TNSTC Apprentice Recruitment : The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), along with the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), Chennai, and the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC), Tamil Nadu, has officially released the Apprentice Recruitment 2026–27 Notification under the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Act, 1973. This recruitment drive aims to engage eligible Graduate Engineering, Diploma Engineering, and Non-Engineering Graduate candidates for one year of apprenticeship training across various TNSTC regions in Tamil Nadu.
According to the official notification, applications are invited from candidates who passed their qualifying examinations during 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or May 2026 and belong to Tamil Nadu. The apprenticeship training will be conducted in TNSTC Villupuram, Kumbakonam, Salem, Madurai, Tirunelveli, MTC Chennai, and SETC Tamil Nadu. Selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend of ₹12,300 for Graduate Apprentices and ₹10,900 for Diploma Apprentices during the one-year training period.
This recruitment is an excellent opportunity for fresh graduates and diploma holders to gain practical industrial experience in one of Tamil Nadu’s largest public transport organizations. Apprentices will receive hands-on training under experienced professionals, helping them improve their technical knowledge and prepare for future career opportunities.
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TNSTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026–27 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), MTC & SETC |
| Recruitment | Apprentice Recruitment 2026–27 |
| Training Type | Apprenticeship Training |
| Total Training Slots | 1,518 |
| Training Duration | One Year |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Online Application Starts | 28 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 28 August 2026 |
| Selection Process | Merit List & Certificate Verification |
Total Training Slots
The recruitment includes apprenticeship opportunities under three categories.
| Category | Training Slots |
|---|---|
| Graduate Engineering Apprentices | 457 |
| Diploma (Technician) Apprentices | 438 |
| Non-Engineering Graduate Apprentices | 623 |
| Grand Total | 1,518 |
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Graduate Engineering Apprentice Vacancy Details
Graduate Engineering Apprentices are invited from candidates holding First Class B.E./B.Tech degrees in the relevant disciplines.
| Corporation | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| TNSTC Villupuram | 100 |
| TNSTC Kumbakonam | 51 |
| TNSTC Salem | 48 |
| TNSTC Madurai | 20 |
| TNSTC Tirunelveli | 70 |
| MTC Chennai | 100 |
| SETC Tamil Nadu | 68 |
| Total | 457 |
Diploma Apprentice Vacancy Details
Candidates possessing a regular Diploma in Engineering can apply for Technician Apprentice training.
| Corporation | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| TNSTC Villupuram | 40 |
| TNSTC Kumbakonam | 123 |
| TNSTC Salem | 45 |
| TNSTC Madurai | 51 |
| TNSTC Tirunelveli | 26 |
| MTC Chennai | 138 |
| SETC Tamil Nadu | 68 |
| Total | 438 |
Non-Engineering Graduate Apprentice Vacancy Details
Candidates holding regular degrees such as BA, B.Sc., B.Com., BBA, BBM, BCA, and other approved disciplines are eligible under this category.
| Corporation | Training Slots |
|---|---|
| TNSTC Villupuram | 100 |
| TNSTC Kumbakonam | 251 |
| TNSTC Madurai | 37 |
| TNSTC Tirunelveli | 93 |
| MTC Chennai | 62 |
| SETC Tamil Nadu | 80 |
| Total | 623 |
Educational Qualification
Candidates must satisfy the educational qualification prescribed for the respective apprenticeship category before applying. The qualification requirements are as follows:
Category I – Graduate Engineering Apprentices
Applicants must possess a First Class B.E./B.Tech Degree (Regular Full-Time) in the relevant engineering discipline from a recognized university or institution. Equivalent qualifications recognized by the Central or State Government are also accepted.
Category II – Diploma (Technician) Apprentices
Candidates should have completed a Regular Full-Time Diploma in Engineering or Technology from a recognized State Board, University, or institution in the relevant discipline.
Category III – Non-Engineering Graduate Apprentices
Applicants must possess a Regular Full-Time Degree in disciplines such as:
- BA
- B.Sc.
- B.Com.
- BBA
- BBM
- BCA
- Other UGC-approved equivalent degrees
The degree should be obtained from a recognized university or deemed university.
Age Limit
The official notification states that the age limit will be governed as per the Apprenticeship Rules. Candidates should ensure that they satisfy the age requirements applicable under the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Act, 1973.
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Monthly Stipend
Selected apprentices will receive the following monthly stipend during the training period:
| Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentices (Engineering & Non-Engineering) | ₹12,300 |
| Diploma (Technician) Apprentices | ₹10,900 |
The stipend will be paid throughout the one-year apprenticeship training period.
Reservation
Reservation of apprenticeship training slots will be provided as per the provisions of the Apprentices Act.
Reservation is available for:
- SC
- ST
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
- PwD
Candidates claiming reservation must produce valid certificates in the prescribed Government format during certificate verification. If the required documents are not submitted, the candidate will be treated under the General category.
Training Duration
The apprenticeship training will be conducted for a period of one year under the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Act, 1973. During this period, apprentices will receive practical industrial training in their respective disciplines at the allotted TNSTC, MTC, or SETC unit.
Eligibility Conditions
Candidates should note the following important conditions before applying:
- Only candidates who passed during 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or May 2026 are eligible.
- Applicants should belong to Tamil Nadu.
- Candidates who have already completed apprenticeship training under the Apprenticeship Act are not eligible.
- Candidates having one year or more work experience are also not eligible to apply.
Selection Process
Selection will be carried out in the following stages:
- Shortlisting based on marks obtained in the qualifying examination.
- Publication of shortlisted candidates.
- Certificate Verification.
- Final selection.
The Board of Apprenticeship Training (Southern Region) will prepare the merit list based on the percentage of marks obtained in the prescribed qualification. Shortlisted candidates will receive intimation through their registered email ID and must attend certificate verification at the TNSTC Trichy Region Office.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Starts | 28 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 28 August 2026 |
| Shortlist Release | Second Week of September 2026 |
| Certificate Verification | Fourth Week of September 2026 (Tentative) |
How to Apply Online
Candidates must submit their applications through the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) Portal. Depending on whether they have already registered on the old portal, the new portal, or are applying for the first time, the registration process varies slightly. After completing registration, candidates should log in, search for the respective TNSTC, MTC, or SETC establishment, and click “Apply” to complete the application process.
Follow these steps:
- Visit the NATS Portal and complete student registration if you are a new user.
- Log in using your registered Email ID and password.
- Complete your student profile and obtain your Enrollment Number.
- Under “Apply Against Advertised Vacancies”, search for the relevant organization:
- TNSTC Villupuram
- TNSTC Kumbakonam
- TNSTC Salem
- TNSTC Madurai
- TNSTC Tirunelveli
- MTC Chennai
- SETC Tamil Nadu
- Click Apply and verify that the application status changes to Applied.
- Upload the required educational documents and ensure that the percentage of marks or CGPA × 10 is correctly entered on the NATS portal.
- Submit the application before the last date and keep a copy of the confirmation for future reference.
Documents Required
Candidates should keep the following documents ready while applying online:
- B.E./B.Tech Degree Certificate or Provisional Certificate
- Diploma Certificate (for Diploma candidates)
- BA/B.Sc./B.Com./BBA/BCA or equivalent Degree Certificate
- Consolidated Mark Sheet
- Recent Passport-size Photograph
- Aadhaar Card or other valid ID proof
- Community Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL), if applicable
- PwD Certificate, if applicable
- Valid Email ID and Mobile Number
These documents will also be required during certificate verification.
Important Instructions
Before applying, candidates should remember the following:
- Only online applications submitted through the NATS portal will be accepted.
- Incomplete or incorrect applications will be rejected.
- No TA/DA will be paid for attending certificate verification.
- No boarding or lodging expenses will be provided.
- Completion of the apprenticeship training does not guarantee employment in TNSTC, MTC, or SETC.
- Canvassing or attempting to influence the selection process will result in disqualification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many apprenticeship training slots are available?
A total of 1,518 apprenticeship training slots have been announced.
2. Who can apply for this recruitment?
Candidates from Tamil Nadu who passed eligible qualifications during 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or May 2026 can apply, subject to the prescribed eligibility criteria.
3. What is the monthly stipend?
Graduate Apprentices (Engineering and Non-Engineering) will receive ₹12,300 per month, while Diploma Apprentices will receive ₹10,900 per month.
4. What is the last date to apply?
The last date to submit the online application is 28 August 2026.
5. What is the selection process?
Selection is based on marks obtained in the qualifying examination, followed by certificate verification for shortlisted candidates.
6. Will apprentices get a permanent job after training?
No. The notification clearly states that TNSTC, MTC, and SETC are under no obligation to offer employment after the completion of the apprenticeship period.