New Delhi | December 19, 2025 — The application window for Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s (IOCL) latest Apprentice Recruitment 2025-26 drive has effectively moved into its next phase, after the online submission deadline ended on December 18, 2025. Multiple reports this week highlighted the closing date for the large-scale apprenticeship intake—often cited at around 2,785 apprentice posts—across IOCL’s refinery network. [1]
With the application portal now closed, the focus shifts to shortlisting, document verification schedules, and merit-based selection steps. Here’s what candidates need to know—especially those who completed only part of the process and those waiting for the shortlist.
IOCL Apprentice Recruitment 2025-26 deadline: what changed on December 19
As of December 19, 2025, candidates can no longer submit fresh applications through the Refineries Division portal. According to the detailed refinery advertisements, the application system was scheduled to close at 17:00 hours on 18-12-2025 (after opening at 10:00 hours on 28-11-2025). [2]
Many aspirants last-minute rely on the IOCL apprenticeship route because it typically offers a structured, industry-grade training experience in refinery operations, maintenance, instrumentation, and support roles—without requiring a separate written exam cycle in many such engagements (selection is usually merit-driven).
Total vacancies: why you may see different numbers across reports
In the last 24–48 hours, several education and career desks reported the drive as being for 2,785 posts. [3]
However, the refinery-wise seat matrices in IOCL’s detailed unit advertisements show the intake distributed across nine refineries, with the following unit totals visible in the official tables:
- Panipat Refinery & Petrochemical Complex: 707 [4]
- Gujarat Refinery: 583 [5]
- Paradip Refinery: 413 [6]
- Barauni Refinery: 313 [7]
- Haldia Refinery: 216 [8]
- Mathura Refinery: 189 [9]
- Bongaigaon Refinery: 142 [10]
- Digboi Refinery: 112 [11]
- Guwahati Refinery: seat matrix totals across listed codes sum to 82 [12]
Because IOCL also notes that seat numbers are tentative and can change, and because different outlets sometimes round totals or compile figures differently, candidates should treat the unit-level PDF seat matrix as the most actionable reference for “how many seats exist in my refinery + my trade.” [13]
Which trades and disciplines were offered in this recruitment?
Across the refinery advertisements, IOCL listed multiple apprentice categories spanning plant operations, core engineering support, and office/IT support. Commonly notified codes include:
- Attendant Operator (Chemical Plant) (Chemical discipline) [14]
- Fitter (Mechanical discipline) [15]
- Boiler (Mechanical discipline) [16]
- Technician Apprentice – Chemical / Mechanical / Electrical / Instrumentation [17]
- Secretarial Assistant / Accountant [18]
- Data Entry Operator (Fresher) / Data Entry Operator (Skill Certificate Holders) [19]
One notable detail: Panipat also showed Secretarial Assistant seats with location options, including Panipat and New Delhi, which drew additional attention from graduates looking for office-role apprenticeships. [20]
Eligibility criteria: who could apply?
While the exact eligibility depends on the trade code, the refinery notifications broadly covered candidates with:
- Class 12 pass (especially for Data Entry Operator roles) [21]
- ITI (Fitter) for relevant trades [22]
- Diploma in Engineering (Chemical/Mechanical/Electrical/Instrumentation) for technician apprentices [23]
- Graduation such as B.A./B.Sc./B.Com, and in some cases B.Sc with PCM/Industrial Chemistry for specific operator/boiler-related codes [24]
Age limit
Unit advertisements generally indicate an 18–24 years window (with category relaxations as applicable) based on the specified cut-off date in the notification. [25]
Important eligibility reminders candidates often miss
Across refinery notifications, IOCL also emphasizes restrictions that frequently cause rejections at the verification stage, including conditions around:
- higher professional qualifications (ineligibility in some cases),
- multiple applications for more than one trade/discipline,
- and compliance with apprenticeship rules and verification requirements. [26]
Selection process: what happens now that applications are closed?
IOCL apprenticeship engagements at refineries are typically merit-driven, with shortlisting based on academic marks/percentage in the qualifying examination and then moving to document verification. Several reports this week reiterated that applicants should expect a merit list / shortlist approach rather than a written test for this intake. [27]
Expected next milestones (as widely reported this week)
Candidates are watching two key dates that have been repeatedly cited in coverage of the drive:
- Tentative publication of the list of candidates called for Document Verification:December 27, 2025
- Tentative Document Verification window:January 2 to January 7, 2026
Because IOCL typically posts updates through its official channels and recruitment portals, applicants should monitor only those sources for any rescheduling, unit-wise instructions, or additional steps.
Two-step application rule: the most common reason for “missing” applications
A major point repeatedly highlighted in the recruitment instructions is that the process is not a single-form submission. Applicants were expected to complete:
- Registration / application on the relevant apprenticeship portal (NAPS or NATS, depending on trade)
- Final application submission on the IOCL Refineries Division portal, which was scheduled to close at 17:00 on 18-12-2025 [28]
This matters even after the deadline, because some candidates complete Step 1 (portal registration) but fail to complete Step 2 (IOCL portal form), which can make the application incomplete.
Refinery-wise vacancy highlights: where the biggest seat counts were
With applications closed, aspirants often search “where were the most seats?” to assess competition and likely cut-offs by unit and trade.
Based on the official unit tables:
- Panipat (707) and Gujarat (583) were the two largest pools. [29]
- Paradip (413) and Barauni (313) formed the next major clusters. [30]
- Haldia (216) and Mathura (189) offered mid-sized intakes, while the Assam refineries and Bongaigaon were smaller in comparison. [31]
What applicants should do right now: a practical checklist for Dec 19 onward
If you applied for IOCL apprentice recruitment 2025-26, the next few days are about being “document-ready” and not missing the shortlist update.
1) Save proof that you completed both steps
Keep:
- the confirmation details from your apprenticeship portal submission (NAPS/NATS), and
- your IOCL portal submission acknowledgement/printout (if generated). [32]
2) Prepare documents typically checked at verification
While exact unit instructions may vary, most refinery apprenticeship verifications require:
- proof of date of birth (Class 10 certificate/mark sheet),
- marksheets/certificates of ITI/Diploma/Graduation/Class 12 as applicable,
- category/EWS/OBC(NCL)/PwBD documentation where relevant,
- photo ID and photos,
- apprenticeship portal registration/enrolment details. [33]
3) Track shortlist and DV instructions
Reports have pointed to a Dec 27 shortlist and early January verification window, so candidates should stay alert to updates and unit-level instructions.
Important caution: apprenticeship is training, not a permanent job offer
A recurring point in IOCL apprenticeship notifications is that apprenticeship engagement is meant for training under the Apprentices Act and does not automatically translate into permanent employment. Candidates should read the unit advertisement carefully to understand training terms, duration, and conditions. [34]
Where to look for official updates (without getting scammed)
As recruitment deadlines pass, fake “merit list links,” “document verification booking pages,” and impersonation messages often spike. IOCL’s own instructions stress that corrigenda/notices are made available on official channels only. [35]
To stay safe:
- rely only on IOCL’s official recruitment pages and the unit advertisement PDFs,
- avoid paying anyone who claims to “guarantee selection,”
- verify any message by cross-checking it with the official portal notice.
References
1. timesofindia.indiatimes.com, 2. iocl.com, 3. timesofindia.indiatimes.com, 4. iocl.com, 5. iocl.com, 6. iocl.com, 7. iocl.com, 8. iocl.com, 9. iocl.com, 10. iocl.com, 11. iocl.com, 12. iocl.com, 13. iocl.com, 14. iocl.com, 15. iocl.com, 16. iocl.com, 17. iocl.com, 18. iocl.com, 19. iocl.com, 20. iocl.com, 21. iocl.com, 22. iocl.com, 23. iocl.com, 24. iocl.com, 25. iocl.com, 26. iocl.com, 27. timesofindia.indiatimes.com, 28. iocl.com, 29. iocl.com, 30. iocl.com, 31. iocl.com, 32. iocl.com, 33. iocl.com, 34. iocl.com, 35. iocl.com
