Canara Bank, a leading Public Sector Commercial Bank headquartered in Bengaluru, has officially issued the notification for the Engagement of Graduate Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961 for FY 2026-27 (Advertisement No. CB/RP/APPR/1/2026-27). A total of 3,500 Graduate Apprentice training seats have been announced across various States and Union Territories of India.
This apprenticeship program is designed to provide comprehensive on-the-job training in retail and commercial banking operations for fresh university graduates. Selected apprentices are engaged for a non-extendable period of 12 months and receive a consolidated monthly stipend of ₹16,650. The online application window is open from 01 October 2026 to 17 October 2026. Selection is conducted through a state-wise merit list determined by marks secured in the 12th Standard / Diploma examination, followed by document verification and a local language evaluation—without any conventional written entrance examination.
Crucial Notification Notice – In-Service & Apprenticeship Terms
This recruitment is exclusively an apprenticeship training engagement under the Apprentices Act, 1961. It is NOT a regular or permanent bank employment vacancy, and completion of the 12-month training confers no legal claim, right, or preference for permanent absorption or employment in Canara Bank.
Mandatory Requirement: Candidates must register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS 2.0) portal at nats.education.gov.in and obtain an active NATS Enrollment ID before submitting the Canara Bank application.
Canara Bank Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview
| Particular | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organization | Canara Bank (Head Office: Bengaluru) |
| Engagement Scheme | Apprentices Act, 1961 & Apprenticeship Rules |
| Financial Year | FY 2026-27 |
| Post Designation | Graduate Apprentice |
| Total Training Seats | 3,500 Seats |
| Training Tenure | 12 Months (1 Year) |
| Application Mode | Online via Canara Bank Careers Portal |
| Online Application Window | 01 October 2026 to 17 October 2026 |
| Minimum Educational Qualification | Degree (Graduation) in any discipline (completed between 01.01.2023 and 01.09.2026) |
| Class 12 / Diploma Condition | Min 60% for General/OBC/EWS | Min 55% for SC/ST/PwBD |
| Age Limit (as on 01.09.2026) | 20 to 28 Years (Relaxations applicable) |
| Monthly Stipend | ₹16,650 Per Month |
| Application Fee | ₹500 (General/OBC/EWS) | ₹0 (SC/ST/PwBD) |
| Selection Method | State-wise 12th/Diploma Merit + DV + Local Language Test |
| Official Website | www.canarabank.bank.in |
Category-Wise Vacancy Breakdown
The 3,500 training seats are allocated across social reservation categories as approved in the official notification:
| Category | Number of Training Seats | Reservation Type |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR / General) | 1,541 | Vertical Reservation |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC - NCL) | 845 | Vertical Reservation |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 553 | Vertical Reservation |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 335 | Vertical Reservation |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 226 | Vertical Reservation |
| Total Training Seats | 3,500 | 100% Pan-India Intake |
*Note on PwBD Reservation: Reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) is horizontal and accommodated within the respective social categories (UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS). PwBD seats are not added separately to the total count of 3,500.
State-Wise Vacancy Distribution & Local Languages
Apprenticeship seats are distributed across States and Union Territories. Below is the official allocation for key regions:
| State / Union Territory | Training Seats | Official Local Language(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | 581 | Kannada |
| Uttar Pradesh | 409 | Hindi / Urdu |
| Tamil Nadu | 391 | Tamil |
| Andhra Pradesh | 247 | Telugu / Urdu |
| Kerala | 240 | Malayalam |
| Maharashtra | 205 | Marathi |
| West Bengal | 150 | Bengali / Nepali |
| Telangana | 134 | Telugu / Urdu |
| Bihar | 122 | Hindi / Urdu |
| Madhya Pradesh | 110 | Hindi |
| Rajasthan | 96 | Hindi |
| Gujarat | 89 | Gujarati |
| Odisha | 85 | Odia |
| Haryana, Punjab, Delhi & Other States/UTs | 650 | Respective Regional Languages |
| Grand Total (Pan-India Seats) | 3,500 | 30+ States & UTs Covered |
Eligibility Criteria – Who Can Apply?
Candidates must satisfy all educational, age, and apprenticeship restrictions set forth by Canara Bank and NATS:
1. Educational Qualification & Passing Year Window
- Degree Requirement: Must possess a valid Graduation / Degree in any discipline from a university recognized by the Government of India or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.
- Mandatory Graduation Passing Window: Graduation must have been successfully completed between 01 January 2023 and 01 September 2026 (both dates inclusive). Candidates who graduated before 01.01.2023 are not eligible.
2. Class 12 (HSC) / Diploma Minimum Marks Requirement
Because selection is based on the merit of your intermediate/diploma marks, candidates must meet the minimum percentage threshold:
Minimum 60% Aggregate Marks
Minimum 55% Aggregate Marks
3. Age Limit (as on 01 September 2026)
- Minimum Age: 20 Years
- Maximum Age: 28 Years
- Date of Birth Range: Candidates must have been born not earlier than 02 September 1998 and not later than 01 September 2006 (both dates inclusive).
Permissible Upper Age Relaxations:
| Category | Age Relaxation | Maximum Permissible Age |
|---|---|---|
| SC / ST Candidates | 5 Years | Up to 33 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years | Up to 31 Years |
| PwBD Candidates | 10 Years | Up to 38 Years (41 for OBC, 43 for SC/ST) |
| Widows, Divorced Women & Judicially Separated Women | As per Govt Rules | Up to 35 Years (38 for OBC, 40 for SC/ST) |
Previous Training & Apprenticeship Restrictions
Ineligibility Checklist (Who Should NOT Apply):
- Candidates who have already completed apprenticeship training in any organization under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
- Candidates who are currently undergoing apprenticeship training under any active contract.
- Candidates having one year or more post-graduation work experience or training in any commercial establishment or public sector undertaking.
- Candidates who graduated prior to 01 January 2023 or after 01 September 2026.
- Candidates securing less than 60% (General/OBC/EWS) or 55% (SC/ST/PwBD) in 12th/Diploma.
Stipend & Financial Assistance (Stipend vs Salary)
Graduate Apprentices do not receive a regular employee salary, allowances, or DA. Instead, they are entitled to a monthly statutory stipend under NATS:
*Apprentices are not entitled to additional employee allowances, bonus, medical reimbursement, or retirement benefits.
Canara Bank Apprentice Selection Process
There is no written competitive examination or preliminary/mains exam. Selection is conducted via a transparent four-stage process:
State-Wise Merit List Preparation
A merit list is prepared separately for each State and category based on the percentage of marks obtained in 12th Standard / HSC / Diploma in descending order.
Tie-Breaking Resolution
If two or more candidates secure identical marks in the 12th/Diploma examination, the candidate who is older in age will be ranked higher on the merit list.
Local Language Proficiency Test
Candidates must be proficient in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding the official local language of the chosen State. Exemption is granted if the candidate studied the local language in 10th or 12th standard.
Document Verification & Medical Fitness
Physical verification of academic credentials, NATS Enrollment ID, category certificates, identity proof, and basic medical fitness certification.
How to Apply Online (Two-Stage Process)
Applicants must strictly complete two separate digital registration steps to successfully submit their application:
Stage 1: Registration on NATS Portal (Mandatory First Step)
- Visit the official National Apprenticeship Training Scheme portal: nats.education.gov.in.
- Complete candidate student registration and create login credentials.
- Fill out your full academic profile, graduation details, and bank account particulars for DBT stipend.
- Ensure your NATS profile completeness displays 100% and generate your NATS Student Enrollment ID.
Stage 2: Online Application on Canara Bank Careers Portal
- Visit the Canara Bank recruitment portal: canarabank.bank.in.
- Click on the link titled "Engagement of Graduate Apprentices in Canara Bank under Apprentices Act, 1961 for FY 2026-27".
- Enter your NATS Enrollment ID to validate your apprenticeship eligibility.
- Fill out personal particulars, contact info, and academic qualifications.
- Carefully enter your 12th Standard / Diploma aggregate marks (these directly determine your merit rank).
- Select ONLY ONE State for apprenticeship training and state your district preferences.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and educational documents.
- Pay the application fee of ₹500 (exempt for SC/ST/PwBD) through the online payment gateway.
- Submit the online form and print the confirmation page and e-receipt for your records.
Application Fee & Intimation Charges
| Candidate Category | Application Fee Amount | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD Candidates | NIL (Exempted) | No intimation charges or fee applicable |
| All Other Candidates (General, OBC, EWS) | ₹500 | Inclusive of 18% GST; payable online |
Important Dates – Canara Bank Apprentice 2026
| Official Notification Release Date | 01 October 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 01 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online & Pay Fee | 17 October 2026 |
| Graduation Passing Eligibility Window | 01.01.2023 to 01.09.2026 |
| Age Calculation Reference Date | 01 September 2026 |
| Merit List & DV Schedule | To be notified by Canara Bank |
Is Canara Bank Apprentice a Permanent Bank Job?
No. The engagement is strictly an Apprenticeship Training Opportunity regulated by the Apprentices Act, 1961 for a duration of exactly 12 months.
- Apprentices are trainees and are not considered employees of Canara Bank.
- Completion of apprenticeship does not entitle the apprentice to automatic absorption, regularization, or preference in regular recruitment for Clerk or Probationary Officer (PO) cadres.
- However, the 1-year banking operational exposure, formal NATS certificate of proficiency, and practical branch workflow knowledge offer an invaluable stepping stone for subsequent public and private banking career examinations.
Related Banking & Government Opportunities
Official Source Note & Disclaimer:
This recruitment guide is prepared in accordance with the official notification for "Engagement of Graduate Apprentices in Canara Bank under Apprentices Act, 1961 for FY 2026-27" released by Canara Bank. Candidates are advised to cross-verify all details, guidelines, and updates on the official website (canarabank.bank.in) and the NATS 2.0 portal (nats.education.gov.in). YuvaResult.in is an independent educational news and career information platform and is not affiliated with Canara Bank or the Government of India.