Time is running short for graduates eyeing a start in banking. UCO Bank’s apprentice recruitment for 2026-27 is open right now, and the application window closes on October 29, 2026. With 530 seats on offer across 31 states and Union Territories, this is one of the larger bank apprenticeship drives open this week, and candidates still weighing it up have just two days left to finish both parts of the process.
The drive, advertised as HO/HRM/RECR/2026-27/COM-02, is for engagement as apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. It is a training opportunity, not a permanent bank job. Selected candidates spend one year inside UCO Bank branches, gaining hands-on experience and a monthly stipend, but it does not promise a permanent post afterwards.
530 seats, and where they are
UCO Bank has kept the seat count provisional, so the final numbers can shift slightly with the bank’s requirements. For now, the advertised total is 530. Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one state or Union Territory, so the choice of state is worth making carefully before submitting the form.
West Bengal leads the list with 86 seats, which makes sense given that the bank is headquartered in Kolkata. Uttar Pradesh follows with 45 seats, Odisha has 41, Rajasthan 37, Bihar 34 and Maharashtra 32, with smaller allocations elsewhere. The bank may place a selected apprentice at any district within the chosen state or Union Territory.
Who can apply
Applicants must hold a graduate degree from a recognised university or institute, and the degree certificate or provisional certificate must have been issued on or after April 1, 2022. There is no restriction to a particular stream, so graduates from any discipline can apply.
On age, candidates must be between 20 and 28 years old as on October 1, 2026, with relaxation for reserved categories and persons with benchmark disabilities under the notification rules.
One condition is easy to overlook: applicants must be able to read, write, speak and understand at least one local language of the state they apply for.
Stipend and training period
Selected apprentices will train for one year from the date of the contract, receiving a monthly stipend of Rs 16,650. UCO Bank pays Rs 10,500 directly, while the government’s share of Rs 6,150 is credited through Direct Benefit Transfer, subject to applicable guidelines. No other allowances are mentioned, so candidates should plan on the stipend figure alone.
How to apply before October 29
The application has two stages, and both must be completed by October 29. Missing the second stage is the most common reason applications fall through, so candidates should not stop after the first registration.
- Register or log in on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal at nats.education.gov.in, and apply for the UCO Bank apprenticeship advertisement.
- Note down the enrolment ID issued by the NATS portal and keep it safe.
- Watch for an email from the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance Sector Skill Council of India (BFSI SSC) with instructions for the next stage.
- Complete the examination registration on the BFSI SSC portal, submit the additional details asked for, and pay the applicable examination fee.
- Submit everything well before the October 29 deadline, and re-check the details, since changes may not be allowed afterwards.
The bank will not accept hard copies of applications or documents. Everything runs through the two portals named above, and the official UCO Bank website, uco.bank.in, remains the place to check for updates or corrections to the notification.
Selection process and exam date
Selection starts with an online objective test conducted by BFSI SSC. The online entrance examination is scheduled for November 7, 2026, at 11 am. Candidates who clear the test then go through a local language test during document verification, followed by a medical fitness check. Only candidates who complete the registration and fee payment by October 29 can sit for the November 7 exam, so do not leave the second stage for the last evening. Portal traffic tends to spike on deadline day, and a half-finished application does not count.
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for UCO Bank Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
October 29, 2026. Both the NATS application and the BFSI SSC examination registration, including fee payment, must be completed by that date.
How many vacancies are there in UCO Bank Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
There are 530 provisional apprentice seats across 31 states and Union Territories. West Bengal has the highest share, with 86 seats.
What is the monthly stipend for a UCO Bank apprentice?
Rs 16,650 per month for the one-year training period. UCO Bank pays Rs 10,500, and Rs 6,150 comes from the government through Direct Benefit Transfer.
Who is eligible for the UCO Bank apprenticeship?
Graduates in any discipline whose degree was issued on or after April 1, 2022, and who are aged 20 to 28 years as on October 1, 2026, subject to applicable age relaxation.
Does the apprenticeship guarantee a permanent job at UCO Bank?
No. It is a one-year training engagement under the Apprentices Act, 1961, and it does not guarantee regular employment with the bank after training ends.
For graduates still deciding, the window is narrow but the process is clear. Check the official notification, pick your state carefully, and finish both application stages before October 29.
