Graduates looking for a foothold in the insurance sector have a fresh opening this week. National Insurance Company Limited (NICL), a Government of India undertaking, has invited applications for 200 Graduate Apprentice seats for the 2026-27 training year. The online application window opened on 4 November 2026 and will close on 18 November 2026, so candidates have less than two weeks to apply.
The engagement runs under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) and the Apprentices Act, 1961. Selected candidates will train for 12 months and receive a monthly stipend of Rs 15,000. Applications are accepted only through the NATS portal at nats.education.gov.in. There is no application form on the NICL website itself, and that detail matters, because forms submitted anywhere else will not count.
200 seats across 14 states
The 200 seats are spread across 14 states, and candidates must apply for one state only. Assam has the largest share with 30 seats, followed by Gujarat with 22. Jharkhand and West Bengal have 10 seats each. The other states in the list are Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Tamil Nadu.
One caution applies to the seat count. NICL has marked all 200 seats as provisional, which means the company can increase or decrease the numbers for any state, and it can cancel the process at any stage. Candidates should pick the state where they are genuinely willing to train, because the choice cannot be changed later.
Who can apply
The eligibility bar is straightforward, and that is part of why this opening is drawing attention. Any graduate can apply, regardless of stream. The degree must be a regular, full-time graduation completed by 1 April 2026. Distance or part-time degrees do not meet the requirement.
The age limit is 21 to 30 years as on 1 April 2026. There is no written examination. Selection will be made on the basis of graduation marks, so candidates with stronger academic records stand a better chance. Shortlisted candidates will go through document verification before the final engagement.
Applicants need a complete NATS profile before they apply. The NATS establishment ID for NICL is EWBPNC096867, and the application must be submitted specifically against the NICL vacancy for the chosen state.
How to apply
- Register on the NATS portal at nats.education.gov.in and complete your student profile to 100 percent.
- Search for the National Insurance Company Limited vacancy using establishment ID EWBPNC096867.
- Select one state and submit the application before 18 November 2026.
- Keep the NATS enrolment number and application details saved for later stages.
- Check the official NICL website, nationalinsurance.nic.co.in, for the notification PDF and any updates.
Apprenticeship, not a permanent job
This point deserves to be stated plainly. The NICL Graduate Apprentice engagement is a 12-month training programme, not a permanent job. There is no promise of regular employment with NICL after the training ends. What it does offer is a year of hands-on experience inside a public sector general insurer, a Rs 15,000 monthly stipend, and a certificate that carries weight when applying for insurance and banking roles later.
For fresh graduates who finished their degree this year, that trade-off is often worth it. The insurance sector hires regularly for administrative, underwriting and claims roles, and a year of practical exposure at a company like NICL reads well on a CV. But candidates who are looking only for a permanent government post should know exactly what they are signing up for before they apply.
What to do before 18 November
With the deadline less than two weeks away, the practical steps are simple. First, finish the NATS registration and profile, because an incomplete profile can block the application. Second, keep graduation mark sheets and certificates ready for verification. Third, apply for one state only and double-check the state choice before submitting. Applications close on 18 November 2026, and late submissions are not accepted under NATS.
The NICL apprentice drive sits alongside other apprenticeship openings this month, including Indian Bank and ONGC, but each has its own portal process and deadline. Candidates applying to more than one should track each one separately rather than assuming a single form covers them all.
FAQs
How many NICL Graduate Apprentice seats are open in 2026?
NICL has announced 200 Graduate Apprentice seats across 14 states for the 2026-27 training year.
What is the last date to apply for NICL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The last date is 18 November 2026. Applications opened on 4 November 2026 through the NATS portal.
What is the stipend for NICL Graduate Apprentice?
Selected apprentices receive Rs 15,000 per month for the 12-month training period.
Is there an exam for NICL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
No, there is no written examination. Selection is based on graduation marks, followed by document verification.
Where do I apply for NICL Apprentice 2026?
Apply only through the NATS portal at nats.education.gov.in, against NICL establishment ID EWBPNC096867, for one state of your choice.
Eligible graduates should apply before 18 November 2026 and keep an eye on the NICL website for the merit list and verification schedule.
