Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) has opened applications for 255 Stipendiary Trainee/Technician (ST/TN) posts at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) in Tamil Nadu. The online application window is now live, running from 15 July 2026 to 4 August 2026. This recruitment targets candidates with HSC/SSC qualifications and relevant ITI certificates, offering a structured 2-year training programme followed by absorption as Technician-B at Pay Level 3.
NPCIL Kudankulam Recruitment Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) |
| Project | Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) |
| Post Name | Stipendiary Trainee/Technician (ST/TN) |
| Total Vacancies | 255 |
| Advertisement Number | NPCIL/KKNPP/HRM/01/2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Job Location | Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu |
| Official Website | https://www.npcilcareers.co.in |
Important Dates for NPCIL Kudankulam Recruitment 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 15/07/2026, 10:00 AM |
| Application Last Date | 04/08/2026, 4:00 PM |
| Admit Card Release | To be notified |
| Examination Date | To be notified |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet specific educational requirements depending on the discipline applied for. NPCIL Kudankulam Recruitment 2026 has two main eligibility paths: one for Plant Operator posts requiring HSC with Science stream, and another for technical trades requiring SSC with ITI certification.
Educational Qualification
| Post/Discipline | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Stipendiary Trainee/Technician (Plant Operator) | HSC (10+2) with Science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) – minimum 50% aggregate marks. English as a subject at the SSC level is mandatory. |
| Stipendiary Trainee/Technician (Electronics Mechanic / Instrument Mechanic / Electrician / Fitter / Turner / Machinist / Welder) | SSC (10th) with minimum 50% marks in Science and Mathematics individually. 2-year ITI certificate in the relevant trade required. If ITI duration is less than 2 years, 1 year of relevant work experience after course completion is required. English as a subject at SSC level mandatory. |
Age Limit
| Category | Age Range | Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| General | 18 to 24 years | – |
| OBC (NCL) | 18 to 27 years | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 18 to 29 years | 5 years |
| PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) | 18 to 34 years | 10 years (cumulative if also OBC/SC/ST) |
Age relaxation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities is cumulative with category relaxation. A PwBD candidate from the SC category, for instance, receives both relaxations, resulting in a combined upper age limit of 39 years.
Project Affected Persons (PAP) Eligibility
NPCIL has announced relaxed eligibility criteria for Project Affected Persons whose land was acquired for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project:
- Plant Operator (PAP): Pass in HSC (12th Std) with a minimum of 40% marks in aggregate in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics). English must be studied at the SSC level.
- Technical Trades (PAP): Pass in SSC with Science, Mathematics, and English as subjects at the SSC level, plus a 2-year ITI certificate. If the ITI duration is less than 2 years, 1 year of relevant work experience after course completion is required.
PAP candidates receive 20% bonus marks at all stages of selection, applied to their aggregate score for Group C posts.
Who Should Consider This Recruitment?
- Candidates aged 18 to 24 years (with relaxation available for reserved categories) are within the eligibility window.
- Recent HSC (10+2) Science graduates can apply for the Plant Operator role without additional trade qualifications.
- ITI-certified technicians with SSC qualifications are eligible for the technical trades such as Electronics Mechanic, Electrician, Fitter, and Welder.
- Candidates from SC, ST, and OBC (NCL) categories receive age relaxation of 5, 5, and 3 years, respectively.
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities receive 10 years’ age relaxation in addition to category relaxation.
- Candidates whose land was acquired for the KKNPP project and who meet the minimum qualification criteria are eligible under the PAP category with bonus mark provisions.
NPCIL Stipendiary Trainee/Technician Vacancy Breakdown
| Category | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 85 |
| OBC (NCL) | 77 |
| SC | 54 |
| EWS | 20 |
| ST | 19 |
| Total | 255 |
Out of the 255 total vacancies, 11 positions are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities. Discipline-wise and trade-wise vacancy distribution, including backlog vacancies, will be detailed in the full advertisement published on npcilcareers.co.in and npcil.nic.in.
About the Stipendiary Trainee/Technician Role
Stipendiary Trainees at NPCIL work within one of India’s premier nuclear power generation facilities, handling plant operations, electrical systems, instrumentation, and mechanical maintenance in a highly regulated, safety-critical environment. The role combines hands-on technical work with operator responsibilities in a modern power plant setting. Selected trainees undergo a structured 2-year training programme under expert mentorship, covering both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies in nuclear power operations. Upon successful completion of training, candidates are absorbed as Technician-B at Pay Level 3 of the Central Government Pay Matrix, a Group C position that offers stable long-term employment, periodic pay increments, and standard government service benefits.
Pay Scale and Stipend Structure for Trainees
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| First Year Monthly Stipend | Rs. 20,000 |
| Second Year Monthly Stipend | Rs. 22,000 |
| One-time Book Allowance | Rs. 3,000 (payable during training) |
| Post-Training Absorption | Technician-B, Pay Level 3 |
| Basic Pay (Post-Training) | Rs. 21,700 plus applicable allowances |
Following the 2-year training period, successful trainees are appointed as Technician-B under Level-3 of the 7th Central Pay Commission matrix. The in-hand salary at this level typically ranges between Rs. 28,000 and Rs. 35,000 per month, depending on location, HRA entitlements, and other admissible allowances. During the training phase, no other allowances are provided apart from the stipend and book allowance.
How to Apply for NPCIL Kudankulam Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official NPCIL careers portal at https://www.npcilcareers.co.in or https://www.npcil.nic.in
- Locate the notification for NPCIL Kudankulam Recruitment 2026 (Advertisement No. NPCIL/KKNPP/HRM/01/2026)
- Review the detailed advertisement to confirm discipline-wise eligibility criteria and vacancy distribution
- Click the “Apply Online” link and register with your email and mobile number
- Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, ITI certification (if applicable), and category information accurately
- Upload a clear colour photograph and signature in the specified format and size
- Select the discipline and post for which you are applying
- Review all entered information carefully before final submission
- Submit the application form between 15 July 2026 (10:00 AM) and 04 August 2026 (4:00 PM) IST
- Save your application acknowledgement and registration number for future reference
Begin the application process well before the deadline to avoid portal congestion in the final hours.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying
- Selecting an incorrect discipline or trade – verify your ITI trade code matches the notified eligibility requirements exactly
- Uploading a photograph or signature outside the prescribed dimensions or file size – the form validation will reject incorrectly formatted uploads
- Entering the wrong category (General, OBC, SC, ST, or PAP) – most organisations do not allow category changes after submission
- Applying without verifying your SSC/HSC marks meet the minimum 50% aggregate threshold – ineligible candidates risk outright rejection during document verification
- Submitting the application in the final 30 minutes of the deadline – portal congestion and session timeouts frequently occur near the cutoff time
Important Instructions
- Candidates must be Indian citizens to be eligible for this recruitment.
- Only online applications submitted through npcilcareers.co.in or npcil.nic.in will be accepted; no offline application method is available.
- Any corrigendum, addendum, or clarification regarding this recruitment will be published exclusively on the official NPCIL websites.
- NPCIL is committed to fostering gender diversity in its workforce and actively encourages women candidates to apply.
- Candidates selected for training must be willing to relocate to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project site for the duration of the training programme.
What Happens After You Apply
- Application submission window closes on 04 August 2026, 4:00 PM IST
- Shortlisting of candidates based on educational qualifications and category (details to be published)
- Written examination or skill assessment (date and format to be notified separately)
- Document verification of selected candidates (schedule to be announced)
- Physical fitness test and medical examination (if applicable, dates to be notified)
- Final merit list publication and appointment offers
- Training programme commencement at KKNPP, Kudankulam
- Absorption as Technician-B following successful 2-year training completion
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Official Recruitment Notification PDF | Download Notification |
| Official NPCIL Careers Portal | Visit Portal |
| NPCIL Official Website | Visit Website |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the total number of vacancies in NPCIL Kudankulam Recruitment 2026, and how are they distributed by category?
Ans. NPCIL Kudankulam Recruitment 2026 offers 255 total vacancies. The category-wise distribution is: General (UR) – 85 posts, OBC (NCL) – 77 posts, SC – 54 posts, ST – 19 posts, and EWS – 20 posts. Additionally, 11 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). Discipline-wise breakdown will be detailed in the official notification.
Q2. I completed my ITI in a related trade, but it was a 1-year course. Am I eligible to apply for the technician roles?
Ans. Yes, you are eligible if you have completed a 1-year ITI course and possess at least 1 year of relevant work experience after completing the course. You must also have an SSC (10th) qualification with a minimum of 50% marks in Science and Mathematics individually, and English studied at the SSC level.
Q3. What is the age relaxation available for ST candidates, and how is it applied?
Ans. ST candidates are eligible for 5 years’ age relaxation over the general upper age limit. This means if the general upper age limit is 24 years, ST candidates can apply up to 29 years of age. If an ST candidate is also a Person with Benchmark Disability, they receive an additional 10 years’ relaxation, making their effective upper age limit 39 years.
Q4. What stipend will I receive during the 2-year training programme?
Ans. During the 2-year training period, you will receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 20,000 in the first year and Rs. 22,000 in the second year, plus a one-time book allowance of Rs. 3,000. No other allowances, such as HRA or dearness allowance, are admissible during the training phase. Upon successful completion and absorption as Technician-B, you will receive the full salary package at Pay Level 3.
Q5. Are Project Affected Persons (PAP) eligible for this recruitment, and what concessions do they receive?
Ans. Yes, Project Affected Persons whose land was acquired for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project are eligible under relaxed criteria. PAP candidates require only 40% marks in HSC (for Plant Operator) instead of 50%, and similar reductions for technical trades. Importantly, PAP candidates receive 20% bonus marks at all stages of selection, significantly improving their chances of selection. Consult the detailed notification for exact PAP eligibility conditions.
Q6. Is the application fee mentioned in the notification, and when will it be announced?
Ans. The application fee amount and applicable concessions for SC/ST/PwBD categories will be announced in the detailed advertisement on npcilcareers.co.in and npcil.nic.in. Candidates are advised to check the full notification once published to confirm the fee structure and payment modes accepted.
Q7. When will the admit card be released, and how will I know about the exam date?
Ans. The admit card release date and examination schedule have not been announced yet. These dates will be published separately on the official NPCIL websites (npcilcareers.co.in and npcil.nic.in). Candidates are advised to register their email and mobile number during the application to receive notifications about upcoming exam schedules and admit card availability.
Q8. Can I apply for multiple disciplines, or must I select only one trade?
Ans. The detailed notification will clarify the application rules regarding single or multiple trade applications. Candidates are strongly advised to review the full advertisement before submitting their application to understand whether they can apply for multiple disciplines or if they must restrict themselves to one post category.
Your Next Step
Eligible candidates must complete their online application through npcilcareers.co.in or npcil.nic.in on or before 04 August 2026, 4:00 PM IST. Following the application deadline, NPCIL will release the admit card and examination schedule on its official portals. Keep your registration number and credentials safe for downloading the admit card and checking results. Subscribe to MyNaukriAlert.com for timely notifications on NPCIL Kudankulam exam dates, admit card releases, result announcements, and future recruitment opportunities.
