Canara Bank Graduate Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - 3500 Training Seats, Apply now

Canara Bank has opened 3,500 Graduate Apprentice training seats for 2026-27 under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Any graduate aged 20 to 28 can apply online from 1 October to 17 October 2026, with seats spread across every state and union territory.

Who Should Apply

• Graduate Apprentice (3,500 seats) — a Degree (Graduation) in any discipline, passed between 1 January 2023 and 1 September 2026, aged 20–28 years, with a completed NATS portal profile.

This is a training engagement, not a regular bank job — apprentices are not treated as Canara Bank employees.

Eligibility & Age Limit

You need a Degree in any discipline from a Government-recognized university, passed not earlier than 1 January 2023 and not later than 1 September 2026. You must also register and complete 100% of your profile on the NATS apprenticeship portal (nats.education.gov.in) before applying. Candidates who've already done an apprenticeship anywhere, or who have one or more years of job experience after their qualification, are not eligible.

Age (as on 1 September 2026) is 20 to 28 years for General/EWS candidates — born between 2 September 1998 and 1 September 2006. Relaxation in upper age:

SC/ST/OBC relaxation combines cumulatively with only one other applicable relaxation category. Ex-servicemen are not eligible for this apprenticeship and get no reservation here.

See every current Any Graduate opening. Since the age cut-off date is fixed, you can check your exact age as on the cut-off date.

Salary & Pay Scale

This is a fixed monthly stipend, not a salary — apprentices aren't Bank employees and get no other allowances or benefits. The stipend is ₹16,650 per month, made up of ₹10,500 paid by Canara Bank and ₹6,150 as the Government's share credited via DBT. The stipend is paid after adjusting loss of pay, if any.

Important Dates

The notification does not specify exact dates for Document Verification or the local language test — these will be announced only on the Bank's website.

Application Fee

Fee is non-refundable and payable online only — Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Cards, or Mobile Wallets.

How to Apply

1. Register on the NATS portal, https://nats.education.gov.in, and complete your profile to 100%. Note your enrollment number.
2. Visit www.canarabank.bank.in → Careers → Recruitment → "Engagement of Graduate Apprentices in Canara Bank under Apprentices Act, 1961 for FY 2026-27".
3. Click "CLICK HERE FOR NEW REGISTRATION" and fill in your basic details to get a provisional registration number and password.
4. Enter your NATS enrollment ID, choose one state, and give your district preferences within it.
5. Upload your scanned photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and handwritten declaration exactly as specified.
6. Use "SAVE AND NEXT" to review before submitting — no changes are allowed after FINAL SUBMIT.
7. Pay the fee online (if applicable) and print your application and e-receipt.

Since exact size and dimension specs are given for every uploaded document, resize your photo and signature to the exact spec before you start — photo 200×230 px, 20–50 KB; signature 140×60 px, 10–20 KB; left thumb impression 240×240 px, 20–50 KB; handwritten declaration 800×400 px, 50–100 KB. If your marksheet uses CGPA, you'll also need to convert your CGPA to a percentage for the application, along with a conversion certificate from your institution.

How Are Candidates Selected

Merit List: Prepared state-wise, in descending order of marks/percentage scored in 12th Std (HSC/10+2) or Diploma — not your graduation marks. Minimum qualifying marks are 60% (55% for SC/ST/PwBD); a 59.99% is treated as below 60%, with no rounding up. Ties are broken by higher age.

Document Verification & Local Language Test: Held together. If you didn't study your chosen state's local language at 10th or 12th level, you must clear a language test here to qualify; failing it means you won't be engaged as an apprentice.

Final Selection: Subject to eligibility verification, the local language test result where applicable, and being declared medically fit.

Why This Job Matters

Canara Bank is one of India's largest public sector banks, with over 10,000 branches nationwide. This apprenticeship — one of the largest such drives this year with 3,500 seats — gives graduates from any discipline 12 months of on-the-job banking exposure and a NATS-joint certificate on completion, though the Bank has no obligation to offer regular employment afterward.

The FreshersLike Take

Best fit: A recent graduate who wants paid, hands-on banking exposure and values Canara Bank's name on their resume, especially in states like Karnataka (581 seats), Uttar Pradesh (409) or Tamil Nadu (391) where seat counts are highest.

Who should think twice: This isn't a job — there's no PF, ESI, bonus, or guarantee of a permanent role afterward, the stipend is modest at ₹16,650/month, and selection runs on your 12th/Diploma marks, not your degree performance, so a strong graduation record with a weak 12th score won't help your merit rank.

Practical tip: Your merit rank depends entirely on your 12th/Diploma percentage, not your degree — if that score is below 60% (55% for SC/ST/PwBD) you're not eligible at all, so check that number before you spend time on the rest of the application.

Documents Required

• System-generated printout of the online application
• Proof of Date of Birth (Birth Certificate or SSLC/10th Certificate)
• Photo ID (Passport, Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, or Driving License)
• Mark sheets and certificates from SSC/10th onwards, including semester/year-wise sheets and the final degree certificate
• Income and Asset Certificate (EWS candidates)
• Caste/Category Certificate with non-creamy-layer clause where applicable (SC/ST/OBC)
• UDID card and Disability Certificate from a Medical Board (PwBD candidates)
• Scanned photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and handwritten declaration as per the specified format

What Happens After Selection

Selected candidates are issued a digital apprenticeship contract through the NATS portal, which must be accepted within the stipulated timeline — no one is engaged as an apprentice until this contract is signed and approved on NATS. Training runs for 12 months at select branches. A state-category-wise waitlist is maintained for one year from the result date, or the next engagement exercise, whichever comes first, releasing waitlisted candidates only once against non-joining vacancies. [check] The notification does not give a specific joining or training start date — check the Bank's website once shortlisted.

Contact & Helpline

The notification does not publish a phone number or email helpline; all updates and corrigenda are posted only on www.canarabank.bank.in under Careers → Recruitment. This is the only official channel — Canara Bank will not contact candidates through any other number or address for payment or personal details.

Important Links

Common Questions

What is the last date to apply?

17 October 2026, online only, through the Canara Bank careers page.

Can a diploma holder apply?

No. This recruitment is specifically for graduates — a Degree in any discipline, passed between 1 January 2023 and 1 September 2026. A diploma alone does not meet the qualification requirement, though your 12th/Diploma marks (not your degree marks) decide your merit rank.

Is the application fee refundable?

No. The ₹500 fee for non-SC/ST/PwBD candidates is non-refundable. SC/ST/PwBD candidates pay no fee.

Is there a written exam?

No. Selection is based purely on your 12th Std (HSC/10+2) or Diploma percentage, followed by document verification and, where needed, a local language test.

Can I choose more than one state?

No. You can opt for training seats in only one state, though you can rank district preferences within that state.

Is there a correction window after final submission?

No. No changes are allowed once you click FINAL SUBMIT — review everything carefully using "SAVE AND NEXT" before that point.

Will I be treated as a Canara Bank employee?

No. Apprentices are not Bank employees and are not entitled to employee benefits, PF, ESI, or bonus, and the Bank has no obligation to offer permanent employment after training.

Do I need to know the local language of the state I apply to?

If your 10th or 12th mark sheet shows you studied that state's specified local language, you're exempt. Otherwise, you must pass a local language test at the Document Verification stage to be engaged as an apprentice.

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