Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Apprentice Recruitment 2026 has been officially released for 1,518 apprenticeship training slots across three categories: Graduate Engineering, Diploma Engineering, and Non-Engineering Graduate. The recruitment is open to Tamil Nadu domiciled candidates who passed their qualifying degree or diploma during 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or May 2026. Applications are accepted online through the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal until 28/08/2026. Selected apprentices will earn a monthly stipend of ₹12,300 (Graduate) or ₹10,900 (Diploma), with training conducted across seven regional divisions of the three transport corporations.
With only 30 days remaining until the application deadline, candidates meeting the eligibility criteria should complete their online registration without delay.
TNSTC MTC SETC Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27 – Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organizations | TNSTC Villupuram, Kumbakonam, Salem, Madurai, Tirunelveli; MTC Chennai; SETC Tamil Nadu Ltd |
| Post Name | Graduate Apprentice (Engineering), Technician (Diploma) Apprentice, Graduate Apprentice (Non-Engineering) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,518 |
| Advt No. | BOAT Southern Region 2026-27 |
| Application Mode | Online (NATS Portal) |
| Job Location | Tamil Nadu (Multiple Regions) |
| Official Website | https://www.nats.education.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 28/07/2026 |
| Application Start Date | 28/07/2026 |
| Application Last Date | 28/08/2026 |
| Shortlist Publication Date | Second week of September 2026 |
| Certificate Verification Date | Fourth week of September 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates with a degree or diploma in the relevant discipline, passed during 2022-May 2026, are eligible. The qualification must be regular full-time from a recognised university or institution. Candidates must be domiciled in Tamil Nadu and cannot have completed or be undergoing any prior apprenticeship under the Apprenticeship Act 1973.
As per the Board of Apprenticeship Training Southern Region notification, age limits follow the standard Apprenticeship Rules; specific minimum and maximum age thresholds are not separately stipulated in the recruitment notice.
| Category | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice (Engineering) | B.E./B.Tech in any engineering discipline (First Class) from a Statutory University, Parliament-empowered institution, or recognised professional body |
| Technician (Diploma) Apprentice | Diploma in Engineering/Technology (Regular Full-time) from a State Council/Board of Technical Education or recognised equivalent |
| Graduate Apprentice (Non-Engineering) | BA/BSc/BCom/BBA/BBM/BCA or equivalent (Regular Full-time) from a UGC-approved Statutory or Deemed University |
Not Eligible: Candidates who have already completed an apprenticeship, are currently undergoing apprenticeship training, or possess one or more years of relevant work experience cannot apply.
TNSTC MTC SETC Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27 – Vacancy Breakdown
Category I: Graduate Apprentices (Engineering) – 457 Vacancies
| Corporation | Mechanical/Automobile | Civil | Electrical & Electronics | CSE/IT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TNSTC Villupuram | 40 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 100 |
| TNSTC Kumbakonam | 51 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 51 |
| TNSTC Salem | 45 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 48 |
| TNSTC Madurai | 18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 |
| TNSTC Tirunelveli | 66 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 70 |
| MTC Chennai | 80 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 100 |
| SETC Tamil Nadu | 60 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 68 |
| Total | 360 | 26 | 41 | 30 | 457 |
Category II: Technician (Diploma) Apprentices – 438 Vacancies
| Corporation | Mechanical/Automobile | Civil | Electrical & Electronics | CSE/IT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TNSTC Villupuram | 10 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 40 |
| TNSTC Kumbakonam | 123 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 123 |
| TNSTC Salem | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| TNSTC Madurai | 48 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 51 |
| TNSTC Tirunelveli | 22 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| MTC Chennai | 80 | 10 | 10 | 38 | 138 |
| SETC Tamil Nadu | 60 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 68 |
| Total | 338 | 20 | 30 | 53 | 438 |
Category III: Graduate Apprentices (Non-Engineering) – 623 Vacancies
| Corporation | Slots |
|---|---|
| TNSTC Villupuram | 100 |
| TNSTC Kumbakonam | 251 |
| TNSTC Madurai | 37 |
| TNSTC Tirunelveli | 93 |
| MTC Chennai | 62 |
| SETC Tamil Nadu | 80 |
| Total | 623 |
Note: TNSTC Salem has no vacancies in the Non-Engineering category. The corporations reserve the right to adjust vacancy numbers as per operational requirements.
About the Apprenticeship Role
State transport corporations across India use apprenticeship schemes to develop operational and technical talent for the future public sector workforce. These roles span mechanical maintenance, civil infrastructure, electrical systems, information technology, and general administration-each requiring a structured 12-month or longer hands-on training program. As a transport-sector apprentice, you will work under the supervision of experienced professionals, learning real-world operations while earning a fixed monthly stipend and gaining a recognised qualification that enhances your employability in public transport, logistics, and related government sectors. The apprenticeship combines classroom instruction with on-the-job application, preparing you for potential future government employment opportunities.
Monthly Stipend and Benefits
| Component | Graduate Apprentices (Engineering & Non-Engineering) | Diploma/Technician Apprentices |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Stipend | ₹12,300 | ₹10,900 |
The stipend is provided throughout the apprenticeship training period as per the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Act, 1973. No travel allowance (TA) or daily allowance (DA) is paid for certificate verification attendance, and no boarding or lodging expenses are reimbursable.
Selection Process
Recruitment proceeds through two stages:
Stage 1: Shortlisting (Merit-Based) The Board of Apprenticeship Training (Southern Region) shortlists candidates based solely on the percentage of marks achieved in the qualifying qualification (degree or diploma) relevant to each discipline. Shortlisted candidates are notified via their registered email address, and the final list is published on the NATS portal under Regional Events → BOAT Southern Region → Apprenticeship News.
Stage 2: Certificate Verification (Qualifying). All shortlisted candidates must attend certificate verification at the TNSTC Trichy Region office during the fourth week of September 2026 (exact dates to be notified). This stage confirms the authenticity of educational credentials and ensures candidates meet the baseline eligibility requirements. Original documents must be produced for verification.
Documents Required
During online application and certificate verification, you will need:
- Provisional Certificate or Consolidated Mark Sheet of the qualifying degree/diploma
- Marks percentage or CGPA (mandatory entry on the NATS portal)
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD), only if claiming reservation
- Valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, or Driving License) for verification purposes
Complete post-wise eligibility requirements and detailed document specifications are available in the official notification PDF.
Important Instructions
- No travel or daily allowance (TA/DA) is paid for certificate verification attendance. Plan your own transport to the TNSTC Trichy Region office.
- Boarding and lodging expenses are not reimbursable. Arrange your own accommodation if required.
- Completion of the apprenticeship does not guarantee employment. The corporations have no obligation to offer a permanent job; you cannot claim employment rights solely on the grounds of completing the program.
- Incomplete or erroneous online applications submitted after 28/08/2026 will be rejected. No further communication or correction opportunity is provided.
- The Board of Apprenticeship Training (Southern Region) has not authorised any individual, agent, or organisation to represent it. Beware of touts offering to “facilitate” your application; no such intermediaries exist.
- Canvassing, pressuring, or exerting influence through any channel will result in automatic disqualification and removal from official records without prior notice.
- For enrollment verification or clarification, contact nats-support@nats.education.gov.in.
TNSTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Official Notification | Download Notification |
| Apply on NATS Portal | Apply Now |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. I completed my degree in May 2026. Can I apply for this apprenticeship?
Ans. Yes. The notification explicitly includes candidates who passed their qualifying degree or diploma in May 2026. Ensure you upload your provisional mark sheet or result letter along with your marks percentage on the NATS portal.
Q2. I have one year of work experience in mechanical engineering. Am I eligible to apply?
Ans. No. Candidates with one or more years of relevant work experience are explicitly ineligible. Additionally, if you have completed or are currently undergoing any apprenticeship under the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Act 1973, you cannot apply.
Q3. Which corporation should I apply to if I want to work in Chennai?
Ans. Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) Chennai has 100 vacancies for Graduate Engineering Apprentices (Mechanical: 80, Civil: 10, Electrical: 10) and 138 vacancies for Diploma Technician Apprentices. When applying, select “METROPOLITAN TRANSPORT CORPORATION CHENNAI LTD” from the corporation dropdown on the NATS portal.
Q4. What happens if my application is incomplete when I submit it?
Ans. The NATS portal allows you to save your application as a draft and complete it before 28/08/2026. However, if you submit an incomplete application (missing marks percentage or CGPA) after the deadline, it will be rejected with no opportunity to correct it.
Q5. Are non-Tamil Nadu candidates eligible to apply?
Ans. No. The notification restricts eligibility to Tamil Nadu domiciled candidates only. You must have a valid address proof establishing domicile in Tamil Nadu.
Q6. What is the selection process if I score the same marks as another candidate?
Ans. The notification does not specify tie-breaking criteria. If you are borderline in the shortlist, contact nats-support@nats.education.gov.in to clarify how ties are resolved (typically by date of birth or enrollment date).
Q7. Can I defer my apprenticeship training to a later date if I am shortlisted?
Ans. The notification does not mention deferment provisions. Shortlisted candidates are expected to report on the notified joining date. For any special circumstance, contact the respective corporation or the BOAT support email.
Q8. Is the monthly stipend ₹12,300 before or after deductions?
Ans. The notification states the stipend as ₹12,300 per month for graduates and ₹10,900 for diploma holders; it does not specify whether this is gross or net. Standard government stipends are subject to statutory deductions (income tax, if applicable, and any other mandated withholdings). Clarify the exact take-home amount with the corporation upon joining.
