Apprenticeships are the fastest way for an ITI holder, diploma holder or fresh graduate to get a foot inside a government organisation or public sector company. This week, five of them have open windows: ECIL in Hyderabad, SAIL Bhilai Steel Plant, OPTCL in Odisha, the DRDO Proof and Experimental Establishment at Chandipur and IRCTC West Zone. They differ in size, in location and in how much information has been published. This page lines them up, tells you what is confirmed, what is not, and how to apply on the correct portal. For larger apprentice drives with detailed guides, see IOCL Western Region, CPCL, DRDO RCI and DRDO DIPR.
Last updated: 9 October 2026. Details are compiled from published reports and may change. Always confirm on the official website and apprenticeship portal before you apply.
Apprentice openings at a glance
| Organisation | Seats | Who can apply | Last date (reported) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DRDO PXE, Chandipur | 50 | Details in DRDO notice | 12 October 2026 |
| ECIL, Hyderabad | 310 | ITI trade apprentices, Telangana residents | 11 October 2026 |
| IRCTC West Zone | 27 | Details in IRCTC notice | 18 October 2026 (window from 30 September) |
| SAIL Bhilai Steel Plant | 710 | Trade, technician and graduate | Online by 20 October 2026; walk-in from 27 October |
| OPTCL, Odisha | 100 | Diploma, graduate and ITI | Not available in listing; check notice |
ECIL Hyderabad: 310 ITI apprentices
Electronics Corporation of India Limited has 310 seats for ITI trade apprentices. Candidates must hold an NCVT ITI certificate and be Telangana residents, as reported. Selection is by ITI marks merit with no written exam, and the one-year apprenticeship is reported to start on 2 November 2026. The last date of 11 October is close. The stipend and the trade-wise split were not in the report, so check the ECIL notification and the apprenticeship portal. Because selection is purely by marks, a high ITI percentage and a correct portal profile are your whole application.
SAIL Bhilai Steel Plant: 710 apprentices
The Bhilai Steel Plant is taking 710 apprentices across trade, technician and graduate categories. Candidates must apply online by 20 October and then attend a walk-in selection starting 27 October 2026, as reported. Walk-ins are where many candidates fail, not because of marks but because of missing documents. Carry original certificates, photocopies, photographs and ID, and arrive early. The eligibility, stipend and trade-wise walk-in schedule are in the SAIL notification.
OPTCL Odisha: 100 apprentices
Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited has announced 100 apprentice posts for diploma, graduate and ITI candidates. The date was not available in the listing we checked. Transmission companies offer practical exposure to substations, lines and protection systems, which is valuable for electrical diploma and ITI candidates. Visit optcl.co.in for the notice and register on the required portal.
DRDO PXE Chandipur: 50 apprentices
The Proof and Experimental Establishment is a DRDO test range in Odisha where ammunition, rockets and related systems are tested. Fifty apprentice posts are listed with a last date of 12 October 2026. Trades, stipend and qualification are in the DRDO notice. Apprentices at a test range work with technicians and engineers, support instrument setups and learn safety discipline. The location is remote, so think about accommodation and travel costs against the stipend.
IRCTC West Zone: 27 apprentices
A small drive, from 30 September to 18 October 2026. IRCTC runs catering, tourism and e-ticketing services, and apprentices typically work in departments such as catering, IT support, accounts and office work, depending on trade. The coverage does not confirm trades, qualifications or stipend, so read the IRCTC notice and apply on the apprenticeship portal.
Which portal to use
| Candidate | Portal |
|---|---|
| ITI (trade) and data entry operator | Apprenticeship India / NAPS: apprenticeshipindia.gov.in |
| Graduate and diploma | NATS: nats.education.gov.in |
Using the wrong portal is the most common reason an application is not counted. Registration is free on both.
How apprentice selection normally works
Most apprentice drives rely on marks in the qualifying course. The establishment checks eligibility, prepares a merit list, verifies documents and issues offer letters. A few add an interview or a walk-in. Because there is rarely a written exam, small things decide the result: correct marks on the profile, a matching trade, clear documents and quick responses to emails.
Stipend and what to expect
Apprentice stipends in recent drives we have covered range from about ₹7,000 to ₹12,300 per month depending on category and establishment. For NATS apprentices, part of the stipend is paid through direct benefit transfer, which needs an Aadhaar-seeded bank account. The stipend is a training allowance, not a salary, and an apprenticeship does not guarantee a permanent job.
Profile checklist before you apply
- Profile is 100 percent complete with education details and marks as per the marksheet.
- Aadhaar linked, and bank account active for DBT.
- Trade or discipline selected correctly.
- Photograph and signature in the specified size.
- Phone number and email that you check every day.
Mistakes that cost apprentices their seat
Applicants lose seats for entering marks wrongly, choosing the wrong trade, ignoring state or residency conditions, missing a verification email or not carrying originals to a walk-in. Check your email and the portal every day after applying, because offer windows can be short.
Getting the most from the year
Treat it like a job. Be punctual, keep a logbook, ask questions and request a letter of experience at the end. If you want a permanent job, keep preparing for exams alongside the apprenticeship. Many PSU and railway recruitments accept the experience, and a good supervisor’s report helps in interviews.
More apprentice and trade jobs
Browse the apprenticeship jobs category and the Canara Bank graduate apprentice drive.
How to compare apprentice offers sensibly
When more than one apprentice drive is open, do not apply to all of them blindly. Compare them on four points: the location and cost of living, the stipend, the trade or discipline fit and the reputation of the training. An apprenticeship at a large PSU or research lab often gives better training and a more recognised certificate than one at a small unit, even if the stipend is slightly lower. A seat near your home saves rent, and that can matter more than a ₹1,000 difference in stipend.
Walk-in selections: how to prepare
If a drive ends with a walk-in, treat it like an interview day. Wear clean, formal clothes, carry a folder with originals and two sets of photocopies, and reach well before the reporting time. Bring a pen, passport photographs and your ID. Be polite with the staff and listen to every instruction, because candidates are often disqualified for small lapses such as missing a document or arriving late. Prepare a one-minute introduction that covers your trade, marks and why you want the apprenticeship.
What to do if you are not selected
If your name is not on the list, check whether a second round or a waiting list has been announced. Look at what could have improved your position, such as higher marks or a closer location, and apply to the next drive early. Apprentice drives are announced throughout the year, and candidates who keep their portal profile current usually find a seat eventually.
Frequently asked questions
Which apprentice drive closes first?
ECIL on 11 October 2026, followed by DRDO PXE on 12 October.
Is there a written exam?
Most apprentice drives are merit based. ECIL is reported as ITI marks merit with no written exam.
Is an apprenticeship a permanent job?
No. It is a training programme with a stipend.