AAI Eastern Region Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Notification Out – Apply Online for 140 Graduate/ Diploma/ ITI Apprentices Posts
Airports Authority of India, Eastern Region has released Advertisement No. 01/2026/ER/APPRENTICE for a one-year apprenticeship programme covering 140 Graduate, Diploma and ITI apprentice seats at RHQ Kolkata and airports across the region. The notification was issued on 28 July 2026.
Two conditions decide whether this is worth your time. It is restricted to candidates domiciled in the Eastern Region states, and your qualification must have been passed in or after 2024. Recent pass-outs only.
Recruitment at a Glance
| Employer | Airports Authority of India (AAI), Eastern Region |
| Advertisement No. | 01/2026/ER/APPRENTICE |
| Posts | Graduate Apprentice, Diploma Apprentice, ITI Apprentice |
| Total Seats | 140 |
| Duration | One year |
| Eligible States | West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
| Qualification Cut-Off | Passed in or after 2024, assessed as on 30 June 2026 |
| Stipend | ₹9,600 to ₹15,000 per month by category |
| Application Mode | Online via NATS or NAPS portal |
Vacancies and Stipend
| Category | Seats | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | 35 | ₹15,000 |
| Diploma Apprentice | 35 | ₹12,000 |
| ITI Apprentice | 70 | ₹9,600 (1st year), ₹10,560 (2nd year) |
| Total | 140 |
The second-year ITI rate applies to National or State Trade Certificate holders whose prior training period counts toward the stipend calculation. AAI can increase, decrease or cancel the seats without giving a reason.
Important Dates — Read This Carefully
The official notification does not specify an application start date or last date. Several websites are circulating dates such as 15 August or 28 August 2026, but these do not appear in AAI’s own advertisement and should not be relied on.
What this means in practice: register on the relevant portal now and monitor NATS or NAPS regularly for your chosen location’s engagement window. Since applications are made against establishment IDs on the apprenticeship portals rather than through a fixed AAI form window, openings can appear and close on the portal’s own schedule.
Eligibility
- Nationality: Indian nationals only
- Domicile: You must belong to West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim or Andaman & Nicobar
- Graduate Apprentice: B.E./B.Tech or equivalent degree in the relevant discipline from a recognised university
- Diploma Apprentice: Diploma in Engineering or Technology from a recognised institution
- ITI Apprentice: ITI certificate — National or State Trade Certificate — from a recognised institution
- Year of passing: 2024 or later in every case, assessed as on 30 June 2026
- Age limit: not specified in the notification
How to Apply
- Graduate and Diploma candidates: register on the NATS portal at nats.education.gov.in
- ITI candidates: register on the NAPS portal at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in
- Search for the AAI Establishment ID matching your preferred location, using the table below
- Fill in the required details and submit
Applications through any other route will not be accepted.
AAI Establishment Enrolment IDs
| Location | BOPT (NATS) | RDAT (NAPS) |
|---|---|---|
| RHQ ER, Kolkata | EWBPNC000015 | E02211900015 |
| VSI Airport, Sri Vijaya Puram | EANSAC000005 | E02233500003 |
| Bagdogra Airport | EWBDAC000001 | E02241900953 |
| Gaya Airport | EBRGAC000001 | E06211000016 |
| Patna Airport | EBRPAC000006 | E05201000023 |
| Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi | EJHRAC00012 | E02232000009 |
| Raipur Airport | WCTRPC000009 | E03232200002 |
| Bhubaneswar Airport | EORKHC000024 | E05192100002 |
| Pakyong Airport | ESKESC000005 | Not specified |
| Jharsuguda Airport | EORJHC000006 | E01232100007 |
Use the ID for the location you actually want to train at — this is what links your portal registration to the right AAI establishment.
What to Expect From the Engagement
Throughout the apprenticeship you are governed by the Apprentices Act, 1961 as amended, together with AAI’s own policies. This is a training programme, not employment: completing it carries no promise of a job with AAI. Treat the stipend, the certificate and the exposure to airport operations at a Mini Ratna PSU as the return.
Official Links
- Notification PDF: AAI Eastern Region Apprentice Notification 2026-27
- Official Website: aai.aero
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for AAI Eastern Region Apprentice 2026?
The official notification does not state one. Candidates should track the NATS and NAPS portals for the engagement window against their chosen establishment ID.
How many seats are available?
140 in total — 35 Graduate, 35 Diploma and 70 ITI apprentice seats.
Who can apply?
Indian nationals domiciled in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim or Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
I passed my diploma in 2023. Am I eligible?
No. The qualification must have been passed in or after 2024, assessed as on 30 June 2026.
What stipend will I receive?
₹15,000 a month for Graduate apprentices, ₹12,000 for Diploma apprentices, and ₹9,600 in the first year for ITI apprentices, rising to ₹10,560 in the second.
Which portal do I apply through?
NATS for Graduate and Diploma candidates; NAPS for ITI candidates.
Does the apprenticeship lead to a permanent job at AAI?
No. It is a one-year training engagement under the Apprentices Act, 1961 and carries no offer of employment.