AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 205 Posts
AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 has been announced by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Northern Region, for 205 Graduate, Diploma and ITI Trade Apprentice seats for the 2026-27 apprenticeship training programme. The training will run for 1 year (12 months), and eligible candidates must apply online through the appropriate NATS or NAPS portal. The last date mentioned in the provided source is 16 September 2026.
AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Airports Authority of India |
| Region | Northern Region |
| Advertisement No. | 01/2026/APPRENTICE/GRADUATE/DIPLOMA/ITI/NR |
| Total Seats | 205 |
| Graduate Apprentices | 80 |
| Diploma Apprentices | 65 |
| ITI Trade Apprentices | 60 |
| Training Duration | 1 Year (12 Months) |
| Age Limit | 18–26 Years |
| Application Fee | Nil |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 16 September 2026 |
| Eligible Domiciles | Specified North Indian States/UTs |
AAI has divided the 205 seats into three apprenticeship categories: 80 Graduate, 65 Diploma and 60 ITI Trade positions. The programme is offered under the Apprentices Act, 1961, and the notification specifically states that apprenticeship completion does not guarantee regular employment with AAI.
The provided source does not specify a separate application opening date; it only gives 16 September 2026 as the application deadline.
AAI Apprentice Vacancy 2026-27
The 205 apprenticeship seats cover engineering, technology, business-related graduate qualifications and selected ITI trades.
| Discipline / Trade | Graduate | Diploma | ITI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering | 15 | 17 | – |
| Electrical Engineering | 10 | 15 | – |
| Electronics | 10 | 11 | – |
| Computer Science / IT | 15 | 7 | – |
| Aeronautical / Aerospace / Aircraft Maintenance | 5 | 4 | – |
| Architecture | 5 | 5 | – |
| Mechanical / Automobile | 10 | 6 | – |
| BCA / B.Com | 10 | – | – |
| COPA / Stenography | – | – | 50 |
| Computer Hardware & Networking | – | – | 10 |
| Total | 80 | 65 | 60 |
The notification describes these seats as tentative and says the number may be increased or reduced. All listed apprenticeship categories have a training duration of one year.
AAI Apprentice Eligibility 2026
The eligibility requirements differ according to the apprenticeship category. Graduate applicants need a regular four-year engineering degree in the notified streams, while Diploma candidates need a regular three-year engineering diploma in the notified streams. ITI applicants must hold an ITI/NCVT certificate in one of the notified trades.
Educational Qualification
| Apprentice Category | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | Full-time regular 4-year Engineering Degree in notified streams |
| Diploma Apprentice | Full-time regular 3-year Engineering Diploma in notified streams |
| ITI Trade Apprentice | ITI/NCVT certificate in notified trades |
The qualification must be recognized by AICTE or the Government of India as applicable to the category. Candidates must have passed their degree, diploma or ITI qualification in 2024 or after 2024.
Candidates who have already completed an apprenticeship, terminated an apprenticeship midway, or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training at the same qualification level are not eligible. Applicants with 1 year or more of apprenticeship/job experience after obtaining the essential qualification are also excluded under the stated conditions.
A candidate applying for more than one discipline will not be considered. Therefore, applicants should select the discipline that matches their qualification before submitting the application.
AAI Apprentice Domicile Eligibility
This recruitment is not open to candidates from every state. Only Indian Nationals who are domiciles of the specified states and Union Territories can apply.
The eligible domicile locations are Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Leh Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
This domicile condition is one of the key points candidates should check before registering on NATS or NAPS.
AAI Apprentice Age Limit 2026
Candidates must be at least 18 years and not more than 26 years old as on 16 September 2026. Upper-age relaxation is applicable to SC, ST, OBC and PwBD candidates according to Government of India guidelines.
AAI Apprentice Stipend 2026-27
AAI has specified different monthly stipends for the three apprenticeship categories.
| Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | ₹15,000 |
| Diploma Apprentice | ₹12,000 |
| ITI Trade Apprentice | ₹9,600 |
For Graduate Apprentices, the source gives an AAI share of ₹8,850 and Government DBT share of ₹6,150. Diploma Apprentices receive an AAI share of ₹6,550 and Government DBT share of ₹5,450. The ITI Trade Apprentice stipend is listed as a fixed ₹9,600 per month.
AAI Apprentice Training Locations
Selected apprentices may be placed at various airports and AAI offices in the Northern Region. The locations listed in the source include Adampur, Amritsar, Agra, Aligarh, Ayodhya, Bareilly, Bikaner, Dehradun, Gorakhpur, Gwalior, Jaipur, Jammu, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Leh, Meerut, Prayagraj, Srinagar, Shimla, Udaipur, Varanasi and several other Northern Region locations.
The allocated airport, station or unit is final, and candidates cannot request a later change in the training location. The source also states that selected candidates will preferably be posted based on their registration location on the portal.
AAI Apprentice Selection Process 2026
AAI will select apprentices through merit, so there is no written examination. The initial shortlisting is based on marks obtained in the qualifying examination, with CGPA converted into percentage according to the concerned Board or University norms.
The selection process then moves through document verification, interview/certificate verification and medical fitness certification. Final engagement follows successful verification and medical fitness clearance.
How to Prepare for AAI Apprentice Selection
Since AAI uses qualifying-examination marks for provisional merit, applicants should first verify the percentage shown in their degree, diploma or ITI records. Candidates whose marksheets use CGPA should check the conversion method prescribed by their concerned Board or University instead of using an unofficial calculation.
Applicants should also make their NATS or NAPS profile completely accurate because the portal registration forms an important part of this recruitment. Graduate and Diploma candidates must select the AAI establishment Airports Authority of India – RHQ NR, New Delhi (NDLSWC000002) on NATS, while ITI candidates need to search using establishment code E05200700101 on NAPS.
There is no CBT syllabus to prepare for in this recruitment. Instead, candidates should focus on having consistent qualification records, correct portal information, valid certificates and the documents needed for verification.
AAI Apprentice Application Fee
There is no application fee for AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27. The source expressly states that no fee is charged for this recruitment.
How to Apply for AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Graduate and Diploma Apprentices – NATS
- Visit the NATS 2.0 portal and select the Student option.
- Register as a General Student.
- Keep your personal email, mobile number, Aadhaar number, qualifying certificate and APAAR ID ready.
- Complete mobile, email and Aadhaar e-KYC verification.
- Enter your educational and communication details.
- Upload or fetch the required educational certificate through the available portal facilities.
- Submit the profile and obtain the Student Enrolment ID.
- Search for Airports Authority of India – RHQ NR, New Delhi (NDLSWC000002).
- Select the relevant apprenticeship opportunity and click Apply.
ITI Trade Apprentices – NAPS
- Open the NAPS portal and choose Candidate registration.
- Complete the basic, family and contact details.
- Activate the account using the registered email.
- Log in and complete the candidate profile.
- Search using establishment code E05200700101.
- Select the appropriate AAI opportunity and click Apply.
- Track the application and contract status through the candidate dashboard.
Only applications submitted through the registered NATS/NAPS portals will be considered. Offline applications and applications submitted through other methods will not be entertained.
Common Mistakes in AAI Apprentice Applications
- Applying for more than one discipline, which can lead to rejection.
- Choosing the wrong NATS/NAPS establishment instead of the AAI Northern Region opportunity.
- Ignoring the domicile requirement before submitting the application.
- Using an incorrect CGPA-to-percentage conversion in the qualification details.
- Applying despite having already completed or currently pursuing an apprenticeship at the same qualification level.
- Assuming the apprenticeship automatically leads to a permanent AAI job.
Documents to Keep Ready for AAI Apprentice Recruitment
- Aadhaar number and details required for e-KYC.
- Degree, diploma or ITI qualifying certificate.
- Educational marksheets and percentage/CGPA details.
- APAAR ID for NATS applicants where required.
- Category or PwBD documents, where applicable.
- Medical Fitness Certificate from the prescribed Government Medical Officer or Government Undertaking Medical Officer at joining.
Important Conditions for AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026
The apprenticeship lasts for 12 months, after which the Apprenticeship Contract automatically ends. AAI specifically states that the training does not provide an assurance of regular employment, and the organization has no obligation to offer a job after successful completion.
Candidates should also remember that no TA/DA will be provided for attending interviews or document verification. False or incorrect information can result in cancellation of candidature or engagement.
Important Links for AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Graduate/Diploma Apply Online | NATS Student Portal |
| ITI Trade Apply Online | NAPS Candidate Login |
| Official Notification PDF | AAI Apprentice Notification PDF |
| AAI Recruitment Page | Airports Authority of India Recruitment |
The provided source identifies the AAI advertisement as the official notification and gives the above portals for applying.
Frequently Asked Questions About AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026
1. How many vacancies are available in AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
AAI Northern Region has announced 205 apprenticeship seats: 80 Graduate, 65 Diploma and 60 ITI Trade.
2. What is the last date to apply for AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The last date for online application is 16 September 2026.
3. What is the age limit for AAI Apprentices?
The age limit is 18 to 26 years as on 16 September 2026. Applicable upper-age relaxation is available for SC, ST, OBC and PwBD candidates according to Government guidelines.
4. Is there an application fee?
No. AAI charges no application fee for this recruitment.
5. Is there a written exam for AAI Apprentice Recruitment?
No. AAI will select candidates based on their qualifying-examination marks, followed by document verification, interview/certificate verification, and medical fitness clearance.
6. What is the stipend for AAI Apprentices?
Graduate Apprentices receive ₹15,000 per month, Diploma Apprentices receive ₹12,000, and ITI Trade Apprentices receive ₹9,600.
7. Who can apply for the AAI Northern Region apprenticeship?
Eligible applicants must be Indian Nationals domiciled in the states/UTs specified in the notification and must have completed their qualifying degree, diploma or ITI in 2024 or later.
8. Does AAI apprenticeship guarantee a permanent job?
No. The apprenticeship is a training opportunity, and AAI states that completion does not create an obligation to provide regular employment.
Conclusion
The AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 provides 205 apprenticeship opportunities across Graduate, Diploma and ITI categories in the Northern Region. Candidates should carefully check the domicile, qualification, passing-year and apprenticeship-experience conditions before applying through NATS or NAPS, with the application deadline set for 16 September 2026.
