Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) invites online applications for 500 one-year apprentice training places for diploma holders in engineering. The monthly stipend is Rs 10,900. Candidates are shortlisted on diploma marks and the last date to apply is 28 November 2026.
Official notification: TNPDCL Apprentice Notification PDF
This is apprenticeship training under the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Act 1973. The notice is open to diploma holders from Tamil Nadu who passed in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or May 2026. Applications go through the NATS portal, and the Board of Apprenticeship Training (Southern Region) prepares the shortlist from the online data. Shortlisted candidates then go to a TNPDCL office for certificate verification, tentatively in the fourth week of December 2026.
Key details
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) |
| Programme | Diploma (Technician) Apprentices - Engineering, 2026-27 |
| Training places | 500 |
| Monthly stipend | Rs 10,900 |
| Duration of training | One year |
| How to apply | Online, on the NATS portal |
| Last date | 28 November 2026 |
Important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application starts | 28 October 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 28 November 2026 |
| Shortlist declared | Second week of December 2026 |
| Certificate verification of shortlisted candidates at the TNPDCL office | Fourth week of December 2026 (tentatively) |
Vacancies by discipline
| Discipline (Subject) | Training places |
|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 455 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 35 |
| Computer Engineering / Information Technology | 10 |
| Total | 500 |
Eligibility
- Qualification: a Diploma in Engineering or Technology (Regular - Full time) in the relevant discipline, granted by a State Council or Board of Technical Education set up by a State Government.
- Other accepted routes: a Regular - Full time Diploma in Engineering or Technology from a University in the relevant discipline, or a Diploma granted by an institution recognised by the State or Central Government as equivalent.
- Passing year: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or May 2026.
- Domicile: eligible diploma holders hailing from Tamilnadu.
- Higher qualified candidates (B.E / B.Tech. and above) are not required for diploma apprentice selection.
- Physical standards: as prescribed in Clause 4 of the Apprenticeship Rule 1992, and amendments if any.
Age limit
The notice says the age limit will be followed as per Apprenticeship Rules. It prints no figure and no date on which age is counted.
Reservation and ward quota
Guidelines under the Apprentices Act on reservation for SC, ST, OBC (NCL) and PwD will be followed. A candidate claiming reservation shall provide a certificate in the Government standard format. Without it, the claim is treated as General category only. BC and MBC candidates claiming OBC (Non-creamy layer) should bring an OBC (NCL) certificate in the approved format from the issuing authority.
Up to 10% of vacancies are reserved as a horizontal ward quota for wards of regular (permanent) employees of TNEB Limited, TNPDCL, TNPGCL, TNGECL and TANTRANSCO. Wards of contract, temporary, casual or retired employees are not eligible for it. Wards apply on the NATS portal through student login.
- Ward certificate: obtain it in the format given as Annexure A of the notice.
- When to produce it: only at the time of certificate verification.
- No hard copy or soft copy needs to be sent to BOAT (SR) or to any of the employer offices.
- A copy of the parent's ID card is also to be produced at certificate verification.
- If wards are not available, unfilled vacancies are filled with other available candidates as per procedures.
Application fee
The notice does not mention any application fee.
Selection process
- Shortlisting: the Board of Apprenticeship Training (SR) prepares a shortlist from the online application data. It is based on the percentage of marks obtained in the basic prescribed qualification for the respective discipline.
- Intimation: shortlisted candidates are told through their registered email id.
- Certificate verification: shortlisted candidates appear at the TNPDCL office.
How to apply
All applications are online through the National Web Portal, https://nats.education.gov.in. The notice gives steps for Category A, B and C students.
- Not enrolled yet (Category C): open the portal, click Student, then Student Register and complete the application form. A unique 12-digit enrolment number is generated for each student.
- After enrolment, log in with your email id and password. Under "Apply against advertised vacancies", search for "TAMIL NADU POWER DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION LIMITED (TNPDCL)" and click apply. The status then shows as "applied".
- Already enrolled on the new portal (Category B): log in, search for the same name under "Apply against advertised vacancies" and click apply.
- Enrolled on the old portal, www.mhrdnats.gov.in (Category A): open the portal, click Student, then Student login, then Forgot Password. Enter the registered email id to get an activation link and reset the password. Log in again, complete the application form to get the 12-digit enrolment number, then apply as above.
Points to check before applying
- Enter your diploma percentage. The notice says the percentage of marks in the Diploma Examination, from the Provisional Certificate or Consolidated Mark Sheet, is mandatory in the "% of marks" column on the NATS portal. If it is not given, the candidature will not be considered.
- Previous training rules you out. Candidates who have already undergone or are currently undergoing NATS 2.0 or NAPS apprenticeship, or PMIS internship training, or who have one year or more of experience, are not eligible.
- Applications received after the due date are rejected if incomplete or erroneous, and no further communication will be entertained.
- Reservation claims need a certificate. Without one, the claim counts as General.
- No expenses are paid. No TA or DA is paid for attending certificate verification, and no boarding or lodging expenses are admissible.
- Training is not a job offer. TNPDCL has no obligation to offer employment after the apprenticeship, and nor can an apprentice claim a right to employment on that ground.
- Do not use touts or canvass. The Board has not authorised anyone to liaise on its behalf, and canvassing or pressuring through any source disqualifies the candidature.
Contact
For clarifications or student enrolment verification, write to [email protected]. The notice is issued by the Chief Engineer - Personnel, TNPDCL, Chennai and the Director of Training, BOAT (SR), Chennai.
Important Links
| Document / Portal | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Download Notification PDF |
| Official Portal | Apply Online |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for the TNPDCL diploma apprentice notice?
The last date to apply online is 28 November 2026, and applications opened on 28 October 2026.
How many apprentice places are there and what is the stipend?
There are 500 training places: 455 in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, 35 in Electronics and Communication Engineering and 10 in Computer Engineering or Information Technology. The monthly stipend is Rs 10,900 for one year.
Who can apply?
Diploma holders in engineering who passed in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or May 2026 and are hailing from Tamilnadu. The qualifying diploma is Regular - Full time in the relevant discipline.
How are candidates selected?
Candidates are shortlisted on the percentage of marks in the basic prescribed qualification. Shortlisted candidates then appear for certificate verification at the TNPDCL office.
Can someone who has done NATS or NAPS apprenticeship apply?
No. The notice says candidates who have already undergone or are currently undergoing NATS 2.0, NAPS or PMIS internship training are not eligible.
Will TNPDCL give a job after the apprenticeship?
No. TNPDCL has no obligation to offer employment, nor can an apprentice claim a right to employment on the ground of completing the apprenticeship.