Tata Motors Apprentice Recruitment 2026 — ITI Jobs, Stipend, Eligibility & Apply Online

Tata Motors runs one of the largest apprenticeship programs in India’s private sector. If you have passed 10th, 12th, or hold an ITI certificate, you can enter the company through a structured apprenticeship — earn a monthly stipend from day one, receive industrial training at a real manufacturing plant, and build a path toward a permanent job.

This guide covers the three main apprenticeship routes at Tata Motors in 2026 — Trade Apprenticeship (under the Apprenticeship Act), the Kaushalya Earn & Learn Program, and the Lakshya Earn & Learn Program. You’ll find the exact eligibility criteria, stipend amounts, ITI trades accepted, plant locations, documents needed, and a step-by-step process to apply online.

Apprenticeship Programs at a Glance

Tata Motors offers multiple entry-level programs, each targeting a different educational background. The table below gives a quick comparison so you can identify which one fits you.

All four programs are completely free — Tata Motors does not charge any fee, security deposit, or registration amount at any stage. If anyone demands money, it is a scam.

Trade Apprenticeship (Under Apprenticeship Act 1961)

This is the most direct entry route for ITI-qualified candidates. Tata Motors registers Trade Apprentices under the Apprenticeship Act 1961 and the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). You work on the shop floor at a Tata Motors plant, receive a monthly stipend, and earn an apprenticeship completion certificate recognized by the government.

Eligibility

• Minimum 10th pass from a recognized board (CBSE/ICSE/State) with 60% marks (General/OBC) or 60% (SC/ST)
• 70% marks in Maths and Science (General Maths not applicable — must be regular Maths/Science)
• ITI passed with NTC (National Trade Certificate) — both SCVT and NCVT certificates are accepted
• Minimum 60% marks in ITI for all categories
• Age: 14 years and above as per the Apprenticeship Act (most plants prefer 18+)

Stipend

Trade Apprentices at Tata Motors receive approximately ₹13,480 per month. The exact amount may vary slightly by plant and trade. Stipend is credited directly to your Aadhaar-seeded bank account.

How Recruitment Happens

Trade apprentice recruitment typically happens through walk-in drives conducted near plant locations and through the joinus.tatamotors.com/apprenticeship portal. Drives are also held at government ITIs in partnership with local employment exchanges. Announcements usually come 7–15 days before the drive date.

Kaushalya Earn & Learn Program

Kaushalya is a skill development program designed for 12th-pass and ITI graduates who want to earn a Diploma in Engineering while working. It is run in collaboration with Quess Corp under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). This is one of the best opportunities for young candidates to enter Tata Motors without a degree — and actually earn a degree while getting paid.

Eligibility

• 12th Pass (HSC) from any stream, OR
• ITI (2-year trade) with NCVT or SCVT certification
• Age: 18 to 23 years
• No prior work experience required

What You Get

• Monthly stipend — approximately ₹15,000 to ₹19,000 depending on plant and program year
• Free Diploma in Engineering (Mechatronics) — from a reputed institute, fully sponsored
• Subsidized canteen and transport at the plant
• Medical insurance (Mediclaim) and Personal Accident Insurance
• Uniforms and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
• NAPS-registered apprenticeship certificate — nationally recognized

Program Structure

The program combines weekly classes from a partner university/institution with on-the-job training (OJT) at Tata Motors plants and subsidiaries. Training covers automotive manufacturing processes, mechatronics, quality systems, safety protocols, and modern production techniques. Semester exams and assessments follow university guidelines.

Plant Locations

Kaushalya apprentices are placed at Dharwad (Karnataka), Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Pantnagar (Uttarakhand), Pune (Maharashtra), and Sanand (Gujarat).

Lakshya Earn & Learn Program

Lakshya is a step above Kaushalya — it targets final-year diploma students from government polytechnic colleges and converts them into permanent Tata Motors employees with a fully-sponsored B.Tech degree. This is arguably the most valuable entry-level program the company offers.

Eligibility

• Must be a final-year student of Diploma in Engineering, graduating in 2026
• Must be studying at a government polytechnic college
• Eligible branches: Automobile, Electrical, Industrial Electronics, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Paint Technology

Program Structure

The Lakshya program works in two clear phases:

1. Year 1 — Technician Apprentice: You join Tata Motors as an apprentice, receive a monthly stipend, and get hands-on training on the shop floor alongside experienced engineers.
2. Year 2 onwards — Permanent Employee: You become a permanent employee as a Shop-Floor Operating Engineer, Engineer (Sales), or Engineer (Customer Care). From this point, Tata Motors fully sponsors your B.Tech degree from BITS Pilani through the Work Integrated Learning Programme (WILP) or an equivalent Institute of Eminence.

What Makes This Special

Most diploma holders have to choose between working and studying further. Lakshya eliminates that choice — you get a full-time salary, a permanent job, and a B.Tech from one of India’s top engineering institutions, all at zero cost to you. The B.Tech (WILP) from BITS Pilani is valued at par with a regular degree in the corporate world.

Selection Process

Eligible candidates take an online test covering Problem Solving (General Aptitude & Reasoning), Quantitative Literacy (Basic Maths), Conceptual Understanding (subject knowledge), and General English. Shortlisted candidates are invited for further selection rounds. The last application deadline for the current cycle was January 30, 2026 — future cycles follow a similar timeline.

Graduate Apprentice Trainee (B.Tech Freshers — NATS)

While this article focuses on ITI and diploma candidates, it’s worth mentioning the Graduate Apprentice Trainee (GAT) program for B.Tech freshers, since many ITI and diploma holders eventually complete their engineering degree and become eligible.

Eligibility

• B.Tech / B.E. from an AICTE/UGC approved institute (2024 and 2025 batch)
• Eligible branches: Mechanical, Automobile, Electrical, EEE, ECE, Electronics, Civil Engineering
• Minimum 60% marks in 10th, 12th, and Engineering
• Strictly for freshers — 0 years of experience

Stipend & Benefits

Graduate Apprentice Trainees receive ₹25,000 per month along with subsidized canteen, transport facility, and insurance coverage. Training locations include Pune and Sanand. The program runs under the NATS (National Apprenticeship Training Scheme) framework and lasts one year.

Stipend & Salary Comparison — Apprentice to Permanent

Here’s what you can expect to earn at each stage, from apprenticeship through to permanent absorption.

Permanent absorption is based on performance, business requirements, and available positions. It is not guaranteed but is a realistic outcome for high performers — especially through the Lakshya and Saksham programs where permanent employment is built into the program design.

ITI Trades Accepted at Tata Motors

Tata Motors accepts candidates from all 2-year ITI trades. However, the following trades are most frequently recruited for and have the highest number of openings:

• Fitter — the most in-demand trade across all plants
• Electrician
• Welder
• Turner
• Machinist
• Mechanic Motor Vehicle (MMV)
• Mechanic Tractor
• Diesel Mechanic
• Painter
• Tool & Die Maker

Both NCVT (National Council for Vocational Training) and SCVT (State Council for Vocational Training) certificates are accepted. You must have the NTC (National Trade Certificate) to be eligible for apprenticeship registration under NAPS.

Plant Locations for Apprenticeship Recruitment

Apprenticeship openings are tied to specific plants. Here’s which plants actively recruit apprentices and through which programs.

Walk-in drives are also conducted at government ITIs and polytechnics near these locations. The EV division (TPEML) has held mega walk-in drives at government polytechnics in Patna (Bihar) for diploma apprentice trainees.

Documents Required for Apprenticeship Application

Whether you’re applying online or attending a walk-in drive, keep the following documents ready — both originals and one set of photocopies:

• Updated Resume / Bio-data
• 10th Marksheet and Certificate (mandatory for all programs)
• 12th Marksheet (if applicable)
• ITI Marksheet and NTC Certificate (NCVT or SCVT)
• Diploma Marksheet and Certificate (for Lakshya applicants)
• Aadhaar Card (E-Aadhaar)
• PAN Card
• Bank Passbook or Cancelled Cheque — bank account must be Aadhaar-seeded (carry screenshot of seeding status from UIDAI website)
• Passport-size Photographs (4–6 copies)
• Police Verification / Character Certificate (mandatory at some plants)
• Caste Certificate (if claiming SC/ST/OBC reservation benefit)
• NAPS Portal Registration Proof — for Trade Apprenticeship, you must pre-register at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in

How to Apply — Step by Step

For Trade Apprenticeship

1. Register on the NAPS portal — Go to apprenticeshipindia.gov.in, create your candidate profile, and upload your documents. This registration is mandatory.
2. Register on the Tata Motors portal — Visit joinus.tatamotors.com/apprenticeship, fill in your details, upload your 10th and ITI certificates. Make sure your profile is 100% complete — incomplete profiles are not considered.
3. Watch for walk-in drive announcements — Check the Tata Motors careers page, local newspaper classifieds, and your ITI’s placement cell for upcoming drive dates near your plant location.
4. Attend the walk-in — Reach the venue on time with all original documents and photocopies. The selection typically involves document verification followed by a basic aptitude or trade-specific interview.

For Kaushalya Program

1. Visit the official page — Go to tatamotors.com/careers/kaushalya-earn-learn-program/ and check if applications are currently open.
2. Apply online — Fill in the required details on the Tata Motors careers page or Quess Corp’s official site (the implementation partner).
3. Wait for shortlisting — Only eligible candidates are contacted for further assessments.
4. Clear the evaluation — A basic technical and aptitude test followed by an interview. Selected candidates receive joining instructions by email from [email protected].

For Lakshya Program

1. Check eligibility — You must be a final-year diploma student graduating in 2026 from a government polytechnic in an eligible branch.
2. Apply online — Applications open on tatamotors.com/lakshya-earn-learn-program-2026/. Fill in all details and upload required documents before the deadline.
3. Take the online test — Covers General Aptitude & Reasoning, Basic Maths, Subject Knowledge, and English.
4. Further selection — Shortlisted candidates (based on merit) are invited for additional rounds. Selected candidates receive communication from [email protected] only.

Permanent Absorption — How It Actually Works

The question every apprentice wants answered: will I get a permanent job after the apprenticeship?

Here’s the honest picture. Trade Apprenticeship (under the Apprenticeship Act) does not guarantee permanent employment. It gives you industrial training, a government-recognized certificate, and makes you significantly more employable. Many Tata Motors apprentices are absorbed into permanent roles as Technicians or Line Operators based on performance and plant requirements — but it depends on openings at the time.

The Lakshya program is different. It is explicitly designed as a two-stage pathway — apprenticeship in Year 1, then permanent employment from Year 2 onwards. If you’re in Lakshya, permanent absorption is part of the program structure, not just a possibility.

The Kaushalya program falls in between. It doesn’t guarantee a Tata Motors job directly, but the diploma you earn and the NAPS certification make you a strong candidate for permanent roles at Tata Motors’ dealer network, vendor partners, and the parent company’s manufacturing plants.

Frequently Asked Questions