UCO Bank Apprentice Recruitment 2025 – Introduction

UCO Bank has announced a significant hiring drive with the UCO Bank Apprentice Recruitment 2025. This is a fantastic chance for recent graduates looking to start their career in the banking sector. A total of 532 Apprentice positions are available across various states in India. This one-year apprenticeship program, governed by the Apprentices Act, 1961, offers a hands-on learning experience within a respected public sector bank.

This recruitment offers a fixed monthly stipend of ₹15,000, providing financial support while you gain invaluable industry experience. The online application window is short and active from 21st October 2025 to 30th October 2025. If you meet the eligibility criteria and are eager to build a foundation for a successful banking career, this is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss. Read this guide carefully to understand the vacancy details, eligibility, salary, selection process, and the step-by-step application procedure.

Key Highlights about UCO Bank & Recruitment Notification

  • Post Name: Apprentice
  • Total Vacancies: 532
  • Stipend (Salary): ₹15,000/- per month
  • Job Location: Various States across India
  • Application Start Date: 21st October 2025
  • Application Last Date: 30th October 2025
  • Application Mode: Online

UCO Bank, a major Government of India undertaking, is inviting applications for its apprenticeship program for the financial year 2025-26. This recruitment is not for a permanent job but for a one-year training period. The selection will be managed by the BFSI Sector Skill Council of India (BFSI SSC) and will involve an online examination.

Vacancy Breakdown

Here is the state-wise and category-wise breakdown of the 532 apprentice vacancies. Candidates can apply for engagement in one state only.

State / UT Total Seats
ANDHRA PRADESH 7
ARUNACHAL PRADESH 1
ASSAM 24
BIHAR 35
CHANDIGARH 4
CHHATTISGARH 10
GOA 1
GUJARAT 19
HARYANA 14
HIMACHAL PRADESH 25
JAMMU AND KASHMIR 3
JHARKHAND 12
KARNATAKA 12
KERALA 10
MADHYA PRADESH 27
MAHARASHTRA 33
MANIPUR 2
MEGHALAYA 1
NAGALAND 1
NEW DELHI 12
ODISHA 42
PONDICHERRY 1
PUNJAB 24
RAJASTHAN 37
SIKKIM 1
TAMIL NADU 21
TELENGANA 8
TRIPURA 5
UTTAR PRADESH 46
UTTARAKHAND 8
WEST BENGAL 86
Total 532

Note: The number of seats is provisional and may vary. For a detailed category-wise (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/UR) breakdown, please refer to the official notification.

Eligibility Criteria

Before applying for the UCO Bank Apprentice Recruitment 2025, it is crucial to ensure you meet all the eligibility norms as of 01.10.2025.

Educational Qualification

  • Candidates must have a Graduate degree (in any discipline) from a recognized University or Institute approved by the Government of India.
  • A key condition is that the candidate must have completed their graduation and have the Mark Sheets and Provisional/Final Degree Certificate issued on or after 01.04.2021.

Age Limit (as of 01.10.2025)

  • Minimum Age: 20 years
  • Maximum Age: 28 years
  • This means a candidate must have been born not earlier than 02.10.1997 and not later than 01.10.2005 (both dates inclusive).

Age Relaxation: Upper age limit relaxation is provided for reserved categories as per government rules:

  • SC/ST: 5 years
  • OBC (Non-creamy layer): 3 years
  • PWBD (UR/EWS): 10 years
  • PWBD (OBC): 13 years
  • PWBD (SC/ST): 15 years
  • Widows, divorced women (not remarried): Upto age 35 (UR/EWS), 38 (OBC), and 40 (SC/ST).

Other Criteria

  • Experience: Candidates who have training or job experience of one year or more after completing their graduation are not eligible.
  • Previous Apprenticeship: Candidates should not have undergone apprenticeship with UCO Bank or any other organization earlier.
  • Local Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient (reading, writing, speaking, and understanding) in any one of the local languages of the State they are applying for. A language proficiency test will be conducted during document verification. Candidates who have 10th or 12th standard mark sheets/certificates proving they studied the local language will be exempted from this test.

Salary and Benefits

This section is vital for understanding the financial compensation for the UCO Bank Apprentice role. While this is a training program and not a permanent job, it offers a fixed monthly stipend.

The selected apprentices will be paid a monthly stipend of ₹15,000/-. This amount is fixed for the entire duration of the one-year training.

Let’s break down this stipend:

  • Bank’s Contribution: UCO Bank will pay ₹10,500/- directly into the apprentice’s bank account each month.
  • Government Share: The remaining ₹4,500/- is the Government of India’s share, which will be credited directly to the apprentice’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

It is important to note that this is a stipend and not a salary. Apprentices are not eligible for any other allowances or benefits that are available to permanent bank employees. This means there will be no additional Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), or other perks like NPS contributions. The ₹15,000 per month is the total in-hand amount you will receive. This program’s primary benefit is the invaluable practical experience and training in banking operations, which serves as a strong foundation for future jobs in the banking and financial sector.

Selection Process Explained

The selection for the UCO Bank Apprentice engagement will be based on a two-stage process. Candidates must qualify in each stage to be considered for the final merit list.

Tier 1: Online Test (Objective Type)

All eligible candidates who successfully register and pay the examination fee will be called for an online test conducted by BFSI SSC. This test is the primary shortlisting criteria.

Exam Pattern:

  • The test will have 100 objective-type questions for a total of 100 marks.
  • The total duration of the examination will be 60 minutes (1 hour).
  • The medium of the test will be English and Hindi.
Name of Test No. of Questions Maximum Marks
General/Financial Awareness 25 25
General English 25 25
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude 25 25
Quantitative Aptitude 25 25
Total 100 100

A merit list will be drawn up state-wise and category-wise based on the marks obtained in this online test.

Tier 2: Test of Local Language

  • Candidates who qualify in the online test will be called for document verification.
  • During this process, their proficiency in the local language of the state they applied for will be tested.
  • This test is qualifying in nature. Candidates who fail to qualify this test will not be engaged as apprentices.
  • Exemption: As mentioned earlier, candidates who can produce a 10th or 12th standard mark sheet or certificate showing they have studied the specified local language will not be required to take this test.

Final selection is subject to qualifying the local language test (if applicable), document verification, and being declared medically fit as per the bank’s requirements.

How to Apply Online: Step-by-Step Guide

The application process is entirely online and involves two main portals. Follow these steps carefully.

Documents to keep ready:

  • A valid personal Email ID and Mobile Number.
  • Scanned copies of your Photograph and Signature.
  • Mark sheets and degree certificate (for graduation).
  • ID proof (like Aadhar Card).
  • Caste/EWS/PwBD certificate (if applicable).

Step 1: NATS Portal Registration (Mandatory)

  • First, all candidates must register themselves on the NATS portal.
  • Go to the NATS website. (link provided below)
  • Click on “Student Register/Login” and complete the registration process by filling in your personal details, educational qualifications, etc.
  • After successful registration, you will get an Enrolment ID. Make note of this ID; it is essential for the next step.

Step 2: Apply for UCO Bank Apprenticeship

  • Once registered on NATS, log in and find the UCO Bank Apprenticeship opportunity and apply for it.

Step 3: BFSI SSC Application and Fee Payment

  • All candidates who have successfully applied on the NATS portal will receive an email from BFSI SSC.
  • This email will invite you to a different portal (link provided below) to fill in additional details (like caste, choice of districts, etc.) and, most importantly, make the payment for the online examination.
  • The last date for fee payment and submission of this second form is 05th November 2025. Your application is incomplete without this step.

Important Dates

Event Date
Online Registration on NATS Portal Starts 21st October 2025
Online Registration on NATS Portal Ends 30th October 2025
Last Date for Fee Payment & Detailed Application 05th November 2025
Date of Online Examination 09th November 2025 (at 11 AM)

Application Fees

The application fee must be paid online through the BFSI SSC portal link sent to your email.

Category Application / Examination Fee
SC/ST NIL
PwBD ₹400/- + GST
GEN/OBC/EWS ₹800/- + GST

Essential Links

This UCO Bank Apprentice Recruitment 2025 is a valuable stepping stone for graduates. It offers a structured training environment, a respectable stipend, and a significant entry on your resume that can open many doors in the banking sector. Remember, the application window is very short, so complete your NATS registration and application fee payment well before the deadlines.