IREL (India) Limited, a Mini Ratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, has released Notification No. IREL (India) Limited/MK/Apprentices Engagement/2026/01 dated 03 August 2026 for the engagement of Graduate, Technician and Trade Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961 at its Manavalakurichi (MK) Unit, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. A total of 39 apprenticeship seats are on offer – 4 Graduate Apprentice, 4 Technician Apprentice and 31 Trade Apprentice positions across trades including Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Turner, Carpenter, Plumber, MMV, Instrument Mechanic, Refrigeration and AC Mechanic and PASAA. Candidates must first register on the relevant Government of India apprenticeship portal and then send a hardcopy application by post so that it reaches IREL on or before 31 August 2026. There is no written examination – selection is made through a merit list of qualifying marks read together with a defined priority order, followed by document verification and a medical fitness check.
Important Note: Three things every applicant must get right before 31 August 2026. First, this is a two-step application and both steps are compulsory – you must register on the Government apprenticeship portal (apprenticeshipindia.org for Trade Apprentices, nats.education.gov.in for Graduate and Technician Apprentices) using IREL’s Establishment Registration Number, and then separately post the hardcopy application; applications received without prior portal registration will not be accepted, and portal registration alone without the hardcopy will not be screened. Second, the application must physically reach IREL by 31 August 2026 – the notification counts the date of receipt, not the date of despatch, so posting on the last date is not sufficient; send by speed post well in advance, as IREL accepts no responsibility for postal delay or loss in transit. Third, holding a higher qualification makes you ineligible – candidates with ME, M.Tech, MCA, MBA, CA, ICWA, Ph.D or LLB or equivalent need not apply, and anyone who has already undergone or is currently undergoing apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act in any organisation is barred; suppressing either fact can lead to termination at any stage. Before applying, download and read the complete advertisement from irel.co.in – the detailed notification is the only authoritative source for trade-wise seats, eligibility and closing arrangements.
IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | IREL (India) Limited, Manavalakurichi Unit, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu |
| Administrative Ministry | Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India |
| Notification No. | IREL (India) Limited/MK/Apprentices Engagement/2026/01 |
| Date of Notification | 03 August 2026 |
| Engagement Under | Apprentices Act, 1961 |
| Posts | Graduate Apprentice, Technician Apprentice, Trade Apprentice |
| Total Seats | 39 (4 Graduate + 4 Technician + 31 Trade) |
| Qualification | BE, Diploma or ITI in the relevant trade |
| Age Limit | 18 to 25 years as on the last date of application |
| Application Mode | Portal registration (mandatory) followed by hardcopy application by post |
| Application Fee | Not specified in the notification |
| Selection Process | Merit of qualifying marks with priority order, document verification, medical fitness |
| Training Location | IREL (India) Limited, Manavalakurichi, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu |
| Last Date | 31 August 2026 (application must reach IREL) |
| Official Website | irel.co.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Date of Notification | 03 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Application to Reach IREL | 31 August 2026 |
| Document Verification | To be intimated to shortlisted candidates |
| Medical Examination | To be intimated to shortlisted candidates |
Applications reaching IREL after 31 August 2026 will not be considered. The notification treats the date of receipt as decisive, not the date of posting.
Vacancy Details – Graduate Apprentices (4 Seats)
| S. No. | Designated Trade | Qualification | Duration | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical | BE (Electrical and Electronics) | 1 year | 2 |
| 2 | Civil | BE (Civil) | 1 year | 1 |
| 3 | Mechanical | BE (Mechanical) | 1 year | 1 |
| Total | 4 |
Vacancy Details – Technician Apprentices (4 Seats)
| S. No. | Designated Trade | Qualification | Duration | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Civil | Diploma (Civil) | 1 year | 2 |
| 2 | Mechanical | Diploma (Mechanical) | 1 year | 1 |
| 3 | Electrical | Diploma (Electrical) | 1 year | 1 |
| Total | 4 |
Vacancy Details – Trade Apprentices (31 Seats)
| S. No. | Designated Trade | Qualification | Duration | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fitter | ITI in Fitter trade | 1 year | 10 |
| 2 | Electrician | ITI in Electrician trade | 1 year | 5 |
| 3 | Welder | ITI in Welder trade | 1 year | 4 |
| 4 | PASAA | Computer Operator and Programming Assistant | 1 year | 3 |
| 5 | Electronic / Instrument Mechanic | ITI in Instrument Mechanic trade | 1 year | 2 |
| 6 | Plumber / Fitter | ITI in Plumber trade | 2 years | 2 |
| 7 | Carpenter | ITI in Carpenter trade | 2 years | 2 |
| 8 | Mechanic (Motor Vehicle) | ITI in MMV trade | 1 year | 1 |
| 9 | Refrigeration and AC Mechanic | ITI in Refrigeration and AC Mechanic trade | 1 year | 1 |
| 10 | Turner | ITI in Turner trade | 1 year | 1 |
| Total | 31 |
Candidates may apply for only one trade. Reservation for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PWD applies as per the percentage prescribed for the State of Tamil Nadu. The notification does not give a category-wise breakup for individual trades.
Eligibility Criteria
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Graduate Apprentice | BE in the relevant discipline |
| Technician Apprentice | Diploma in the relevant discipline |
| Trade Apprentice | Passed ITI in the specified trade, or Computer Operator and Programming Assistant for PASAA |
| Mode of Study | Regular only – Distance Learning, Part Time and Correspondence qualifications are not accepted |
| Prior Apprenticeship | Candidates who have completed or are undergoing apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act anywhere are not eligible |
| Higher Qualification | Holders of ME, M.Tech, MCA, MBA, CA, ICWA, Ph.D, LLB or equivalent need not apply |
Where the qualifying examination awards CGPA or grades instead of a percentage, the equivalent percentage as per the norms of the concerned University or Institute must be entered in the application, supported by a certificate at the time of document verification. If final aggregate marks are not printed on the pass certificate or final mark sheet, the average of all semesters or years will be treated as the qualifying marks.
Age Limit (as on the last date of application)
| Category | Age Limit / Relaxation |
|---|---|
| General | 18 to 25 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years relaxation |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years relaxation |
| PWD | 10 years relaxation |
Stipend
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Stipend | As prescribed under the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992 and as notified by the Government of India from time to time |
| Exact Amount | Not specified in the notification |
| Other Benefits | None – IREL provides no benefit or financial assistance beyond the prescribed stipend during training |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All categories | Not specified in the notification |
Selection Process
There is no written examination. Candidates meeting the qualification, marks and age criteria are considered for engagement on the basis of a merit list prepared from the marks scored in the specified qualifying examination, subject to being declared medically fit by IREL’s authorised Medical Officer.
Tie-breaker: higher marks in the specified qualification are considered first. If the tie persists, seniority in date of birth is applied.
Priority Order Applied Within the Merit List
| Priority | Category |
|---|---|
| 1 | Land Affected Category – candidates who have given land to IREL, with documentary proof, considered regardless of marks |
| 2 | Wards of IREL employees, and wards of IREL employees deceased while in service, regardless of marks |
| 3 | Permanent residents of Chinnavilai, Periavilai, Puthoor and Kottilpadu villages, preferred over other villages within a 10 km radius of the unit, regardless of marks |
| 4 | Permanent residents of Midalam, Keezhmidalam and Kurumpanai villages, preferred over other villages of Kanyakumari District, with documentary proof |
| 5 | Candidates belonging to the State of Tamil Nadu, with documentary proof |
| 6 | All other candidates |
Document Verification, Medical and Police Verification
- Candidates are called for document verification in order of merit and must produce originals along with one set of self-attested photocopies. Failure to produce originals, or being found not to meet eligibility, results in rejection.
- Shortlisted candidates must clear a Medical Examination and be certified “Medically Fit” by the company’s authorised Medical Officer.
- IREL Manavalakurichi is a highly protected area. Entry is permitted only on submission of a Police Verification Certificate issued by the police authority of the candidate’s normal place of residence. Candidates are advised to initiate this in parallel, as the certificate is mandatory before joining.
Documents Required
Self-attested photocopies of the following must accompany the application:
- 10th pass or Matriculation certificate, or Birth Certificate issued by the Education Board or competent authority, as date of birth proof (no other document is accepted for date of birth)
- 10th and HSC mark sheets
- Semester-wise or year-wise mark sheets and Pass Certificate of the qualifying discipline
- SC, ST, OBC (NCL), EWS or Disability certificate in the prescribed format from the Competent Authority, where applicable
- Income and Assets Certificate from the Competent Authority for EWS candidates
- Nativity Certificate
- Land Loser Certificate, if applicable
- Documentary proof for Land Affected Category or residence in the peripheral villages within a 10 km radius
- Aadhaar Card
- Ten passport-size photographs
- Police Verification Certificate issued by the concerned police authority
The OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate must be the latest one issued by the Competent Authority and must be valid.
How to Apply for IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
- Download and read the complete official advertisement from the IREL Careers page – Click Here
- Register on the Government apprenticeship portal applicable to your category. Trade Apprentices register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme portal of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship – Click Here. Graduate and Technician Apprentices register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme portal – Click Here
- While registering, use IREL’s Establishment Registration Number – E05203301006 for Trade Apprenticeship and STNKKC000004 for Graduate and Technician Apprenticeship.
- Fill the application in the proforma given in the notification (Annexure A), preferably typewritten on A4 size paper.
- Affix a recent passport-size photograph in the space provided on the form.
- Enclose all self-attested supporting documents listed in the Documents Required section.
- Superscribe the envelope as: “APPLICATION FOR ENGAGEMENT OF APPRENTICE AGAINST NOTIFICATION NO. IREL (India) Limited/MK/Apprentices Engagement/2026/01”
- Send the application to: The Chief Manager – HRM (Legal and ER), IREL (India) Limited, Manavalakurichi, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu – 629252
- Ensure the application reaches IREL on or before 31 August 2026. Speed post is recommended.
Important Instructions
- Portal registration is compulsory. Applications are not accepted without prior registration on the relevant Government apprenticeship portal.
- Submitting the hardcopy is also compulsory for screening and selection, even after portal registration.
- Apply for one trade only.
- Selected candidates may be posted to any department of the unit for training.
- Selected candidates must execute a Contract with the respective authority as required under the Apprentices Act.
- IREL has no obligation to offer regular employment during or after the apprenticeship. On successful completion, apprentices are relieved from the work area.
- Service terms are governed by the Apprentices Act, 1961 and the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992, as amended.
- Candidature is provisional and subject to verification. Incorrect, doctored or false information, or suppression of material fact, leads to cancellation or termination at any stage.
- Incomplete applications, and applications not meeting eligibility, are treated as rejected.
- The decision of the Management is final on eligibility, acceptance or rejection, mode of selection, cancellation of the process in part or full, and higher qualification issues. No correspondence is entertained.
- Filling of training seats is at the discretion of the Management. No claim arises if seats remain unfilled for want of suitable candidates.
- Physical verification of originals is carried out before the joining date. A provisional offer letter of training is sent by mail; a printout must be brought along with originals and self-attested copies.
- Any corrigendum, addendum or update is published only on irel.co.in. Check the Careers page periodically.
- The complete advertisement PDF on irel.co.in is the sole authoritative source. Verify all seats, dates and conditions there before applying.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| IREL Careers Page | Click Here |
| Trade Apprentice Portal Registration | Click Here |
| Graduate and Technician Apprentice Portal Registration | Click Here |
| IREL Official Website | Click Here |
IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
Q1. What is IREL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
✅ It is an engagement notification (No. IREL (India) Limited/MK/Apprentices Engagement/2026/01 dated 03 August 2026) issued by IREL (India) Limited, a Mini Ratna CPSE under the Department of Atomic Energy, for 39 Graduate, Technician and Trade Apprentice seats under the Apprentices Act, 1961 at its Manavalakurichi Unit, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu.
Q2. How many seats are available and how are they split?
✅ 39 seats in total – 4 Graduate Apprentice, 4 Technician Apprentice and 31 Trade Apprentice. The Trade Apprentice seats are spread across ten designated trades, with Fitter (10) and Electrician (5) carrying the largest numbers.
Q3. What is the last date to apply?
✅ The completed application must reach IREL on or before 31 August 2026. The notification counts the date of receipt, not the date of posting, so applications posted close to the deadline may arrive too late to be considered.
Q4. What qualification do I need?
✅ It depends on the category. Graduate Apprentice requires a BE in Electrical and Electronics, Civil or Mechanical. Technician Apprentice requires a Diploma in Civil, Mechanical or Electrical. Trade Apprentice requires a passed ITI certificate in the specific trade, or the Computer Operator and Programming Assistant qualification for the PASAA trade. Distance, part time and correspondence qualifications are not accepted.
Q5. What is the age limit?
✅ 18 to 25 years as on the last date of application. Relaxation is 5 years for SC and ST, 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) and 10 years for PWD candidates.
Q6. How do I apply – is it online or offline?
✅ Both steps are mandatory. First register on the Government apprenticeship portal – apprenticeshipindia.gov.in for Trade Apprentices or nats.education.gov.in for Graduate and Technician Apprentices – using IREL’s Establishment Registration Number (E05203301006 for Trade, STNKKC000004 for Graduate and Technician). Then send the filled hardcopy application with documents by post to The Chief Manager – HRM (Legal and ER), IREL (India) Limited, Manavalakurichi, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu – 629252.
Q7. Is there a written exam?
✅ No. Selection is based on a merit list of marks scored in the qualifying examination, read together with a defined priority order, followed by document verification and a medical fitness examination. Ties are broken first by higher qualifying marks, then by seniority in date of birth.
Q8. What is the priority order in selection?
✅ Land Affected Category candidates (with proof of having given land to IREL) rank first regardless of marks, followed by wards of IREL employees, then residents of Chinnavilai, Periavilai, Puthoor and Kottilpadu villages, then residents of Midalam, Keezhmidalam and Kurumpanai villages, then other candidates from Kanyakumari District and Tamil Nadu, and finally all other candidates.
Q9. What stipend will I receive?
✅ The stipend is paid as prescribed under the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992 and as notified by the Government of India from time to time. The exact amount is not stated in the notification. IREL provides no other benefit or financial assistance beyond this stipend during the training period.
Q10. Will I get a permanent job at IREL after the apprenticeship?
✅ No. IREL (India) Limited has no obligation to offer regular employment to apprentices during or after the apprenticeship period. On successful completion of training, candidates are relieved from the respective work area. Apprenticeship is a training engagement, not a recruitment to a regular post.
Disclaimer
The information above relates to the advertisement for engagement of Apprentices (Graduate, Technician and Trade) under the Apprentices Act, 1961 at IREL (India) Limited, Manavalakurichi Unit, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu for the year 2026-27, as hosted on the official IREL website irel.co.in. The complete advertisement PDF on irel.co.in is the sole authoritative source for seat numbers, trade-wise distribution, eligibility conditions, closing arrangements and the prescribed application proforma. Candidates must download and read the full official advertisement from irel.co.in before applying, and must verify every detail against it. Any corrigendum, addendum or update will be published only on irel.co.in. All links above lead only to the official IREL website and to Government of India apprenticeship portals.
