VPA Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – 20 ITI Posts, Apply Online from 4 November

VPA Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is out, and ITI pass-outs near the Andhra coast have a rare chance to train inside one of India’s major ports. The Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) has invited applications for 20 Trade Apprentice placements in its Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Department. Online applications open on 4 November 2026 and close on 3 December 2026.

There is no written exam here. Selection is on ITI marks, so your result sheet does the talking. The training lasts one year and comes with a monthly stipend.

This guide goes beyond the basics. You will find trade-wise vacancies, the annual stipend worked out, a plain-English explanation of the 4:1:1 preference rule, and a checklist to avoid common NAPS mistakes.

📌 Also Read:Latest Government Job Notifications 2026 – All Sarkari Naukri in one Place

VPA Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview

Important Dates

⚠️ NAPS can slow down in the last few days before a deadline. Aim to submit by the middle of the window.

💡 Pro Tip: VPA also ran an earlier round under the same notification number. That notification was dated 21 August 2026, with applications from 24 August to 23 September 2026. If you applied in that round, check your NAPS dashboard and confirm with VPA on 0891-2873232 whether you need to apply again.

VPA Apprentice Vacancy 2026 – Trade-wise Details

The 20 placements are split equally across five trades. That means four seats per trade, so competition is trade-specific. A trade with fewer applicants in your area could be your best shot.

Seats for SC, ST and OBC candidates follow the reservation rules under the Apprentices Act, 1961, applied on the total number of placements. The notification does not give a category-wise seat count.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

You must have passed ITI in the exact trade you are applying for. An Electrician ITI cannot be used for a Fitter seat. Choose the trade that matches your certificate.

Age Limit

✅ The notification asks for a minimum age of 14 years, counted as on 3 December 2026. The notification text reviewed here states no upper age limit. Some third-party sites quote 30 or 31 years, so confirm the maximum age in the official PDF before applying.

Who Should Apply

• ITI pass-outs in any of the five trades above
• Candidates who want one year of hands-on industrial exposure at a working port
• Candidates in or near Visakhapatnam, since the placement is at VPA and no travel allowance is paid for certificate verification

VPA Apprentice Stipend 2026 – What You Will Earn

Apprentices are trainees, not regular employees. You receive a stipend, not a salary. Here is what the monthly figures add up to over the training year.

The yearly totals are our own calculation (monthly stipend × 12) and assume you complete all 12 months. The notification does not list any other allowance.

⚠️ VPA states clearly that it is not obliged to offer a job after the apprenticeship ends. Treat this as skill-building and a certificate of experience, not a guaranteed appointment.

Selection Process – How VPA Picks Apprentices

There is no exam and no interview in the notification. Selection runs in three steps.

1. Merit list: Candidates are ranked on aggregate marks in ITI.
2. Certificate verification: Only shortlisted candidates are called. VPA does not pay TA/DA, boarding or lodging for this visit.
3. Trade allotment: The Head of the Department allots trades at his or her discretion.

The 4:1:1 Preference Rule Explained

This is the part most candidates miss. VPA gives preference in a 4:1:1 ratio: 4 shares for children of VPA employees, 1 for CHD, and 1 for outsiders. The notification does not spell out what CHD stands for, so check the PDF for details.

Inside the 4 shares for port employees’ children, a 2:1:1 sub-ratio applies. It covers children of deceased employees, then of medically invalidated and superannuated employees, then of serving employees.

If you are an outsider, you compete for the smaller outsider share. Scoring high in ITI matters even more for you.

How to Apply for VPA Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Applications go only through the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) portal.

1. Go to the Apprenticeship India portal and register as a candidate.
2. Log in and open “Find an apprentice opportunity”, then search “Opportunity”.
3. Select your trade and choose the course type as designated.
4. Set the location to Andhra Pradesh.
5. Search the establishment “Visakhapatnam Port Authority” and click “Apply”.
6. Submit before 3 December 2026 and keep your registered email and mobile number active.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your ITI marksheet, trade certificate and ID proof scanned and ready before you log in. Your marks decide your rank, so enter them exactly as printed. The notification does not list the documents, so check the PDF for the exact list.

📌 Also Read: NPCIL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026

📌 Also Read: HPCL Graduate Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Why This Apprenticeship Is Worth Your Time

A port is a live industrial site. Cranes, vehicles, electrical systems and electronics all need maintenance. Your trade matches that work directly.

• Real workplace training: You learn on port equipment, not in a classroom.
• Fixed stipend: The amount is set by the notification and does not depend on negotiation.
• Experience on your CV: A year at a major port authority helps in later applications. Keep an eye on PSU jobs and other openings that value ITI plus experience.

Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Word on VPA Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026

VPA Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a solid, exam-free route for ITI holders to get real port experience and a monthly stipend. Check your trade, confirm the age limit in the official PDF, and apply on NAPS well before 3 December 2026.

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Disclaimer: All information in this article has been sourced from the official recruitment notification published by Visakhapatnam Port Authority. GovtServiceInfo.com is not a recruiting authority and does not accept job applications. We strongly recommend reading the full official notification before applying and verifying all details, especially dates, eligibility, and fees, directly from the official website. We are not responsible for any changes made by the recruiting authority after the date of publication.