NHPC Limited has released its official notification (Advt. No. NH/Rectt./02/2026) for a Special Recruitment Drive (SRD) to fill 81 Trainee Engineer posts in Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical disciplines. The drive is exclusively for SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), and PwBD candidates who hold a valid GATE-2024 or GATE-2025 score. Online applications are accepted at the official NHPC recruitment portal from 16 March 2026 to 6 April 2026 (5:00 PM).
Last verified on: 29 March 2026 (IST) — sourced directly from the official NHPC notification PDF (NH/Rectt./02/2026) dated 12 March 2026.
Key Highlights
| Organisation | NHPC Limited (Navratna PSU, Govt. of India) |
| Advertisement No. | NH/Rectt./02/2026 |
| Post Name | Trainee Engineer (Civil / Electrical / Mechanical) |
| Total Vacancies | 81 (72 SRD + 9 PwBD-specific) |
| Pay Scale (E2) | Rs. 50,000–3%–1,60,000 (IDA); approx. CTC Rs. 15–16 Lakh/year |
| Age Limit | Maximum 30 years (as on 6 April 2026) |
| GATE Requirement | Valid GATE-2024 or GATE-2025 score (CE / EE / ME paper only) |
| Application Start | 16 March 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Application Deadline | 6 April 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Application Fee | OBC (NCL): Rs. 708/- | SC/ST/Women/PwBD/Ex-SM: Nil |
| Selection Mode | GATE Score (75%) + Group Discussion (5%) + Personal Interview (20%) |
| Apply Portal | intranet.nhpc.in/recruitapp/ |
| Official Site | nhpcindia.com |
Vacancy Details
The recruitment is structured across two tables in the official notification. The primary SRD vacancies (Table 1-B) total 72 posts, and a separate PwBD-specific drive (Table 1-C) covers 9 additional posts, bringing the combined total to 81.
SRD Vacancies — Table 1-B (Category-wise)
| Discipline | OBC (NCL) | SC | ST | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trainee Engineer (Civil) | 06 | 07 | 01 | 14 |
| Trainee Engineer (Electrical) | 16 | 13 | 06 | 35 |
| Trainee Engineer (Mechanical) | 18 | 05 | 03 | 26 |
| Total | 40 | 25 | 10 | 72* |
*Includes both backlog vacancies from SRD 2023–24 and resultant vacancies for the 2024–25 recruitment exercise.
PwBD-Specific Vacancies — Table 1-C
| Discipline | Cat b | Cat c | Cat d & e | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TE (Civil) | 01 | 01 | 01 | 03 |
| TE (Electrical) | 02 | 01 | 01 | 04 |
| TE (Mechanical) | 01 | 00 | 01 | 02 |
| Total | 04 | 02 | 03 | 09 |
PwBD candidates applying under Table 1-C may belong to any category (GEN/EWS/OBC(NCL)/SC/ST) provided their disability falls within the identified suitable benchmark categories for the respective post.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a full-time regular Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering / Technology / B.Sc. (Engineering) from a recognised Indian University or AICTE-approved institute, with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent grade. AMIE holders (enrolled up to 31 May 2013) with 60% marks are also eligible. SC, ST, and PwBD candidates require a minimum of 50% marks.
The eligible disciplines per post, as specified in the notification, are:
- TE (Civil): Civil Engineering only. No equivalent or other disciplines accepted.
- TE (Electrical): Electrical Engineering / Electrical & Electronics / Power Systems & High Voltage / Power Engineering only.
- TE (Mechanical): Mechanical / Production / Thermal / Mechanical & Automation Engineering only.
Final-year appearing students are not eligible to apply. The degree must have been awarded before the closing date of application.
Age Limit and Relaxation
The maximum age limit is 30 years as on 6 April 2026 (the application closing date). Age relaxation as per the official notification:
- SC / ST: 5 years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
- PwBD – General: 10 years
- PwBD – OBC (NCL): 13 years
- PwBD – SC / ST: 15 years
- J&K domicile (01.01.1980 to 31.12.1989): 5 years
- Ex-Servicemen: As per Government of India guidelines
GATE Score Requirement
Candidates must have a valid score in GATE-2024 or GATE-2025 in the corresponding paper: CE for Civil, EE for Electrical, and ME for Mechanical. GATE scores from any other year are not valid for this recruitment. Where a candidate has appeared in both GATE-2024 and GATE-2025, the best score must be submitted and will be treated as final. No revision of submitted score is permitted at any later stage.
Salary and Benefits
Selected candidates will be placed in pay scale E2: Rs. 50,000–3%–1,60,000 (IDA) during the one-year training period. On successful completion of training, candidates are absorbed as Engineer/Officer in the same pay scale with a one-year probation.
The total annual emoluments for a new joinee are approximately Rs. 15 to 16 Lakh, as stated in the notification. The compensation package includes Basic Pay, Dearness Allowance, HRA, Cafeteria Allowance, Performance Related Pay (PRP), medical facilities, and social security benefits comprising PF, Pension, and Gratuity as per company rules.
Placement will be at NHPC Projects, Power Stations, or Offices across India, including Joint Ventures and Subsidiary Companies, or abroad.
Selection Process
The selection process has three components with the following weightages (as specified in the notification):
| Parameter | Weightage |
|---|---|
| GATE 2024 / 2025 Normalized Marks (out of 100) | 75% |
| Personal Interview | 20% |
| Group Discussion | 5% |
Candidates will be shortlisted for Group Discussion and Personal Interview based on their GATE score at a ratio of up to 1:5 (vacancy to candidate). If candidates with equal GATE marks cause this ratio to be exceeded, all such candidates will be called.
There is no cutoff or qualifying marks for Group Discussion independently, but combined GD and PI scores must meet category-specific qualifying percentages: 40% for OBC (NCL) candidates and 30% for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates. Shortlisted candidates may also undergo an online or offline Psychometric Assessment, the result of which will serve as input during the interview.
Appointment offers are issued in order of category-wise merit. Communication will be sent only via registered email.
Service Agreement / Surety Bond
Selected candidates must execute a service agreement and surety bond to serve a minimum of four years (including training period). The bond amount is Rs. 4,00,000 plus applicable GST for OBC (NCL) candidates, and Rs. 2,00,000 plus applicable GST for SC / ST / PwBD candidates.
Important Dates
| Notification Release Date | 12 March 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 16 March 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Online Application Closes | 6 April 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| GD / PI Schedule | Not mentioned in the official notification |
| Result Date | Not mentioned in the official notification |
Application Fee
- OBC (NCL): Rs. 600/- + applicable taxes = Rs. 708/- (non-refundable)
- SC / ST / Women / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen: Nil
Payment is online only. Bank or processing charges, if any, are to be borne by the candidate. Fee once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted online only. No manual or postal applications will be entertained. Follow the steps as specified in the official notification:
- Visit www.nhpcindia.com and navigate to the Career section.
- Click on the application link against Advertisement No. NH/Rectt./02/2026.
- Read all instructions on the portal before proceeding.
- Fill in the online application form with accurate personal, educational, and GATE registration details.
- Upload scanned copies of required documents (PDFs of 100–400 KB each; photograph in JPEG under 50 KB; signature in JPEG under 25 KB).
- Pay the application fee online if applicable (OBC (NCL) candidates only).
- Submit the form. The system will generate a unique Registration Number — retain this.
- Take a printout of the registration slip for future reference. Do not send any document by post.
The apply portal is: https://intranet.nhpc.in/recruitapp/
For recruitment queries, email: [email protected] with subject line “TE (C)” / “TE (E)” / “TE (M)” as applicable.
Documents Required
The following documents must be uploaded as scanned copies during online registration, as specified in the notification:
- Matriculation / Secondary School Certificate (proof of date of birth)
- Mark sheets and certificates for Class XII, Graduation, and Post-Graduation (if applicable)
- Caste Certificate in the Government of India prescribed format (OBC certificate must be issued within 6 months of application closing date)
- Disability Certificate from Competent Authority (if applicable)
- Certificate from institution principal confirming full-time / regular mode of study
- CGPA/Grade to percentage conversion certificate issued by the university (if applicable)
- GATE-2024 or GATE-2025 Score Card
- Declaration regarding medical ailments or being declared unfit by any Govt. authority / PSU (if applicable)
- Declaration regarding any arrest, prosecution, detention, conviction, or debarment (if applicable)
- Valid proof of name change (if applicable)
- NOC from current employer (for candidates in Govt. / PSU / Autonomous Body service)
- EWS Income & Asset Certificate issued by Competent Authority (if claiming EWS reservation)
Offer and Notice Verification — Scam Warning
NHPC communicates all updates, corrigenda, and addenda exclusively through its official website www.nhpcindia.com. No information is disseminated through Telegram groups, WhatsApp forwards, or third-party job portals. Any document or message claiming to be an NHPC appointment offer from an unofficial channel should be treated as suspect.
The only official apply portal for this recruitment is intranet.nhpc.in/recruitapp/. The notification PDF is available directly at nhpcindia.com under the Career section against Advt. No. NH/Rectt./02/2026. For any queries, use only the official email address: [email protected].
Appointment letters, if issued, will be sent exclusively to the candidate’s registered email. NHPC does not collect any payment toward appointment or document verification outside of the declared application fee structure. If you receive a demand for payment at any other stage, report it to NHPC’s vigilance cell via the official website.
Official Links
- Official Notification PDF — NH/Rectt./02/2026 (nhpcindia.com)
- Apply Online Portal (intranet.nhpc.in)
- NHPC Career Page — Current Notifications (nhpcindia.com)
- NHPC Official Website (nhpcindia.com)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is this recruitment open to General/EWS category candidates?
No. As per the official notification, this is a Special Recruitment Drive exclusively for SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), and PwBD candidates. General category candidates are not eligible to apply under this advertisement.
2. Can final-year engineering students apply for NHPC Trainee Engineer 2026?
No. The official notification explicitly states that final-year appearing students are not eligible to apply. The degree must have been awarded before the closing date of the online application window.
3. If I have appeared in both GATE-2024 and GATE-2025, which score will be used?
You must submit your best score. The score you enter at the time of application will be treated as final. The notification states that no request to change the submitted score will be entertained at any later stage.
4. What disciplines are accepted under Trainee Engineer (Electrical)?
Only Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Electronics, Power Systems & High Voltage, and Power Engineering are accepted. Any other discipline — even if considered equivalent — is not eligible as per the notification.
5. What is the surety bond amount, and who has to pay it?
Selected OBC (NCL) candidates must execute a surety bond of Rs. 4,00,000 plus applicable GST to serve a minimum of four years. For SC, ST, and PwBD candidates, the bond amount is Rs. 2,00,000 plus applicable GST.
6. Will travel expenses be reimbursed for attending GD/PI?
Yes. The notification states that to-and-fro Third AC rail fare or bus fare by the shortest route will be reimbursed on production of tickets, provided the travel distance is not less than 30 kilometres.
