MDL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – 495 Seats Across 18 Trades, Apply Online by 1 July

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), a Navratna Company under the Ministry of Defence, has released Advertisement No. MDL_ATS/01/2026 inviting online applications for 495 Trade Apprentice seats under the Apprentices Act 1961 for the intake year 2026. Applications open from 11 June 2026 (Thursday) and the last date to apply online is 01 July 2026 (Wednesday). The online examination is tentatively scheduled for 25 July 2026. All applications must be submitted through https://mazagondock.in.

MDL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Quick Summary

MDL is recruiting 495 Trade Apprentices posts including Fitter, Structural Fitter, Welder, Rigger, Draftsman and More with 8th, 10th, ITI pass qualification, last date 01 July 2026.

MDL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Important Dates

Candidates should note all key dates carefully. The application window for MDL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is open from 11 June to 01 July 2026, and the online examination is tentatively scheduled for 25 July 2026. All dates mentioned below are as per the official notification and are subject to updates on the MDL website.

The last date to apply online for MDL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is 01 July 2026. Candidates should complete both registration and fee payment within this window since modifications to the application are also permitted only up to this date.

MDL Trade Apprentice Vacancy Details – Group and Trade-wise Breakdown

MDL has notified 495 Trade Apprentice seats across three groups and 18 trades. Group A requires 10th Class, Group B requires ITI qualification, and Group C requires 8th Class as the minimum educational qualification. The age limit is reckoned as on 01 October 2026.

Group A – 10th Class Passed (Age: 15–19 years as on 01-10-2026, Training: 2 Years)

Group B – ITI Passed (Age: 16–21 years as on 01-10-2026, Training: 1 Year)

Group C – 8th Class Passed (Age: 14–18 years as on 01-10-2026)

The total number of Trade Apprentice seats notified by MDL for 2026 is 495. Women applicants will be given 30% horizontal reservation in the selection across all groups and categories. Persons with Disability (Divyang) reservation is horizontal within overall vacancies as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (minimum 40% benchmark disability certified by a Medical Board). Deaf and Hearing Impaired (HI) category applicants will be considered in the Pipe Fitter trade only.

MDL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for MDL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 depends on the group applied for - Group A, B, or C - and is assessed based on educational qualification marks as on 01 October 2026. ITI-passed candidates are not eligible for Group A and Group C; if discovered at any stage, their candidature will be cancelled without notice.

Group A – Educational Qualification

• Passed SSC (10th Class) with General Science and Mathematics.
• General / OBC / SEBC / EWS / Divyang / AFC: Minimum 50% aggregate marks.
• SC / ST: Passing class only (no minimum percentage).
• If qualifying criteria is best-of-5 subjects, General Science and Mathematics must be part of the curriculum and the candidate must have passed both subjects; otherwise the application will be rejected.
• Higher-qualified candidates may apply but eligibility will be based on SSC marks only.
• ITI-passed candidates are NOT eligible for Group A.

Group B – Educational Qualification

• Passed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government or Government-recognized Industrial Training Institute.
• General / OBC / SEBC / EWS / Divyang / AFC: Minimum 50% aggregate marks.
• SC / ST: Passing class only.
• Applicants in the semester system must have cleared all backlog papers of previous semesters, duly certified by the institute head.
• For Fitter Structural trade, applicants from the ITI Fitter trade can apply.
• Applicants appearing in the final ITI exam may apply but must pass the final exam on or before 01 October 2026. Candidates passing ITI after 01-10-2026 will not be considered.

Group C – Educational Qualification

• Passed 8th Standard (under 10+2 system) with Science and Mathematics.
• General / OBC / SEBC / EWS / Divyang / AFC: Minimum 50% aggregate marks.
• SC / ST: Passing class only.
• Higher-qualified candidates may apply but eligibility will be based on 8th Standard marks only.
• ITI-passed candidates are NOT eligible for Group C.

Age Limit (as on 01 October 2026)

Age Relaxation

• SC / ST: Upper age relaxed by 5 years
• OBC: Upper age relaxed by 3 years
• Divyang (PwD): Upper age relaxed by 10 years

Age relaxation is applicable as per Government Rules and is subject to submission of a valid certificate issued by the Competent Authority in the prescribed format.

Nationality

Candidates must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India. Candidates in the latter categories must hold an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.

MDL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Application Fee

MDL has prescribed a nominal application fee of Rs. 100/- (plus bank charges) for UR, OBC, SEBC, EWS, and AFC category candidates. SC, ST, and Divyang (PwD) candidates are fully exempted from the fee but must upload valid caste or disability certificates with their application, failing which the application will not be accepted. The fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances.

Stipend During Apprenticeship Training

Selected Trade Apprentices will receive a monthly stipend during their training period as per the Apprentices Act. The stipend amount is credited directly to the selected candidate's savings bank account via ECS (Electronic Clearing Service). No cheques will be issued by the company. Candidates must have a savings account in a Public Sector or Private Sector Scheduled Bank with ECS facility, and must also have a valid PAN Card - failing which, income tax will be deducted from the stipend as per prevailing rates.

No hostel accommodation will be provided by MDL. Candidates must make their own residential arrangements. Apprentices will be entitled to leave and holidays during training as per the Apprentices Act.

MDL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Selection Process

Selection for MDL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is carried out in three stages: an Online Examination (CBT), followed by Document Verification and Trade Allotment, and finally a Medical Examination. Candidates are shortlisted based on merit in the online exam and there is no interview. The tentative date for the online exam is 25 July 2026.

Stage 1 – Online Examination (Computer Based Test – CBT)

The CBT consists of 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 2 hours. The syllabus differs by group:

Note for COPA trade (Group B): 75 questions will be from Trade Theory and 25 from English & GK.

Examination Centres

Candidates can choose two preferred centres from the following tentative list while applying: Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad), Nagpur, Latur, Kolhapur, and Nashik. MDL reserves the right to cancel, add, or change examination centres. No requests for centre change will be entertained after submission.

Stage 2 – Document Verification and Trade Allotment

Candidates securing the highest marks in the CBT (group and category wise) will be called for document verification and trade allotment on the same day. Candidates must bring all original documents for age, caste, educational qualification, and other relevant certificates. Absence of originals will result in immediate cancellation of candidature. During Trade Allotment, candidates will be offered available trades based on merit order. Absence at allotment or non-acceptance of the available merit seat will lead to rejection. Once a trade is accepted, no change will be permitted. Contract Registration must be filled in the presence of the candidate's mother, father, or guardian.

Stage 3 – Medical Examination

Shortlisted candidates must be medically fit as per the Apprentices Rules 1992. If a specialist opinion (X-ray, blood test, etc.) is required, the cost will be borne by the candidate. Joining for apprenticeship is subject to declaration of fitness by the Medical Officer.

How to Apply

All applications for MDL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 must be submitted exclusively online through the MDL official website. There is no offline application process. The registration window is open from 11 June 2026 to 01 July 2026.

1. Visit the official MDL website at https://mazagondock.in.
2. Navigate to Careers → Online Recruitment → Apprentice.
3. Click on "Create New Account" to register as a new user. Note your login credentials immediately.
4. Log in to your account and fill in the application form completely and correctly.
5. Upload all required documents including educational qualification certificates and caste/disability certificate (if applicable).
6. Children of Armed Forces Personnel must upload a copy of the parent's Service Certificate; otherwise, the application will be considered under the General category.
7. Pay the application fee of Rs. 100/- + bank charges online (if applicable). SC, ST, and Divyang candidates must upload their valid certificate instead.
8. Select your two preferred examination centres from the available list.
9. If you wish to use a scribe during the exam, indicate this in the online application form itself. No subsequent request will be entertained.
10. Submit the application before 01 July 2026. Applications can be edited/modified until this date.

For registration help, contact: [email protected] or call 022-23764151 / 4155.

Document Requirements

Candidates must upload the following documents during the online application. At the time of document verification (Stage 2), all originals must be produced. Missing originals will result in immediate disqualification.

• Educational qualification certificate and mark sheets (10th / 8th / ITI as applicable)
• Caste certificate in the prescribed format issued by the Competent Authority (for SC/ST/OBC/SEBC/EWS candidates)
• Valid Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate for OBC candidates
• Disability certificate (for Divyang candidates) - mandatory upload; if not attached, application will be treated as General category
• Service Certificate of parent for children of Armed Forces Personnel (AFC) - mandatory upload; if not attached, application will be treated as General category
• Age proof document
• PAN Card (mandatory for stipend credit; income tax will be deducted if unavailable)
• Savings bank account details in a Scheduled Bank (Public or Private sector) with ECS facility

Important: School Leaving Certificate or Birth Certificate will NOT be accepted as proof of caste.

After selection, candidates must also register on the National Apprenticeship Portal at https://www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in and submit a Police Verification Report (PVR) issued by the Commissioner of Police/Superintendent of Police of their area of residence within three weeks of joining. Failure to submit the PVR will lead to cancellation of admission.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many candidates lose their candidature due to avoidable errors in the MDL apprentice application process. The following guidance will help ensure your application is complete and correctly submitted.

• ITI-passed candidates applying for Group A or C: This is explicitly prohibited. If discovered at any stage, the candidature will be cancelled without notice. Verify your group eligibility before applying.
• Not uploading caste/disability certificate for fee-exempt categories: SC, ST, and Divyang candidates who skip document upload will find their fee exemption rejected and their application treated as General category. Upload the certificate before final submission.
• Leaving the scribe request for later: If you need a scribe for the online examination, it must be indicated in the online application form itself. Requests submitted after application submission will not be considered.
• Not clearing ITI backlogs before 01 October 2026: Group B applicants appearing in their final ITI exam must pass on or before 01-10-2026. Passing after this date makes them ineligible regardless of application submission.
• Not saving login credentials: After creating a new account at mazagondock.in, note your User ID and password immediately. Recovery options on the last day can be slow and cause missed deadlines.
• Applying on the last day: The portal may experience high traffic close to 01 July 2026. Apply and pay the fee well in advance to avoid server errors or failed transactions.
• Not opening a savings bank account with ECS before joining: Stipends are paid only via ECS to a Scheduled Bank savings account. No cheques are issued. Open the account early to avoid disruption in stipend payments.
• Forgetting to register on apprenticeshipindia.gov.in after selection: Registration on the National Apprenticeship Portal is mandatory for selected candidates. This is a separate step from the MDL application process.
• Not obtaining a PAN Card in time: Without a valid PAN Card, income tax will be deducted from your monthly stipend. Obtain it from the relevant authority as early as possible.

MDL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Important Links