HPCL Announces Major Recruitment Drive for Graduate Apprentice Trainees
The Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), a leading public sector oil and gas company in India, has officially launched its recruitment campaign for Graduate Apprentice Trainees (Engineering) for the upcoming training year of 2026–27. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for fresh engineering graduates to gain hands-on experience in one of the nation's premier energy corporations.
Application Timeline and Key Vacancy Details
The online application portal opened on February 25, 2026, and will remain active until March 10, 2026. It is imperative for candidates to complete their registration and submission before the deadline, as applications received after this date will not be considered under any circumstances.
HPCL has declared a total of 250 training positions for Graduate Apprentices, strategically distributed across two of its major refineries:
- Mumbai Refinery located in Maharashtra: 120 posts
- Visakh Refinery situated in Andhra Pradesh: 130 posts
These apprenticeships will be offered across a diverse range of engineering disciplines, including Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, and Computer Science or Information Technology (IT).
Comprehensive Eligibility Criteria for Applicants
Prospective candidates must meticulously review and satisfy the following eligibility conditions before proceeding with their application:
- Applicants must be Indian nationals.
- Candidates should have successfully completed their engineering graduation in a relevant discipline with a minimum aggregate of 60 percent marks.
- For candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) categories, the minimum required marks are 50 percent.
- The engineering degree must have been completed on or after April 1, 2023. Individuals who graduated prior to this date are not eligible to apply.
Age Limit and Monthly Stipend Structure
The age criteria for applicants are clearly defined: the minimum age is 18 years, and the maximum age is 25 years as of March 10, 2026. Age relaxation will be provided to candidates from reserved categories in strict accordance with prevailing government rules and regulations.
Selected apprentices will receive a generous monthly stipend of ₹25,000 throughout the training period. This stipend is structured as a combined contribution: ₹20,500 will be paid directly by HPCL, while the remaining ₹4,500 will be disbursed by the Government of India through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.
Step-by-Step Selection Process and Application Procedure
The selection methodology is merit-based and transparent. Applications will be initially screened based on the marks obtained in the qualifying engineering degree. Subsequently, candidates will be shortlisted for document verification in a ratio of 1:5, meaning five candidates will be called for verification for each available position, based purely on academic merit.
A final merit list will be compiled after the successful verification of all necessary documents. Those who are selected must also complete the mandatory formalities under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) and submit required medical and verification documents before commencing the training program.
To apply, candidates should follow these detailed steps:
- Visit the official HPCL recruitment portal.
- Click on the "Sign up for New Registration" option.
- Complete the registration process using a valid and active email ID and mobile number.
- Log in with the created credentials and meticulously fill out the online application form.
- Upload all required documents, along with a recent photograph and signature, in the specified formats.
- Submit the application form and download the confirmation page for future reference and records.
Important Advisory: Applicants are strongly advised to fill out the form with utmost care and accuracy, as only one application per candidate is permitted. Multiple submissions from the same individual will lead to automatic rejection.
Critical Notes and Future Implications
The apprenticeship training is designed to last for one full year and will be conducted under the provisions of the Apprentices Act, 1961. HPCL has explicitly clarified that successful completion of the apprenticeship program does not guarantee permanent employment within the company. It is a training opportunity aimed at skill development and practical exposure.
Candidates are encouraged to regularly monitor the official HPCL portal and the NATS website for any updates, notifications, or changes related to the recruitment process. Staying informed is crucial to ensure compliance with all procedural requirements.
