How to become an AC & Refrigeration Technician in India
एसी और रेफ्रिजरेशन तकनीशियन
Install, service and repair air conditioners, refrigerators, cold rooms and commercial cooling systems.
- Streams
- Vocational / ITI, Any stream
- Time it takes
- About 2 years of ITI, plus apprenticeship
- Key exams
- ITI admission, All India Trade Test
What you actually do
- Install split and window ACs, ducting and refrigeration units
- Diagnose cooling, gas-leak and electrical faults
- Recover and charge refrigerant safely and carry out servicing
A day in the life
Installing a split AC in the morning, then a run of service calls — cleaning filters, checking gas pressure, replacing a capacitor and fixing a cold-storage unit that stopped cooling.
The path, step by step
- Class 9–10: pass Class 10 with Science and Mathsabout 2 yr
- ITI Refrigeration and Air Conditioner Technician trade (NCVT, 2 years — confirm duration on DGT)about 2 yr
- All India Trade Test for the NCVT certificateabout 1 mo
- Apprenticeship with a service centre, HVAC contractor or manufacturerabout 1 yr
- First job: AC Service Technician / HVAC Technician with a brand, contractor, facility company or self-employedabout 1 yr
Entrance and recruitment exams
| Exam | Conducted by | How often |
|---|---|---|
| ITI admission (state counselling, merit on Class 8/10 marks) | State ITI admission authorities under the DGT framework | Once a year, after Class 10 results |
| All India Trade Test (NCVT certificate) | Directorate General of Training (DGT) | At the end of each ITI course |
Exam dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle. Always read the latest notice on the official website before you apply.
Cost and pay
Government / public route
Government ITIs: low fees, often nominal
Private route
Private ITIs: moderate fees, varying by state
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
Salary
Work is busiest in summer; earnings depend on city, brand tie-ups and commercial HVAC skills. Many technicians later run their own service business. We do not quote figures.
Skills that matter
Is this for me?
Good fit if…
- You like fixing machines
- You are comfortable visiting homes and offices
- You want a skill with steady demand in hot regions
Maybe not, if…
- You dislike travel between many sites a day
- You do not want seasonal workload peaks
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Common questions
How do I become an AC & Refrigeration Technician in India?
1. Class 9–10: pass Class 10 with Science and Maths 2. ITI Refrigeration and Air Conditioner Technician trade (NCVT, 2 years — confirm duration on DGT) 3. All India Trade Test for the NCVT certificate 4. Apprenticeship with a service centre, HVAC contractor or manufacturer 5. First job: AC Service Technician / HVAC Technician with a brand, contractor, facility company or self-employed
Which entrance exams lead to a career as an AC & Refrigeration Technician?
ITI admission (state counselling, merit on Class 8/10 marks) (State ITI admission authorities under the DGT framework); All India Trade Test (NCVT certificate) (Directorate General of Training (DGT)). Check each official website for current dates and eligibility.
Which stream should I choose after Class 10 to become an AC & Refrigeration Technician?
Vocational / ITI, Any stream.
How long does it take to become an AC & Refrigeration Technician?
About 2 years of ITI, plus apprenticeship
How much does it cost to become an AC & Refrigeration Technician?
Government route: Government ITIs: low fees, often nominal. Private route: Private ITIs: moderate fees, varying by state. Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
What is the salary of an AC & Refrigeration Technician in India?
Work is busiest in summer; earnings depend on city, brand tie-ups and commercial HVAC skills. Many technicians later run their own service business. We do not quote figures.
Sources and last check
We list every rate, limit and date this page relies on, where it comes from and when we last checked it. Rules change: please confirm on the official website before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- AC & Refrigeration Technician: path, eligibility and costsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
- Entrance and recruitment examsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Frequency shown is typical; dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle.
ITI admission (state counselling, merit on Class 8/10 marks) — State ITI admission authorities under the DGT framework · All India Trade Test (NCVT certificate) — Directorate General of Training (DGT)
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