Airports Authority of India (AAI), Northern Region, has released the official apprentice recruitment notification for 2026–27, inviting applications for 133 Graduate, Diploma, and ITI Trade Apprentice posts under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Eligible candidates who are domiciles of specified northern states and union territories and hold relevant qualifications can apply online through the NATS or NAPS portal. The last date to submit applications is 22 March 2026.
Last verified on: 17 March 2026 (IST)
Key Highlights
| Organisation | Airports Authority of India (AAI) – Northern Region |
| Advertisement No. | 02/2026/APPRENTICE/GRADUATE/DIPLOMA/ITI/NR |
| Total Vacancies | 133 |
| Post Types | Graduate Apprentice, Diploma Apprentice, ITI Trade Apprentice |
| Training Duration | One year |
| Age Limit | 18–26 years (as on 31 March 2026) |
| Application Fee | Nil |
| Apply Mode | Online – NATS / NAPS portals |
| Last Date to Apply | 22 March 2026 |
| Official Website | aai.aero |
Vacancy / Openings Details
AAI Northern Region has announced a total of 133 apprentice vacancies across three categories for the training year 2025–26. The official notification notes that the number of seats is tentative and may be revised upward or downward. The three post categories are Graduate Apprentice, Diploma (Technician) Apprentice, and ITI Trade Apprentice. Trade-wise and discipline-wise seat distribution is detailed in the official notification PDF available on the AAI website.
Eligibility
Education
- Graduate (Degree) Apprentice: Full-time, regular four-year BE/B.Tech degree in a relevant engineering discipline, or BCA, from an AICTE-recognised institution. The degree must have been obtained in or after 2022.
- Diploma (Technician) Apprentice: Full-time, regular three-year diploma in a relevant engineering discipline, or Computer Application, from an AICTE-recognised institution, passed in or after 2022.
- ITI Trade Apprentice: ITI / NCVT certificate in Computer Operator Programming Assistant (COPA) or Steno trade from an AICTE-recognised institution, obtained in or after 2022.
Engineering degree/diploma holders are not eligible to apply for the ITI Trade Apprentice category, and vice versa. Candidates who have already completed or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training under any organisation, or who have one or more years of post-qualification job experience, are not eligible.
Domicile
Only Indian nationals who are domiciles of the following states and union territories are eligible: Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Leh Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Age Limit
Minimum age: 18 years. Maximum age: 26 years, calculated as on 31 March 2026. Age relaxation for SC/ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), PwBD, and other reserved categories is applicable as per Government of India guidelines. The exact relaxation quantum is mentioned in the official notification.
Stipend / Pay
Selected apprentices are not regular employees of AAI. They receive a consolidated monthly stipend during the one-year training period, structured as follows:
| Category | AAI Share | Government Share (DBT) | Total Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate (Degree) Apprentice | ₹10,500 | ₹4,500 | ₹15,000 |
| Diploma (Technician) Apprentice | ₹12,000 | ₹8,000 (approx.) | ₹12,000 (per notification) |
| ITI Trade Apprentice | Not disclosed separately | Not disclosed separately | ₹9,600 |
No other allowances or benefits beyond the stipend are mentioned in the official notification. The apprenticeship does not carry any guarantee of absorption into regular AAI employment.
Selection Process
Selection is merit-based. No written examination will be held. The process involves the following stages as per the official notification:
- Merit List: Provisional selection based on the percentage of marks in the qualifying examination (degree, diploma, or ITI certificate). CGPA, where applicable, will be converted to percentage as per respective university norms.
- Tie-Breaking: If two candidates have identical marks, the older candidate (by date of birth) will be ranked higher. If date of birth is also the same, the candidate who passed the qualifying examination earlier takes precedence.
- Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates will be called for verification of original documents and self-attested copies. Intimation will be sent to the registered email ID.
- Medical Examination: Final selection is subject to medical fitness, certified by a Government Medical Officer.
Important Dates
| Notification Release Date | 11 March 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 11 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 22 March 2026 |
| Document Verification / Interview Date | Not mentioned in the official notification |
| Training Start Date | Not mentioned in the official notification |
Application Fee
No application fee is charged for any category. All candidates — regardless of category (General, OBC, SC, ST, PwBD) — can submit the online application at no cost.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted only through the designated government apprenticeship portals. No other mode (email, offline, post) will be accepted for the initial application.
For Graduate and Diploma Apprentices — NATS Portal
- Visit the NATS portal: www.nats.education.gov.in
- Register or log in using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Search for the establishment: Airports Authority of India – RHQ NR, New Delhi.
- Click the Apply button for the relevant discipline.
- Fill in personal and educational details accurately.
- Upload required documents in the prescribed format.
- Submit the form and save a copy/printout for future reference.
For ITI Trade Apprentices — NAPS Portal
- Visit the NAPS portal: www.apprenticeshipindia.org
- Register or log in using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Search for the establishment: Airports Authority of India – RHQ NR, New Delhi.
- Select the relevant trade (COPA or Steno) and click Apply.
- Complete all required fields and upload documents.
- Submit before 22 March 2026 and retain a copy of the submission confirmation.
Candidates applying for more than one discipline will be disqualified. Verify the establishment name carefully on the portal before submitting.
Documents Required
Candidates should have the following ready at the time of registration and document verification. The exact list of required documents is specified in the official notification PDF.
- Class 10 mark sheet and certificate (for age proof)
- Degree / Diploma / ITI certificate and mark sheets
- Domicile / residence certificate of the eligible state or UT
- Caste/category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS), if applicable
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, etc.)
- Medical fitness certificate from a Government Medical Officer (required before joining)
- NATS/NAPS registration confirmation (printout or soft copy)
Offer / Notice Verification and Scam Warning
AAI issues all official recruitment notices only through its official website, aai.aero, and through the designated NATS and NAPS government portals. The advertisement number for this recruitment is 02/2026/APPRENTICE/GRADUATE/DIPLOMA/ITI/NR — verify this on the official PDF before acting on any information.
Do not trust any call, WhatsApp message, Telegram channel, or third-party website claiming to offer AAI apprenticeship seats in exchange for money, processing fees, or referral payments. AAI charges no application fee whatsoever for this recruitment. No government agency will contact you by phone or unofficial message to offer shortlisting or selection.
If you receive a suspicious offer or notice, verify directly at aai.aero or contact AAI’s Northern Region office through the official contact details listed on the website. Report fraudulent communications to cybercrime authorities at cybercrime.gov.in.
Official Links
- Official AAI Website: www.aai.aero
- Official Notification PDF: Download from aai.aero/en/careers/apprentices
- Apply Online – Graduate & Diploma (NATS Portal): www.nats.education.gov.in
- Apply Online – ITI Trade Apprentice (NAPS Portal): www.apprenticeshipindia.org
- National Cyber Crime Reporting (for fraud): cybercrime.gov.in
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the last date to apply for AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The online application window closes on 22 March 2026. No offline or late applications will be accepted.
2. Which ITI trades are eligible for the ITI Trade Apprentice post?
As per the official notification, only candidates holding ITI/NCVT certificates in Computer Operator Programming Assistant (COPA) and Steno trades are eligible for the ITI Trade Apprentice category in this recruitment cycle.
3. Is there a written examination for selection?
No. Selection is based entirely on merit, calculated from the percentage of marks in the qualifying examination. Document verification and a medical examination follow the merit list.
4. Can candidates from all states in India apply?
No. Only Indian nationals who are domiciles of Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Leh Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are eligible for this Northern Region notification.
5. Is there a job guarantee after completing the apprenticeship?
No. The official notification explicitly states this is a one-year training programme under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Completion of the apprenticeship does not guarantee any permanent or regular employment with AAI.
6. Can a candidate apply for more than one discipline?
No. The official notification states that candidates who apply for more than one discipline will not be considered, and their applications will be rejected outright.
