Overview
The Indian Navy has opened applications for 210 apprentice seats for the 2027–28/29 training year. 180 seats are at Naval Dockyard, Karwar (Karnataka), spread over 27 trades. The other 30 seats are at Naval Aircraft Yard, Dabolim (Goa), across 13 trades.
ITI pass candidates are paid Rs. 9,600 per month during training. A few trades are open to 10th pass candidates, and Rigger is open to 8th pass candidates, at lower stipend rates. There is no application fee and no upper age limit.
This is a training programme under the Apprentices Act, 1961. It is not a regular job, and the Navy states that neither the establishment nor any government agency is bound to offer employment after training is completed.
Vacancy Details
Naval Dockyard, Karwar: 180 seats
The Karwar seats are divided as UR 84, OBC 58, SC 26 and ST 12. In addition, 6 seats for PwBD candidates and 6 for children of armed forces personnel and ex-servicemen are reserved across trades.
One-year ITI trades (161 seats)
| Trade | Seats |
|---|---|
| Fitter | 24 |
| Marine Engine Fitter | 15 |
| Electrician | 12 |
| Mechanic Diesel | 12 |
| Electronics Mechanic | 11 |
| Mechanic Mechatronics | 11 |
| Mechanic Industrial Electronics | 9 |
| Shipwright Wood | 9 |
| Welder (Gas and Electric) | 9 |
| Mechanic Ref and AC | 6 |
| ICT Maintenance | 5 |
| Painter (General) | 5 |
| Pipe Fitter | 5 |
| Tailor (General) | 5 |
| TIG/MIG Welder | 5 |
| Instrument Mechanic | 3 |
| Operator Advance Machine Tool | 3 |
| Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA) | 2 |
| Machinist | 2 |
| Mechanic (Embedded System and PLC) | 2 |
| Mechanic Machine Tool Maintenance | 2 |
| Mechanic Motor Vehicle | 2 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | 2 |
| Total | 161 |
Longer and non-ITI trades at Karwar (19 seats)
| Trade | Qualification | Duration | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shipwright Steel | ITI (Fitter) | 2 years | 7 |
| Forger and Heat Treater | 10th pass | 2 years | 5 |
| Rigger | 8th pass | 2 years | 5 |
| Crane Operator Overhead (Steel Industry) | 10th pass | 15 months | 2 |
| Total | 19 |
Naval Aircraft Yard (Goa), Dabolim: 30 seats
All Goa trades last one year and need ITI. The numbers below are the maximum seats per trade. The overall total is capped at 30, so not every trade will reach its maximum.
| Trade | Maximum seats |
|---|---|
| Electrician | 5 |
| Electrician Aircraft | 5 |
| Electronics Mechanic | 5 |
| Machinist | 5 |
| Mechanic Instrument Aircraft | 5 |
| Mechanic Radar and Radio Aircraft | 5 |
| Shipwright Wood | 2 |
| Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA) | 2 |
| ICT System Maintenance | 2 |
| Instrument Mechanic | 2 |
| Painter (General) | 2 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | 2 |
| Welder (Gas and Electric) | 2 |
Eligibility
Educational qualification
- ITI trades: 10th pass plus an NCVT or SCVT ITI certificate in the trade that matches the apprenticeship trade you choose.
- Crane Operator Overhead and Forger and Heat Treater: 10th pass. No ITI needed.
- Rigger: 8th pass.
If your board awards grades or CGPA, you must state the equivalent percentage as per the board’s own rules. Applications without it are not considered, so get the conversion certified before you apply.
Who cannot apply
- Anyone currently doing apprenticeship training, or within the three-month waiting period after ending an apprenticeship contract (this waiting period does not apply to women).
- Anyone who has already completed two apprenticeships.
- Candidates with 100% disability. The notice says their applications will be rejected.
Reservation
- SC, ST and OBC seats follow the Apprentices Act. Unfilled reserved seats are not carried forward.
- PwBD: 3% of seats, for candidates with at least 40% disability and a valid government medical board certificate.
- Armed forces personnel, ex-servicemen and their children: 3% of seats.
Age Limit
There is no upper age limit. The minimum age is counted on the training start date, 12 April 2027.
- Non-hazardous trades: at least 14 years (born on or before 12 April 2013).
- Hazardous trades: at least 18 years (born on or before 12 April 2009).
Note that jobs in naval establishments such as Tradesman Skilled posts do have an upper age limit. It applies to former apprentices who later apply for those jobs.
Stipend and Training Duration
| Trade group | Period | Monthly stipend |
|---|---|---|
| ITI trades (one year) | Months 1–12 | Rs. 9,600 |
| Crane Operator Overhead and Forger and Heat Treater | Months 1–3 | Rs. 4,100 |
| Months 4–12 | Rs. 8,200 | |
| Later months | Rs. 9,020 | |
| Rigger | Months 1–3 | Rs. 3,400 |
| Months 4–12 | Rs. 6,800 | |
| Months 13–24 | Rs. 7,480 |
Selected candidates sign their apprenticeship contract online through the NAPS portal.
Important Dates
- Notice published in Employment News: issue of 10–16 October 2026
- Last date for your printed profile to reach Karwar: within 30 days of publication, which works out to 9 November 2026
- Written exam: January 2027 at Karwar (admit card sent by email)
- Training expected to start: 12 April 2027
Any change to the schedule is sent only to your registered email address, so use an email ID you check every day.
How to Apply
There are two compulsory parts: an online registration and a posted application. Doing only one of them makes your application invalid.
Part 1: Register on the apprenticeship portal
- Check that your name, date of birth and father’s name on your Aadhaar match your 10th certificate (8th certificate for Rigger). Correct your Aadhaar first if they differ, because a mismatch is a ground for rejection.
- Open apprenticeshipindia.gov.in, choose Candidate Login/Register, fill in your details and activate the profile from the email you receive.
- Log in with your email and enter the OTP sent to your mobile.
- Complete your profile: date of birth, parents’ names, address, 10th and ITI details, trade preference and bank details, then validate your Aadhaar.
- Open Apprenticeship Opportunities, search for “Naval Dockyard, Karwar” under establishment name, click Apply against your trade, select “Uttara Kannada” and confirm.
Part 2: Post your candidate profile
- Download and print the Candidate Profile from the portal.
- Attach self-attested copies of your 10th mark sheet (8th for Rigger), ITI mark sheets (each semester and the consolidated one), category certificate if applicable, disability certificate if applicable, and Aadhaar card.
- Add the undertaking in the Navy’s format. Choose either Naval Dockyard Karwar or Naval Aircraft Yard Goa, strike out the other, then sign with the date and place.
- Send everything by speed post or registered post to:
The Officer-in-Charge, Dockyard Apprentice School, Naval Dockyard, Naval Base, Karwar, Karnataka – 581 308
Post it early. The envelope must reach Karwar by the deadline, and delays in transit are your risk.
Things to remember
- Apply only once. Duplicate applications are rejected, and you choose Karwar or Goa only once in the undertaking.
- Apply only for a trade that matches your ITI trade.
- No payment is required at any stage. Don’t pay anyone who promises you a seat.
- Give a working mobile number and email. Notices, admit cards and joining letters come only by email.
Selection Process
Stage 1: Merit list
A trade-wise and category-wise list is made first. ITI trades are ranked on the combined percentage of 10th and ITI marks. Non-ITI trades are ranked on 8th or 10th marks. Ties are settled in favour of the older candidate, then by name in alphabetical order.
Stage 2: Written test
For each vacancy, 20 candidates are called, in the ratio of 1:20. The exam is held at Karwar in January 2027.
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 35 |
| General Science | 35 |
| General Knowledge | 30 |
| Total | 100 |
- OMR-based multiple-choice paper, one mark per question, two hours, in English and Hindi.
- No negative marking.
- Minimum qualifying marks: 40%.
Stage 3: Final list, verification and medical test
A final merit list and a 20% waiting list are prepared on written-exam marks, separately for Karwar and Goa. Selected candidates go through document verification. At joining, they need a medical fitness certificate from a District Hospital, in the Navy’s format, and a police verification certificate.
The Navy does not pay for travel, food or stay during selection. After selection, Karwar has limited hostel space for boys only (first come, first served). Goa has no hostel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many apprentice seats are there?
There are 210 seats in total: 180 at Naval Dockyard Karwar and 30 at Naval Aircraft Yard Goa.
What is the last date to apply?
Your printed profile must reach Karwar within 30 days of the 10 October 2026 Employment News publication, which is 9 November 2026. Confirm the exact date in the official notification.
Is there any application fee?
No. The Navy states that no money should be paid to anyone.
Is there an age limit?
There is no upper age limit. The minimum age is 14 years for non-hazardous trades and 18 years for hazardous trades, counted on 12 April 2027.
Will I get a permanent job after the apprenticeship?
No. Apprenticeship is training, and the Navy does not promise employment afterwards.
Can I apply to both Karwar and Goa?
No. You can apply to only one of them, and you choose it once in your undertaking.
