TNSTC Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply online Graduate & Diploma Apprentice posts
This information is from a third-party source. Always verify job details, eligibility, deadlines, and application procedures from the official government website before applying.
Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), along with Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) Chennai and State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) Tamil Nadu, has jointly released a fresh notification for TNSTC MTC SETC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 to fill 1,518 apprenticeship training slots for the year 2026-27. This state government job opening is open to B.E./B.Tech, Diploma, and general degree holders (BA/B.Sc/B.Com/BBA/BBM/BCA) from Tamil Nadu. Online applications through the NATS portal began on 28 July 2026 and will close on 28 August 2026. Check the full eligibility, region-wise vacancy break-up, stipend and application process below.
Table of Contents
About TNSTC, MTC Chennai & SETC Tamil Nadu
TNSTC operates public bus transport across several regions of Tamil Nadu, while MTC handles city transport in Chennai and SETC runs the state's express and long-distance bus services. All three are state-run public transport corporations under the Government of Tamil Nadu. This joint apprenticeship drive under the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Act, 1973 gives engineering, diploma and general degree holders from Tamil Nadu a year of structured, on-the-job training with a public sector transport organization.
TNSTC MTC SETC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Organization Name | TNSTC (Villupuram, Kumbakonam, Salem, Madurai, Tirunelveli), MTC Chennai, SETC Tamil Nadu |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Graduate Apprentice (Engineering), Technician (Diploma) Apprentice, Graduate Apprentice (Non-Engineering) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,518 Posts |
| Category | State Government Job (Tamil Nadu) |
| Job Location | Tamil Nadu (region-wise, see vacancy table) |
| Application Mode | Online (NATS Portal) |
| Application Start Date | 28 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 28 August 2026 |
| Official Website | www.tnstc.in / nats.education.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 28 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 28 August 2026 |
| Declaration of Shortlisted Candidates | Second week of September 2026 |
| Certificate Verification (Shortlisted Candidates) | Fourth week of September 2026 (Tentative), at TNSTC Trichy Region Office |
Vacancy Details / Region Wise Break-up
The 1,518 slots are divided into three categories — Graduate Engineering, Technician (Diploma) Engineering, and Graduate Non-Engineering — spread across TNSTC's five regions, MTC Chennai and SETC Tamil Nadu. Note that the participating corporations reserve the right to revise these numbers.
Category I: Graduate Apprentice (Engineering) – 457 Vacancies
| Region/Corporation | Mechanical/Automobile | Civil | Electrical & Electronics | CSE/IT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TNSTC Villupuram | 40 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 100 |
| TNSTC Kumbakonam | 51 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 51 |
| TNSTC Salem | 45 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 48 |
| TNSTC Madurai | 18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 |
| TNSTC Tirunelveli | 66 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 70 |
| MTC Chennai | 80 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 100 |
| SETC Tamil Nadu | 60 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 68 |
| Total | 360 | 26 | 41 | 30 | 457 |
Category II: Technician (Diploma) Apprentice – 438 Vacancies
| Region/Corporation | Mechanical/Automobile | Civil | Electrical & Electronics | CSE/IT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TNSTC Villupuram | 10 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 40 |
| TNSTC Kumbakonam | 123 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 123 |
| TNSTC Salem | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| TNSTC Madurai | 48 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 51 |
| TNSTC Tirunelveli | 22 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| MTC Chennai | 80 | 10 | 10 | 38 | 138 |
| SETC Tamil Nadu | 60 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 68 |
| Total | 338 | 20 | 30 | 53 | 438 |
Category III: Graduate Apprentice (Non-Engineering) – 623 Vacancies
| Region/Corporation | No. of Slots |
|---|---|
| TNSTC Villupuram | 100 |
| TNSTC Kumbakonam | 251 |
| TNSTC Madurai | 37 |
| TNSTC Tirunelveli | 93 |
| MTC Chennai | 62 |
| SETC Tamil Nadu | 80 |
| Total | 623 |
TNSTC Salem does not have any listed slot under the Graduate Non-Engineering category in this notification.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
| Category | Qualification Required |
|---|---|
| Category I – Graduate Apprentice (Engineering) | First Class Degree in Engineering/Technology (B.E./B.Tech, Regular Full-time) from a Statutory University or equivalent recognized institution |
| Category II – Technician (Diploma) Apprentice | Diploma in Engineering/Technology (Regular Full-time) from a State Board of Technical Education or equivalent recognized institution |
| Category III – Graduate Apprentice (Non-Engineering) | Degree in Arts/Science/Commerce/Humanities (BA/B.Sc/B.Com/BBA/BBM/BCA etc.), Regular Full-time, from a UGC-approved university |
Only candidates who passed their qualifying degree/diploma examination in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or May 2026, and who belong to Tamil Nadu, can apply. Candidates who are currently undergoing or have already completed an apprenticeship under the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Act, 1973, or who hold one year or more of relevant work experience, are not eligible.
Age Limit
The notification states that age will be governed as per the Apprenticeship Rules, but it does not spell out specific minimum or maximum age figures. Candidates should refer to the official PDF and the NATS portal for the latest clarification, if any.
Salary Details (Monthly Stipend)
| Apprentice Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice (Engineering & Non-Engineering) | ₹12,300/- per month |
| Technician (Diploma) Apprentice | ₹10,900/- per month |
Selection Process
There's no written test in this recruitment. The Board of Apprenticeship Training (Southern Region) shortlists candidates purely on academic merit, followed by document checks.
- Shortlisting by BOAT (Southern Region) based on percentage of marks in the qualifying discipline
- Shortlisted candidates informed through their registered email ID
- Certificate Verification at the TNSTC Trichy Region office (tentatively fourth week of September 2026)
- Final shortlist also published on the NATS portal under Regional Events → BOAT Southern Region
Application Fee
No application fee has been mentioned in the official TNSTC MTC SETC Apprentice notification. Registration and application on the NATS portal are free of cost.
Required Documents
Keep these ready before starting your NATS application:
- B.E./B.Tech/Diploma/Degree Provisional Certificate or Consolidated Mark Sheet
- Percentage of marks or CGPA x 10 (mandatory field on the NATS portal)
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD), if claiming reservation
- Valid, active registered email ID for all future communication
How to Apply Online
Applications go entirely through the NATS portal (nats.education.gov.in). The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're already registered.
If you're already enrolled on NATS
- Go to nats.education.gov.in and click Student, then Student Login.
- Click Forgot Password and enter your registered email to get a reset link.
- Log in and complete/update your application form.
- Under "Apply against advertised vacancies," search for your relevant organization (e.g. TNSTC Villupuram, TNSTC Kumbakonam, TNSTC Salem, TNSTC Madurai, TNSTC Tirunelveli, MTC Chennai, or SETC Tamil Nadu) by its full registered name.
- Click Apply — confirm your status shows "Applied."
If you're a first-time NATS user
- Go to nats.education.gov.in, click Student, then Student Register.
- Fill the registration form to generate your unique 12-digit Enrolment Number (starting with ATN).
- Log in with your registered email and password.
- Search for the relevant organization under "Apply against advertised vacancies."
- Click Apply, upload your Provisional Certificate/Mark Sheet and enter your percentage/CGPA x 10.
- Confirm your application status shows "Applied."
Important Instructions
- No TA/DA is paid for attending certificate verification, and no boarding/lodging expenses are admissible.
- Completing the apprenticeship does not create any right or claim to future employment with TNSTC, MTC or SETC.
- Incomplete applications or those submitted after the due date will be rejected without further communication.
- BOAT (Southern Region) has not authorized any agent or organization to assist candidates — beware of touts.
- Canvassing in any form will lead to disqualification and removal from official records.
- Double-check your percentage/CGPA entry, as this directly determines your merit position on the shortlist.
Why Should You Apply?
With 1,518 openings, this is one of the larger apprenticeship drives in Tamil Nadu this year, open to engineering, diploma and general degree holders alike. A year of apprenticeship with a public transport corporation gives freshers real workplace exposure and a stipend while they build experience. As the notification makes clear, this is a training engagement and does not carry any promise of a permanent job afterward, so treat it as a stepping stone rather than a guaranteed career outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many vacancies are there in TNSTC MTC SETC Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Ans: A total of 1,518 vacancies — 457 Graduate Engineering, 438 Technician (Diploma), and 623 Graduate Non-Engineering Apprentice posts.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for TNSTC MTC SETC Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Ans: The last date to apply online is 28 August 2026.
Q3. What is the monthly stipend for TNSTC apprentices?
Ans: Graduate Apprentices get ₹12,300/- per month, and Technician (Diploma) Apprentices get ₹10,900/- per month.
Q4. Who is eligible to apply for this TNSTC apprenticeship?
Ans: Engineering degree/diploma holders and general degree holders (BA/B.Sc/B.Com/BBA/BBM/BCA) from Tamil Nadu who passed in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or May 2026.
Q5. How can I apply for TNSTC MTC SETC Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Ans: Apply online through the NATS portal at nats.education.gov.in before the last date.
Q6. Is there an application fee for this recruitment?
Ans: No application fee has been mentioned in the official notification.
Q7. Where will certificate verification take place?
Ans: At the TNSTC Trichy Region office, tentatively in the fourth week of September 2026.
Important Links
Final Words
TNSTC MTC SETC Apprentice Recruitment 2026 opens up 1,518 training opportunities across Tamil Nadu for engineering, diploma and degree holders, with online applications open till 28 August 2026. Since selection is purely merit-based on your academic percentage, it's worth applying early and keeping your certificates and NATS profile accurate. Share this post with friends in Tamil Nadu who are hunting for apprenticeship openings, and join our Telegram channel above for free alerts on more government apprentice notifications.