Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) has released an official notification for the engagement of 1607 Apprentice Trainees across Graduate, Diploma, Trade (ITI), and Paramedical disciplines for FY 2026-27. Indian nationals who completed a full-time degree, diploma, or ITI from an institution in Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh after June 2022 are eligible. Applications are accepted online from 1 June to 15 June 2026 through the NATS and NAPS portals.
Last verified on: 30 May 2026 (IST) | Source: Official Notification No. NCL/HRD/CETI/2026-27/168 dated 25.05.2026 published on www.nclcil.in
Key Highlights
| Organisation | Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited |
| Notification No. | NCL/HRD/CETI/2026-27/168 dated 25.05.2026 |
| Post Name | Apprentice Trainee (Graduate / Diploma / Trade / Paramedical) |
| Total Vacancies | 1607 |
| Training Duration | 1 Year (under Apprentices Act, 1961) |
| Training Location | Various NCL establishments, Singrauli (MP) and Sonbhadra (UP) |
| Age Limit (cut-off: 01.06.2026) | 18–26 years |
| Monthly Stipend | ₹9,600 – ₹13,700 (category-wise) |
| Application Fee | Nil |
| Application Window | 01 June 2026 – 15 June 2026 |
| Apply Portal | NATS (Graduate/Diploma) | NAPS (ITI/Paramedical) |
| Merit List Release | 20 June 2026 (tentative) |
| Official Website | www.nclcil.in |
Vacancy and Openings Details
The 1607 vacancies are distributed across four broad categories. Reservation follows Central Government norms with horizontal reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD).
A. Graduate Apprentices (241 Posts) – Stipend: ₹12,300/month
| Discipline | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| B.E. Electrical Engineering | 45 |
| B.E. Mechanical Engineering | 43 |
| B.Com | 58 |
| B.E. Civil Engineering | 16 |
| B.E. Mining Engineering | 17 |
| LLB | 12 |
| BCA | 15 |
| B.E. CSE | 13 |
| B.E. Electronics | 8 |
| B.E. IT | 7 |
| BA | 7 |
B. Diploma Apprentices (305 Posts) – Stipend: ₹10,900/month
| Discipline | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Diploma – Electrical Engineering | 72 |
| Diploma – Mechanical Engineering | 67 |
| Diploma – Civil Engineering | 56 |
| Diploma – Mining Engineering | 29 |
| Diploma – Survey Engineering | 21 |
| Diploma – Modern Office Mgmt & Secretarial Practices | 16 |
| Diploma – Back Office Management | 13 |
| Diploma – Computer Science / IT | 14 |
| Diploma – Electronics Engineering | 12 |
| Diploma – Environmental Engineering | 5 |
C. Trade Apprentices – ITI (906 Posts) – Stipend: ₹9,600 – ₹10,560/month
| Trade | Vacancies | Stipend (₹/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Fitter | 349 | 10,560 |
| Electrician | 244 | 10,560 |
| Welder | 110 | 9,600 |
| Auto Electrician | 63 | 10,560 |
| Turner | 44 | 10,560 |
| Machinist | 43 | 10,560 |
| COPA | 32 | 10,560 |
| Diesel Mechanic | 11 | 10,560 |
| Motor Mechanic Vehicle | 10 | 10,560 |
D. Paramedical Apprentices (155 Posts) – Stipend: ₹12,700 – ₹13,700/month
Disciplines include Bachelor of Nursing (30 posts, ₹13,700), Bachelor of Physiotherapy (6 posts, ₹13,700), Bachelor of Ayurveda, Bachelor of Optometry, Bachelor of Yoga, Bachelor of Dietetics (3 posts each, ₹13,700), and additional diploma-level paramedical trades. Refer to the official notification for the complete list with stipend break-up.
Eligibility
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a full-time, regular degree, diploma, or ITI certificate in the relevant discipline from an institute or university that is functional and operational in Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh only. The institution must be recognised by AICTE, UGC, BTE, NCVT, SCVT, or a relevant State or Central authority. Part-time, correspondence, and distance-learning qualifications are not accepted.
The qualifying examination must have been passed after June 2022. Candidates who passed before June 2022 are not eligible under this notification.
Candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training anywhere, have more than one year of paid employment experience, or hold a higher qualification than the one being applied under are not eligible.
Age Limit (as on 01 June 2026)
- Minimum: 18 years
- Maximum: 26 years (born between 01.06.2000 and 01.06.2008)
Age relaxation as per Central Government norms: SC/ST – 5 years; OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) – 3 years; PwBD – 10 years (General), 13 years (OBC), 15 years (SC/ST).
Nationality
Only Indian nationals are eligible.
Salary / Stipend
This is a training engagement, not a permanent employment offer. No salary is paid; the monthly payment is a stipend as prescribed under the Apprentices Act, 1961:
- Paramedical (Degree-level): ₹12,700 – ₹13,700/month
- Graduate Apprentices: ₹12,300/month
- Diploma Apprentices: ₹10,900/month
- Trade/ITI Apprentices: ₹9,600 – ₹10,560/month (trade-dependent)
No additional benefits, provident fund, or gratuity are mentioned in the official notification for apprentices under this engagement.
Selection Process
Selection is merit-based. No written examination or interview is mentioned in the official notification for this apprenticeship cycle. Shortlisted candidates will be notified via registered email. Document verification will follow, after which joining dates will be communicated individually.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Age eligibility cut-off date | 01 June 2026 |
| Online application opens | 01 June 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | 15 June 2026 |
| Merit list / shortlisting | 20 June 2026 (tentative) |
| Document verification / joining | Intimated via registered email |
All dates are tentative. NCL may revise them; check www.nclcil.in regularly.
Application Fee
No application fee is required for any category. The official notification states the fee is Nil.
How to Apply
The application process has two mandatory steps depending on your qualification category:
For Graduate and Diploma Apprentices (NATS Portal):
- Visit https://nats.education.gov.in and complete your registration.
- Search for “Northern Coalfields Limited” under apprenticeship opportunities.
- Apply for the relevant discipline.
- Upload required documents and details.
- Submit the application before 15 June 2026 and save the acknowledgement number.
For Trade (ITI) and Paramedical Apprentices (NAPS Portal):
- Visit https://www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in and register on the portal.
- Ensure Aadhaar is linked to your bank account before registering.
- Search for NCL and select the relevant trade/discipline.
- Fill in personal, educational, and contact details accurately.
- Upload supporting documents and submit before 15 June 2026.
- Download and retain the submission acknowledgement.
Applications submitted through any other portal, intermediary website, email, or physical form will not be considered. Apply only through NATS or NAPS as applicable.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar card (linked to registered mobile number and bank account)
- Class 10 certificate and marksheet (for age proof)
- Degree / Diploma / ITI certificate and all semester/year marksheets
- Caste certificate in Central Government format (SC/ST/OBC-NCL, if applicable)
- PwBD certificate from a competent authority (if applicable)
- Passport-size photograph
- Bank account details (for stipend disbursement)
Original documents will be required at the time of document verification. Carry self-attested copies as well.
Offer / Notice Verification and Scam Warning
NCL issues all official notifications exclusively on www.nclcil.in. The notification reference number for this recruitment is NCL/HRD/CETI/2026-27/168; any communication not carrying this reference should be treated with caution. Applications are accepted only through the NATS portal (https://nats.education.gov.in) for Graduate/Diploma and the NAPS portal (https://www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) for ITI/Paramedical — no third-party links or WhatsApp/Telegram-shared forms are official.
NCL does not charge any fee at the application stage, selection stage, or for issuance of appointment/joining letters. If anyone demands money for shortlisting, document verification access, or a joining letter, this is a fraud. Do not pay.
Verify any joining letter or offer by cross-checking directly with NCL’s HRD Department at Singrauli before acting on it. Report suspected fraud to NCL through the contact details available on nclcil.in.
Official Links
- NCL Official Website – www.nclcil.in (Check Career > Apprenticeship section for notification PDF)
- NATS Portal – Apply Online (Graduate & Diploma Apprentices)
- NAPS Portal – Apply Online (Trade / ITI / Paramedical Apprentices)
Note: The direct notification PDF URL is hosted on nclcil.in. Navigate to Career > Apprenticeship Training on the official site to download the PDF of Notification No. NCL/HRD/CETI/2026-27/168.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for NCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The last date to apply online is 15 June 2026. Applications open on 1 June 2026. These dates are tentative; confirm on www.nclcil.in before applying.
Q2. Can candidates from states other than Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh apply?
No. The notification specifies that the qualifying degree, diploma, or ITI must be from an institute or university that is functional and operational in Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh only. Qualifications from institutions in other states do not meet the eligibility criteria under this notification.
Q3. Is there any written exam for selection?
The official notification does not mention any written examination. Selection is merit-based, and shortlisted candidates will be informed via registered email. Document verification follows shortlisting.
Q4. What portals should I use to apply, and does it differ by qualification?
Yes. Graduate and Diploma Apprentice candidates must apply through the NATS Portal (https://nats.education.gov.in). Trade (ITI) and Paramedical Apprentice candidates must apply through the NAPS Portal (https://www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in). Applying through the wrong portal will result in rejection.
Q5. Is this a permanent government job?
No. This is an apprenticeship training engagement under the Apprentices Act, 1961, for a period of one year. It is not a permanent employment offer from NCL or Coal India Limited. A monthly stipend is paid during the training period.
Q6. I completed my ITI in 2021. Am I eligible?
No. The notification requires that the qualifying degree, diploma, or ITI must have been passed after June 2022. Candidates who passed before June 2022 are not eligible under this notification.
