March 27, 20268 min read

Apprenticeship in Government and PSU 2026: Railway, ONGC, BHEL, HAL — Stipend, Duration and Absorption

Complete guide to apprenticeship opportunities in government departments and PSUs — types, stipend, duration, major recruiters like Railways, ONGC, BHEL, HAL, absorption rates, and how to apply through NAPS portal.

apprenticeship PSU jobs railway apprentice ONGC BHEL HAL NAPS portal trade apprentice graduate apprentice

Apprenticeships in government departments and PSUs are one of the most underrated entry points into the public sector. Under the Apprenticeship Act 1961, every government undertaking and PSU with more than 40 employees is mandated to engage apprentices — and some of these apprenticeships lead directly to permanent absorption. Let's break down the types, the major recruiters, the stipend structure, and your realistic chances of getting absorbed.

The Apprenticeship Act 1961 — Why PSUs Must Hire Apprentices

The Apprenticeship Act 1961 (amended in 2014 and 2019) mandates that establishments in the public and private sector engage apprentices in designated trades. For government departments and PSUs, this is not optional — they are legally required to maintain a certain percentage of their workforce as apprentices.

The 2019 amendment made the process more employer-friendly and introduced the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) with government subsidies. For candidates, this means more openings and a structured pathway into PSU careers.

Types of Apprenticeships

Here's the breakdown of apprenticeship categories relevant to government and PSU recruitment:

Type	Eligibility	Duration	Focus
Trade Apprentice	ITI pass in relevant trade	1-2 years	Hands-on trade skills (fitter, electrician, welder, machinist)
Graduate Apprentice	BTech/BSc (Engineering)	1 year	Engineering discipline training
Technician Apprentice	Diploma holders (Polytechnic)	1 year	Technical/supervisory training
Sandwich Apprentice	Students during degree course	1 year (during course)	Practical industry exposure
Optional Trade Apprentice	10th/12th pass	1-3 years	Trades not covered under designated trades

Trade Apprentice is the largest category by volume — railways alone recruit 25,000+ trade apprentices annually. Graduate and Technician Apprenticeships are fewer in number but offer better stipends and higher absorption potential.

Major Government and PSU Recruiters

Here's a comprehensive table of the biggest apprenticeship recruiters in the public sector:

Organisation	Annual Intake (Approx.)	Major Trades/Disciplines	Absorption Rate
Indian Railways (all zones)	25,000-30,000	Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Machinist, Diesel Mechanic	15-25% (through RRB exams — preference in selection)
ONGC	2,000-3,000	Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Chemical, IT	10-15% (through separate recruitment)
BHEL	1,500-2,500	Fitter, Machinist, Welder, Electrician, Turner	10-20% (varies by plant)
HAL	1,000-1,500	Fitter, Turner, Machinist, Electronics, Avionics	15-20%
IOCL	1,500-2,000	Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation	10-15%
NTPC	800-1,200	Electrical, Mechanical, Instrumentation, Civil	10-15%
BPCL	500-800	Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical	10-15%
Coal India (CIL)	2,000-3,000	Mining, Electrical, Mechanical, Diesel Mechanic	15-20%
SAIL	1,500-2,500	Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Machinist, Turner	10-15%
DRDO	500-1,000	Electronics, Mechanical, Computer Science, Chemical	5-10% (mostly through DRDO recruitment)
Ordnance Factories	2,000-3,000	Fitter, Turner, Machinist, Welder, Electrician	15-25%
BSNL	500-1,000	Telecom, Electronics, IT	5-10%

Key insight: Indian Railways is by far the largest apprenticeship recruiter in the country. The 16 railway zones and production units together engage 25,000-30,000 apprentices every year.

Stipend Structure 2026

The stipend for apprentices is set by the government and revised periodically. Here are the current rates:

Apprenticeship Type	Monthly Stipend (2026)	Notes
Trade Apprentice (1st year)	Rs 7,000-8,000	Varies by trade and organisation
Trade Apprentice (2nd year)	Rs 8,000-9,000	Increment in second year
Graduate Apprentice	Rs 9,000-11,000	BTech/BSc Engineering holders
Technician Apprentice	Rs 8,000-10,000	Diploma holders
Sandwich Apprentice	Rs 5,000-7,000	During-course training

Important notes on stipend:

Some PSUs pay above the government minimum. ONGC, IOCL, and NTPC are known to pay higher stipends (Rs 10,000-15,000 for graduate apprentices)
Stipend is not a salary — no PF, no ESI, no gratuity during apprenticeship
Some organisations provide hostel accommodation or a small housing allowance in addition to stipend
Stipend is exempt from income tax up to the basic exemption limit

How to Apply — The NAPS Portal

The primary portal for apprenticeship applications is the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) website:

Website: apprenticeshipindia.gov.in Step-by-step process:

Register on the NAPS portal — Create an account as an apprenticeship candidate with your Aadhaar, educational documents, and ITI/diploma/degree certificates
Search for openings — Filter by organisation type (Government/PSU), location, trade, and apprenticeship type
Apply to listed vacancies — Submit your application through the portal
Organisation-specific applications — Many PSUs also advertise apprenticeships on their own websites (check career/recruitment pages of ONGC, BHEL, HAL, IOCL, etc.)
Railway-specific portal — Railways publish apprenticeship notifications on individual zone websites (e.g., rrcnr.org for Northern Railway, rrcwcr.org for West Central Railway)

Pro tip: Set up alerts on the NAPS portal and check individual PSU websites monthly. Railway apprenticeship notifications are zone-wise, so check all 16 zone websites during recruitment season (typically October-March).

Absorption — What Are Your Real Chances?

Let's be honest about absorption rates because this is where expectations often mismatch with reality.

Railways: The absorption rate of 15-25% comes with a caveat — ex-apprentices don't get automatic jobs. They get age relaxation (3 years) and preference in RRB Group D and ALP recruitment. Having completed a railway apprenticeship gives you practical knowledge that helps in the selection process, but you still need to clear the RRB exam. PSUs (ONGC, BHEL, HAL, IOCL, NTPC): Absorption varies. Some PSUs have a policy of recruiting a percentage of their apprentices into permanent roles based on performance during apprenticeship + a written test + interview. Others recruit through GATE or their own exams, where ex-apprentices may get preference but no guaranteed absorption. Ordnance Factories and DRDO: Ordnance factories have historically had decent absorption rates (15-25%), but with corporatisation of ordnance factories into 7 new DPSUs, the absorption policy is evolving. DRDO absorption is low — most permanent positions are filled through DRDO SET/GATE.

Apprenticeship vs Regular Government Job — Comparison

Parameter	Apprenticeship	Regular Govt Job
Entry requirement	ITI/Diploma/Degree	Competitive exam clearing
Monthly pay	Rs 7,000-11,000 (stipend)	Rs 18,000-56,100+ (basic pay)
Job security	Temporary (1-3 years)	Permanent with pension
Benefits (PF, medical, HRA)	None during apprenticeship	Full benefits from Day 1
Skill development	Excellent hands-on training	On-the-job learning
Career progression	Only if absorbed into permanent role	Structured promotion ladder
Certificate value	National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) certificate	Government service record

Value of the Apprenticeship Certificate

Even if you're not absorbed, the apprenticeship completion certificate (issued by NCVT or the respective State Council) has significant value:

Recognised across government and private sector for trade-specific jobs
Mandatory requirement for many ITI-based government positions — some jobs specifically require "ITI + Apprenticeship completion"
Private sector value — Manufacturing companies, automobile sector, power plants actively prefer candidates with PSU apprenticeship experience
Self-employment — The skills and certification enable you to start your own workshop, service centre, or contracting business

Tips for Maximising Your Apprenticeship

Choose the organisation wisely — Railways and ordnance factories have the highest historical absorption rates
Perform well during training — Your performance assessment matters for absorption consideration
Prepare for regular recruitment exams simultaneously — Don't wait for absorption; prepare for RRB, SSC, or PSU exams during your apprenticeship
Network with permanent employees — Understanding the organisation's work culture and recruitment patterns gives you an advantage
Document your work — Keep records of projects, training modules, and skills acquired for future job applications

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do an apprenticeship in multiple PSUs one after another? Technically, the Apprenticeship Act allows only one apprenticeship per designated trade. However, you can do apprenticeships in different trades or different categories (e.g., trade apprenticeship followed by a graduate apprenticeship after completing your degree). Check the specific rules on the NAPS portal. Is there an age limit for apprenticeships? The minimum age is 14 years (for trades not involving hazardous work) and 18 years for trades involving hazardous processes. There is no strict upper age limit under the Act, but individual PSU notifications often specify age limits — typically 25-30 years with relaxation for reserved categories. Do apprentices get a railway pass or other travel benefits? Railway apprentices typically get a local pass for daily commuting to the workshop/depot. They do not get the full railway pass privilege that permanent employees enjoy. Other PSUs may provide transport allowance depending on their policy. Is the NAPS portal the only way to apply? No. While NAPS is the centralised portal, many PSUs and railway zones also accept applications through their own websites and offline modes. Always check the official notification for the specific application process.