CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa has invited candidates for 27 Apprentice Trainee posts under the Apprenticeship Act, 1961, through Notification No. NIO/HRM/Apprenticeship/01/2026 dated 18 June 2026. There is no written application process - eligible candidates must register on the NATS portal and directly attend a walk-in interview on 6 July 2026 at CSIR-NIO Headquarters, Dona Paula, Goa, with reporting time between 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM.
CSIR-NIO Apprenticeship 2026 - Quick Summary
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | CSIR - National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Headquarters, Dona Paula, Goa |
| Notification Number | NIO/HRM/Apprenticeship/01/2026 |
| Notification Date | 18 June 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 27 (4 Technician Diploma + 23 Graduate Non-Engineering) |
| Selection Mode | Walk-In Interview (written exam only if candidates exceed proportion to vacancies) |
| Walk-In Interview Date | 6 July 2026 |
| Reporting Time | 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM |
| Venue | CSIR-NIO, Lok Bhavan Road, Dona Paula 403004, Goa (HRM Office) |
| Training Period | 1 Year |
| Stipend | Rs. 10,900/- p.m (Technician) and Rs. 12,300/- p.m (Graduate) |
| Mandatory Registration | NATS Portal (nats.education.gov.in) |
What Is the CSIR-NIO Apprenticeship Recruitment 2026?
Candidates wondering what this recruitment involves can note that it is a one-year apprenticeship training opportunity, not a regular job, offered by CSIR-NIO under the Apprenticeship Act, 1961. The institute is seeking Technician (Diploma) and Graduate (Non-Engineering Degree) holders to undergo structured on-the-job training across engineering, administrative, and oceanography-related functions at its Goa headquarters. Selection happens entirely through a walk-in interview, with no separate online application form to fill before the interview date.
Important Dates for CSIR-NIO Apprenticeship 2026
Candidates tracking the recruitment timeline should note that this notification has a single, fixed interview date rather than an application window. The notification was released on 18 June 2026, and the walk-in interview is scheduled for 6 July 2026, with candidates required to report between 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM; the interview itself begins at 10:15 AM for those who report on time.
| Event | Date / Time |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 18 June 2026 |
| Walk-In Interview Date | 6 July 2026 |
| Reporting Time | 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM |
| Interview Start Time | 10:15 AM (for candidates who reported before 10:00 AM) |
Candidates reporting after 10:00 AM will not be entertained under any circumstances, so arriving well within the reporting window is essential.
Vacancy Breakdown: 27 Apprentice Posts
Candidates checking how many posts are open in each trade can refer to the tables below, which list all positions under both the Technician (Diploma) and Graduate (Non-Engineering) categories. The largest single category is HR Management, Office Administration, Finance & Accounts, Stores & Purchase with 10 posts, followed by R&D in Oceanography with 9 posts.
Technician (Diploma) Apprenticeship - 4 Posts
| Trade | Vacancies | Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering | 01 | Rs. 10,900/- p.m |
| Electrical & Electronics Engineering | 01 | Rs. 10,900/- p.m |
| Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineering | 01 | Rs. 10,900/- p.m |
| Computer Engineering | 01 | Rs. 10,900/- p.m |
Graduate (Non-Engineering Degree) Apprenticeship - 23 Posts
| Trade | Vacancies | Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| HR Management, Office Administration, Finance & Accounts, Stores & Purchase | 10 | Rs. 12,300/- p.m |
| R&D in Oceanography | 09 | Rs. 12,300/- p.m |
| Library Sciences | 01 | Rs. 12,300/- p.m |
| Dispensary / Nursing | 01 | Rs. 12,300/- p.m |
| Guest House & Canteen Management | 01 | Rs. 12,300/- p.m |
| Desktop Publishing | 01 | Rs. 12,300/- p.m |
All 27 posts carry a training period of 1 year, and reservation for SC/ST/OBC(NCL)/PwBD/EWS will follow Apprentices Act guidelines, provided candidates produce the appropriate category certificate at the interview; otherwise they will be treated as General category if eligible.
Eligibility Criteria for CSIR-NIO Apprenticeship 2026
Candidates wondering whether they qualify for this apprenticeship can note that eligibility depends on the specific trade applied for, with separate qualification standards for Technician and Graduate apprentices. Both categories also share common conditions on passing year, prior apprenticeship history, and job experience that apply across all 27 posts.
Educational Qualification by Trade
- Civil Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineering, Computer Engineering: A three-year full-time Diploma in the relevant engineering discipline from a State Council/Board of Technical Education or recognized University/Institution.
- HR Management, Office Administration, Finance & Accounts, Stores & Purchase: Bachelor's degree in any discipline (B.A/B.B.A/B.Com/B.Sc or equivalent).
- R&D in Oceanography: Bachelor's degree in any science discipline such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany, Zoology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Environment Science, Marine Science, Geology, Computer Science, or IT.
- Library Sciences: Bachelor's Degree in Library and Information Science or equivalent from a UGC-recognized university.
- Dispensary/Nursing: B.Sc. in Nursing or equivalent.
- Guest House & Canteen Management: Bachelor's degree in Hotel Management or equivalent.
- Desktop Publishing: Bachelor's degree in Visual Arts, Photography, Videography, Visual Communication, or equivalent.
Other Eligibility Conditions
Beyond the academic qualification, CSIR-NIO has set additional conditions that apply uniformly to all applicants regardless of trade. Candidates who do not meet these conditions will not be considered, even if their educational qualification matches the post.
- Only candidates who passed their qualifying exam in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 are eligible.
- Candidates must have registered on the Apprenticeship Portal (NATS) and fulfilled the eligibility criteria to appear for the walk-in interview.
- Candidates should not have undergone or be currently undergoing apprenticeship training in CSIR or elsewhere.
- Candidates should not have one year or more of job experience in any role.
- Sandwich diplomas, private diplomas, and part-time/distance/short-term/certificate courses are not acceptable.
Age Limit
Candidates asking about the age criteria for this apprenticeship can note that the limit differs for Technician and Graduate apprentices, calculated as on the date of interview. Technician/Diploma apprentices must be between 18 and 24 years, while Graduate/Degree apprentices must be between 21 and 26 years, both as on 6 July 2026.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| PwBD (General) | 10 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| PwBD (OBC-NCL) | 13 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per extant Government of India rules |
Age relaxation is applicable only on production of a relevant certificate in the prescribed Government of India format, signed by the competent authority.
Stipend and Training Period
Candidates asking how much CSIR-NIO apprentices are paid can note that the stipend is fixed by category and does not vary by individual trade within that category. Technician (Diploma) apprentices receive Rs. 10,900/- per month, while Graduate (Non-Engineering Degree) apprentices receive Rs. 12,300/- per month, both for a training period of 1 year.
| Apprentice Category | Stipend | Training Period |
|---|---|---|
| Technician (Diploma) | Rs. 10,900/- p.m | 1 Year |
| Graduate (Non-Engineering Degree) | Rs. 12,300/- p.m | 1 Year |
On successful completion of training, apprentices will be awarded a National Apprenticeship Certificate by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT)/BOAT. CSIR-NIO has no obligation to offer regular employment after training, and apprentices cannot claim employment rights on the basis of completing the apprenticeship.
NATS Registration: A Mandatory First Step
Candidates wondering how to begin the application process should know there is no conventional application form; instead, registration on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal is compulsory before attending the interview. Candidates appearing for the walk-in interview must register on the NATS portal and quote their enrollment number in the application form submitted at the interview.
- Visit https://nats.education.gov.in/.
- Click on "Student - Student Register."
- Complete the registration form with accurate personal and educational details.
- A Unique Student Enrolment ID will be generated upon successful registration.
- Note down this enrollment number, as it is mandatory to mention in the application form at the walk-in interview.
Candidates who have already registered on NATS in the past do not need to register again but must carry their existing enrollment number.
How to Apply: Walk-In Interview Process
Since this recruitment does not involve online form submission, candidates must directly attend the walk-in interview with a complete set of documents and a filled application form. Below is the step-by-step process candidates should follow.
- Complete NATS registration and note the enrollment number.
- Download and fill the application form provided at the end of the official advertisement.
- Reach CSIR-NIO, Lok Bhavan Road, Dona Paula 403004, Goa (HRM Office) on 6 July 2026 between 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM.
- Carry the filled application form along with all original certificates and two sets of self-attested photocopies.
- Report to the Human Resource Management office for document verification and the interview process.
No TA/DA (travel allowance) will be provided for attending the interview, so candidates should plan their travel and stay independently.
Documents Required at the Walk-In Interview
Candidates preparing for the interview should carry a complete document set, since missing documents will lead to the candidature not being considered at all. CSIR-NIO requires both originals (for verification) and self-attested photocopies of all relevant testimonials.
- All certificates/testimonials related to educational qualifications, date of birth, and identity proof (e.g., SSLC/HSC/Birth Certificate).
- One passport-size photograph.
- Community/Category Certificate (for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwBD/EWS candidates, as applicable) in the prescribed Government of India format.
- Valid Aadhaar Card and Aadhaar number.
- NATS enrollment number/proof of registration.
- The duly filled application form along with mark sheets and relevant proof documents.
Failure to submit any of the required documents at the time of the walk-in interview will result in the candidature not being considered, regardless of academic eligibility.
Selection Process
Candidates curious about how CSIR-NIO will select apprentices can note that the primary mode is a direct walk-in interview, with a written test only triggered under specific conditions. Document verification happens at the interview itself, and selection is provisional until certificates are fully verified.
- Step 1 - Document Verification: Original and self-attested documents are checked at the walk-in interview venue.
- Step 2 - Interview: Eligible candidates are interviewed by the Selection Committee starting at 10:15 AM.
- Conditional Written Test: If the number of candidates is higher than what can be reasonably interviewed, the Selection Committee may conduct a written examination and shortlist candidates for personal interview in proportion to available vacancies.
- Final Selection: Engagement is provisional and subject to subsequent verification of certificates and testimonials; false or suppressed information at any stage can lead to cancellation or termination even after engagement.
Common Mistakes Candidates Should Avoid
Many candidates risk losing their interview opportunity due to avoidable preparation gaps rather than lack of qualification. Reviewing these common pitfalls in advance can help candidates attend the walk-in interview without last-minute issues.
- Skipping NATS registration before the interview: Since the enrollment number is mandatory on the application form, attending without completing NATS registration can lead to rejection at the venue itself.
- Arriving after the 10:00 AM reporting cut-off: CSIR-NIO has explicitly stated that candidates reporting after 10:00 AM will not be entertained, so late arrival means a wasted trip.
- Carrying incomplete document sets: Missing even one required certificate, such as the category certificate or Aadhaar card, can result in the candidature not being considered.
- Applying for engineering trades without engineering background or vice versa: Candidates appearing for trades other than those listed in the notification will not be entertained.
- Ignoring the passing year condition: Only candidates who passed their qualifying exam between 2022 and 2026 are eligible; older or pending qualifications make a candidate ineligible.
- Assuming TA/DA will be reimbursed: No travelling allowance is paid for attending the interview, so candidates should not expect reimbursement of travel expenses.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official CSIR-NIO Website | https://www.nio.res.in/ |
| NATS Registration Portal | https://nats.education.gov.in/ |
| Walk-In Interview Venue | CSIR-NIO, Lok Bhavan Road, Dona Paula 403004, Goa (Human Resource Management Office) |
