New Delhi: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), a premier Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has released the official notification for Graduate Apprentice Engineer recruitment for the 2026–27 training year. The drive aims to engage 544 engineering graduates across multiple disciplines under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS).
This one-year apprenticeship program offers young engineers hands-on industry exposure at one of India’s largest oil and gas companies, with training locations spread across various states and Union Territories.
Important Dates
- Online Application Start: February 16, 2026
- Last Date to Apply: March 2, 2026
Engineering Disciplines Covered
Applications are invited from candidates who have completed full-time engineering degrees in the following branches:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Instrumentation Engineering
State-wise Training Opportunities
A total of 544 apprenticeship slots are available nationwide. Maharashtra leads with 114 slots, followed by Andhra Pradesh (62), Karnataka (44), Uttar Pradesh (40), Rajasthan (39), West Bengal (37), and Tamil Nadu (35). Smaller numbers of seats are also available in states such as Gujarat, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and several Union Territories, including Delhi, Chandigarh, Ladakh, and Daman & Diu.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Educational Qualification: Full-time engineering degree in the relevant discipline, recognized by AICTE or UGC
- Year of Passing: On or after April 1, 2023
- Minimum Marks:
- 60% for UR and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates
- 50% for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates
Age Limit (as on March 2, 2026)
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 25 years
- Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC (NCL): 3 years
- PwBD: 10 years
Candidates who have already completed apprenticeship training, possess one year or more of work experience, or completed their degree before April 1, 2023, are not eligible.
Monthly Stipend
Selected apprentices will receive a total monthly stipend of ₹25,000:
- ₹20,500 paid by HPCL
- ₹4,500 paid by the Government of India through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
Selection Process
The selection will be purely merit-based, considering aggregate marks obtained in the engineering degree. Shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification in a 1:5 ratio. Final selection will be confirmed after successful verification, followed by signing a tri-partite agreement on the NATS portal.
How to Apply
Applicants must first be registered and approved on the NATS 2.0 portal. After that, they can submit their application through HPCL’s official recruitment portal at jobs.hpcl.co.in. Candidates are advised to submit only one application, as multiple submissions will lead to rejection.
Benefits After Apprenticeship
Although the apprenticeship does not guarantee permanent employment, HPCL offers incentives for apprentices applying for future regular positions, including age relaxation equivalent to the training period and 5% grace marks in Computer-Based Tests (CBT).
Interested candidates are advised to apply early and regularly check their registered email IDs for official communication.