NFC Hyderabad Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Best 106-Post Guide

NFC Hyderabad Apprentice Recruitment 2026 gives engineering diploma holders and fresh graduates a genuine year of hands-on exposure inside one of India’s most technically sensitive manufacturing environments — the Nuclear Fuel Complex, which produces fuel assemblies and specialized components for the country’s nuclear power plants. Released under Advertisement No. NFC/R-III/1/08/2026/365 on 24 August 2026, this notification covers 106 tentative Apprentice posts split across eight diploma-level and five graduate-level engineering disciplines, with applications accepted through the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal until 16 September 2026.

It’s worth being precise about what this notification actually is, since NFC Hyderabad has released more than one apprenticeship drive around the same time this year: this specific one covers Diploma and Graduate engineering apprentices through NATS. A separate, larger notification for 432 ITI Trade Apprentice posts runs through a different portal (NAPS) for 10th-pass-plus-ITI candidates. This guide focuses specifically on the Diploma and Graduate engineering track, covering exact eligibility by discipline, stipend, the walk-in interview process, and the NATS application steps.

About Nuclear Fuel Complex, Hyderabad

Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) is a Government of India unit functioning under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), based at ECIL Post, Hyderabad. NFC manufactures nuclear fuel assemblies and related specialized components that supply India’s nuclear power plants, and holds ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 certifications. Apprenticeship training at NFC gives selected candidates direct exposure to a genuinely high-precision manufacturing environment, structured under the Apprentices Act, 1961.

This Notification vs NFC’s Other Apprenticeship Drive

NFC Hyderabad has run two separate apprenticeship notifications in close succession this cycle, and it’s easy to confuse them:

If you hold a 10th-pass qualification plus an ITI certificate rather than a diploma or engineering degree, you’d be applying under the separate ITI Trade Apprentice notification through NAPS, not this one. This guide covers the Diploma and Graduate Engineering track specifically.

Important Dates

Discipline-Wise Vacancy Breakdown

A total of 106 tentative posts are notified across two qualification levels:

Diploma Apprentice posts:

Graduate Apprentice posts:

Mechanical Engineering carries by far the largest share of posts at both levels, which makes sense given NFC’s core manufacturing focus. Since vacancies are described as tentative, the final count may shift slightly, and could increase or decrease based on organizational requirements at the time of final selection.

Eligibility Criteria

• Diploma Apprentice posts: A Diploma in Engineering in the specific discipline you’re applying under.
• Graduate Apprentice posts: A Bachelor’s degree (B.E./B.Tech) in Engineering in the specific discipline you’re applying under.
• Your qualification discipline must exactly match the post you apply for — this isn’t a flexible, “related field” eligibility; NFC explicitly rejects applications where the qualification doesn’t align with the announced discipline for that selection round.
• Mandatory registration on the NATS portal is required to apply — no other application route is accepted for this notification.

Who Is Not Eligible

Two specific exclusions are worth flagging clearly, since they trip up otherwise-qualified candidates:

• Candidates with a postgraduate qualification are not eligible to apply under this notification.
• Candidates who have completed, or are currently undergoing, an apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, 1961 — whether at NFC or elsewhere — are not eligible to apply again under this cycle.

Age Limit

Age is calculated as on 16 September 2026, the application closing date:

Stipend During Training

Accommodation is available subject to availability of quarters — it isn’t guaranteed for every selected candidate, so don’t assume on-campus housing will automatically be provided; confirm this specifically once you’re shortlisted.

Application Fee

The official notification does not specify any application fee for this Diploma and Graduate Apprentice recruitment — applications are submitted free of charge through the NATS portal.

Selection Process: Merit Shortlisting Plus Walk-in Interview

Selection runs through the following stages:

1. Merit-based shortlisting by NFC’s Selection Committee, based on the information submitted in your NATS application.
2. Walk-in Interview for shortlisted candidates, conducted according to the advertised vacancies for each discipline.
3. NFC communicates the venue, date, and further schedule of the interview directly to shortlisted candidates via their registered email address — there’s no separate physical call letter process, so keep your registered email active and check it regularly.
4. The final selection list is prepared by NFC purely on merit and communicated to candidates by email.

A critical eligibility check happens automatically at this stage: if your educational qualification doesn’t match the specific discipline the selection round is announced for, your application is rejected immediately, regardless of your overall academic strength.

How to Register and Apply on NATS

1. Visit the official NFC website at nfc.gov.in and navigate to the Recruitment section on the homepage.
2. Locate and open the advertisement titled “Inviting the Applications from Diploma & Graduate in Engineering Passed Out Candidates for One Year Apprenticeship Training.”
3. Read the complete official notification carefully — eligibility, discipline-wise vacancy details, and application instructions — before proceeding.
4. Go to the official NATS portal at nats.education.gov.in.
5. Register as a candidate if you don’t already have a NATS profile, entering accurate personal and educational details.
6. Search for and select Nuclear Fuel Complex using the establishment code STLHDC000003.
7. Choose the specific discipline and apprentice level (Diploma or Graduate) matching your qualification.
8. Complete every section of the application accurately, including category details if you’re claiming SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) reservation — this must be declared at the time of registration itself.
9. Upload scanned copies of all required certificates and supporting documents.
10. Review your complete application thoroughly before final submission — errors or mismatches between your application and your documents can affect your candidature.
11. Submit before 16 September 2026. Applications received after this date, or found incomplete, are liable to be rejected.
12. Print your submitted application form and retain it — you’ll need this physical copy at the document verification stage.

Documents to Carry for Verification

Keep the following ready, both digitally for upload and physically for verification if shortlisted:

• 10th/SSC marksheet and certificate
• Diploma or Graduate degree marksheet and certificate, matching your applied discipline
• Aadhaar card
• Caste certificate, if applicable, and a disability certificate if applicable
• Proof of medical or health insurance coverage from a recognized insurance provider
• A Police Verification Certificate for your current address, issued by the Superintendent/Commissioner of Police of the concerned district
• Bank passbook and savings account details
• A printed copy of your submitted NATS application form, along with photocopies of all submitted documents
• Three recent passport-size photographs

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing this notification with NFC’s ITI Trade Apprentice drive. They run through different portals (NATS vs NAPS) with different eligibility — check which one actually matches your qualification.
• Applying with a qualification that doesn’t exactly match the announced discipline. NFC rejects mismatched applications immediately at the shortlisting stage.
• Applying with a postgraduate qualification. This notification explicitly excludes postgraduate degree holders.
• Applying while currently in, or having completed, another apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This is a specific, non-negotiable exclusion.
• Missing the SC/ST/OBC reservation declaration at registration time. This needs to be indicated when you first register, not added later.
• Assuming accommodation is guaranteed. It’s explicitly subject to quarters availability, not an automatic benefit of selection.
• Not checking your registered email regularly. Interview schedules and further communication come exclusively through email — missing this can mean missing your interview altogether.

Expert Tips to Strengthen Your Application

• Double-check that your specific diploma or degree specialization exactly matches one of the listed disciplines before registering — a near-match isn’t sufficient given NFC’s strict discipline-matching rule.
• Complete your NATS profile with fully accurate, current academic and personal details, since this profile forms the basis of the merit-based shortlisting itself.
• Arrange your Police Verification Certificate early, since this can take time to process through your local police station and is a compulsory document for verification.
• Confirm you have valid medical or health insurance coverage lined up before applying, since this is listed as a required document for verification.
• Keep both a digital and printed copy of everything you submit, since the printed application form is specifically required at the physical verification stage.
• Since final selection is purely merit-based on your application details, ensure your educational records and any supporting achievements are represented clearly and completely in your NATS profile.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is NFC Hyderabad Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

It is a recruitment notification by Nuclear Fuel Complex, Hyderabad, under the Department of Atomic Energy, for 106 tentative Diploma and Graduate Engineering Apprentice posts, released under Advertisement No. NFC/R-III/1/08/2026/365.

2. What is the last date to apply?

16 September 2026, through the NATS portal.

3. Is this the same as NFC’s ITI apprentice notification?

No. NFC has a separate notification for 432 ITI Trade Apprentice posts through the NAPS portal, for 10th-pass-plus-ITI candidates. This notification is specifically for Diploma and Graduate engineering qualification holders via NATS.

4. What is the stipend for this apprenticeship?

₹10,900 per month for Diploma Apprentices and ₹12,300 per month for Graduate Apprentices.

5. Is there an application fee?

No fee is specified in the official notification for this Diploma and Graduate Apprentice recruitment.

6. Can postgraduate degree holders apply?

No. Candidates with a postgraduate qualification are explicitly not eligible under this notification.

7. What is the age limit?

Minimum 18 years; maximum 25 years for General, 28 years for OBC, and 30 years for SC/ST candidates, as on 16 September 2026.

8. Is there a written exam?

No. Selection is based on merit shortlisting from your NATS application, followed by a walk-in interview for shortlisted candidates.

9. Is accommodation provided during training?

Accommodation may be provided, but only subject to availability of quarters — it is not guaranteed for every selected apprentice.

10. Where do I register to apply?

Through the official NATS portal at nats.education.gov.in, using NFC’s Establishment Code STLHDC000003.

Conclusion

NFC Hyderabad Apprentice Recruitment 2026 offers genuinely valuable, hands-on exposure at a specialized Department of Atomic Energy facility — 106 posts across eight diploma and five graduate engineering disciplines, a straightforward merit-plus-interview selection process, and a full year of practical training. Since eligibility is strictly discipline-matched and two separate NFC apprenticeship notifications are running in parallel this cycle, the priority is precision: confirm you’re registering on the correct portal (NATS, not NAPS) for your qualification level, complete your profile accurately, and submit before 16 September 2026.

For more verified apprenticeship and government recruitment updates as they’re officially released, check out our Internships category page for regularly updated, source-checked listings. And if you’re also exploring other Department of Atomic Energy or defence-sector apprenticeship routes, our guide on RCF Apprentice Recruitment 2026 covers another accessible engineering apprenticeship currently open for application.

Suggested Internal Links

• Internships Category
• RCF Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 734 Posts, No Exam
• DRDO Internship 2026: Best Guide to Apply
• Resume Tips for Freshers 2026: Best First Job Guide

Suggested External References (for fact-checking and updates)

• Official Nuclear Fuel Complex Website: https://www.nfc.gov.in
• Official NATS Portal: https://nats.education.gov.in
• Department of Atomic Energy Official Website: https://www.dae.gov.in