Vacancies: 140 · Posts: 3 · Type: Apprenticeship · Mode: Online · Fee: Nil · Apply: From 28 July 2026 (dates TBA) · Stipend: ₹9,600–15,000/month · Selection: Merit + DV + Medical · Location: Eastern Region Airports
Fresh engineering and ITI pass-outs from the Eastern Region now have a clear one-year training window at Airports Authority of India airports. AAI Eastern Region (RHQ Kolkata) has notified 140 Graduate, Diploma and ITI Apprentice seats for 2026-27 under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
Only candidates domiciled in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim and Andaman & Nicobar Islands who passed their qualifying exam in 2024 or later (as on 30 June 2026) can apply. Training locations include RHQ Kolkata, Bagdogra, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Raipur, Gaya, Jharsuguda, Pakyong and VSI Airport Sri Vijaya Puram.
Applications open through the NATS portal (Graduate/Diploma) and NAPS portal (ITI). No application fee is charged. Stipend ranges from ₹9,600 to ₹15,000 per month. This is pure apprenticeship training — not a permanent job.
Who Should Apply?
- B.E./B. Tech (any relevant stream) passed in/after 2024 → Graduate Apprentice – 35 posts
- Diploma in Engineering (relevant stream) passed in/after 2024 → Diploma Apprentice – 35 posts
- ITI / NCVT certificate (relevant trade) passed in/after 2024 → ITI Apprentice – 70 posts
Only Indian nationals belonging to the listed Eastern Region states/UT are eligible. Candidates who have already completed one year or more of apprenticeship or job experience after the qualifying exam are not eligible.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 28 July 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 28 July 2026 (or as activated on portals) |
| Last Date to Apply | To be announced (check NATS/NAPS regularly) |
| Eligibility Cut-off (passing year) | 30 June 2026 |
| Document Verification / Medical | To be intimated to shortlisted candidates |
Exact last date will appear on the NATS and NAPS portals. Submit early once the apply button is live.
Quick Overview – AAI Eastern Region Apprentice 2026
- Organisation: Airports Authority of India (AAI), Eastern Region
- Sector: Aviation & Airport Infrastructure (Miniratna Category-I PSU under Ministry of Civil Aviation)
- Notification / Advt No.: 01/2026/ER/APPRENTICE
- Total Vacancies: 140
- Job Location: RHQ ER Kolkata and airports under Eastern Region
- Official Website: AAI Careers / Recruitment page
- Apply Online (Graduate/Diploma): NATS Portal
- Apply Online (ITI): NAPS / Apprenticeship India Portal
- Notification PDF: Download AAI Eastern Region, Apprentice 2026-27 Notification PDF
- Last Date: To be announced on portals
- Duration: 1 year
What Posts Are Available? – AAI Vacancy & Eligibility 2026
AAI Eastern Region has grouped the 140 seats by qualification level. No further trade-wise or airport-wise split is published in the notification summary. Candidates select the establishment ID of their preferred airport while applying.
| Post Name | Vacancies | Qualification | Stipend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | 35 | Full-time Degree (relevant engineering stream) passed in/after 2024 (as on 30.06.2026) | ₹15,000/month |
| Diploma Apprentice | 35 | Full-time Diploma in Engineering (relevant stream) passed in/after 2024 (as on 30.06.2026) | ₹12,000/month |
| ITI Apprentice | 70 | ITI / NCVT certificate in relevant trade passed in/after 2024 (as on 30.06.2026) | ₹9,600/month (1st year); ₹10,560/month (2nd year for NTC/STC holders) |
| Total | 140 |
Interpretation: ITI seats form the largest block (50 %). Recent pass-outs (2024–2026) from Eastern Region states have the best chance. Preference is given based on percentage of marks in the qualifying examination.
What Is the Age Limit?
Age limit is not specified in the current Eastern Region notification extracts. Previous AAI Eastern Region and other regional apprenticeship cycles consistently used 18–26 years with standard GoI relaxations (OBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwBD +10). Candidates must verify the exact cut-off date and upper age from the official PDF before applying.
Examples (based on previous cycle pattern of 26 years maximum): ✅ A 25-year-old UR candidate born on 29 July 2001 — eligible (within 26-year limit as on typical cut-off). ❌ A 27-year-old UR candidate born on 27 July 1999 — not eligible (exceeds maximum age by 1 year).
Use our Age Eligibility Calculator to check instantly once the official cut-off is confirmed.
What Is the Stipend? – AAI Eastern Region Apprentice 2026
| Category | Monthly Stipend | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | ₹15,000 | Shared between AAI and Government DBT as per prevailing norms |
| Diploma Apprentice | ₹12,000 | Shared between AAI and Government DBT |
| ITI Apprentice (1st year) | ₹9,600 | As per Apprentices Act rates |
| ITI Apprentice (2nd year NTC/STC) | ₹10,560 | Higher rate for National/State Trade Certificate holders |
This is training stipend only. No DA, HRA, medical reimbursement or other allowances are payable. Stipend is credited monthly subject to satisfactory attendance and performance. Use our Income Tax Calculator if you have other income sources, as the stipend may attract TDS depending on total annual income.
What Is the Application Fee?
Nil. No application fee is charged for any category.
How to Apply?
Applications are accepted only through the designated portals. Any other mode will be rejected.
For Graduate & Diploma candidates
- Visit the NATS Portal and complete student registration.
- Fill in personal, educational and contact details.
- Search for “Airports Authority of India” and select the correct Eastern Region establishment ID for your preferred airport (examples below).
- Apply against the relevant vacancy and submit.
- Note the application/registration number and keep a printout.
For ITI candidates
- Visit NAPS / Apprenticeship India Portal and register.
- Complete profile with educational and trade details.
- Search establishment “Airports Authority of India – RHQ ER” using the NAPS ID of the preferred location.
- Apply and submit.
- Save the acknowledgement.
Key Establishment IDs (NATS / NAPS)
- RHQ ER Kolkata: EWBPNC000015 / E02211900015
- Bagdogra: EWBDAC000001 / E02241900953
- Patna: EBRPAC000006 / E05201000023
- Ranchi: EJHRAC00012 / E02232000009
- Bhubaneswar: EORKHC000024 / E05192100002
- Raipur: WCTRPC000009 / E03232200002
- Gaya: EBRGAC000001 / E06211000016
- Jharsuguda: EORJHC000006 / E01232100007
- Pakyong: ESKESC000005 (NAPS ID not listed)
- VSI Airport Sri Vijaya Puram: EANSAC000005 / E02233500003
Use our Photo & Signature Resizer if the portal requires a photograph upload in a specific size.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying on the wrong portal (NATS for ITI or NAPS for Degree/Diploma) leads to automatic rejection.
- Selecting an incorrect establishment ID means your application will not reach the desired airport.
- Uploading incomplete or outdated certificates (must show pass year 2024 or later).
- Waiting for the last day — portals often face heavy traffic and technical glitches.
- Assuming previous apprenticeship experience is allowed; one year or more of prior training/job after qualification makes you ineligible.
AAI পূর্ব অঞ্চল অ্যাপ্রেন্টিস ভর্তি ২০২৬ – ১৪০ পদের জন্য অনলাইন আবেদন
এয়ারপোর্টস অথরিটি অফ ইন্ডিয়া (AAI) পূর্ব অঞ্চল (RHQ কলকাতা) ২০২৬-২৭ সালের জন্য ১৪০টি গ্রাজুয়েট, ডিপ্লোমা ও ITI অ্যাপ্রেন্টিস পদ ঘোষণা করেছে। পশ্চিমবঙ্গ, ওডিশা, বিহার, ঝাড়খণ্ড, ছত্তিশগড়, সিকিম এবং আন্দামান ও নিকোবরের স্থায়ী বাসিন্দারাই আবেদন করতে পারবেন। ২০২৪ সাল বা তার পরে পাস করা প্রার্থীরা যোগ্য।
কে আবেদন করতে পারবেন? গ্রাজুয়েট অ্যাপ্রেন্টিস (৩৫ পদ) – প্রাসঙ্গিক ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিং ডিগ্রি। ডিপ্লোমা অ্যাপ্রেন্টিস (৩৫ পদ) – প্রাসঙ্গিক ডিপ্লোমা। ITI অ্যাপ্রেন্টিস (৭০ পদ) – প্রাসঙ্গিক ট্রেড সার্টিফিকেট। বয়সসীমা বর্তমান নোটিফিকেশনে স্পষ্ট নয়; পূর্ববর্তী চক্রে ১৮–২৬ বছর ছিল।
স্টিপেন্ড ও নির্বাচন গ্রাজুয়েট ₹১৫,০০০, ডিপ্লোমা ₹১২,০০০, ITI ₹৯,৬০০ (প্রথম বছর) মাসিক। নির্বাচন যোগ্যতা পরীক্ষার শতকরা নম্বরের ভিত্তিতে, তারপর নথি যাচাই ও মেডিকেল।
কীভাবে আবেদন করবেন? গ্রাজুয়েট/ডিপ্লোমা প্রার্থীরা NATS পোর্টালে (nats.education.gov.in) এবং ITI প্রার্থীরা NAPS পোর্টালে (apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) রেজিস্ট্রেশন করে সংশ্লিষ্ট এস্টাবলিশমেন্ট আইডি দিয়ে আবেদন করুন। আবেদন শুধুমাত্র অনলাইনে গ্রহণযোগ্য। বিস্তারিত তথ্য aai.aero-তে উপলব্ধ।
How Are Candidates Selected?
- Shortlisting is purely based on the percentage of marks obtained in the qualifying examination (Degree / Diploma / ITI).
- Document verification of shortlisted candidates.
- Medical fitness examination as per AAI standards.
No written exam or interview is mentioned. Final engagement is subject to satisfactory medical report and verification of all original documents. AAI reserves the right to increase, decrease or cancel seats without assigning reasons.
Why Does Airports Authority of India Matter?
Airports Authority of India is a Miniratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. It manages and develops civil aviation infrastructure across India, including major international and domestic airports. Eastern Region covers key airports serving the eastern and north-eastern connectivity needs of the country.
Candidates search for AAI apprentice openings because the one-year training provides structured exposure to airport engineering, electrical, mechanical and IT systems under a large government PSU. The stipend is higher than many private industrial apprenticeships. The clear downside is that completion of the apprenticeship does not confer any right to permanent employment in AAI; absorption is rare and subject to separate recruitment drives.
The SahisarkariJobs.in Analyst’s Take
Compared with other regional AAI apprenticeship drives (NER 95 seats, Northern Region cycles), the Eastern Region notification offers a larger ITI quota (70 seats) and covers more airports spread across seven states/UT. This makes it particularly relevant for diploma and ITI holders from Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal who want aviation-sector exposure without relocating far.
Best fit: Recent Degree/Diploma/ITI pass-outs (2024–2026) from the listed Eastern Region states who want one year of hands-on airport infrastructure training and a decent stipend while preparing for permanent PSU or state exams.
Who should skip: Candidates already holding one year or more of prior apprenticeship or job experience after their qualifying exam, those unwilling to be posted at smaller regional airports, and anyone expecting automatic permanent absorption after training.
Practical tip: Apply to multiple establishment IDs of preferred airports on the same day the apply button goes live. Keep scanned copies of mark sheets, domicile certificate and caste certificate (if applicable) ready in the exact format required by NATS/NAPS to avoid last-minute upload failures.
What Documents Are Required?
- Educational certificates and mark sheets (Degree/Diploma/ITI) showing pass year 2024 or later
- Proof of date of birth (10th certificate or equivalent)
- Domicile / permanent residence certificate of the eligible Eastern Region state/UT
- Caste/category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD) if claiming relaxation
- Aadhaar and PAN
- Recent passport-size photograph and signature as per portal specifications
- Any other document demanded at the time of document verification
Originals must be produced at the DV stage. Incomplete or mismatched documents lead to rejection.
Also Read: Northeast Frontier Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 56 Posts
What Happens After Selection?
- Shortlisted candidates receive email/SMS for document verification at the allotted airport/RHQ.
- Original documents are verified, and medical fitness is checked as per AAI norms.
- Contract of Apprenticeship is signed under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
- One-year training begins at the allotted location with a monthly stipend.
- On successful completion, a Certificate of Apprenticeship is issued.
- No automatic claim to permanent employment; candidates must apply separately for any future regular vacancies in AAI or other organisations.
Contact & Helpline
Recruitment-specific contact details are not published in the current notification extracts. For portal-related issues, contact the respective NATS/NAPS helpdesks. For general AAI Eastern Region queries, refer to the official website contact page at aai.aero.
⚠️ Contact details sourced from the official notification/website. Verify before contacting. NEVER pay any money over the phone or to any person claiming to offer job assistance. Report fraud to cybercrime.gov.in.
Important Links – AAI Eastern Region Apprentice 2026
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Download AAI Eastern Region Apprentice 2026-27 Notification PDF | Official Notification PDF |
| Apply for Graduate & Diploma Apprentice (NATS) | NATS Portal |
| Apply for ITI Apprentice (NAPS) | Apprenticeship India / NAPS Portal |
| AAI Official Website | aai.aero |
FAQs – AAI Eastern Region Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Q1: What is the last date to apply for AAI Eastern Region Apprentice 2026?
A: To be announced on the NATS and NAPS portals. Notification was released on 28 July 2026; applications are expected to open shortly. Check the portals daily.
Q2: What is the age limit for AAI Eastern Region Apprentice?
A: Not specified in the current notification. Previous AAI Eastern Region cycles used 18–26 years with standard relaxations. Confirm from the official PDF.
Q3: Is there an exam for AAI Eastern Region Apprentice, or is it interview-based?
A: No written exam or interview. Selection is based on the percentage of marks in the qualifying examination, followed by document verification and medical fitness.
Q4: What is the stipend of an AAI Eastern Region Apprentice?
A: Graduate ₹15,000, Diploma ₹12,000 and ITI ₹9,600 (1st year) / ₹10,560 (2nd year NTC/STC) per month. This is pure stipend with no additional allowances.
Q5: Can final-year students or result-awaited candidates apply for AAI Eastern Region 2026?
A: No. You must have passed the Degree/Diploma/ITI examination in or after 2024 as on 30 June 2026 and possess the final certificate.
Q6: Is an AAI Eastern Region Apprentice a permanent government job?
A: No. This is a one-year contractual apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Completion does not guarantee permanent employment in AAI.
Q7: Can candidates from other states apply for AAI Eastern Region recruitment?
A: No. Only Indian nationals domiciled in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim and Andaman & Nicobar Islands are eligible.
Q8: Where will I be posted if I get selected for AAI Eastern Region Apprentice?
A: At one of the Eastern Region airports or RHQ Kolkata for which you applied via the establishment ID. Posting is as per the selected location and vacancy.
Q9: Will I get a permanent job after AAI apprenticeship?
A: No. Apprenticeship completion only provides a training certificate. Permanent posts in AAI are filled through separate direct recruitment notifications.
Q10: Is there any application fee for AAI Eastern Region Apprentice 2026?
A: No. The notification does not prescribe any application fee for any category.
Q11: What are the disadvantages of doing an AAI apprenticeship?
A: Here’s the catch — it is pure training with no job guarantee, stipend is fixed without allowances, and you may be posted at a smaller regional airport away from home for the full year.
Q12: Is oil & gas or aviation apprenticeship worth it for ITI holders?
A: Yes for skill exposure and a decent stipend, but treat it as a bridge year while preparing for permanent PSU or state-level technical posts rather than an end goal.
Q13: Do public sector apprenticeships lead to regular jobs?
A: Rarely. Most Miniratna and Maharatna PSUs treat apprenticeship as training only. Regular absorption requires clearing separate recruitment exams or interviews.
Pre-Apprenticeship Checklist – Before You Apply
- You meet the educational criteria (passed Degree/Diploma/ITI in or after 2024 as on 30 June 2026).
- You understand this is a contractual apprenticeship of 1 year with no automatic permanent claim after completion.
- You are ready for hands-on training at an Eastern Region airport.
- You understand the stipend amount (₹9,600–15,000) and can plan accordingly.
- You are prepared to maintain attendance and discipline as per the Apprentices Act, 1961 norms.
📄 Source: Official notification released by Airports Authority of India (Eastern Region) on 28 July 2026. All details sourced from the AAI Eastern Region Apprentice 2026-27 official notification PDF.
