OPaL Announces 80 Apprentice Vacancies Under the Apprentices Act, 1961: Apply Online by May 15, 2026

Introduction

ONGC Petro additions Limited (OPaL) is offering an exciting opportunity for aspiring individuals to gain valuable experience through its apprenticeship program. With 80 apprentice seats available across various locations, this recruitment drive aims to train candidates under the Apprentices Act, 1961, fostering their professional growth within a leading petrochemical company. This is a significant chance for eligible candidates to kickstart their careers in the industry.

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OPaL Apprentice Recruitment 2026: An Overview

ONGC Petro additions Limited (OPaL), a key subsidiary of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) and co-promoted by GAIL (India) Limited and Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Limited, has officially announced its recruitment drive for apprentices. This initiative, operating under the framework of the Apprentices Act, 1961, aims to fill 80 apprentice positions. The application process is entirely online, and interested candidates must ensure their applications are submitted before the stipulated deadline.

Vacancy Details and Disciplines

OPaL has opened doors for apprentices in several trades and disciplines across its various work centers. The company is looking for individuals with specific qualifications to fill roles such as Attendant Operator Chemical Plant (AOCP), Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanical Chemical Plant (IMCP), HR Executive, Account Executive, and IT Executive. The distribution of these 80 vacancies is spread across Dahej, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Delhi, providing a wide geographical reach for applicants.

Dahej Work Centre

In Dahej, Gujarat, OPaL is recruiting for 18 seats in Attendant Operator Chemical Plant (AOCP) requiring a Trade Certificate. For the Fitter trade, 8 seats are available with a Trade Certificate, and 8 seats are open for Electricians, also requiring a Trade Certificate. Additionally, 6 seats are designated for Instrument Mechanical Chemical Plant (IMCP) with a relevant Trade Certificate. For graduate-level apprenticeships in Dahej, there are 5 seats for HR Executives with a B.B.A. degree and 5 seats for Account Executives with a B.Com degree.

Vadodara Work Centre

The Vadodara center in Gujarat will host apprentices for various roles. There are 4 seats for IT Executives with a Bachelor’s Degree in IT. The company is also offering 5 seats for Executive HR, requiring a B.B.A. degree, and a significant 12 seats for Account Executives, with a B.Com degree being the necessary qualification.

Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Delhi Work Centres

Further opportunities are available in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Delhi, primarily for Account Executive positions. Ahmedabad has 3 seats for B.Com graduates. Mumbai also offers 3 seats for B.Com graduates. Similarly, Delhi has 3 seats for Account Executives with a B.Com degree.

Stipend and Compensation

OPaL is committed to providing a competitive stipend to its apprentices. Trade Apprentices who have completed an ITI trade of two-year duration will receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 10,560/-. For Graduate Apprentices, including those with B.Com, B.B.A., or a Bachelor’s Degree in IT, the monthly stipend will be Rs. 12,300/-. This financial support ensures that apprentices can focus on their training and development.

Eligibility Criteria: Qualifications and Age

To be considered for these apprenticeship roles, candidates must meet specific educational and age requirements. The essential qualification must be in the same trade, discipline, or degree for which the application is being made. Trade certificates must be from institutions recognized by relevant authorities such as SBTE, GCVT, or NCVT. Similarly, graduate qualifications must be recognized by bodies like UGC or AICTE. Importantly, qualifications obtained through distance learning, part-time, or correspondence modes will not be accepted. The most crucial criterion is that the essential qualification must have been acquired in 2022 or later.

Age Limit and Relaxation

The minimum age requirement for all candidates is 18 years, with a maximum age limit of 24 years. This age will be calculated as of May 15, 2026. Therefore, candidates born between May 15, 2002, and May 15, 2008, are eligible to apply. OPaL also offers age relaxation for candidates belonging to reserved categories as per government norms, including 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), 10 years for PwBD, 15 years for PwBD SC/ST, and 13 years for PwBD OBC candidates.

Who is Ineligible to Apply?

Certain conditions disqualify candidates from applying for these apprenticeship positions. Individuals who have already completed or are currently undergoing any form of apprenticeship training are not eligible. Furthermore, candidates who possess one year or more of training or work experience after acquiring their prescribed qualification will not be considered. This ensures that the opportunity is provided to fresh talent seeking to gain initial industrial experience.

Domicile and Work Centre Considerations

A significant aspect of the application process involves domicile requirements. Candidates can only apply for a specific work center if they are a resident of the corresponding state or district, or if they have obtained their required qualification from an eligible district associated with that OPaL center. For Dahej, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad, all districts in Gujarat are eligible. For Mumbai, all districts in Maharashtra are considered. Delhi applicants must be residents of the National Capital Region.

Selection Process and Merit-Based Approach

The selection of apprentices will be strictly based on merit. Candidates will be evaluated based on the marks obtained in their qualifying examination. In instances where multiple candidates secure the same merit marks, the older candidate will be given preference. OPaL will adhere to government guidelines for reservation for SC, ST, OBC, and PwBD candidates. Selected candidates will be notified via their registered email addresses, and a medical fitness certificate will be mandatory before commencing the apprenticeship training.

How to Apply Online

The application process is entirely online and streamlined through specific government portals. For NAPS (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme) trades (Sr. No. 1 to 4 in the vacancy list), candidates must apply through the official Apprenticeship India portal: apprenticeshipindia.gov.in. For NATS (National Apprenticeship Training Scheme) trades (Sr. No. 5 to 12), registration and application should be completed on the NATS portal: nats.education.gov.in. It is crucial for applicants to use the correct OPaL establishment IDs during the application process: NAPS ID: E03202407435 and NATS ID: WGJVDC110841. The application window closes on May 15, 2026.

Important Instructions for Applicants

Candidates are advised to apply for only one trade or discipline to avoid disqualification. OPaL reserves the right to allocate a single center or trade if a candidate applies for multiple options. Applications submitted via hard copy through post or courier will not be entertained. To facilitate stipend disbursement, selected apprentices must possess an Aadhaar-linked bank account in their own name and a PAN card. For the Electrician trade, a Wireman trade certificate will not be accepted. It is also important to note that OPaL has no obligation to offer regular employment to apprentices upon successful completion of their training.

Important Dates to Remember

The recruitment process begins with the advertisement and the opening of the online application portal on April 24, 2026. Candidates have until May 15, 2026, to submit their applications.

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Conclusion

OPaL’s apprenticeship program offers a valuable opportunity for individuals to gain practical experience and develop their skills in the petrochemical sector. With 80 positions available and a clear application process, eligible candidates are encouraged to apply before the deadline of May 15, 2026. This program is designed to foster talent and contribute to the growth of future industry professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is OPaL and what is this recruitment for?

OPaL (ONGC Petro additions Limited) is a subsidiary of ONGC. This recruitment is for engaging 80 apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961.

What are the important dates for the OPaL apprentice recruitment?

The application process starts on April 24, 2026, and the last date for receiving applications is May 15, 2026.

How many apprentice seats are available and where are they located?

There are a total of 80 apprentice seats available across Dahej, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Delhi.

What are the eligibility criteria for the apprenticeships?

Candidates must possess the essential qualification in the trade/discipline they are applying for, acquired in 2022 or later. Qualifications acquired through distance learning are not accepted.

What is the age limit for applying?

The minimum age is 18 years, and the maximum age is 24 years as of May 15, 2026. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories.

How can candidates apply for these apprenticeship positions?

Candidates need to apply online through the Apprenticeship India portal (apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) for NAPS trades and the NATS portal (nats.education.gov.in) for NATS trades, using the provided OPaL establishment IDs.

What is the stipend offered to the apprentices?

Trade Apprentices will receive Rs. 10,560/- per month, while Graduate Apprentices will receive Rs. 12,300/- per month.

Is prior apprenticeship experience a bar to applying?

Yes, candidates who have already undergone or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training are not eligible.

How is the selection process conducted?

Selection is based on the merit drawn from the marks obtained in the qualifying examination.

Does OPaL offer regular employment after the apprenticeship?

No, OPaL has no obligation to offer regular employment after the completion of the apprenticeship training.