IOB Apprentice Eligibility 2026 – Age Limit, Educational Qualification, SC ST OBC EWS PwBD Reservation & Details

Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has released its notification for Engagement of Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961 for FY 2026-27, offering 750 vacancies across India (Advt No. HRDD/APPR/01/2026-27, dated 06.07.2026). Before applying, it is extremely important for candidates to thoroughly understand the eligibility criteria — nationality, age limit, educational qualification, age relaxation, and reservation norms — as incomplete or ineligible applications will be summarily rejected. This blog covers IOB 2026 eligibility criteria mentioned in the official IOB Apprentice notification, so you don’t miss anything before applying online between 07.07.2026 and 20.07.2026.

IOB Apprentice Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Notification PDF

Candidates are advised to read the official Indian Overseas Bank Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27 notification carefully before applying. The notification contains complete details regarding the eligibility criteria, age limit, educational qualifications, reservation, selection process, stipend, important dates, and other terms and conditions. Download the PDF below and verify your eligibility before submitting the online application.

IOB Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Quick Highlights

IOB Apprentice Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Age Limit, Educational Qualification & Details

Candidates must satisfy all the IOB Apprentice eligibility conditions before applying. The eligibility criteria include age limit, educational qualification, nationality, language proficiency, and other requirements as prescribed in the official notification.

1. Nationality / Citizenship Criteria

• A candidate must be a Citizen of India.
• Merely applying for, being shortlisted for, or appearing in the document verification/personal interaction process does not guarantee an offer of engagement with the Bank.
• No request will be entertained for considering a candidate’s application under any category other than the one applied for.

2. Age Limit – IOB Apprentice 2026

3. Age Relaxation – Category-wise

Guidelines on Age Relaxation

• Age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC candidates is allowed on a cumulative basis with only one of the remaining categories eligible for relaxation (e.g., SC + PwBD, OBC + PwBD).
• The maximum age limit specified (28 years) applies to General Category and EWS candidates.
• Relaxation benefits are available only if candidates fulfill the conditions prescribed under Government of India orders.
• Candidates must submit the requisite original certificates plus a copy at the time of personal interaction/selection to claim age relaxation.

4. Educational Qualification – IOB Apprentice 2026

Special condition for NATS-registered candidates: The graduation result must have been declared between 01.03.2022 and 31.07.2026 (both dates inclusive). Such candidates must also produce mark sheets and Provisional/Degree Certificate issued by their University/College whenever required by the Bank.

5. Reservation Category Certificates Required

For candidates applying under SC/ST/OBC/PwBD categories:

• A Caste/Category Certificate issued by a competent authority in the Government of India prescribed format is mandatory.
• OBC candidates must ensure their certificate specifically carries the Non-Creamy Layer clause.
  • Candidates falling under the creamy layer are not entitled to OBC reservation and must indicate their category as General in the online application.
  • OBC certificate must be issued on or after 01.04.2026 to remain valid at the time of document verification/personal interaction.
  • The caste name in the certificate must match letter by letter with the Central Government list/notification.

6. Reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)

Under Section 34 of The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, PwBD candidates are eligible for horizontal reservation. IOB has identified the apprentice post as suitable for the following disability categories:

A. Orthopedically Challenged (OC)

Includes locomotor disabilities such as:

• Leprosy Cured persons
• Cerebral Palsy
• Dwarfism (adult height ≤ 4 feet 10 inches / 147 cm)
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Acid Attack Victims
• Spinal Deformity (SD) and Spinal Injury (SI) without associated neurological/limb dysfunction

B. Visual Impairment (VI)

• Blindness: Total absence of sight; OR visual acuity less than 3/60 or 10/200 (Snellen) in the better eye with best correction; OR field of vision less than 10 degrees.
• Low Vision: Visual acuity not exceeding 6/18 to 3/60 (Snellen); OR field of vision limitation between 10–40 degrees.

C. Hearing Impaired (HI)

• Deaf: 70 dB or more hearing loss in speech frequencies in both ears.
• Hard of Hearing: 60 dB to 70 dB hearing loss in speech frequencies in both ears.

D. Intellectual Disability (ID)

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Specific Learning Disability (SLD) – includes dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, developmental aphasia
• Mental Illness (MI)
• Multiple Disabilities – a combination of two or more of categories A, B, C, or D(1)

Note: Only candidates with “Benchmark Disability” (i.e., not less than 40% of a specified disability, as certified by a competent authority) are eligible for PwBD reservation. The disability certificate must be issued by a competent authority as per GOI guidelines and is subject to verification/re-verification.

PwBD reservation in this recruitment: 4% horizontal reservation — HI (1%), OC (1%), VI (1%), ID (1%) — distributed across the 750 total vacancies.

7. EWS (Economically Weaker Section) Eligibility

Candidates seeking EWS reservation must satisfy all the following conditions:

1. Not covered under SC/ST/OBC reservation.
2. Family’s gross annual income below Rs. 8.00 lakh (including salary, agriculture, business, profession, etc.) for the financial year prior to the year of application.

Asset Exclusions (candidate is NOT eligible for EWS if family owns):

• 5 acres of agricultural land or more
• Residential flat of 1,000 sq. ft. or more
• Residential plot of 100 sq. yards or more in notified municipalities
• Residential plot of 200 sq. yards or more in non-notified areas

3. Property held by the family in different locations/cities will be clubbed together while determining EWS eligibility.
4. Benefit can be availed only upon production of an Income and Asset Certificate issued by a competent authority in the prescribed GOI format, valid for FY 2026-27.
5. “Family” for EWS purposes includes: the candidate, parents, siblings below 18 years, spouse, and children below 18 years.

Disclaimer: EWS seats are tentative and subject to further Government of India directives or litigation outcomes.

8. Competent Authorities for Issuing Certificates

For SC/ST/OBC Certificates:

• District Magistrate / Additional District Magistrate / Collector / Deputy Commissioner / Additional Deputy Commissioner / Deputy Collector / First Class Stipendiary Magistrate / Sub-Divisional Magistrate / Taluka Magistrate / Executive Magistrate / Extra Assistant Commissioner
• Chief Presidency Magistrate / Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate / Presidency Magistrate
• Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar
• Sub-Divisional Officer of the area where the candidate/family normally resides

For EWS Certificate:

Same authorities as above (District Magistrate/Collector/Deputy Commissioner, Presidency Magistrate, Tehsildar-rank Revenue Officer, or Sub-Divisional Officer).

For PwBD Certificate:

The District-level Medical Board, consisting of:

• Chief Medical Officer
• Sub-Divisional Medical Officer
• An Orthopaedic/Ophthalmic/ENT Surgeon, or any other person designated by the appropriate government as certifying authority.

9. Additional Eligibility Conditions of IOB Recruitment 2026

• Candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship — either with IOB or any other organization — under the Apprentices Act, 1961, are NOT eligible to apply again.
• Candidates whose earlier apprenticeship was terminated due to their own fault are also NOT eligible.
• Candidates who have training or job experience of 1 year or more after completing their educational qualification are NOT eligible to be engaged as Apprentices.
• No reservation is available for Ex-servicemen or Disabled Ex-servicemen in this apprentice engagement, and they are not eligible to apply as apprentices at all.
• Candidates can apply for engagement from only ONE State/UT, preferably their home state.
• Candidates belonging to a reserved category for which no seats have been announced in a particular state are free to apply under the General category seats, provided they meet all other eligibility conditions.

IOB Recruitment 2026 Quick Eligibility Checklist Before You Apply

• Indian citizen
• Age between 20–28 years as on 01.07.2026 (with applicable relaxation)
• NAPS-registered candidates below 34 years
• Graduate in any discipline, result declared by 31.07.2026
• NATS candidates: result declared between 01.03.2022–31.07.2026
• Valid caste/EWS/PwBD certificate in prescribed GOI format (where applicable)
• No prior apprenticeship completed/terminated due to own fault
• No more than 1 year of work/training experience post-graduation
• Applying from only one State/UT