IREL Announces 131 Tradesman Trainee Vacancies for 2026: Key Details, Eligibility and Application Dates

IREL (India) Limited, a Miniratna Category-I Government of India undertaking operating under the Department of Atomic Energy, has released an official recruitment notification for 131 Tradesman Trainee positions. Interested and eligible candidates can submit their applications online under Advertisement No. CO/HRM/36/2026. The application window is open until November 9, 2026.

This recruitment drive covers multiple technical trades across several operational units located in states including Odisha, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.

Vacancy Distribution and Eligible Trades

The 131 notified vacancies are distributed across four specific technical trades:

• Fitter: 93 posts (the highest share among all listed trades)
• Attendant Operator Chemical Plant (AOCP)
• Electrician
• Instrumentation

Applicants are strictly permitted to apply for only one trade and select a single IREL unit or location. Applications submitted for multiple trades or units will face outright rejection.

Eligibility Criteria and Experience Requirements

Candidates must satisfy specific educational qualifications and post-qualification experience standards by the cutoff date of November 9, 2026:

• Educational Qualification: Applicants generally require an ITI or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) in the relevant trade. For the AOCP post, an alternative 10+2 Science route with Chemistry and a minimum of 50% aggregate marks is available. Regular employees of IREL may apply via a specialized SSC route with four years of operational experience.
• Experience: External applicants must possess two years of relevant post-qualification experience. Apprenticeship training completed under the Apprenticeship Act, 1961, counts toward this required experience. Teaching or research fellowship experience is not accepted.
• Age Limit: The maximum age limit is set at 35 years as of November 9, 2026, subject to permissible government category relaxations, ensuring that a candidate's age after relaxations does not exceed 50 years.

Training Stipend, Salary, and Career Progression

Selected candidates will undergo a one-year training period, during which they will receive a consolidated monthly stipend of Rs. 34,200. Trainees may also be eligible for House Rent Allowance (HRA) at applicable rates if company-provided bachelor accommodation is unavailable, alongside medical facilities.

Upon successfully completing the training program, candidates may be absorbed into regular employment as Tradesmen in the W-3 Grade, carrying a pay scale of Rs. 22,000–88,000. The approximated annual Cost to Company (CTC) upon regular absorption is roughly Rs. 6.5 lakh, which factors in potential allowances like HRA for Y-class cities and is not indicative of the in-hand training stipend.

Selection Process and Examination Structure

The recruitment process comprises a Computer Based Test (CBT), a qualifying Skill Test or Trade Test, and document verification.

• Computer Based Test: The CBT consists of 150 multiple-choice questions carrying 150 marks, structured into two main sections covering professional trade knowledge and general aptitude. The test has a duration of two hours with no negative marking. Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks independently in both sections.
• Skill Test: Shortlisting for the skill test occurs at a ratio of 1:5 based on CBT merit. Final merit lists are determined solely by CBT marks, provided the candidate qualifies the skill test.

Practical Implications and How to Verify

Job seekers planning to apply should carefully review the official guidelines to avoid disqualification due to multiple submissions or incorrect document formats.

• What is Confirmed: The total vacancy count (131), application dates (closing November 9, 2026), training stipend amount (Rs. 34,200), and the structure of the CBT examination are officially confirmed.
• What is Unknown: Exact chapter-wise technical syllabi and the precise dates for the CBT and skill tests have not been detailed in the primary announcement and will be communicated separately to registered candidates.
• How to Verify: Readers can review the original announcement, check detailed eligibility criteria, and complete online registration by visiting the official IREL Careers portal at [IREL Official Website](https://www.irel.co.in) or checking the reference posting on [FreeJobAlert](https://www.freejobalert.com/articles/irel-tradesman-trainee-recruitment-2026-3074241).