The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) has officially released the TNSTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification for 1,518 Apprentice vacancies under the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Act, 1973. The recruitment covers Graduate Engineering Apprentices, Diploma (Technician) Apprentices, and Non-Engineering Graduate Apprentices across various TNSTC regions, Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) Chennai, and State Express Transport Corporation (SETC).
The online application process began on 28 July 2026 and will continue until 28 August 2026 through the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) Portal. Candidates who completed their qualifying degree or diploma during 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or May 2026 and meet the prescribed eligibility conditions can apply online. Selection will be based purely on academic performance, followed by certificate verification.
TNSTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Overview
Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation is offering apprenticeship training opportunities for fresh graduates and diploma holders across multiple transport corporations in Tamil Nadu. Selected candidates will undergo one year of apprenticeship training and receive a monthly stipend as per Government of India apprenticeship norms.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), MTC Chennai & SETC |
| Post Name | Graduate Apprentice, Technician (Diploma) Apprentice, Graduate Apprentice (Non-Engineering) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,518 |
| Training Type | Apprenticeship (One Year) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Portal | NATS Portal |
| Application Start Date | 28 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 28 August 2026 |
| Selection Process | Merit-Based Shortlisting + Certificate Verification |
| Official Website | nats.education.gov.in |
TNSTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
Candidates should complete the online application well before the closing date to avoid last-minute technical issues.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Starts | 28 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 28 August 2026 |
| Shortlisted Candidates List | Second Week of September 2026 |
| Certificate Verification | Fourth Week of September 2026 (Tentative) |
TNSTC Apprentice Vacancy 2026 Details
TNSTC has announced 1,518 apprenticeship training slots under three different categories.
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice (Engineering) | 457 |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma) | 438 |
| Graduate Apprentice (Non-Engineering) | 623 |
| Total | 1,518 |
Note: The number of apprenticeship slots may increase or decrease depending on organisational requirements.
Graduate Apprentice (Engineering) – 457 Posts
Eligible disciplines include:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Automobile Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical & Electronics Engineering
- Computer Science Engineering
- Information Technology
Technician (Diploma) Apprentice – 438 Posts
Eligible diploma disciplines include:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Automobile Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical & Electronics Engineering
- Computer Science Engineering
- Information Technology
Graduate Apprentice (Non-Engineering) – 623 Posts
Eligible degree holders include:
- BA
- B.Sc
- B.Com
- BBA
- BBM
- BCA
- Other UGC-recognised regular degree programmes
The apprenticeship opportunities are available across:
- TNSTC Villupuram
- TNSTC Kumbakonam
- TNSTC Salem
- TNSTC Madurai
- TNSTC Tirunelveli
- MTC Chennai
- SETC Tamil Nadu
TNSTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy all eligibility requirements prescribed in the official notification before submitting the online application.
Educational Qualification
The qualification required depends on the apprenticeship category.
| Category | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice (Engineering) | Full-time B.E./B.Tech Degree in the relevant Engineering or Technology discipline with First Class from a recognised University |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma) | Full-time Diploma in Engineering or Technology from a recognised institution |
| Graduate Apprentice (Non-Engineering) | Full-time Bachelor’s Degree such as BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA, BBM, BCA or equivalent from a UGC-recognised University |
Additional Eligibility Conditions
Applicants must also satisfy the following conditions:
- Candidates should have passed the qualifying examination in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or May 2026.
- Applicants must belong to Tamil Nadu.
- Only candidates possessing regular full-time qualifications are eligible.
- Candidates who have already completed apprenticeship training under the Apprenticeship Act are not eligible.
- Candidates with one year or more of work experience after obtaining the qualification are not eligible.
TNSTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Age Limit
The official notification states that the age criteria will be governed by the provisions of the Apprenticeship Rules.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | As per Apprenticeship Rules |
| Maximum Age | As per Apprenticeship Rules |
No specific minimum or maximum age has been mentioned in the notification.
TNSTC Apprentice Salary 2026
Selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend during the apprenticeship period.
| Apprentice Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice (Engineering) | ₹12,300 |
| Graduate Apprentice (Non-Engineering) | ₹12,300 |
| Technician (Diploma) Apprentice | ₹10,900 |
The apprenticeship training duration is one year.
TNSTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Selection Process
Selection is completely merit-based. There is no written examination or interview.
The selection process includes:
- Shortlisting based on the percentage of marks obtained in the qualifying examination.
- Publication of shortlisted candidates on the NATS Portal.
- Certificate Verification for shortlisted candidates.
- Final selection after successful verification of documents.
Candidates shortlisted for certificate verification will receive communication through their registered email ID.
Documents Required
Applicants should keep the following documents ready while applying online:
- Degree or Diploma Provisional Certificate
- Consolidated Mark Sheet
- Percentage or CGPA Conversion Certificate (if applicable)
- Community/Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- PwBD Certificate (if applicable)
- Aadhaar Card or any valid Identity Proof
- Passport-size Photograph
- Signature
- Any other document specified in the official notification
CareerAlert24 Insight
The TNSTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is an excellent opportunity for fresh graduates and diploma holders looking to gain practical industry experience in one of Tamil Nadu’s largest public transport organisations. Since selection is based entirely on academic performance, candidates with higher marks have a better chance of being shortlisted. Applicants should ensure that all educational details entered on the NATS portal are accurate and submit their applications well before the closing date to avoid last-minute issues.
How to Apply for TNSTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates must submit their applications through the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) Portal. Applications through any other mode will not be accepted.
For Candidates Already Registered on the NATS Portal
- Visit the official NATS portal.
- Click on Student Login.
- If you have forgotten your password, use the Forgot Password option to reset it.
- Log in using your registered email ID and password.
- Navigate to Apply Against Advertised Vacancies.
- Search for the relevant TNSTC, MTC Chennai, or SETC organisation.
- Select the desired apprenticeship opportunity.
- Verify your profile details and upload the required documents if necessary.
- Submit the application.
- Ensure the application status changes to Applied.
For First-Time Applicants
- Visit the official NATS portal.
- Click on Student Registration.
- Complete the registration process using your educational details.
- Obtain the unique enrolment number generated after registration.
- Log in to the portal using your registered credentials.
- Search for the respective TNSTC, MTC, or SETC apprenticeship notification.
- Fill in all the required details carefully.
- Upload the necessary educational documents.
- Submit the application successfully.
- Save or print the confirmation page for future reference.
Important Instructions
Candidates should carefully follow these instructions before applying:
- Only online applications submitted through the NATS portal will be accepted.
- Ensure that all educational details match the original certificates.
- Applicants must enter the correct percentage or CGPA conversion wherever required.
- Incomplete or incorrect applications are liable to be rejected.
- Shortlisted candidates must attend certificate verification with original documents.
- No TA or DA will be provided for certificate verification.
- Completion of apprenticeship training does not guarantee permanent employment.
- Candidates should regularly check their registered email and the NATS portal for updates.
- Any attempt to influence the selection process will lead to disqualification.
TNSTC MTC SETC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A total of 1,518 apprenticeship vacancies have been announced.
The last date to submit the online application is 28 August 2026.
Selection is based on:
Merit prepared from qualifying examination marks
Certificate Verification
There is no written examination or interview.
Graduate Apprentices: ₹12,300 per month
Diploma (Technician) Apprentices: ₹10,900 per month
The official notification does not mention any application fee for applying through the NATS portal.
The notification specifies that applicants should hail from Tamil Nadu and satisfy all eligibility conditions.
No. This is a one-year apprenticeship training programme and does not guarantee regular employment after completion.
Certificate verification is tentatively scheduled at the TNSTC Trichy Region Office during the fourth week of September 2026.
Why You Should Apply
The TNSTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 offers a valuable opportunity for fresh graduates and diploma holders to gain hands-on experience in Tamil Nadu’s public transport sector. With 1,518 apprenticeship positions, attractive monthly stipends, and a selection process based purely on academic merit, eligible candidates should submit their applications before 28 August 2026. Carefully review the eligibility criteria, complete your NATS registration, and keep all required documents ready to avoid delays during the application and verification process.