Indian Overseas Bank Apprentice Recruitment 2025: Official Notification, Eligibility, Selection Process & Benefits
Indian Overseas Bank, a Chennai-based public sector bank with a rich legacy under government ownership, launched its Apprentice Recruitment drive for the year 2025 inviting applications from recent graduates to fill seven hundred and fifty apprentice posts across India. This program, operating under the Apprentices Act of 1961, is meant to provide hands-on banking training over a period of one year, helping young candidates develop industry-relevant skills. Unlike permanent bank roles, these apprenticeships train graduates in core banking operations, customer service, documentation, and digital platforms while earning a monthly stipend. The notification was published in late February 2025 and remained open between the first and ninth of March 2025 for online submissions. Candidates had the opportunity to participate in an online examination and a local language proficiency test as part of the transparent selection framework.
Application Timeline and Important Dates
The application window officially commenced on March 1, 2025. Prospective candidates were instructed to complete their online applications before the final date of March 9, 2025. Candidates were also required to finalize fee payment by March 12. The bank initially scheduled the online examination for March 16, but the date was later revised to March 23, 2025. Admit cards were made available shortly before the exam and were downloadable via the official IOB career portal.
Eligibility Criteria: Educational and Age Requirements
Graduates holding a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an institution recognised by the Government of India were eligible to apply. The permissible age bracket for applicants ranged from twenty to twenty-eight years as of March 1, 2025. Candidates from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes received a five-year upper age relaxation, Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) received a three-year relaxation, while persons with benchmark disabilities were granted a ten-year relaxation. These criteria ensured broad accessibility to the apprenticeship across demographic groups.
Selection Process and Exam Structure
The selection process was composed of two key stages. The first stage comprised an online, computer-based test lasting ninety minutes and carrying one hundred objective questions. The exam was divided into four equally weighted sections: general and financial awareness, English language, quantitative and reasoning aptitude, and computer or subject knowledge. Each section contributed twenty-five questions and twenty-five marks. The second stage involved a proficiency test in the local language relevant to the selected state of apprenticeship, usually conducted during document verification. Candidates exempted included those who studied the local language in their 10th or 12th standard. There was no interview stage, making the written exam and language assessment the sole determinants of selection.
Stipend Details and Training Duration
Selected apprentices were assigned to roles in different geographic zones and branches across India, and their monthly stipend varied according to branch categories. Candidates posted in metro areas earned ₹15,000 per month, those in urban locations received ₹12,000, while those in semi-urban and rural branches received ₹10,000. A significant aspect was that government subsidy of ₹4,500 per month was deducted from the stipend based on NATS policies; the net stipend amount was paid to the apprentice after deductions. This apprenticeship tenure is fixed for one year, during which candidates are expected to abide by institutional norms and training schedules but do not receive employee benefits such as pension or provident fund.
State-Wise Vacancy Distribution and Zone Allocation
The seven hundred and fifty apprentice vacancies were allocated across various Indian states and union territories, reflecting the reach of IOB’s branch network. For instance, Tamil Nadu received the highest allotment of one seventy-five posts, Uttar Pradesh eighty, Maharashtra sixty, Kerala forty, Andhra Pradesh twenty-five, Rajasthan twenty-five, Punjab twenty-one, and West Bengal thirty. Smaller allocations were made for states like Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, and others, along with one post reserved for smaller territories like Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Arunachal Pradesh. Candidates were permitted to apply only within a single zone and could not request transfer during the training period.
Application Fee and Payment Modes
Candidates applying for the IOB Apprenticeship were required to pay a non-refundable application fee toward the recruitment process. The fee for General, Other Backward Classes, and Economically Weaker Sections was ₹944, inclusive of 18% GST. Female candidates and those belonging to SC/ST categories paid ₹708, while persons with benchmark disabilities paid ₹472 in total. Payments could only be made online via debit or credit cards, net banking, IMPS, or mobile wallets as facilitated through IOB’s BFSI SSC platform. It was important for applicants to secure receipts and screenshots, as proof of successful submission.
Merit List and Final Selection
After the examination held on March 23, 2025, Indian Overseas Bank announced the merit list via its official website. Approximately 430 candidates who achieved cut-off marks and cleared the local language requirement were declared selected. Document verification and medical fitness checks followed before final appointment. Despite the initial communication of the exam date as March 16, the actual assessment occurred on March 23, and the final merit list publication was completed by early April, confirming successful candidates for placement.
Benefits and Value of the Apprenticeship Experience
This apprenticeship offered graduates a valuable opportunity to gain practical exposure within a public sector bank, build financial operations familiarity, and strengthen their resumes. While apprenticeships do not guarantee permanent employment, the experience significantly enhances employability in future banking and financial sector roles. The training is recognised and can serve as a bridge for candidates preparing for further competitive exams such as IBPS, SBI, or PSU roles. The structured environment, hands-on branch duties, and customer engagement responsibilities equip candidates with transferrable skills in administration, communication, and technology use.
Conclusion
In summary, the Indian Overseas Bank Apprentice Recruitment 2025 represented a timely and valuable initiative aimed at bridging fresh graduates with practical banking exposure. With clear eligibility guidelines, a defined selection process, stipend-based incentives, and inclusive state-wise allocations, the apprenticeship program served as a launchpad into the financial sector. Candidates planning to apply for similar opportunities must stay alert to official notifications and deadlines in the coming months. They should prepare for computer-based tests, language assessments, and maintain updated documents to avoid last-minute hurdles. Successful apprentices can leverage this exposure toward future role-based placements or permanent banking careers. IOB’s initiative in 2025 has once again reinforced the importance of apprenticeships in public sector workforce development and opened the