HPCL Graduate Apprentice Trainees Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 250 Posts

HPCL Refineries Division Graduate Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), specifically its highly esteemed Refineries Division, has opened its doors for the 2026-27 batch of Graduate Apprentice Trainees. This distinct recruitment drive targets filling 250 apprenticeship vacancies specifically stationed at the massive Mumbai Refinery (Maharashtra) and the Visakh Refinery (Andhra Pradesh). For young engineering graduates aiming to build a core technical career in downstream petroleum operations, this is the perfect launchpad. Through this one-year program under the Apprentices Act, 1961, HPCL intends to hone the practical skills of fresh minds, equipping them with industry-ready knowledge.

Why Choose the HPCL Refineries Division?

The Refineries Division of HPCL is the heartbeat of its petroleum production. The Mumbai and Visakh refineries process millions of metric tonnes of crude oil annually, turning it into valuable products like Petrol, Diesel, LPG, Aviation Turbine Fuel, and Bitumen. Working inside these highly complex, heavily automated, and immensely scaled industrial setups offers an engineering graduate unparalleled exposure. You will interact with distributed control systems (DCS), massive distillation columns, advanced fluid catalytic crackers, and state-of-the-art power grids. This environment perfectly bridges the gap between theoretical textbook diagrams and real-world industrial functioning.

Roles and Responsibilities during Apprenticeship

As a Graduate Apprentice Trainee at the Refineries Division, you will be assigned to a specific department corresponding to your engineering discipline (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, etc.). Your daily tasks will involve assisting regular engineers in plant operations, participating in shutdown and maintenance planning, learning safety and hazard operability (HAZOP) standards, taking plant rounds to monitor equipment health, and studying process optimization. You will also be required to submit a comprehensive project report at the end of your training tenure, summarizing your learnings and contributions.

Stipend and Financial Support

HPCL understands the needs of young professionals relocating to major cities like Mumbai or Visakhapatnam. Thus, the selected Graduate Apprentice Trainees are provided with a handsome monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000/-. This stipend is designed to cover standard living and accommodation expenses comfortably during the 12-month training period. Note that accommodation is usually not provided by the company, and trainees must manage their own housing. However, the stipend amount is highly competitive in the PSU apprenticeship sector.

Comprehensive Eligibility Details

Only candidates possessing a full-time Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (B.E. or B.Tech) are eligible. The degree must be approved by AICTE/UGC. To ensure that the candidates are fresh out of college, HPCL strictly mandates that applicants must have passed their engineering degree on or after 01.04.2023. Candidates who have passed before this date, or those who already possess more than one year of work experience, or those who have previously undergone an apprenticeship anywhere else, are strictly not eligible to apply. Minimum marks required are 60% for UR/OBC and 50% for SC/ST categories.

Age Limit

The standard age limit for engaging apprentices in HPCL ranges between 18 years to 25 years. Government-mandated age relaxations apply: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, and up to 10 years for candidates with benchmark disabilities (PwBD).

Selection Process Details

The selection methodology at the HPCL Refineries Division is straightforward and entirely merit-driven. First, applications will be filtered based on the academic percentage scored in the B.E./B.Tech degree. The top candidates will be shortlisted and invited for a Personal Interview at the respective refinery locations (Mumbai or Visakhapatnam) or virtually. Document verification will be conducted concurrently to verify NATS enrollment, degree certificates, and caste certificates. The final joining is contingent upon the candidate clearing the pre-engagement medical fitness examination as per HPCL standards.

How to Apply: The Correct Procedure

1. NATS Registration: It is mandatory to have an active profile on the NATS portal (www.nats.education.gov.in). Ensure your profile is 100% complete and verified.
2. HPCL Portal: Visit the official HPCL careers portal at jobs.hpcl.co.in or www.hindustanpetroleum.com.
3. Locate Advertisement: Find the link for 'Engagement of Graduate Apprentice Trainees - Refineries Division 2026-27'.
4. Fill the Form: Enter your 16-digit NATS ID, basic details, and educational qualifications accurately.
5. Upload Documents: Upload a recent passport-sized photograph and your signature.
6. Submit: Click submit and keep a printout of the application form. No physical copies need to be sent via post.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can I apply for both Mumbai and Visakh locations?
Candidates generally apply for the notification as a whole, and location preferences or allocations are decided by HPCL based on requirement and merit.
Q2. I graduated in 2022. Am I eligible?
No. Only candidates who graduated on or after April 1, 2023, are eligible for this specific apprenticeship cycle.
Q3. Will I get a permanent job after 1 year?
The Apprenticeship Act does not guarantee permanent employment. However, it serves as excellent experience for applying to future HPCL full-time vacancies or other core engineering companies.