Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has released Advertisement No. ONGC/APPR/1/2026, dated 29 October 2026, to engage 3,047 apprentices for one year under the Apprentices Act, 1961. The seats are spread over six sectors and 24 work centres, from Dehradun and Mumbai to Ankleshwar, Sivasagar, Karaikal and Agartala. There is no written exam. ONGC ranks you on the marks of your qualifying examination, and the last date to apply is 20 November 2026.
Most coverage of this notice stops at "3,047 posts, ITI and graduates can apply". The two rules that decide whether you can apply at all are hidden at the bottom of page 12 and on page 20: a district rule and a portal rule. We explain both below, with page numbers from the official advertisement in brackets. For dates and links in one place, see the ONGC Apprentice 2026 job page.
ONGC Apprentice 2026 at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Advertisement | ONGC/APPR/1/2026, dated 29.10.2026 (p.1) |
| Total seats | 3,047, tentative; may change as per ONGC's need (p.12) |
| Work centres | 24, in six sectors: Northern, Mumbai, Western, Eastern, Southern, Central |
| Apply on | NAPS portal (2,546 seats) or NATS portal (501 seats), depending on the trade |
| Application window | 29 October to 20 November 2026 (p.19). The ONGC apprentice portal shows 6 PM opening and 11:59 PM closing |
| Age | 18 to 24 years on 29.11.2026, with category relaxation (p.12) |
| Training period | 12 months for all trades (p.14) |
| Stipend | ₹8,200 to ₹12,300 a month, by qualification (p.14) |
| Selection | Merit on qualifying-exam marks, document verification, medical fitness. No exam, no interview (p.15–17) |
| Result / selection date | 15 December 2026 (p.19) |
| Application fee | The advertisement does not mention any fee |
Read This First: Your District Decides Your Work Centre
Note 2 on page 12 says you may apply for a work centre "if and only if" you are a resident (domicile) of, or got your qualification from, one of the districts listed against that centre in Annexure 1. ONGC calls this taking apprentices "from its operational areas". In practice it means three things:
- Large parts of India have no centre at all. Annexure 1 covers Uttarakhand, the NCR, Rajasthan, Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jharkhand (Bokaro district only), Assam, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry (partly), Andhra Pradesh, Tripura, West Bengal and Odisha. A candidate who lives in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana or Punjab, and also studied there, has no centre to apply for.
- Four centres take only some districts. Hazira takes only Surat, Navsari, Tapi, Dang and Valsad. Rajahmundry takes only Krishna, East Godavari and West Godavari. Bokaro takes only Bokaro district. Karaikal takes nine Tamil Nadu districts (Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Ariyalur, Tiruvarur, Tanjore, Trichy, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram) plus Karaikal in Pondicherry.
- The "or" helps migrants. Domicile or place of qualification is enough. If you are from Uttar Pradesh but did your ITI in Ahmedabad, the Gujarat centres are open to you. Keep the ITI or college certificate that shows the district ready for verification.
The second rule is one sector, one work centre, one trade (p.14). If you apply for more than one, ONGC will allot you one centre and one trade "as per discretion of the management" (p.1). Our advice: choose one centre on purpose rather than let ONGC choose for you.
Where the 3,047 Seats Are: Sector-wise
| Sector | Work centres (seats) | Total | NAPS / NATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western | Ankleshwar 392, Ahmedabad 331, Mehsana 301, Vadodara 78, Cambay 64 | 1,166 | 1,000 / 166 |
| Eastern | Nazira & Sivasagar 466, Jorhat 135, Silchar 73 | 674 | 559 / 115 |
| Mumbai | Mumbai 200, Hazira 138, Uran 69, Goa 25, Nhava 25, Panvel 25 | 482 | 386 / 96 |
| Southern | Karaikal 98, Kakinada 76, Rajahmundry 53, Chennai 40 | 269 | 230 / 39 |
| Central | Agartala 200, Kolkata 34, Bokaro 33 | 267 | 233 / 34 |
| Northern | Dehradun 138, Delhi 28, OVL Delhi 20, Jodhpur 5 | 191 | 138 / 53 |
| Grand total | 3,047 | 2,546 / 501 | |
We added every row of the sector tables (p.1–12) and each sub-total matches the advertisement. The NAPS/NATS split is our own count from the "Scheme" column.
The same seats, by the state that can apply
This is the table that matters for you, because of the district rule. It is built from Annexure 1 (p.20).
| Your state / area | Centres open to you | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Gujarat (all districts) | Ankleshwar, Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Vadodara, Cambay | 1,166 |
| Gujarat: Surat, Navsari, Tapi, Dang, Valsad | Hazira, in addition to the five above | +138 |
| Assam | Nazira & Sivasagar, Jorhat, Silchar | 674 |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai, Uran (preference to Raigad), Panvel, Nhava | 319 |
| Tripura | Agartala | 200 |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun | 138 |
| Andhra Pradesh | Kakinada (all districts); Rajahmundry (Krishna, East and West Godavari only) | 76 + 53 |
| Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry | Chennai (all districts); Karaikal (nine TN districts + Karaikal) | 40 + 98 |
| West Bengal & Odisha | Kolkata | 34 |
| Jharkhand: Bokaro district only | Bokaro | 33 |
| National Capital Region | Delhi | 28 |
| Goa | Goa | 25 |
| Rajasthan | Jodhpur | 5 |
Two gaps in the notice. First, the sector table lists OVL Delhi (20 seats), but Annexure 1 has no separate row for it. Our reading is that it follows the Delhi NCR row, but the advertisement does not say so. Second, the NCR row says "all districts under National Capital Region" without naming them. The NCR also takes in some districts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. If your district sits at the edge of the NCR, email ONGC to confirm before you apply.
Trade-wise Seats: Where the Numbers Are
Here are the trades with the most seats, added across all centres (our count from p.1–12):
| Trade | Seats | Portal | Biggest centres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitter | 393 | NAPS | Nazira & Sivasagar 98, Ahmedabad 58, Ankleshwar 46 |
| Electrician | 361 | NAPS | Ahmedabad 54, Ankleshwar 53, Mehsana 51 |
| Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA) | 328 | NAPS | Nazira & Sivasagar 52, Mumbai 42, Agartala 36, Ankleshwar 36 |
| Secretarial Office Assistant (any graduate) | 262 | NAPS | Dehradun 35, Mumbai 32, Nazira & Sivasagar 29 |
| Mechanic Diesel | 225 | NAPS | Ankleshwar 44, Ahmedabad 31, Nazira & Sivasagar 26 |
| Fire Safety Technician (12th or 2-year ITI) | 175 | NAPS | Mehsana 24, Nazira & Sivasagar 23, Ahmedabad 21 |
| Instrument Mechanic | 147 | NAPS | Mehsana 51, Ahmedabad 31, Ankleshwar 22 |
| Accounts Executive (B.Com) | 119 | NATS | Mumbai 30, Nazira & Sivasagar 21, Dehradun 15 |
| Lab Chemist / Analyst (B.Sc Chemistry) | 108 | NAPS | Dehradun 21, Jorhat 15 |
| Welder (Gas & Electric) | 105 | NAPS | Ankleshwar 22 |
| Mechanical Executive (Graduate engineer) | 89 | NATS | Hazira 21, Ankleshwar 19, Agartala 15 |
| Petroleum Executive (graduate with Geology) | 52 | NATS | Nazira & Sivasagar 17, Dehradun 15 |
| Store Keeper (any graduate) | 50 | NATS | Mumbai 14, Mehsana 14 |
Smaller trades include Executive HR (BBA), Machinist, Electronics Mechanic, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic, Draughtsman (Civil), Stenographer (English), Surveyor and the engineering Executive posts. Some are tiny: Executive Finance has 9 seats, all at Agartala; Library Assistant has 2 (Ankleshwar and Nazira & Sivasagar); Medical Laboratory Technician has 1, at Ankleshwar.
A practical point, and this is our view: the merit list is made separately for each trade at each centre. Since you can pick only one centre, look at the seat count for your trade at every centre your district allows. A Gujarat Instrument Mechanic can choose between 51 seats at Mehsana and 3 at Vadodara. That choice will matter more than a few extra marks.
Trade-wise Eligibility
| Trade / discipline | Qualification | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Library Assistant | Class 10 pass | NAPS |
| COPA, Draughtsman (Civil), Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, Fitter, Instrument Mechanic, Machinist, Mechanic Diesel, Medical Lab Technician (Pathology), Refrigeration & AC Mechanic, Stenographer (English), Surveyor, Welder | ITI in the same trade | NAPS |
| Mechanic Repair & Maintenance of Vehicles | ITI in Mechanic Motor Vehicle | NAPS |
| Fire Safety Technician (Oil & Gas) | Class 12, or a two-year ITI after Class 10 | NAPS |
| Executive Finance (Oil & Gas) | B.Com | NAPS |
| Lab Chemist / Analyst | B.Sc (Chemistry) | NAPS |
| Executive HR (Oil & Gas) | BBA | NAPS |
| Secretarial Office Assistant | Any graduate | NAPS |
| Computer Science / Electronics & Telecom / Electrical / Instrumentation / Mechanical Executive (Oil & Gas) | Three-year engineering diploma in the discipline | NAPS |
| Accounts Executive | Graduation in Commerce | NATS |
| Store Keeper (Petroleum Products) | Graduate | NATS |
| Computer Science / Electrical / Civil / Electronics / Instrumentation / Mechanical Executive (Graduate) | Engineering degree in the discipline | NATS |
| Petroleum Executive | Graduate with Geology as one subject | NATS |
| Civil Executive (Diploma) | Three-year engineering diploma | NATS |
The portal follows the trade, not your degree
Many candidates assume "ITI goes to NAPS, graduates and diploma holders go to NATS". This notice does not work that way. Look at the table again:
- A B.Com graduate applies on NATS for Accounts Executive, but on NAPS for Executive Finance.
- Any graduate applies on NAPS for Secretarial Office Assistant (262 seats), but on NATS for Store Keeper (50 seats).
- A civil diploma holder goes to NATS for Civil Executive (Diploma), while the electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, computer and telecom diploma posts marked "(Oil & Gas)" are on NAPS.
- B.Sc Chemistry (Lab Chemist) and BBA (Executive HR) are both on NAPS.
ONGC collects applications from each portal for the trades listed under it (p.15, p.18). Our advice: decide your trade first, read its "Scheme" column at your chosen centre, and register on that portal only.
Other eligibility rules
- Three-year limit: you must not have completed three years after passing the qualifying exam as on 29.11.2026 (p.17). If your mark sheet does not show the result date, bring a certificate from your Principal at verification.
- No earlier apprenticeship: you must not have done, or be doing, an apprenticeship under the Act (p.17).
- Experience bar: one year or more of training or job experience after your qualification makes you ineligible as a Technician Apprentice (p.17).
- Wireman is not Electrician: a Wireman trade certificate is not accepted where Electrician is required (p.14).
- Recognition: ITI certificates must be from NCVT or SBTE recognised institutes; degrees must be recognised by UGC, AICTE or the relevant body. Qualifications through distance education (DEC) are accepted (p.14).
Age Limit and Relaxation
You must be 18 to 24 years old on 29 November 2026, which means a date of birth between 29.11.2002 and 29.11.2008 (p.12).
| Category | Relaxation | Upper age |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | None stated | 24 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years | 27 |
| SC / ST | 5 years | 29 |
| PwBD (General) | Up to 10 years | 34 |
| PwBD OBC (NCL) | Up to 13 years | 37 |
| PwBD SC / ST | Up to 15 years | 39 |
The upper-age column is our arithmetic from the relaxation. Keep the three-year rule in mind as well: a 28-year-old SC candidate passes the age test, but still needs a qualification passed within three years of 29.11.2026.
Stipend by Qualification
| Category of apprentice | Qualification | Stipend per month |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | B.A / B.Com / B.Sc / BBA / B.E. / B.Tech | ₹12,300 |
| Three-year Diploma | Engineering diploma in the discipline | ₹10,900 |
| Trade Apprentice | ITI, two-year trade | ₹10,560 |
| Trade Apprentice | ITI, one-year trade | ₹9,600 |
| Trade Apprentice | Class 10 / 12 | ₹8,200 |
Source: p.14. The stipend depends on your qualification, not your caste category. ONGC pays no TA/DA, boarding or lodging, and gives no help with transport (p.15). Our reading: a graduate in a NAPS trade such as Secretarial Office Assistant or Lab Chemist falls in the Graduate Apprentice row, and a Fire Safety Technician is paid on whichever qualification (Class 12 or two-year ITI) the engagement is based on. The notice does not spell out these two cases.
Our view on the money: ₹8,200 to ₹12,300 will not cover rent in Mumbai or Ahmedabad comfortably. If the centre is far from home, work out your monthly costs before accepting.
Selection: How the Merit List Works
Section G (p.15–16) sets out eleven steps. In short:
- After the window closes, ONGC downloads all applications from NAPS and NATS and sorts them by trade, qualification and work centre.
- Applications are checked for qualification, age, relaxation and scheme eligibility. Incomplete and duplicate applications are dealt with as per the rules.
- A provisional merit list is prepared separately for each trade at each work centre, on the marks of the qualifying examination.
- Tie-break: if two candidates have equal marks, the older candidate gets preference.
- Candidates are shortlisted for document verification "in the prescribed ratio, as decided by ONGC". The ratio is not stated.
- Original documents are verified. Any mismatch or false claim cancels the candidature.
- The final merit list is made trade-wise and centre-wise, applying the reservation roster.
- Results go up on ongcapprentices.ongc.co.in and/or come by email.
- Selected candidates complete the contract on NAPS or NATS. Engagement depends on medical fitness under the Apprentices Act (p.17).
- If someone does not join, the seat may go to the next candidate on merit.
What this means for you (our view)
- Your marks are already fixed. There is nothing to prepare. What you can control is choosing the right centre and trade, filling your marks exactly, and having your documents ready.
- Enter marks with care. The merit list is built from what you type on the portal and then checked against your mark sheets. Wrong marks can either drop you down the list or get you rejected at verification.
- CGPA holders, watch out. The notice says only that different evaluation systems will be handled "in accordance with the prescribed procedure". It does not give a conversion formula. Fill exactly what your mark sheet shows and keep any conversion certificate your university issues.
- Older candidates win ties. In popular trades like Fitter and Electrician, many ITI candidates have very similar percentages, so the date-of-birth tie-break may decide some seats.
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Check Annexure 1 (p.20) and list the centres open to your domicile district or your qualification district.
- Pick one centre and one trade. Check the seat count and the "Scheme" column for that trade at that centre.
- For NAPS trades: register on apprenticeshipindia.gov.in, complete your profile with education details, then find ONGC's opening for your trade and centre and apply.
- For NATS trades: register on nats.education.gov.in (run by the Board of Apprenticeship Training), complete your profile and apply to ONGC's opening.
- Use an email and mobile number you will keep. Shortlists, verification calls and results come by email; check your spam folder too (p.18).
- Apply before 20 November 2026. Do not send a hard copy: postal or hand-delivered applications are not accepted (p.18).
The ONGC apprentice portal's pre-registration checklist asks you to keep these ready: an active email and mobile number, your ITI, diploma or degree certificate, your 10th and 12th mark sheets, a community certificate if applicable, PAN if available, and Aadhaar.
Documents for Verification
Bring originals with self-attested copies (p.15–16, p.19):
- 10th certificate or other date-of-birth proof
- Mark sheets and certificate of the qualifying exam
- ITI, diploma or degree certificate for your trade
- SC, ST or OBC (NCL) certificate if you claim reservation
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Valid photo identity proof
- NAPS or NATS registration and application details
- Principal's certificate showing the result date, if your mark sheet lacks it
- Our suggestion: proof of domicile, or a certificate showing the district of your institute, since the district rule will be checked
The Honest Reality: This Is Training, Not a Job
The advertisement is clear about this, twice. Page 16 says: "Engagement shall not confer any right to regular employment in ONGC." Page 17 adds: "ONGC shall have no obligation to offer regular employment to Apprentices during and/or after the completion of the apprenticeship period. After successful completion of Apprenticeship period, candidates shall be relieved from the respective work area."
So you get 12 months of training at an oil and gas site, a monthly stipend, and the apprenticeship certificate at the end. You do not get a permanent post. Our view: the certificate and hands-on experience at a Maharatna PSU are worth a lot for later private-sector jobs and for future PSU recruitment, so for a fresh ITI or diploma holder it is often a good year. But plan your next step from day one.
Who Should Apply, and Who Should Skip
Apply if your domicile or institute district is in Annexure 1, you passed your ITI, diploma, degree or 12th within the last three years, you are within the age limit, and you have not done an apprenticeship before. Strong fits: Fitters, Electricians and COPA holders in Gujarat and Assam, and graduates in Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Assam for Secretarial Office Assistant.
Skip if your district is not covered by any centre and you did not study in a covered district, if you already have a year of work experience after your qualification (for technician posts), if you need a permanent job right now, or if you cannot live on the stipend away from home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many seats are there in ONGC Apprentice 2026?
3,047, tentative. Western Sector 1,166, Eastern 674, Mumbai 482, Southern 269, Central 267 and Northern 191.
Q: What is the last date to apply?
20 November 2026. The ONGC apprentice portal shows the NAPS and NATS windows closing at 11:59 PM that day.
Q: Is there a written exam or interview?
No. Selection is by merit on the marks of your qualifying examination, followed by document verification and medical fitness.
Q: Can I apply from any state?
No. You can apply for a centre only if your domicile district, or the district where you got your qualification, is listed for that centre in Annexure 1.
Q: Should I apply on NAPS or NATS?
It depends on the trade, not just your degree. Accounts Executive, Store Keeper, Petroleum Executive, the Graduate engineering Executives and Civil Executive (Diploma) are NATS. Everything else is NAPS.
Q: Can I apply for two trades or two centres?
The notice says apply for one sector, one centre and one trade. If you apply for more, ONGC will allot only one, at its discretion.
Q: What is the stipend?
₹12,300 for graduates, ₹10,900 for three-year diploma holders, ₹10,560 for two-year ITI, ₹9,600 for one-year ITI, and ₹8,200 for Class 10/12-based trades.
Q: Who wins if two candidates have the same marks?
The older candidate gets preference.
Q: Will ONGC give me a permanent job after the apprenticeship?
No. The notice says ONGC has no obligation to offer regular employment, and apprentices are relieved after completing the period.
Q: When will the result come?
The advertisement gives 15 December 2026 as the date of result/selection. ONGC may extend the application date if it receives too few applications.
