ISRO ISTRAC Apprentice 2026: 95 Seats, Stipend up to Rs 12,300, Apply by 31 July
Lokesh Rathore
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ISRO’s tracking network is taking on 95 apprentices, and the stipend is better than most: up to ₹12,300 a month for a year of training at an ISRO centre, which is on the higher side for an apprenticeship. It is a genuine credential for an engineering or ITI pass-out, but be clear on what it is not: the notification states plainly that apprentices have no claim to a permanent ISRO job afterwards. Applications for ISTRAC Apprentice 2026-27 close on 31 July 2026, and they are sent by email, not through a portal.
ISTRAC Apprentice 2026: Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Seats | 95: Graduate 62, Diploma 25, Trade (ITI) 8 |
| Engagement | 1-year apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, 1961 (not employment) |
| Stipend | ₹12,300 (Graduate), ₹10,900 (Diploma), ₹9,600 (ITI) per month |
| Qualification | BE/BTech, engineering diploma or ITI in the notified streams, passed in 2024, 2025 or 2026 |
| Registration | NATS portal enrolment is mandatory before applying |
| Fee | No application fee |
| Training at | Bengaluru, Lucknow and Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) |
| Last date | 31 July 2026 (apply by email) |
Training, Not an ISRO Job: Read This First
The notification does not leave this to interpretation. It states that apprentices will have no claim, whatsoever, for regular employment in ISRO or any of its centres after the training. So treat this as what it is: a paid, one-year training year at a national space-tracking facility, a strong line on your resume and real hands-on exposure, but not a permanent government post and not a guaranteed route into one. Anyone presenting an ISRO apprenticeship as a backdoor into an ISRO job is misleading you.
95 Seats Across Three Streams
The seats split by apprentice type and by discipline, and you apply for a specific post code:
- Graduate Apprentice, 62 seats: BE or BTech, led by Electronics and Communication (28) and Computer Science (23), with smaller counts in Electrical, Mechanical and Civil, plus one B.Sc (CS/IT) seat and two Library Science (MLISc) seats.
- Diploma (Technician) Apprentice, 25 seats: a technician-level diploma, led by Computer Science (7) and Electronics and Communication (6), with Mechanical, Electrical, Civil and five Commercial Practice seats.
- Trade (ITI) Apprentice, 8 seats: ITI trades, mainly Electronics Mechanic (4), plus Machinist, Electrical, IT-TSM and Fitter.
Each of these is spread across the three centres, so the number of seats at Bengaluru, Lucknow or Port Blair differs by post code. Choose the centre you can genuinely relocate to for the year.
Who Can Apply, and the Three-Year Rule
- Qualification: a BE or BTech, an engineering diploma, or an ITI in the notified stream for your post code, from a recognised institution and a regular full-time course.
- Year of passing: you must have passed in 2024, 2025 or 2026, that is, within three years of acquiring the qualification. If that limit lapses before joining, your candidature is cancelled.
- NATS registration: you must register on the NATS portal at nats.education.gov.in and quote your enrolment number in the application. Applications without it are liable to be rejected.
- Who is barred: anyone who has already done or is doing an apprenticeship, has a year or more of work experience, or is pursuing higher studies such as a diploma-holder doing BTech or a graduate doing MTech.
The notification does not state an age limit, there is no application fee, and only Indian nationals are eligible.
How Selection Works: Marks Plus an Interview
There is no written exam, but this is not a marks-only shortlist either. Applications are screened, and candidates are called for document verification and an interview. A panel is then drawn from academic scores at the degree, diploma or ITI level together with interview performance, and engagement follows strictly by panel position. A medical fitness certificate is required at joining, and no travel allowance is paid for attending the interview. The interviews are scheduled by centre: Lucknow on 27 and 28 August, Sri Vijaya Puram on 3 and 4 September, and Bengaluru from 9 to 11 September 2026.
How to Apply by Email
There is no online application form for ISTRAC itself; you apply by email after registering on NATS. The steps:
- Register on the NATS portal and note your enrolment number.
- Email your application to the centre you want: apprmt_blr@istrac.gov.in for Bengaluru, apprmt_lko@istrac.gov.in for Lucknow, or apprmt_ixz@istrac.gov.in for Sri Vijaya Puram.
- Put your post code in the subject line (for example, “Application for Post Code: GA02”), and in the body give your name, contact number, qualification details, year of passing and NATS enrolment number.
- Attach your degree, diploma or ITI certificate (or final marksheet if the certificate is awaited) and your Class 10 and pre-university marks cards. To be considered at more than one centre, email each centre separately.
All emails must reach ISTRAC by 31 July 2026. This joins our PSU jobs coverage and the daily jobs feed.
Is the ISTRAC Apprenticeship Worth a Year?
For a 2024 to 2026 engineering or ITI pass-out, this is a worthwhile year: a stipend of ₹9,600 to ₹12,300, real work at an ISRO tracking centre, and no fee to apply. Go in clear that it ends as a trained apprentice, not an ISRO employee, and that you will need to relocate to Bengaluru, Lucknow or Port Blair. If your marks are strong and you can attend the interview, apply by email before 31 July.
ISTRAC Apprentice 2026: Common Questions
Is the ISTRAC apprenticeship a permanent ISRO job?
No. It is one year of apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. The notification states apprentices have no claim to regular employment in ISRO after the training.
What is the ISTRAC apprentice stipend?
₹12,300 a month for Graduate apprentices, ₹10,900 for Diploma apprentices and ₹9,600 for Trade (ITI) apprentices.
Who can apply for ISTRAC Apprentice 2026?
BE/BTech, engineering diploma or ITI holders in the notified streams who passed in 2024, 2025 or 2026, are registered on the NATS portal, and have not already done an apprenticeship or a year of work.
How do I apply for the ISTRAC apprenticeship?
By email only, after NATS registration, to the centre-specific address with your post code in the subject line. There is no online application portal and no fee.
Is there an exam for ISTRAC Apprentice 2026?
No written exam. Selection is a panel based on academic scores plus an interview, with document verification and a medical check.
What is the last date for ISTRAC Apprentice 2026?
31 July 2026, by which date your email application must reach ISTRAC. The advertisement was issued on 22 June 2026.
