Canara Bank Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 3,500 Graduate Apprentice Seats, Apply by 17 October

Canara Bank is engaging 3,500 Graduate Apprentices for FY 2026-27 under the Apprentices Act, 1961. The training lasts 12 months at the bank's branches, and the stipend is Rs 16,650 a month. Any graduate who passed between 1 January 2023 and 1 September 2026 can apply. There is no written exam: selection is on 12th or Diploma marks. Register on the NATS portal first, then apply online from 1 to 17 October 2026.

Canara Bank Apprentice 2026 at a glance

Important dates

State-wise training seats and vacancies

You can choose seats in only one state. Within that state you give your order of preference for all its districts, but the bank allots districts by need.

PwBD seats are inside these numbers: 32 for hearing impaired, 30 for orthopedically challenged, 39 for visually impaired and 24 for intellectual disability. The bank says the seat numbers are provisional and may change.

Eligibility

Educational qualification

A degree (graduation) in any discipline from a university recognised by the Government of India, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government. You must have passed it between 1 January 2023 and 1 September 2026; anyone who graduated before 1 January 2023 is not eligible.

Who cannot apply

• Anyone who has already done, or is doing, apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act with Canara Bank or any other organisation, or whose apprenticeship was ended through their own fault.
• Anyone with one year or more of training or job experience after finishing the qualification.
• Ex-servicemen and disabled ex-servicemen: they are not engaged as apprentices, and there is no reservation for them.

Local language

Candidates whose 10th or 12th marksheet shows they studied the local language of the state they choose do not take a language test. Everyone else takes a test of the local language at document verification, and failing it means no engagement.

Age limit

You must be 20 to 28 years old on 1 September 2026, that is, born between 2 September 1998 and 1 September 2006.

SC, ST and OBC relaxation can be added to only one of the other categories.

Stipend and training terms

• Stipend: Rs 16,650 a month. Canara Bank pays Rs 10,500 into your account, and the government share of Rs 6,150 comes by DBT. Loss of pay, if any, is deducted.
• No other allowances or employee benefits. Apprentices are not bank employees, and PF, ESI and bonus do not apply.
• Leave: one casual leave for each completed month, 12 in a year, at most 4 at a time.
• Working hours are those of the bank's clerical cadre. Overtime only with the Apprenticeship Adviser's approval.
• Contract: a digital apprenticeship contract is issued through the NATS portal and must be accepted there in time.
• Certificate: a NATS joint certificate on completion.
• The bank has no obligation to offer a job afterwards.

Selection process: merit list, no exam

1. A state-wise merit list is made on your percentage in 12th (HSC/10+2) or Diploma, highest first.
2. The minimum is 60% (55% for SC, ST and PwBD), with no rounding: 59.99% counts as below 60%.
3. Equal percentages are ranked by age, older first.
4. Shortlisted candidates go through document verification and the local language test, and must be found medically fit.

Your percentage is all subjects in all semesters or years, divided by the maximum marks. If you got a CGPA or OGPA, convert it and keep a certificate from the board or university showing its conversion rule. The merit list uses only what you enter in the form, and any mismatch at document verification disqualifies you. A state and category-wise wait list is kept for one year.

Application fee

Reservation and EWS

SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwBD reservation follows each state's prescribed percentages. PwBD reservation is horizontal, within the state's seats, and needs a permanent disability certificate; a temporary certificate is not accepted. OBC candidates need a non-creamy layer certificate. EWS applies to families with gross annual income below Rs 8 lakh in the previous financial year who do not own 5 acres of farmland or more, a flat of 1000 sq. ft. or more, or a residential plot above the size limits. The Income and Asset Certificate is checked at document verification.

Documents to keep ready

• Your 10th marksheet (SSC/SSLC): your name in the form must match it exactly. If you changed your name, keep the Gazette notification or marriage certificate.
• 12th or Diploma marksheets: the merit list is built on these percentages; keep a CGPA-to-percentage conversion certificate from the board or university if you were graded.
• Graduation degree or provisional certificate showing a pass date between 1 January 2023 and 1 September 2026.
• 10th or 12th marksheet with the local language, if you want to skip the language test.
• Category certificates: SC, ST or OBC (non-creamy layer) certificate in the Government of India format; EWS Income and Asset Certificate; a permanent disability certificate for PwBD.
• Age relaxation proof in original with photocopies, at document verification and at any later stage.
• For the online form: a colour passport-style photograph (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm, light background, no caps or dark glasses), signature not in capital letters, left thumb impression and the handwritten declaration, all scanned as JPG at a minimum of 200 dpi.

Only one application is kept per candidate: if you submit more than one, the latest complete application counts. No changes are possible after "Final Submit", and the form is invalid without a proper photo, signature or successful fee payment.

How to apply

1. Register on the apprenticeship portal nats.education.gov.in and complete your profile to 100%. Note the enrollment number.
2. Go to canarabank.bank.in, then Careers, Recruitment, "Engagement of Graduate Apprentices in Canara Bank under Apprentices Act, 1961 for FY 2026-27", and click the apply link.
3. Click "Click here for new registration", enter basic details and note the provisional registration number and password.
4. Upload your photograph (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm), signature, left thumb impression and a handwritten declaration in English, not in capital letters.
5. Enter your NATS enrollment ID, choose one state and your district preferences, fill in your 12th or Diploma percentage and graduation details.
6. Pay Rs 500 online if your category pays, and submit by 17 October 2026.

Points to check before you apply

• Graduation year matters: only those who graduated from 1 January 2023 onwards can apply.
• Merit is on 12th or Diploma marks, not on graduation marks.
• One state only. Karnataka (581), Uttar Pradesh (409) and Tamil Nadu (391) have the most seats.
• Know the local language of the state, or have it in your 10th or 12th marksheet.
• Complete your NATS profile first; without it the bank's form will not work.

Official links

• Canara Bank Graduate Apprentice advertisement FY 2026-27 (PDF)
• Online application
• Canara Bank recruitment page

Frequently asked questions

What is the Canara Bank apprentice stipend?

Rs 16,650 a month: Rs 10,500 from the bank and Rs 6,150 government share paid by DBT.

Is there an exam?

No. The merit list is made on 12th or Diploma percentage, followed by document verification, a local language test where needed and a medical check.

Can a 2022 graduate apply?

No. Graduation must have been completed between 1 January 2023 and 1 September 2026.

Will apprentices get a permanent job?

No. The bank has no obligation to offer regular employment during or after the apprenticeship.