Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL), a Navratna Public Sector Organisation and Group Company of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, has released Advertisement No. 01 of 2026 – CPCL/HRD:03:055 dated 14 August 2026 inviting online applications for 60 Non-Executive Junior Engineering Assistant-IV posts across Production, Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation disciplines. These are Non-Supervisory Cadre, Grade IV positions at CPCL’s refinery in Chennai, Tamil Nadu with a refining capacity of 10.5 MMTPA. Pay is on the IDA scale of Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 1,05,000 with a starting basic pay of Rs. 25,000. All four post categories require a 3-year Diploma with minimum 60% marks (55% for SC and PwBD against reserved posts) plus a minimum of 3 years of post-qualification relevant industry experience – this is not open to fresh diploma holders. Online applications opened today, 14 August 2026, and close on 11 September 2026 at 23:59 hrs. All CBTs will be held in Chennai only. Application fee is Rs. 500 for General, OBC and EWS candidates; SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen and Women are exempt.
Important Note: Three things every applicant must verify before paying the fee. First, 3 years of relevant post-qualification experience is mandatory for all four posts – this is not an entry-level role. The experience must be from a continuous process industry (refinery, petrochemical, fertilizer, power plant or large industrial establishment) and must be directly relevant to the discipline applied for. Experience in unrelated industries or in supervisory roles beyond diploma level may not count. Assess your experience honestly before applying. Second, candidates holding B.E., B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB, MCA or equivalent higher qualifications are ineligible – this is explicitly stated in the notification. Holding such a qualification at the time of joining leads to cancellation of the offer. If you are a B.E. or B.Tech holder with 3 years of relevant experience, do not apply – you will be rejected at Document Verification. Third, the Computer Based Test is conducted only at Chennai – candidates from outside Tamil Nadu must plan travel and accommodation for the exam. No request for change of exam city is entertained.
CPCL JEA Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL), a Navratna PSU and Group Company of Indian Oil Corporation Limited |
| Advertisement No. | 01 of 2026 – CPCL/HRD:03:055 |
| Notification Date | 14 August 2026 |
| Posts | Junior Engineering Assistant-IV (Production, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation) |
| Cadre | Non-Supervisory Cadre, Grade IV |
| Total Vacancies | 60 |
| Location | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Qualification | 3-year Diploma in relevant discipline with minimum 60% (55% for SC and PwBD against reserved posts) |
| Experience | Minimum 3 years of post-qualification relevant experience in continuous process industry |
| Higher Qualification Bar | B.E., B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB, MCA holders are NOT eligible |
| Age Limit (as on 01.07.2026) | Maximum 30 years |
| Application Mode | Online only at cpcl.co.in |
| Application Fee | Rs. 500 (General, OBC, EWS); Nil for SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen and Women |
| CBT Date | Tentatively September or October 2026, at Chennai only |
| Selection Process | CBT (120 marks, 2 hours), Document Verification, qualifying SPPT, Medical |
| Application Start Date | 14 August 2026 |
| Last Date | 11 September 2026, 23:59 hrs |
| Official Website | cpcl.co.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 14 August 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 14 August 2026 (TODAY) |
| Last Date for Application and Fee | 11 September 2026, 23:59 hrs |
| Eligibility Cut-off Date | 01 July 2026 (age, qualification and experience all reckoned as on this date) |
| Tentative Admit Card | 10 days before CBT date |
| Tentative CBT | September or October 2026, Chennai |
All eligibility conditions – age, qualification percentage and years of experience – are assessed as on 01 July 2026, not the application date.
Vacancy Details
| Post Code | Discipline | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPCL01 | Production | 19 | 4 | – | 12 | 4 | 40 |
| CPCL02 | Mechanical | 3 | 3 | – | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| CPCL03 | Electrical | 2 | – | – | 1 | – | 5 |
| CPCL04 | Instrumentation | 2 | 2 | – | – | – | 5 |
| Total | 26 | 9 | – | 15 | 5 | 60 |
No ST vacancies are notified. Vacancy numbers are tentative and may change at Management’s discretion in compliance with Presidential Directives.
Backlog Vacancies (within the totals above)
| Post Code | SC Backlog | OBC Backlog | PwBD Backlog |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPCL01 | 1 | – | – |
| CPCL02 | – | 1 | 1 (OH) – 3rd attempt |
| CPCL03 | 1 | 1 | 2 (MD) – 3rd attempt |
| CPCL04 | – | 1 | – |
The PwBD backlog posts are on the 3rd attempt. If suitable candidates from the specified disability category (OH for CPCL02; MD for CPCL03) are not available, CPCL may fill them with PwBD candidates with other identified disabilities.
Women Candidates – Eligible Posts Only
Women candidates cannot apply for CPCL01 (Production) due to hazardous refinery operations, shift work requirements (including duty between 7:00 PM and 6:00 AM), 365-day working and safety considerations. Women may apply only for CPCL02 (Mechanical), CPCL03 (Electrical) and CPCL04 (Instrumentation).
Eligibility Criteria
All eligibility is reckoned as on 01 July 2026.
| Post Code | Qualifying Diploma | Minimum Marks | Experience Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPCL01 – Production | 3-year Diploma in Chemical, Petroleum or Petrochemical Engineering, or B.Sc. with Chemistry as the major subject | 60% (General, OBC, EWS); 55% for SC against reserved posts | Minimum 3 years’ post-qualification experience in Continuous Process Units of Refining, Chemical, Petrochemical, Fertilizer or Gas Processing industry involving Fired Heaters, Exchangers, Pumps and Compressors, Distillation Columns, Reactors, etc. |
| CPCL02 – Mechanical | 3-year Diploma in Mechanical Engineering | 60% (General, OBC, EWS); 55% for SC and PwBD against reserved posts | Minimum 3 years’ experience in maintenance of rotary equipment (Pumps, Compressors, Turbines) and stationary equipment (Boilers, Heat Exchangers, Columns, Piping, Valves, Tanks) in a Refinery, Petrochemical, Chemical, Fertilizer, Power Plant or large industrial establishment |
| CPCL03 – Electrical | 3-year Diploma in Electrical Engineering or Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 60% (General, OBC, EWS); 55% for SC and PwBD against reserved posts | Minimum 3 years’ experience maintaining Motors, Transformers, Generators, HT and LT Switchgear, UPS, Battery Banks, VFDs, with ability to troubleshoot control circuits, in a continuous process industry |
| CPCL04 – Instrumentation | 3-year Diploma in Instrumentation, Instrumentation and Electronics, Instrumentation and Control, or Electronics and Communication Engineering | 60% (General, OBC, EWS); 55% for SC against reserved posts | Minimum 3 years’ experience in process control instrumentation maintenance, field instruments and control valves, DCS and PLC familiarity, ability to read P&ID and generate calibration reports |
Important notes on qualification:
- Diploma through a recognised lateral entry scheme (Class 12 Science or ITI candidates admitted to 2nd year) is also acceptable; percentage is calculated on the aggregate of all four semesters.
- All qualifications must be from a University, Institution or Board recognised by the Government of India.
- B.E., B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB, MCA or equivalent higher qualifications make a candidate ineligible. Possessing such a qualification at the time of joining leads to cancellation of the offer.
Age Limit (as on 01 July 2026)
| Category | Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General, OBC, EWS | 30 years |
| SC and ST | 35 years (5 years relaxation, against reserved posts only) |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 33 years (3 years relaxation, against reserved posts only) |
| PwBD (General) | 40 years (10 years relaxation) |
| PwBD (OBC) | 43 years (13 years relaxation) |
| PwBD (SC) | 45 years (15 years relaxation) |
| Ex-Servicemen | Service period plus 3 years, maximum 50 years |
Cumulative age relaxation is not available. Only a Secondary School or Higher Secondary Board certificate is accepted as age proof.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General, OBC (NCL), EWS | Rs. 500 (non-refundable) plus applicable bank charges |
| SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, Women | Nil – exempted |
Payment is online only through SBI e-Pay (Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI or Net Banking). Fee once paid is not refunded. Only one application per candidate is permitted for the entire recruitment. Applying for more than one post is not allowed.
Pay Scale and Service Conditions
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Cadre | Non-Supervisory Cadre, Grade IV |
| IDA Pay Scale | Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 1,05,000 |
| Starting Basic Pay | Rs. 25,000 (no pay protection) |
| Additional Benefits | DA, HRA or Self-Lease, Provident Fund, Gratuity, LTC or LFA, Medical reimbursement, Superannuation benefits as per CPCL rules |
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Computer Based Test (CBT) | 120 objective MCQ questions, 120 marks, 2 hours. Chennai only |
| 2. Document Verification | For candidates shortlisted from CBT at approximately 3 candidates per post |
| 3. Skill, Proficiency and Physical Test (SPPT) | Qualifying in nature only – does not carry marks for merit |
| 4. Medical Examination | Pre-Employment Medical Standards prescribed by CPCL |
CBT Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude (Verbal Ability, General Knowledge, Reasoning or Logical Deduction, Numerical Ability) | 50 | 50 |
| Discipline Knowledge (relevant to post applied for) | 70 | 70 |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
Duration: 2 hours. Negative marking: 1/4 mark per wrong answer. Minimum qualifying marks: 40% for General, OBC and EWS; 35% (5% relaxation) for SC, ST and PwBD against reserved posts.
Shortlisting for SPPT is at approximately 1:3 ratio (3 candidates per post, including ties at the cutoff). Final merit list is drawn from CBT marks only, among candidates who qualify the SPPT.
TA Reimbursement for SC and ST Candidates
SC and ST candidates called for CBT, SPPT or Document Verification are eligible for single Second Class rail or bus fare reimbursement (minimum 30 km distance), subject to submission of tickets and community certificate.
Important Conditions
- Candidates employed in Government organisations, PSUs or Autonomous Bodies must apply through proper channel or produce a No Objection Certificate at Document Verification.
- One application per candidate. Multiple applications or multiple e-mail IDs used by one candidate lead to rejection of all applications.
- Late reporting at the CBT venue (after the time on the admit card) means the candidate is not permitted to sit the test.
- Prohibited at CBT venue: calculators, mobile phones, pagers, smart watches and other communication or electronic devices.
- Any legal dispute is subject to the sole jurisdiction of courts or tribunals in Chennai.
- Providing incorrect information or violation of process detected at any stage – including after selection – leads to disqualification with retrospective effect.
- Canvassing in any form leads to disqualification.
- Final selection is subject to medical fitness as per CPCL’s Pre-Employment Medical Standards.
- In case of ambiguity between language versions, the English version on cpcl.co.in prevails.
How to Apply for CPCL JEA Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official CPCL website and navigate to the online application portal – Click Here
- Read the instructions carefully, tick the declaration checkbox and click Continue.
- Select the post from the “Post Applying For” dropdown and complete new-user signup with basic personal details. Validate your e-mail ID and mobile number via OTP.
- Log in using the User ID and password sent to your e-mail or mobile.
- Fill in Personal Details (parents’ names, marital status, photo ID, addresses), Academic Details and Work Experience (mandatory for all posts).
- Upload:
- Passport-size photograph: 20 to 60 KB, JPG, JPEG or PNG
- Scanned signature: 10 to 30 KB, JPG, JPEG or PNG
- Supporting documents and certificates: PDF, 60 KB to 2 MB each
- Review all details on the Preview page and use Edit links to correct sections if needed.
- Click Proceed to Payment, accept the declaration and click Submit. No changes are possible after this.
- Complete fee payment through Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card or UPI (as applicable).
- Download the application form and payment receipt from the dashboard.
Applications are accepted online only. Do not send printouts or certificates by post.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| CPCL Official Website | Click Here |
CPCL JEA Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
Q1. What is CPCL JEA Recruitment 2026?
✅ It is Advertisement No. 01 of 2026 – CPCL/HRD:03:055 dated 14 August 2026 issued by Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL), a Navratna PSU, for 60 Junior Engineering Assistant-IV posts across Production (40), Mechanical (10), Electrical (5) and Instrumentation (5) disciplines in the Non-Supervisory Cadre, Grade IV, at Chennai refinery. Pay IDA scale Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 1,05,000.
Q2. Is this open to fresh Diploma holders without experience?
✅ No. All four post codes require a minimum of 3 years of post-qualification relevant industry experience in continuous process plants (refinery, petrochemical, chemical, fertilizer, power plant or large industrial establishment). Fresh diploma holders without this experience are not eligible.
Q3. When does the application open and what is the last date?
✅ Applications opened today, 14 August 2026 and close on 11 September 2026 at 23:59 hrs at the official CPCL online registration portal.
Q4. I hold a B.E. or B.Tech. Can I apply?
✅ No. The notification explicitly states that candidates holding B.E., B.Tech, MBA, CA, LLB, MCA or equivalent higher professional qualifications are not eligible. Possessing such a qualification at the time of joining leads to cancellation of the appointment offer.
Q5. What is the application fee and who is exempt?
✅ Rs. 500 for General, OBC and EWS candidates, paid online through SBI e-Pay. SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen and Women are fully exempt from the fee. Fee once paid is non-refundable.
Q6. Can women apply for all four posts?
✅ No. Women cannot apply for CPCL01 (Production) due to hazardous refinery conditions, night shift requirements and 365-day operation. Women may apply for CPCL02 (Mechanical), CPCL03 (Electrical) and CPCL04 (Instrumentation) only.
Q7. What is the selection process?
✅ A Computer Based Test (120 questions, 120 marks, 2 hours) at Chennai only, with negative marking of 1/4 per wrong answer. Minimum qualifying marks: 40% for General/OBC/EWS and 35% for SC/ST/PwBD. Shortlisted candidates (1:3 ratio) attend Document Verification and a qualifying Skill, Proficiency and Physical Test (SPPT) – the SPPT does not carry marks. Final merit is based on CBT marks only.
Q8. What is the age limit?
✅ Maximum 30 years as on 01 July 2026 for General, OBC and EWS. Relaxation: 5 years for SC and ST, 3 years for OBC-NCL (against reserved posts), 10 to 15 years for PwBD, service plus 3 years (max 50) for Ex-Servicemen.
Q9. Where will the CBT be held?
✅ Chennai only. CPCL does not offer exam centres in any other city. All candidates must travel to Chennai for the CBT regardless of their location.
Q10. Are OBC and EWS certificates required to be recent?
✅ Yes. OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) certificates and EWS Income and Asset certificates must be issued on or after 01 April 2026 to be valid for this recruitment. Only communities in the Central Government’s common OBC list are treated as OBC by CPCL being a Central PSU.
Disclaimer
The information above relates to Advertisement No. 01 of 2026 – CPCL/HRD:03:055 dated 14 August 2026, issued by Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL), a Navratna Public Sector Organisation and Group Company of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, for 60 Non-Executive Junior Engineering Assistant-IV posts across Production, Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation disciplines, as published on the official CPCL website cpcl.co.in. All eligibility conditions are reckoned as on 01 July 2026. Candidates holding B.E., B.Tech or equivalent higher qualifications are not eligible. Women cannot apply for Production posts. The CBT is held at Chennai only. Vacancy numbers are tentative and may change. Disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of courts and tribunals in Chennai. In case of discrepancy, the English version on cpcl.co.in prevails. All links above lead only to the official CPCL website and the official CPCL online registration portal.
