per press and job-portal reports of the notification: the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Maintenance Department (TNMVMD), Chennai, is taking applications for 79 apprenticeship seats for 2026-27, and the last date to apply is 29 October 2026. Not confirmed: the Graduate/Diploma seat split for this year, the exact age rule, and the stipend. I could not open the 2026 notification PDF, so those items are left open or flagged below.
What this is, and what it is not
This is an apprenticeship under the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Act 1973, not a government job. One earlier TNMVMD notification, for 2024-25, states plainly that the department has no obligation to offer employment after the apprenticeship period and an apprentice cannot claim employment as a right. I haven’t seen the 2026 wording, but apprenticeship rules work this way generally. If you are applying hoping for a permanent post at the end of a year, adjust your expectations before you spend time on it.
What you get is a year of structured, on-the-job training in maintenance and repair of vehicles, reportedly the Tamil Nadu government’s own fleet, at Chennai. For a fresh Mechanical or Automobile graduate or diploma holder, that is a real credential for a CV, particularly if you plan to apply to PSUs or private automotive firms later.
Dates
| Item | Date |
|---|---|
| Application opens | 29 September 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 29 October 2026 |
| Shortlist declared | 7 November 2026 |
| Certificate verification | At TNMVMD, Chennai; date to be set in the notice |
These dates come from a job-listing site summarising the notification, which gives 29-09-2026 as the start, 29-10-2026 as the last date and 07-11-2026 for the shortlist. Treat the 7 November shortlist date as reported, not guaranteed. This is the 2026-27 batch. The previous cycle ran from 16 September to 16 October 2025, so don’t mix the two years’ pages up.
Who can apply
Reports describe the recruitment as open to Tamil Nadu residents only, for fresh engineering graduates and diploma holders in Mechanical or Automobile Engineering. From the 2024-25 notification, which I can read directly: Graduate Apprentices need a regular, full-time Engineering or Technology degree from a statutory university or an institution empowered by an Act of Parliament, in the relevant discipline. Diploma (Technician) apprentices need a diploma in the relevant discipline. Check the 2026 notice for the pass-out year window. “Fresh” matters, and candidates who finished years ago are commonly ineligible for apprenticeships.
Age is an open question. The 2024-25 notice says the limit is “as per Apprenticeship Rules,” and one 2026 summary says no specific age range is mentioned in the notification. I’ll leave it there: the notice should state it, or the apprenticeship rules govern.
Vacancies
The total is 79, the same figure used in 2021, 2024 and 2025 coverage, which suggests the department keeps a standing allocation. For the 2024-25 cycle the split was 61 Diploma (Technician) seats and 18 Graduate seats. I haven’t found the 2026 split, so use last year’s only as a rough guide. Both classes of apprentice are in Mechanical/Automobile engineering. The department also reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of vacancies.
Stipend
The 2024-25 stipend was ₹8,000 per month for Diploma apprentices and ₹9,000 for Graduate apprentices. One 2026 job listing shows a range of ₹10,900 to ₹12,300, but that is a third-party summary without a clear split by category, so I’d call it unofficial. The notification will state the figure. Apprenticeship stipends are fixed by the apprenticeship framework, not negotiable.
How to apply
Applications go through the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme portal, not through a department form. The steps as reported:
- Register at nats.education.gov.in and complete your profile to get an enrolment number.
- Under “Apply against advertised vacancies,” search for the department’s name.
- Click apply and upload your provisional certificate or consolidated mark sheet, with the percentage entered on the portal.
In earlier cycles, such as 2021, there was no application fee. I have not confirmed the 2026 position.
Selection: no exam, so the data entry is the contest
This is the point most applicants underestimate. In the 2024-25 notice, the Board of Apprenticeship Training (Southern Region) prepares the shortlist from the online application data, and shortlisted candidates are emailed and must appear for certificate verification at TNMVMD, Chennai. There is no written test in that description.
In practice, that means the percentage you type into the portal is effectively your rank. Two things follow:
- Enter marks exactly as they appear on your mark sheet, using the same method (overall percentage, not best-of). A figure that differs from the certificate is the most common reason for rejection at verification, and you can’t fix it at the desk.
- Use an email address you actually check. Shortlisted candidates are contacted by email, and the shortlist is reported to come only nine days after applications close. A missed message could cost you the seat.
Also, NATS profiles need approval before you can apply in some cases, which can take days. With ten days left, don’t leave registration for the last evening.
Documents to keep ready
The notification lists the exact papers. From the reports, expect your provisional degree or diploma certificate or consolidated mark sheet, proof of Tamil Nadu residence, ID proof, a photograph, and community certificate if you claim reservation. I have not verified this list against the 2026 PDF, so confirm each item there.
Important Links — TNMVMD Apprentice Recruitment 2026
| Link Description | URL |
|---|---|
| 🌐 Apply Online — NATS Portal | nats.education.gov.in |
| 🏛 TNMVMD Official Website | tnmvmd.tn.gov.in |
| 🎓 BOAT Southern Region — Apprenticeship News | NATS Portal → Regional Events → BOAT (SR) |
| 📜 Apprenticeship Act — Ministry of Labour | labour.gov.in/apprenticeship |
| 📧 TNMVMD / BOAT Contact Email | tncop@boat-srp.com |
FAQs
I’m a Mechanical diploma holder from another state. Can I apply?
Reports say the recruitment is limited to Tamil Nadu residents. Check the residence clause in the notification before applying.
Is there a written exam or interview?
Not in the 2024-25 process as I read it, where the shortlist is generated from application data followed by certificate verification. The 2026 notice should confirm whether that has changed.
Will I get a job at TNMVMD after the apprenticeship?
The 2024-25 notification says the department has no obligation. Assume the same unless the 2026 notice says otherwise.
I applied last year (2025). Do I need to apply again?
Yes. Each year’s batch is a separate notification and a separate NATS application. Last year’s application doesn’t carry over.