The Headquarters Western Naval Command, Indian Navy (Ministry of Defence) has released official notification in Employment News (10–16 October 2026 issue) for the engagement of 210 Trade Apprentices across its premier maritime establishments: Naval Dockyard Karwar (180 seats) in Karnataka and Naval Aircraft Yard Dabolim, Goa (30 seats) under the Apprentices Act, 1961 for Academic Year 2027–28.
This flagship naval training provides ITI certificate holders and matriculate pass-outs with world-class maritime engineering training on frontline warships, submarines, and naval aircraft. Apprentices receive a monthly stipend of ₹9,600 per month for ITI trades. Importantly, ex-naval apprentices receive statutory reservation and age concessions in the highly coveted Naval Tradesman Skilled (Group 'C' Level-2) permanent defense civilian recruitments.
| Publication in Employment News | 10–16 October 2026 Issue |
| Online Registration on Apprenticeship Portal | Currently Open |
| Last Date for Receipt of Application at Karwar | 09 November 2026 (05:00 PM) |
| Written Examination Date | January 2027 at Karwar (Karnataka) |
| Document Verification & Medical Exam | February / March 2027 |
| Commencement of Apprenticeship Training | 12 April 2027 |
| General / OBC / EWS Candidates | ₹ 0/- (Exempted) |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women Candidates | ₹ 0/- (Exempted) |
| Notice on Unofficial Demands | The Indian Navy strictly warns that no money is to be paid to anyone. Selection is 100% merit-based. |
| Payment Mode | Free Application (No Fee) |
| Establishment | Trade Name | Total Seats | Essential Educational & Technical Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naval Dockyard Karwar (180 Seats) | Fitter & Pipe Fitter | 29 Seats | Candidate must have passed 10th Standard (Matriculation) with minimum 50% aggregate marks and passed ITI (NCVT / SCVT) with minimum 65% aggregate marks in the relevant engineering trade from a recognized industrial training institute. Non-ITI Trades: For Crane Operator Overhead (2 Seats) & Forger and Heat Treater (5 Seats), candidates need only 10th pass. For Rigger (5 Seats), minimum 8th class pass is required. |
| Electrician & Electronics Mechanic | 23 Seats | ||
| Marine Engine Fitter & Mechanic Diesel | 27 Seats | ||
| Mechanic Mechatronics & Machine Tool | 13 Seats | ||
| Welder, Machinist & Sheet Metal Worker | 16 Seats | ||
| COPA, ICTM, Painter, Shipwright & Others | 72 Seats | ||
| Naval Aircraft Yard Goa (30 Seats) | Aero/Aircraft Electrician & Electronics | 15 Seats | 10th Pass with 50% marks + ITI in Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, Instrument Mechanic, or Radar Mechanic trade with 65% marks. |
| Machinist, Welder, COPA, Painter & Sheet Metal | 15 Seats | ||
| Total Indian Navy Apprenticeship Seats | 210 Technical Training Seats | ||
| Link Description | Action / Direct Link |
|---|---|
| Register on Apprenticeship India Portal | apprenticeshipindia.gov.in |
| Download Karwar Apprentice Notification PDF | Download Advt PDF |
| Indian Navy Official Website | joinindiannavy.gov.in |
| Explore All Police, Defense & Trade Jobs | Police & Defense Jobs |
Naval Base Karwar (INS Kadamba), also known as Project Seabird, is Asia's largest naval base housing aircraft carriers (INS Vikramaditya, INS Vikrant), guided missile destroyers, and nuclear submarines. Apprentices trained at the Dockyard Apprentice School receive hands-on experience under naval officers and master craftsmen in:
| Trade Category | Training Period | Monthly Stipend | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| All ITI Certificate Trades | Months 1 to 12 (1 Year) | ₹ 9,600 / Month | Directly credited to Apprentice Bank Account |
| Non-ITI Trades (Forger, Crane Op.) | Months 1 to 3 Months 4 to 12 Months 13 to 24 |
₹ 4,100 / Month ₹ 8,200 / Month ₹ 9,020 / Month |
Staggered apprentice stipend scale |
| Rigger (Non-ITI 8th Pass) | Months 1 to 3 Months 4 to 12 Months 13 to 24 |
₹ 3,400 / Month ₹ 6,800 / Month ₹ 7,480 / Month |
Two-year apprenticeship course |
The greatest advantage of completing naval apprenticeship is the exclusive preference in the permanent Indian Navy Tradesman Skilled (Group 'C' Pay Level-2, Basic ₹19,900 - ₹63,200) recruitment:
Under Indian Navy recruitment rules, designated proportions of Tradesman Skilled vacancies at Naval Dockyards (Mumbai, Karwar, Visakhapatnam, Kochi) are reserved exclusively for candidates who hold the National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) issued by the Dockyard Apprentice School. This provides an almost guaranteed gateway to permanent Central Government defense employment!