCOM apprenticeship beyond the stipend is the prestige of a DAE PSU training certificate, which significantly strengthens applications for regular PSU jobs, GATE-based recruitments, and future apprenticeship interviews. IREL has explicitly stated it has no obligation to offer regular employment after training completion — candidates should treat this as a one-year skill and résumé building opportunity, not a pathway to permanent IREL employment.

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Application Fee

No application fee is mentioned in the official notification. Candidates are not required to pay any fee for this apprenticeship engagement at IREL OSCOM.

Age Limit

Age is calculated as on the last date of application — 15 May 2026. The application form, however, asks for age as on 20/04/2025 — candidates should fill this as instructed in the form, but eligibility is checked against the last date of application. Example: A General category candidate born on 15 May 2001 would be exactly 25 years old on 15 May 2026 — eligible. A candidate born on 14 May 2001 would be 25 years and 1 day — not eligible under the General category.

Eligibility Criteria

The most critical eligibility mistake for this recruitment is applying with a higher qualification than prescribed. An MBA candidate cannot apply for a BSc Laboratory trade slot even if they also hold a BSc. Similarly, a BE/B.Tech holder cannot apply for a Diploma/Technician slot. The notification is explicit that suppression of higher qualification information leads to disqualification and termination. For CGPA-based results, candidates must calculate and indicate the percentage equivalent as per their university norms and submit a conversion certificate from the institution at document verification.

Priority Selection System – Unique to IREL OSCOM

IREL’s OSCOM apprentice selection follows a six-tier geographic and institutional priority system applied before national merit ranking. Understanding this is essential for candidates from Odisha — and it is the single most important differentiator that no competitor website explains:

Within each priority tier, Odisha Government reservation norms for SC/ST/OBC apply. Tie-breaking within the same merit and priority tier is resolved first by higher qualifying exam marks, and if still tied, by seniority in date of birth (older candidate preferred).

Selection Process

Stage 1: Merit List Preparation

Candidates are ranked based on marks scored in the specified qualifying examination (percentage of aggregate marks). Priority category (I through VI) is applied first — all Priority-I candidates are considered before Priority-II, and so on. Candidates with CGPA grades must submit university-issued percentage conversion certificates. If aggregate marks are not on the pass certificate, average marks across all semesters/years are used.

Stage 2: Document Verification

Shortlisted candidates are called for physical document verification in merit order. A Provisional Offer Letter is sent via email before this date — candidates must bring a printout. All original documents plus one set of self-attested photocopies must be presented. Missing originals or eligibility discrepancies result in immediate rejection at this stage.

Stage 3: Medical Examination

Candidates must be declared medically fit by IREL’s company-authorised Medical Officer before engagement. This is a mandatory qualifying step — no appeal against medical findings is indicated in the notification. Being fit for field/plant work in a DAE facility (chemical processing environment) is the standard assessed.

Police Verification Certificate

IREL OSCOM is a highly protected facility under DAE. Selected candidates must obtain a Police Verification Certificate from the police authorities of their place of normal residence before joining. Candidates should initiate this process in parallel with the application — it typically takes 2–4 weeks and should not be left until after selection.

Your first 7 days after dispatching your application:

1. Verify your NATS (for Graduate/Technician) or NAPS (for ITI/Trade) portal registration is complete and the registration number is correctly mentioned in your application — incorrect portal registration leads to automatic rejection.
2. Double-check you have used Establishment Code E0421210003 for ITI/Trade apprentices and EORGNC000001 for Graduate/Technician apprentices on the respective portals.
3. Confirm your application is dispatched by Speed Post — IREL will not be responsible for courier or postal delays.
4. Begin the Police Verification Certificate process immediately at your local police station — this is mandatory for joining and takes several weeks.
5. Collect and keep ready all original documents: marksheets (semester-wise), pass certificate, caste certificate (OBC-NCL must be current), domicile/nativity certificate if applicable, Aadhaar, and APAAR ID.
6. If you are in Priority Category I or II, arrange the land-given documentary proof or nativity/residential certificate from your Gram Panchayat or Tehsildar before document verification.
7. Monitor www.irel.co.in regularly — all further communications including merit list, document verification date, and offer letters will appear only on this website.

Exam Syllabus

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How to Apply

1. Register on the appropriate portal FIRST: NAPS portal (apprenticeshipindia.org) for ITI and Non-ITI Trade Apprentices, or NATS portal (nats.education.gov.in) for Graduate and Technician Apprentices.
2. Apply online through the portal using the correct Establishment Code: E0421210003 (ITI/Trade) or EORGNC000001 (Graduate/Technician).
3. Download and fill the application form (proforma) provided in the notification, preferably typewritten on A4 paper.
4. Affix a recent passport-size photograph in the space provided on the application form.
5. Write on the envelope: “APPLICATION FOR ENGAGEMENT OF APPRENTICE AGAINST NOTIFICATION NO. IREL/OS/AA/2026” and the Discipline Applied for.
6. Attach all required self-attested documents (see checklist below) along with the filled application form.
7. Send by post/courier (preferably Speed Post) to: Head of Department, HRM, OSCOM, IREL (India) Limited, Matikhalo, District Ganjam, Odisha – 761 045.
8. Application must physically reach OSCOM on or before 15 May 2026. Dispatch at least 7–10 days before deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the approximate stipend for IREL OSCOM Apprentice 2026?

The notification does not state a fixed amount — stipends are governed by the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992 as notified by the Central Government. As a reference, Graduate Apprentices typically receive approximately ₹9,000 per month, Technician/Trade Apprentices approximately ₹8,050, and ITI Trade Apprentices approximately ₹7,700. IREL explicitly states it will provide no other benefits beyond the statutory stipend. Verify current rates on the Ministry of Skill Development portal before applying.

How many total vacancies are there in IREL Apprentice 2026?

There are 42 total seats across four categories: 2 Graduate Apprentice (BE/B.Tech), 6 Technician Apprentice (Diploma), 7 Trade Apprentice (Non-ITI: MSc/MBA), and 24 ITI Trade Apprentice seats. Fitter (7) and Electrician (6) are the largest individual trades.

What is the last date to apply for IREL OSCOM Apprentice 2026?

The application must physically reach Head of Department, HRM, IREL OSCOM, Matikhalo, Ganjam, Odisha – 761 045 on or before 15 May 2026. IREL will not be responsible for postal delays, so dispatch by Speed Post at least 7–10 days before the deadline — ideally by 5–8 May 2026.

Can I apply if I hold a higher qualification than what is prescribed for the trade?

No. Candidates holding or currently pursuing a qualification higher than what is prescribed for any specific trade are explicitly not eligible and their candidature will be cancelled. Even if selected, suppression of this information leads to termination of engagement at any stage after discovery.

What is the priority selection system in IREL OSCOM apprentice recruitment?

IREL OSCOM uses a six-tier priority: Priority I is given to land-affected candidates (whose land was acquired by IREL), followed by residents within 7 km of OSCOM, wards of IREL employees, residents within 10 km, Odisha domicile holders, and finally Rest of India candidates. Merit within each priority tier is determined by qualifying exam percentage.

Which portal should I register on — NATS or NAPS?

Graduate Apprentices (BE/B.Tech) and Technician Apprentices (Diploma) must register on the NATS portal at nats.education.gov.in using Establishment Code EORGNC000001. ITI Trade Apprentices and Non-ITI Trade Apprentices must register on the NAPS portal at apprenticeshipindia.org using Establishment Code E0421210003. Using the wrong portal is grounds for rejection.

What is the age limit for IREL Apprentice 2026?

Minimum 18 years and maximum 25 years as on the last date of application (15 May 2026). Relaxation: OBC-NCL gets 3 years (up to 28), SC/ST gets 5 years (up to 30), and PwD gets 10 years (up to 35). Candidates with qualifications obtained through distance/part-time/correspondence mode are not eligible regardless of age.

Will IREL offer permanent employment after apprenticeship completion?

No. The notification explicitly states that IREL (India) Limited has no obligation to offer regular employment to Apprentices during or after completion of the apprenticeship period. After the one-year training period, candidates will be relieved from their respective work areas. The value lies in the DAE PSU training certificate, not in employment assurance.