The Airports Authority of India (AAI), Eastern Region—a Category-1 Mini Ratna Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Civil Aviation—has officially published the AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification (Advt No. 01/2026/ER/APPRENTICE). This recruitment drive offers 140 One-Year Apprenticeship training slots for Graduate, Diploma, and ITI passouts across Regional Head Quarters (RHQ ER, Kolkata) and 9 operational airports throughout the Eastern Region for the 2026–27 training year.
Eligible candidates residing in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands who passed their respective degree, diploma, or ITI courses in or after 2024 (as of June 30, 2026) can register online. The application process is conducted through the official NATS 2.0 portal for Graduate/Diploma applicants and the NAPS portal for ITI applicants.
If you have not registered on NATS before, do that first — the AAI application is a search-and-apply step within an approved NATS profile, not a standalone form, and profile approval takes one to two weeks. Our step-by-step guide to NATS 2.0 registration covers the Aadhaar e-KYC, document formats and bank-account requirements you will need in place before you can apply here.
For fresh engineering and ITI graduates seeking practical aviation sector experience in civil engineering, electrical, electronics, computer science, and aviation operations, this apprenticeship provides monthly stipends up to ₹15,000. An apprenticeship is also one of the four recognised routes into a public sector career — our guide to landing a high-paying PSU job explains how the apprenticeship track compares with the GATE and direct-exam routes. You can also browse the latest government job opportunities for active state and central listings.
AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Quick Overview
Here is a summary of the official notification details released by AAI Eastern Region, Kolkata:
| Particulars | Recruitment Details |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Administrative Region | Eastern Region (RHQ ER, NSCBI Airport, Kolkata) |
| Category | Category-1 Mini Ratna PSU (Govt. of India Enterprise) |
| Advertisement Number | 01/2026/ER/APPRENTICE |
| Program Name | One-Year Apprenticeship Training Scheme (2026–27) |
| Total Vacancies | 140 Posts (35 Graduate, 35 Diploma, 70 ITI) |
| Monthly Stipend | ₹9,600 – ₹15,000 per month |
| Application Mode | Online via NATS 2.0 & NAPS Portals |
| Eligible Domicile States | West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, Andaman & Nicobar |
| Official Website | www.aai.aero |
Important Dates for AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Keep track of the crucial timeline for application submission across NATS and NAPS portals:
| Event Timeline | Schedule Date |
|---|---|
| Official Advertisement Release Date | July 2026 |
| Online Portal Registration Opening | Active Now |
| Crucial Qualifying Passing Date | Degree/Diploma/ITI passed in or after 2024 (as on 30.06.2026) |
| Online Application Closing Date | Rolling Portal Window (Apply ASAP) |
| Document Verification Schedule | Intimated to shortlisted candidates via registered Email |
Category-wise Vacancy Breakdown & Monthly Stipend
The AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 drive invites applications across three major apprenticeship categories under the Apprentices Act, 1961:
| Sl. No | Apprentice Category | Total Seats | Monthly Stipend Rate | Qualification Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Graduate Apprentice | 35 | ₹15,000/- per month | B.E. / B.Tech / General Degree in relevant discipline (passed in/after 2024) |
| 2. | Diploma Apprentice | 35 | ₹12,000/- per month | 3-Year Diploma in relevant engineering stream (passed in/after 2024) |
| 3. | ITI Apprentice | 70 | ₹9,600/- per month (1st Year) ₹10,560/- per month (2nd Year for National/State Trade Certificate holders) | ITI Trade Certificate from NCVT/SCVT recognized institute (passed in/after 2024) |
| Total | All Categories | 140 | — | — |
The stipend is fixed by the Apprentices Act rather than negotiated, but it is worth understanding what a stipended training year is actually worth against other options — our guide on choosing between a paid and unpaid internship covers how to judge that.
Airport Locations & Establishment Enrolment IDs
Applicants must search for the specific AAI Establishment IDs on the NATS 2.0 or NAPS portal to submit their application for their preferred training location:
| Sl. No | Airport / Unit Location | BOPT (NATS) Enrolment ID (Graduate / Diploma) | RDAT (NAPS) Enrolment ID (ITI Trade) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | RHQ ER, Kolkata (West Bengal) | EWBPNC000015 | E02211900015 |
| 2. | VSI Airport, Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair, A&N) | EANSAC000005 | E02233500003 |
| 3. | Bagdogra Airport (West Bengal) | EWBDAC000001 | E02241900953 |
| 4. | Gaya Airport (Bihar) | EBRGAC000001 | E06211000016 |
| 5. | Patna Airport (Bihar) | EBRPAC000006 | E05201000023 |
| 6. | Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi (Jharkhand) | EJHRAC00012 | E02232000009 |
| 7. | Raipur Airport (Chhattisgarh) | WCTRPC000009 | E03232200002 |
| 8. | Bhubaneswar Airport (Odisha) | EORKHC000024 | E05192100002 |
| 9. | Pakyong Airport (Sikkim) | ESKESC000005 | — |
| 10. | Jharsuguda Airport (Odisha) | EORJHC000006 | E01232100007 |
Eligibility Criteria for AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Candidates must fulfill the eligibility criteria specified in the official notification:
- Domicile Requirement: Eligible candidates from Indian Nationals only under the Eastern Region (West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands).
- Educational Qualification & Passing Criteria: Candidates who have passed their Degree, Diploma, or ITI course in or after 2024 (as on June 30, 2026).
- Apprenticeship Rules: Governed by the Apprentices Act, 1961 (as amended in 1973 and till date) and organization policies.
Selection Process
There is no written examination. Selection is based purely on the merit percentage obtained in your qualifying Degree, Diploma, or ITI certificate — which makes the number on your certificate the single deciding factor.
If your institution issues grades rather than a percentage, convert it using the formula your university actually prescribes, not a generic multiplier. Our CGPA to percentage conversion guide covers the university-wise formulas, and getting this wrong on a purely merit-ranked application can cost you a seat outright.
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee | Registration Portal |
|---|---|---|
| All Male & Female Candidates (General / OBC / EWS / SC / ST / PwBD) | ₹0/- (Free / Nil) | NATS 2.0 & NAPS Portals |
Important Direct Links
| Important Link Resource | Direct Access URL |
|---|---|
| Graduate & Diploma NATS Portal | Apply on NATS Portal → |
| ITI Trade NAPS Portal | Apply on Apprentice Portal → |
| AAI Official Website | Visit AAI Official Site |
Other Apprenticeship Openings Worth Tracking
AAI’s Eastern Region drive is limited to seven states. If you are outside that catchment, or want more than one application in play, these apprenticeships run under the same Apprentices Act framework on separate cycles:
- HPCL Graduate Apprentice Trainee — 358 posts with a ₹25,000 stipend, considerably higher than most apprentice rates.
- ISRO URSC Apprentice openings — technical apprenticeships at the U R Rao Satellite Centre.
- DRDO ACEM Graduate and Diploma Apprenticeship — 41 posts in Nasik, open to both degree and diploma holders.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many vacancies are available in AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
A total of 140 apprenticeship seats are available, including 35 Graduate, 35 Diploma, and 70 ITI seats across 10 airport locations in the Eastern Region.
2. What is the monthly stipend for AAI Apprentices?
Graduate Apprentices receive ₹15,000 per month, Diploma Apprentices receive ₹12,000 per month, and ITI Apprentices receive ₹9,600 to ₹10,560 per month.
3. Which candidates are eligible for the Eastern Region drive?
Only Indian Nationals belonging to West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands who passed in or after 2024 are eligible.
4. Is there an application fee for AAI Apprentice registration?
No, registration on both NATS 2.0 and NAPS portals is completely free of charge.
5. Is there a written exam for AAI Apprentice selection?
No written examination is conducted. Selection is purely based on the merit percentage obtained in your qualifying Degree, Diploma, or ITI certificate.
6. Can candidates who graduated before 2024 apply?
No. Only candidates who passed their degree, diploma, or ITI in or after the year 2024 (as of 30/06/2026) are eligible.
7. What is the duration of the AAI apprenticeship program?
The apprenticeship training period is strictly One Year under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
8. How do I apply for Bagdogra or Patna Airport?
You must search for the establishment using the specific NATS or NAPS Enrolment ID (e.g., EWBDAC000001 for Bagdogra) on the portal and click Apply.
Engineering graduate and founder of FreshersJob4U. I write detailed job guides, interview prep resources, and career roadmaps for freshers and early-career professionals in India. This site started from my own experience with the scattered, confusing fresher job search — I wanted to build something cleaner.
