Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, a unit of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Department of Space, has invited candidates for Apprentice Training for the year 2026-27 under Notification No. VSSC/R&R/9.2/WII-01/2026 dated 17 July 2026. A total of 460 vacancies are on offer – 273 Graduate Apprentice and 187 Technician Apprentice posts – across engineering, hotel management, general stream, and commercial practice disciplines. There is no online application for this recruitment – eligible candidates must attend a walk-in selection drive on 25 July 2026 (Saturday), between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM, at Karthika Thirunal Govt V&GHSS for Girls, Manacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, carrying original documents. Candidates are advised to read the complete official notification carefully before attending.
Important Note: There is NO online application for this recruitment – applications submitted by post, email, or online will NOT be accepted. Candidates must attend the walk-in drive on 25 July 2026 in person with original documents and self-attested copies. Candidates who completed their degree/diploma before April 2022, those awaiting final-year results, or those pursuing M.E/M.Tech, are NOT eligible. CGPA-to-percentage conversion is NOT permitted for eligibility – your certificate must independently meet the norm in whichever unit (CGPA or percentage) it is printed. Completion of apprenticeship training does NOT confer any right to permanent employment at VSSC or any ISRO/Department of Space unit.
Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO, Department of Space |
| Post Names | Graduate Apprentice, Technician Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 460 (273 Graduate + 187 Technician) |
| Notification No. | VSSC/R&R/9.2/WII-01/2026 dated 17.07.2026 |
| Selection Drive Date | 25 July 2026 (Saturday), 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Venue | Karthika Thirunal Govt V&GHSS for Girls, Manacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
| Mode of Application | Walk-in / offline only – NO online application |
| Training Duration | 1 Year from date of joining |
| Age Reckoning Date | 31 July 2026 |
| Official Website | www.vssc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 17 July 2026 |
| Selection Drive / Walk-In Interview | 25 July 2026 (Saturday) |
| Reporting Time | 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Age Reckoning Date | 31 July 2026 |
This is a single-day walk-in drive – there is no separate admit card, no online registration stage, and no written exam date to track. Attend in person on 25 July 2026 with all required documents.
Application Fee
Not applicable. This is a walk-in selection drive, not an online application process – no application fee is mentioned in the official notification.
Vacancy Details – Total 460 Posts (Discipline-Wise)
Graduate Apprentice – 273 Posts (Stipend Rs. 12,300/month)
| Discipline | No. of Positions |
|---|---|
| Aeronautical / Aerospace Engineering | 15 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10 |
| Civil Engineering | 12 |
| Computer Science / Engineering | 20 |
| Electrical Engineering | 12 |
| Electronics Engineering | 43 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 45 |
| Metallurgy | 6 |
| Production Engineering | 4 |
| Fire & Safety Engineering | 2 |
| Hotel Management / Catering Technology | 4 |
| General Stream (Non-Engineering) Graduates | 100 |
| Total | 273 |
Technician Apprentice – 187 Posts (Stipend Rs. 10,900/month)
| Discipline | No. of Positions |
|---|---|
| Automobile Engineering | 8 |
| Chemical Engineering | 25 |
| Civil Engineering | 8 |
| Computer Science / Engineering | 15 |
| Electrical Engineering | 10 |
| Electronics Engineering | 40 |
| Instrument Technology | 6 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 50 |
| Diploma in Commercial Practice | 25 |
| Total | 187 |
Note: The number of positions may change as per the official notification. Priority is given to candidates from universities / State Boards of Technical Education under the Southern Region of BoAT (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Puducherry); other candidates are considered only if there is a shortage of applications in a discipline.
Eligibility – Educational Qualification
| Category | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice – Engineering disciplines | Engineering degree (4-year, or 3-year for lateral entry) from a recognized university with not less than 65% marks or 6.84 CGPA in the respective field |
| Graduate Apprentice – Hotel Management / Catering Technology | First Class degree in Hotel Management/Catering Technology with not less than 60% marks |
| Graduate Apprentice – General Stream (Non-Engineering) | Bachelor’s degree (3-year) with not less than 60% marks or 6.32 CGPA; training in administrative areas such as Administration, Finance & Accounts, and Purchase |
| Technician Apprentice – Engineering Diploma | First Class Diploma in Engineering (3-year) from a State Board of Technical Education |
| Technician Apprentice – Diploma in Commercial Practice | Diploma in Commercial Practice (3-year) with not less than 6.32 CGPA |
CGPA Rule: Where a CGPA-to-percentage conversion formula exists, it is NOT permitted for eligibility purposes – at least one criterion (either CGPA or percentage as printed on the certificate) must independently meet the norm.
Age Limit (As on 31 July 2026)
| Category | UR | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice (Engg & Non-Engg) | 28 | 31 | 33 | 33 |
| Graduate Apprentice – PwBD | 38 | 41 | 43 | 43 |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma in Engg) | 30 | 33 | 35 | 35 |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma Engg) – PwBD | 40 | 43 | 45 | 45 |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma Commercial Practice) | 26 | 29 | 31 | 31 |
| Technician Apprentice (Commercial Practice) – PwBD | 36 | 39 | 41 | 41 |
Other Eligibility Conditions
- Only Indian nationals are eligible.
- Candidates who have already undergone or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961 (and its 1973 Amendment), or who have one year or more of experience at any institution, are NOT eligible. Combining apprenticeship across institutions is also not permitted.
- Candidates who have completed 5 years from the month and year of passing their Degree/Diploma are NOT eligible. If a candidate crosses this 5-year window while empanelled or waitlisted, they will not be considered for training.
- Candidates who completed their qualification before April 2022, are awaiting final-year results, or are pursuing M.E/M.Tech, are NOT eligible.
Stipend / Salary
| Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | Rs. 12,300/- |
| Technician Apprentice | Rs. 10,900/- |
Training Duration: 1 year from the date of joining. Canteen and transport facilities are admissible during training; candidates must arrange their own accommodation.
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Document Scrutiny – candidates report with original certificates and self-attested copies; VSSC officials verify these against educational qualifications and other claims |
| Stage 2 | Application Form Submission – eligible candidates are handed an application form on the spot, filled and submitted with certificate/testimonial copies at the drive itself |
| Stage 3 | Merit-Based Selection – based on the highest marks scored in the relevant qualifying examination, with due weightage to reservation categories |
| Stage 4 | Panel Formation – induction depends on the candidate’s position in the merit panel, subject to vacancy availability and panel validity |
| Stage 5 | NATS 2.0 Registration – selected candidates are registered under a contract on the NATS 2.0 portal (www.nats.education.gov.in) immediately after induction |
Required Documents (Bring Originals + Self-Attested Copies)
- B.E/B.Tech/Bachelor in Hotel Management/Non-Engineering Graduation/Diploma Certificate (Provisional/Final)
- B.E/B.Tech/Bachelor in Hotel Management/Non-Engineering Graduation/Diploma Consolidated Mark List (Provisional/Final)
- SSLC/SSC/AISSE/ICSE Certificate (as proof of date of birth)
- Experience Certificate (if any)
- One passport-size photograph
- SC/ST candidates: Valid Community/Caste Certificate issued by Tahsildar (Taluk Office)
- OBC candidates: Valid Non-Creamy Layer Certificate issued by Tahsildar in the prescribed Government of India format
- EWS candidates: Valid Income & Asset Certificate issued by Tahsildar for FY 2026-27
- PwBD candidates: Certificate of Disability issued by competent authority
How to Attend the VSSC Apprentice Walk-In Selection Drive 2026?
- Report to the venue – Karthika Thirunal Govt V&GHSS for Girls, Manacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – on 25 July 2026 (Saturday), between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM.
- Carry original documents and self-attested copies of all required certificates listed above.
- Undergo document scrutiny by VSSC officials at the venue.
- Collect and fill the application form provided on the spot after scrutiny.
- Submit the duly filled form along with copies of certificates/testimonials to VSSC officials at the drive.
Important Note: Applications will NOT be accepted through any other means – postal, email, or online submissions are not permitted, and no interim correspondence or canvassing will be entertained.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Carrying only photocopies: Originals plus self-attested copies are required – bringing only photocopies risks rejection at scrutiny.
- Applying with a CGPA-converted percentage: Conversion of CGPA to percentage is not accepted – check your actual certificate figures rather than calculating an equivalent yourself.
- Ignoring the 5-year passing window: Candidates close to or past 5 years since their qualification’s passing month/year should double-check eligibility before travelling to the venue.
- Missing category certificates: OBC candidates especially should ensure their Non-Creamy Layer certificate is current and in the prescribed Government of India format.
- Assuming an online application exists: This is a walk-in-only drive – there is no portal to search for.
Important Links
| Action | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official VSSC Website | Click Here |
| NATS 2.0 Portal (Post-Selection Registration) | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many vacancies are there in VSSC Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27?
✅ There are 460 total vacancies – 273 Graduate Apprentice posts and 187 Technician Apprentice posts across various engineering and non-engineering disciplines.
Q2. What is the VSSC Apprentice selection drive date?
✅ The selection drive is on 25 July 2026 (Saturday), from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, at Karthika Thirunal Govt V&GHSS for Girls, Manacaud, Thiruvananthapuram.
Q3. Is there an online application for VSSC Apprentice 2026?
✅ No. There is no online application. Applications are accepted only in person at the walk-in selection drive; applications through any other means will not be accepted.
Q4. What is the stipend for VSSC Graduate and Technician Apprentices?
✅ Graduate Apprentices receive Rs. 12,300 per month, and Technician Apprentices receive Rs. 10,900 per month, for a one-year training period.
Q5. What is the age limit for VSSC Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
✅ As on 31 July 2026, the age limit for Graduate Apprentice (UR) is 28 years, and for Technician Apprentice it is 30 years (Engineering Diploma) or 26 years (Commercial Practice Diploma), with relaxation for OBC, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates.
Q6. What documents are required for the VSSC Apprentice selection drive?
✅ Candidates need original degree/diploma certificates, consolidated mark lists, SSLC/SSC/AISSE/ICSE certificate as date-of-birth proof, experience certificate (if any), a passport photo, and applicable category certificates (SC/ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, or PwBD).
Q7. Who is eligible for VSSC Graduate Apprentice posts?
✅ Candidates with an engineering degree with at least 65% marks/6.84 CGPA, a Hotel Management degree with 60% marks, or a general stream bachelor’s degree with 60% marks/6.32 CGPA are eligible, provided they meet the other conditions.
Q8. Can candidates who already completed an apprenticeship apply again?
✅ No. Candidates who have already undergone or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, or who have one year or more of institutional experience, are not eligible to apply.
Q9. Does completing VSSC Apprentice training guarantee a permanent job?
✅ No. The notification specifies that mere completion of one year of apprenticeship training at VSSC or any ISRO/Department of Space unit does not confer any right to permanent employment.
Q10. What happens after selection in the VSSC Apprentice drive?
✅ Selected candidates are registered under a contract on the NATS 2.0 portal immediately after induction, through nats.education.gov.in, and induction is based on merit panel position, vacancy availability, and panel validity.
Disclaimer: All information provided is for reference purposes only. Vacancy numbers may change as per the official notification. Completion of apprenticeship training does not confer any right to permanent employment. Candidates are advised to verify all details including discipline-wise vacancy, eligibility, age limit, and selection process from the official notification and website at vssc.gov.in before attending the walk-in drive.
