Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Refrigeration & AC Technician trains students to install, service and repair air conditioners, refrigerators and commercial cooling systems. With rising temperatures and growing AC ownership across India, it's a genuinely fast-growing trade with real self-employment potential.
Check whether your Class 10 background qualifies, and see backup options if this path doesn't work out. Duration and salary are in the summary at the top of the page.
Class 10 pass, generally with Science and Maths. Your Class 11–12 stream choice does not decide eligibility here.
If this path doesn't work out — or you want options — these guides share skills or eligibility:
ITI Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (RAC) is a 1-2 year, NCVT/DGT-affiliated trade under the Craftsman Training Scheme, training students in the refrigeration cycle, AC and refrigerator installation, servicing and repair, and basic commercial cooling systems. Given India's climate and rapidly growing AC ownership, this is one of the more consistently in-demand ITI trades, with pronounced seasonal demand spikes.
Training is heavily hands-on — working on real units, diagnosing cooling faults, handling refrigerant systems safely — combined with trade theory, following the standard Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) structure. Beyond home AC repair, the trade also opens doors to commercial refrigeration and cold chain work, a growing sector given India's expanding food retail and logistics industries.
Clear your state's ITI counselling process based on merit.
Refrigeration theory combined with substantial hands-on installation and repair practice.
Clear the final trade exam, then take up a paid apprenticeship at a service centre or AC company.
Join a service centre or AC brand, or start your own AC/refrigeration repair business.
| Stage | Typical content |
|---|---|
| Foundation | Refrigeration cycle basics, electrical fundamentals, tools & safety |
| Core | Domestic refrigerator & AC servicing, installation practice, refrigerant handling |
| Advanced | Commercial cooling systems basics, fault diagnosis, employability skills |
Exact module sequencing and duration follow the NCVT-prescribed CTS syllabus but can vary by state and ITI.
Pay depends heavily on employer, city, season and whether you're salaried or self-employed — these are broad, commonly reported ranges, not guarantees.
Government-set stipend during the apprenticeship period at a service centre or AC company.
Typical starting range for technicians at AC brands' authorised service centres.
Independent repair/installation income can be strong in peak summer months but fluctuates with season and demand.
Many institutes allow lateral entry into Diploma in Mechanical Engineering for RAC trade holders, typically into a later year, though rules vary by state and institute. Further specialisation via commercial/industrial HVAC certification can meaningfully boost pay and open doors to larger-scale projects (hospitals, malls, factories) beyond home AC servicing.
*Fee and salary figures are indicative, based on publicly available information as of 2026, and vary significantly by state, institute and employer — always verify current figures directly with your target ITI.