There is good news for fresh graduates eyeing a start in banking. Indian Bank has issued an updated notification on 4 November 2026 for the engagement of 1,500 apprentices for the financial year 2026-27, and the online application window opens on 5 November 2026. If you finished graduation recently and want a year of hands-on training inside a public sector bank, this is one of the most accessible openings of the season, because the qualification bar is a degree in any discipline, not a specific stream.
The catch is worth stating plainly: this is an apprenticeship, not a permanent bank job. Selected candidates train for 12 months at Indian Bank branches and receive a monthly stipend. The engagement does not guarantee permanent employment. For many applicants, though, a year of real branch experience is exactly the stepping stone they need.
1,500 seats across 30 states and union territories
The 1,500 training seats are spread across 30 states and union territories, and the bank has said the figures are tentative and may change as per its actual requirements. Candidates apply for a state of their choice, and that choice matters, because applicants must be able to read, write, speak and understand the local language of the state they pick.
Indian Bank, the Chennai-headquartered public sector bank, is running this engagement under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Applications are online only, through the NATS 2.0 portal and the bank’s own portal.
Who can apply: eligibility in plain words
The eligibility rules are straightforward, but two cut-offs catch people out every year, so read them carefully:
- Education: A graduate degree in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government. You must have passed graduation between 1 April 2022 and 1 November 2026, both dates included.
- Age: Between 20 and 28 years as on 1 November 2026, with applicable relaxation for SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), PwBD and other eligible categories.
- Local language: Proficiency in the local language of the state or union territory you apply for, which will be tested later in the process.
- Who cannot apply: Candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training, or who have one year or more of work experience after completing their qualification, are not eligible.
In short, this drive is aimed at fresh graduates. If you graduated before 1 April 2022, or your result came after 1 November 2026, you fall outside the window. If you are already in a regular job after graduation, check the experience rule in the notification before paying the fee.
Stipend, fee and what the year looks like
During the 12-month training period, apprentices receive a monthly stipend of Rs 15,000 at metro and urban branches and Rs 12,300 at rural and semi-urban branches. The stipend depends on where you are posted, not on your degree or marks.
The application fee is Rs 800 plus GST for General, EWS and OBC candidates, and Rs 175 plus GST for SC, ST and PwBD candidates. Fee payment must also be completed by 25 November 2026. Verify the exact fee and payment steps in the official notification on indianbank.bank.in before paying.
Selection: online test and language test
Selection includes an online examination followed by a Local Language Proficiency Test for the state applied for. The notification does not announce the exam dates yet, so watch the bank’s careers page and the NATS portal after applying, and do not rely on dates circulating on social media.
How to apply, step by step
- Register on the NATS 2.0 portal at nats.education.gov.in and complete your profile. Note down your enrolment ID.
- Go to the careers section of indianbank.bank.in and open the link for engagement of apprentices for FY 2026-27.
- Fill the application with the same details as your NATS profile, choose your state carefully, and upload documents in the prescribed format.
- Pay the fee, submit the form, and save a copy of the final application and payment receipt.
- Complete everything well before 25 November 2026. Bank and government portals slow down near deadlines, and an unfinished form counts as no form at all.
FAQs
When do Indian Bank apprentice applications open?
Applications open on 5 November 2026 and close on 25 November 2026, through the NATS 2.0 portal and the Indian Bank website.
How many Indian Bank apprentice seats are there in 2026?
There are 1,500 tentative training seats across 30 states and union territories for FY 2026-27.
What is the stipend for an Indian Bank apprentice?
The monthly stipend is Rs 15,000 at metro and urban branches and Rs 12,300 at rural and semi-urban branches, for a 12-month training period.
Who is eligible for Indian Bank apprentice recruitment 2026?
Graduates in any discipline who passed between 1 April 2022 and 1 November 2026, aged 20 to 28 years as on 1 November 2026, with proficiency in the local language of the state applied for.
Is an Indian Bank apprenticeship a permanent job?
No. It is a 12-month training engagement under the Apprentices Act, 1961, and it does not guarantee permanent employment with Indian Bank.
For fresh graduates, the honest summary is this: 1,500 seats, a clear three-week window, and a year inside a public sector bank. Apply early, pick your state wisely, and keep the official notification as your final reference.
