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ITI Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician — Step-by-Step Roadmap

Your journey, phase by phase

  1. Phase 1 · After Class 8 / 10 Eligibility after Class 8 or 10 Eligibility for this trade: Class 10 pass.
    • ITI admission needs a minimum age of 14 years and the Class 8 or Class 10 pass level fixed for the trade; check the exact requirement on your state’s ITI admission portal.
    • Science and Maths in school help for technical trades, but you can still join if the trade allows it.
    • Choose the trade by interest and local job demand; talk to ITI instructors and working technicians.
    • Government ITIs have limited seats and low fees; private ITIs must be affiliated to NCVT, so verify affiliation on the DGT site.
    Eligibility
    Class 10 pass
    Min. age
    14 years
    Check
    NCVT affiliation of the ITI
  2. Phase 2 · Admission window (usually June–August) ITI admission process Online application on the state ITI portal, merit list and counselling.
    • Register on your state’s ITI admission portal (or the DGT portal where used), enter marks, upload documents and pay the application fee.
    • Seats are allotted through merit lists and counselling rounds; select trade and ITI preferences carefully.
    • Reserved-category seats and women’s and PwD quotas apply as per state rules.
    • Report to the allotted ITI with originals, pay fees and complete admission before the cut-off date.
    Process
    Online application → merit list → counselling → admission
    • Tip: Many states hold several rounds; keep checking the portal even if you miss your first choice.
  3. Phase 3 · Year 1 Trade theory and practical training Learn the fundamentals: refrigeration cycles, compressors, condensers, evaporators, installation and servicing of ACs and refrigerators, gas charging and fault finding.
    • Trade practical: refrigeration cycles, compressors, condensers, evaporators, installation and servicing of ACs and refrigerators, gas charging and fault finding.
    • Tools and equipment you will use: manifold gauge set, vacuum pump, leak detectors, brazing kit, tube cutters and multimeter.
    • Trade theory, workshop calculation and science, engineering drawing and employability skills (communication, entrepreneurship) are taught alongside practicals.
    • Learn safe handling of refrigerant gases, brazing safety and electrical safety.
    Training
    Practical-heavy NCVT syllabus
    Tools
    manifold gauge set, vacuum pump, leak detectors, brazing kit, tube cutters and multimeter
  4. Phase 4 · Year 1–2 (as applicable) Advanced training, projects and CITS Deeper skills and, for two-year trades, advanced practice.
    • Two-year trades add advanced trade practicals, projects and more detailed theory in the second year; one-year trades complete these topics in a compressed form.
    • You may do industrial visits and on-the-job exposure organised by the ITI.
    • Keep a record of your practicals and projects; assessors check them in the trade test.
    • ITI instructors and many employers also value the Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) if you later want to teach in an ITI.
    Optional
    CITS for instructor career
  5. Phase 5 · End of the course All India Trade Test and NCVT certificate AITT is the national exam that gives the National Trade Certificate (NTC).
    • The All India Trade Test (AITT) is conducted by the Directorate General of Training (DGT) under NCVT, covering trade theory, trade practical, workshop calculation and science, engineering drawing and employability skills.
    • Passing it gives you the National Trade Certificate (NTC), which is recognised across India.
    • Keep your NTC, marksheets and trainee registration number safe; employers and apprenticeship portals ask for them.
    • Many states also run internal assessments; follow your ITI’s timetable for exam forms.
    Exam
    AITT (NCVT)
    Certificate
    National Trade Certificate (NTC)
  6. Phase 6 · After AITT Apprenticeship and job entry RAC apprentices are taken by AC manufacturers, service companies and facility maintenance firms.
    • After ITI you can register on the Apprenticeship India portal and apply to companies for a one-year apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act; you earn a stipend while training.
    • Completing an apprenticeship gives the National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC), which improves job prospects and is accepted for many government recruitments.
    • Typical jobs: AC technician, refrigeration mechanic, cold storage technician and HVAC service technician.
    • Self-employment: AC and refrigerator service and installation business.
    Programme
    Apprenticeship India / NAPS
    Certificate
    NAC
  7. Phase 7 · After ITI Licensing, upgrading and government jobs Add a licence, a diploma or government recruitment to grow.
    • Technicians handling refrigerants are expected to follow environmental rules; manufacturer certifications add value.
    • Upgrade: HVAC courses, diploma in mechanical engineering through lateral entry, or advanced chiller and VRV training.
    • Government and PSU recruitment: Indian Railways (RRB Technician, Group D and ALP posts), defence establishments, PSUs and state departments regularly recruit ITI holders for relevant trades.
    • Short upskilling courses under Skill India and employer training improve your pay and role.
    Recruiters
    Railways, PSUs, defence, state departments
    Upgrade
    Diploma lateral entry (2nd year)

Verify on the official source

Exam dates, fees, paper patterns and eligibility rules are revised by the regulator from time to time. Treat this roadmap as your map, and confirm the current rules on the official site before you register or pay any fee.

DGT / NCVT (ITI)Apprenticeship IndiaSkill India Full ITI Refrigeration & AC career guide