ONGC Petro Additions Limited (OPaL) is a joint venture between ONGC (49.36%), GAIL (4.92%), and GSPC (5%) — one of India's largest and most modern petrochemical complexes, located at Dahej in Gujarat's Bharuch district. OPaL produces polyethylene (HDPE/LLDPE) and polypropylene — polymers that go into packaging, pipes, automotive components, and consumer goods across the country. The plant runs a world-scale ethylene cracker and downstream polymer processing units. For engineering and ITI graduates looking for industrial apprenticeship in a technically advanced environment, OPaL Dahej is a step above most other PSU apprenticeship offerings.
This recruitment covers 80 posts across ITI Trade Apprentices and Graduate/Technician Apprentices. Applications are through the NAPS portal — no offline applications. OPaL pays above the NAPS minimum stipend: ₹12,300/month for Graduate/Technician and ₹10,560/month for ITI trades. No application fee.
Quick Facts — OPaL Apprentice 2026
| Organisation | ONGC Petro Additions Limited (OPaL) — JV of ONGC, GAIL, GSPC |
| Location | Dahej SEZ, Bharuch district, Gujarat |
| Total Vacancies | 80 posts |
| Application Mode | Online — NAPS portal (apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) |
| Application Fee | NIL |
| Plant Scale | 1.1 MMTPA ethylene cracker; 1.1 MMTPA polyethylene; 0.34 MMTPA polypropylene |
Stipend — OPaL Pays Above NAPS Minimum
| Category | Qualification | Monthly Stipend | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate/Technician Apprentice | BE/B.Tech or 3-year Diploma | ₹12,300/month | 1 year |
| ITI Trade Apprentice | ITI (NCVT/SCVT) | ₹10,560/month | 1–2 years |
₹12,300 for engineering graduates and ₹10,560 for ITI trades are significantly higher than the NAPS statutory minimum. This is one of the better-paying PSU apprenticeships available for petrochemical disciplines in 2026. No PF or gratuity — it's a training engagement, not employment.
Eligible Disciplines and Trades
| Category | Typical Disciplines / Trades |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation, Civil |
| Technician Apprentice | Chemical Technology, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation (Diploma) |
| Trade Apprentice (ITI) | Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Welder, Turner, Wireman, Pipe Fitter |
Verify exact discipline-wise vacancy split from the official NAPS listing or irel.co.in (check notification PDF).
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Shortlisting | Merit in qualifying examination (aggregate percentage) |
| Document Verification | Originals verified before onboarding |
| Medical Fitness | Pre-joining medical (plant safety requirement) |
No separate written test is standard — shortlisting is merit-based. The notification confirms if any additional test is conducted for this batch.
Documents to Prepare
- BE/B.Tech / Diploma / ITI certificate + all marksheets
- NAPS registration confirmation and application ID
- Aadhaar card (mandatory for NAPS)
- Bank account number + IFSC for stipend transfer
- Category certificate (OBC/SC/ST) if claiming reservation
- National Trade Certificate (NTC) from NCVT/SCVT — for ITI trades
- 2 passport photographs
- Medical fitness certificate (may be required before joining)
Location — Dahej, Gujarat
Dahej is in Bharuch district, ~100 km from Surat and ~140 km from Vadodara. It's a dedicated industrial township with SEZ infrastructure, petrochemical plants, and port facilities. OPaL's plant runs on rotating 3-shift operations as it's a continuous-process petrochemical complex — expect shift work including nights as part of your training rotation. OPaL may provide accommodation for outstation apprentices — check the official notification.
Career Value of OPaL Apprenticeship
OPaL's ethylene cracker and polymer processing units give you exposure to process operations at industrial scale that is directly relevant to ONGC/GAIL/IOCL permanent recruitments, GATE-based PSU jobs (HPCL, BPCL, CPCL), and private sector petrochemicals (Reliance, SABIC, BASF India). Chemical engineers and Instrumentation engineers specifically benefit — these disciplines are in high demand in large-scale process industries and an OPaL stint on your CV signals serious industrial capability, not just academic qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between NAPS and NATS? Which one should I use?
NAPS (apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) is the primary portal for all apprenticeship categories. NATS (nats.education.gov.in) is specifically for Graduate Apprentices from AICTE-recognised engineering programmes. For OPaL, NAPS is the standard route. Check the official notification to confirm if NATS is also accepted for your discipline.
Q: Can I leave OPaL apprenticeship midway if I get a better opportunity?
Under the Apprentices Act, you sign a binding training agreement. Leaving mid-term can result in issues in your NAPS record and forfeiture of remaining stipend. Plan to complete the full duration. You can apply elsewhere during the apprenticeship — just join the new role only after completion.
Q: Is accommodation provided at Dahej?
Dahej is an industrial township — housing options exist near the plant area. OPaL may provide hostel or accommodation for outstation apprentices. Check the official notification or contact NAPS helpdesk after applying.
Q: What happens after the 1-year apprenticeship — can I get a permanent job at OPaL?
OPaL is not legally required to offer permanent employment after apprenticeship. Permanent recruitment happens through separate open advertisements, usually GATE-based for engineers. However, having completed an OPaL apprenticeship strengthens your application significantly for those positions.