Under the Apprentices Act, 1961, Gliders India Limited (GIL) conducts annual trade and technical apprenticeship batches at its landmark factory—the Ordnance Parachute Factory (OPF Kanpur). As a specialised Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) under the Ministry of Defence, apprentices trained at OPF Kanpur gain hands-on industrial expertise in military-grade textile fabrication, aerospace canopy assembly, parachute hardware rigging, and high-precision precision mechanics.
Why OPF Kanpur Apprenticeship Matters
Completing an apprenticeship at OPF Kanpur carries notable recognition across India's defence ecosystem. Ex-trade apprentices of ordnance factories receive priority and statutory relaxations during recruitment drives across DPSUs (GIL, YIL, AWEIL, AVNL, TCL) and Defence civilian technical vacancies.
To monitor fresh apprentice engagement notices and notification PDFs, check: Browse all current Gliders India Limited Job Openings.
1. Trade Breakdown & Minimum Qualifications
Apprenticeships at GIL Kanpur encompass both ITI Trade Apprentices and Graduate / Technician (Diploma) Engineering streams:
| Category | Trades / Disciplines | Essential Qualification | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade Apprentices (Ex-ITI) | Tailor (General) / Technical Textiles, Machinist, Fitter, Electrician, Turner | 10th / Matriculation + NCVT/SCVT recognized National Trade Certificate (NTC) in the respective trade. | 1 Year |
| Technician Apprentices | Diploma in Mechanical, Textile Technology, Electrical, Production | 3-Year State Board / AICTE approved Polytechnic Diploma in relevant discipline. | 1 Year |
| Graduate Apprentices | B.E. / B.Tech in Mechanical, Textile Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical | 4-Year UGC/AICTE approved Engineering Degree in engineering stream. | 1 Year |
2. Monthly Stipend Rates & NAPS / NATS Compliance
Stipends are disbursed monthly through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) adhering to the standard rates fixed by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Ministry of Education:
- Trade Apprentices (1-year ITI holders): ₹7,700 – ₹8,050 per month.
- Technician (Diploma) Apprentices: ₹8,000 – ₹9,000 per month.
- Graduate Engineering Apprentices: ₹9,000 – ₹10,500 per month.
3. Selection Methodology: Merit Scoring Formula
Apprentice admission at GIL does not involve an oral interview. Selection is prepared purely on an objective academic merit index:
- For ITI Trade Batches: 50% weightage of Class 10th (Matriculation) aggregate percentage + 50% weightage of ITI NCVT/SCVT aggregate marks.
- For Engineering Batches: Aggregate percentage across all semesters of the qualifying Diploma or Degree.
- Age Criteria: Minimum 14 years (for ITI trades; minimum 18 years for specific hazardous production sections) up to 25 years. Standard age relaxations of 5 years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC-NCL apply.
4. Portal Registration Requirement (NAPS & NATS)
Mandatory Online Registration: Candidates applying for Trade Apprenticeships must be registered on the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) portal (apprenticeshipindia.gov.in), while Engineering/Diploma candidates must hold active enrollment on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal (nats.education.gov.in). Candidates without a verified 100% portal profile cannot be engaged.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does OPF Kanpur guarantee employment after apprenticeship training?
No. Apprenticeship training under the 1961 Act is purely industrial skill development and carries no statutory entitlement to permanent absorption.
2. Are candidates with SCVT certificates eligible for GIL Trade Apprentices?
Yes. Candidates holding certificates issued by both NCVT and SCVT are generally eligible, provided the trade matches the notification annexure.
3. Is there an application fee for Gliders India Limited Apprentice recruitment?
No. Apprentice applications across all categories (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS) are completely free of charge.
4. Can candidates who already completed an apprenticeship elsewhere apply?
No. Candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training in any establishment or hold over one year of formal industrial experience are ineligible under the Apprentices Act.
5. What unique trades are trained at OPF Kanpur?
Due to its specialized mission in military parachute manufacturing, OPF Kanpur offers unique training in Technical Textiles, industrial sewing, heavy rigging, and aerospace canvas cutting.
6. Will apprentices receive an official certificate upon completion?
Yes. Trade apprentices receive the National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) issued by the National Council for Vocational Training after passing the All India Trade Test (AITT).