The Indian Institute of Mass Communication is engaging 10 graduate apprentices for the financial year 2026-27, and the IIMC Graduate Apprentice 2026 opening is one of the rare central institute vacancies where a plain Bachelor’s degree is enough to apply. There are two streams: Graduate Apprentice (Library) and Graduate Apprentice (Office Assistant), both paying a ₹12,300 monthly stipend for a one-year training engagement. If you graduated in 2023, 2024, 2025 or are awaiting your 2026 result, this is worth a serious look. Read this article carefully and go through the official notification before applying.
Information verified from the official IIMC notification: Application for Engagement of Apprentices (under Apprentices Act, 1961) for FY 2026-27. The official notification number is not mentioned in the source.
Quick Summary of IIMC Graduate Apprentice 2026
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation / Employer | Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Deemed to be University |
| Name of the Post | Graduate Apprentice (Library) and Graduate Apprentice (Office Assistant) |
| Total Vacancy | 10 (Library: 03, Office Assistant: 07; numbers may increase or decrease) |
| Salary / Pay Scale | ₹12,300/- per month (stipend) |
| Additional Salary Benefits | 08 days Casual Leave in the year; no overtime pay; no TA/DA |
| Application Mode | Offline (downloadable form) + mandatory online NATS enrollment |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree (Library & Information Science for Library post; any discipline for Office Assistant) + computer knowledge |
| Selection Process | Shortlisting on merit, then written test / interview / skill test |
| Place of Posting | IIMC Headquarters, New Delhi |
| Government / Private / Contract | Government apprenticeship (under Apprentices Act, 1961) |
| Last Date of Application | 21 days from the date of advertisement on the IIMC website |
| Who Can Apply | Freshers / recent graduates (passed 2023–2026) |
| Interview / Exam Date | Will be intimated to shortlisted candidates |
About the Indian Institute of Mass Communication
IIMC is the country’s leading institute for journalism and mass communication, set up in 1965 and run as an autonomous society funded by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. In January 2024 it was granted deemed-to-be-university status, so it now awards its own degrees alongside its well-known postgraduate diploma courses. For an apprentice, that matters: a year inside a central deemed university gives you a recognised government training record and exposure to a serious academic and media environment, not just a desk.
How This Compares to Other Apprentice Openings
This is an all-India opening posted directly by IIMC, not through a commission, so there is no big national exam to clear. Based on comparable NATS graduate apprentice intakes in 2025-26, this is editorial context, not part of the official notification. The ₹12,300 stipend is the top of the revised government apprentice stipend band approved in 2025 (the range moved to roughly ₹6,800–₹12,300), so IIMC is paying at the upper end for graduate apprentices, the same figure central PSUs like HAL quote for non-engineering graduates. The Office Assistant stream, open to any degree, will draw a heavy applicant pool against just 07 posts. The Library stream is narrower because it needs a Library Science degree, which usually means fewer applicants per seat. Candidates who usually track West Bengal government jobs should factor in relocation to Delhi, since the posting is at headquarters only. Confirm specifics with the IIMC office.
Important Dates
There is no fixed calendar date in the notification. The window runs for 21 days from the day the advertisement appears on the IIMC website, so check the site early and do not wait for the last day. Online portals slow down badly near deadlines, and NATS enrollment must be done before you apply, not on the final evening.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last date to apply | 21 days from date of advertisement on IIMC website |
| NATS portal enrollment | Mandatory before applying |
| Written test / interview / skill test | Will be intimated to shortlisted candidates |
Vacancy Details & Stipend
There are two separate apprentice streams under this engagement. Here’s the breakdown of posts, total vacancy and stipend for your reference.
| Post Name | Total Vacancy | Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice (Library) | 03* | ₹12,300/month |
| Graduate Apprentice (Office Assistant) | 07* | ₹12,300/month |
*The asterisk is the institute’s own note: the number of apprentices may increase or decrease depending on requirement. Both posts pay the same stipend, so your choice of stream should come down to your degree, not the money.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for IIMC Graduate Apprentice posts include education and age requirements. Candidates should make sure they meet all the conditions before applying.
One condition trips people up, so read it now. You are not eligible if you have already done apprenticeship training at any institute or organisation before. Only candidates who passed in 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 (result awaited) can apply.
Educational Qualification
For Graduate Apprentice (Library):
- Bachelor’s degree in Library & Information Science or equivalent from a recognised University
- Knowledge of Computer Applications
- Desirable: typing speed of 30 words per minute in English or Hindi
For Graduate Apprentice (Office Assistant):
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline or equivalent from a recognised University
- Knowledge of Computer Applications
- Desirable: typing speed of 30 words per minute in English or Hindi
Age Limit
As of the date of the written test / personal interview / skill test, candidates must be a minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 28 years. Relaxation applies as follows: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, and 10 / 15 / 13 years for PwBD candidates, in line with standard category-wise age relaxation rules. Reserved-category candidates must submit a certificate in the Central Government format, or the claim is treated as General.
Selection Process
Selection is merit-based first, then test-based. There is no single fixed pattern, and the notification says the mode of selection may change as per the Institute’s requirement.
- Shortlisting on the basis of merit, using the percentage or marks of your essential qualification.
- Written test and/or personal interview and/or skill test for shortlisted candidates.
- Document verification, where you must produce original certificates.
One practical point straight from the notification: shortlisted candidates must bring all original relevant certificates at the time of verification or interview. The scrutiny board is constituted by the Vice Chancellor of IIMC. Only selected candidates are informed, through an offer letter or email, so do not expect a rejection message.
Application Fee
Application fee details are not mentioned in the official notification. Candidates are advised to check the official website for any updates.
How to Apply for IIMC Recruitment 2026
The process is offline for the form, but online for the mandatory enrollment. Follow the order below.
- Enroll yourself on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal at nats.education.gov.in. This step is mandatory before you apply, and you will need your enrollment number on the form.
- Download the application form from the IIMC website, www.iimc.gov.in.
- Fill the form in capital letters as recorded in your Class X certificate, choose Delhi preference for the written test / interview / skill test, since applications without the Delhi option will not be considered.
- Affix a recent passport-size colour photograph and self-attest it.
- Submit the completed form as instructed in the notification, well before the 21-day window closes.
Documents Checklist Before You Leave Home
- NATS enrollment number (you cannot apply without it)
- Class X certificate (for date of birth, name spelling)
- Bachelor’s degree certificate / marksheet in your stream
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD) in Central Government format, if claiming reservation
- Recent passport-size colour photograph
- Computer knowledge proof and typing certificate, if you have one
- All originals for verification at the interview stage
Important Links
Candidates applying for the IIMC Graduate Apprentice posts are advised to visit the important links below for the official PDF and the enrollment portal:
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Download Official IIMC Graduate Apprentice 2026 Notification PDF |
| NATS Enrollment Portal | Enroll on the NATS portal |
| Latest Government Jobs | Browse the latest Government jobs |
| Apprenticeship Guide | Understand how NATS apprenticeship enrollment works |
Should You Apply?
If you finished your degree in the last three years and want a clean, paid, year-long government training record without grinding through a national exam first, this is a strong fit. The Office Assistant stream suits any graduate who is comfortable with computers and office work and is happy to be in Delhi for a year. The Library stream is a near-ideal landing spot for fresh Library and Information Science graduates, who rarely get central-institute openings at this stipend.
FAQs — IIMC Graduate Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Will IIMC give me a permanent job after the apprenticeship?
No. The notification clearly states that IIMC will not offer absorption or any employment after the apprenticeship period. The value is the training, the stipend, and the recognised apprenticeship certificate, which you carry to other employers.
Do I have to enroll on NATS even if I haven’t applied yet?
Yes. NATS portal enrollment at nats.education.gov.in is mandatory before you apply. You need the enrollment number on the application form, so complete it first rather than at the last minute.
Can I apply if I’m still waiting for my final-year result?
Yes, if your result is for 2026 and is awaited. The notification allows candidates who passed in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 (result awaited). Earlier graduation years are not eligible.
Is there any travel allowance for the test or interview?
No. The notification states that no TA/DA will be paid at any stage of the selection process, so you must cover your own travel to Delhi for the test, interview, or skill test.
What kind of career does a NATS apprenticeship usually lead to?
Beyond the official notification, a completed apprenticeship gives you a Government of India certificate that employment exchanges accept as work experience. Many apprentices use it to move into PSU office, library, or administrative jobs. Confirm current rules on the NATS portal.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sandeep Khati is the founder of India Job Alerts and a B.Tech in Computer Science from JGEC (2010). He started his career as a Systems Engineer at TCS and has been active in digital publishing since 2011, beginning with SearchDarjeeling.com(2011) and working as a web developer and designer at Darjeeling Informatics. Launched in April 2025, India Job Alerts is his most focused project — dedicated to publishing verified government and PSU job notifications for West Bengal, Sikkim, and All-India candidates. Every post is cross-checked against official notifications before publishing.. Know more