Apply Closing — 31 March 2026
SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
1600 Graduate & Technician Posts — FY 2026-27
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a Mini Ratna Central PSU and subsidiary of Coal India Limited, has officially notified 1600 apprenticeship seats for Graduate and Technician Apprentices for the financial year 2026-27. Training takes place across Opencast and Underground Mines in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Zero application fee. No written exam. Apply at apprenticeship.secl-cil.in before 31 March 2026.
📋 1600 Seats
🏛️ Central PSU — Coal India
📅 Last Date: 31 Mar 2026
💸 Fee: ₹ 0 (Free)
📝 No Written Exam
💰 Stipend: ₹12,300/month
🗺️ CG & MP
⏳ Duration: 1 Year
1600
Total Seats
500
Graduate Posts
1100
Technician Posts
₹12.3K
Max Stipend/Mo
31 Mar
Last Date
₹ 0
App. Fee
01
Important Dates
Official Notification Released (Ref. No. SECL/BSP/HRD/NATS/Apprentice 26-27/1393)
17 March 2026
Online Application Window Opens
17 March 2026 — Open Now
Last Date to Apply Online
31 March 2026 (12:00 Midnight)
Provisional Selection List Upload (Expected)
2nd Week of April 2026
Document Verification & Medical Examination Begins
20 April 2026 onwards
Apprenticeship Training Period
FY 2026-27 (1 Year)
02
About SECL — Organisation Overview
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL)
SECL is a Mini Ratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise and a wholly owned subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), the world's largest coal mining company. Incorporated under the Companies Act, SECL has its corporate headquarters in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh and operates across coalfields in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
Operations
SECL operates Opencast Mines, Underground Mines, and Surface Establishments across the two states. It contributes significantly to India's coal production and plays a key role in energy security. Apprentices trained here gain direct exposure to live mining operations and industrial environments.
Legal Authority for Apprenticeship
This recruitment is conducted under the Apprentices Act 1961 (as amended). Engagement as an apprentice does not create any employment relationship with SECL. No claim for regular employment or absorption can be made on the basis of this training.
Official Portals
SECL Main Website: www.secl-cil.in
Apprenticeship Apply Portal: apprenticeship.secl-cil.in
NATS Registration: nats.education.gov.in
Notification Ref No.: SECL/BSP/HRD/NATS/Apprentice 26-27/1393 dated 17.03.2026
Apprenticeship Apply Portal: apprenticeship.secl-cil.in
NATS Registration: nats.education.gov.in
Notification Ref No.: SECL/BSP/HRD/NATS/Apprentice 26-27/1393 dated 17.03.2026
03
Vacancy Details — Discipline & Category Wise
| Post Type | Discipline / Stream | Qualification | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice 500 Seats | |||
| Graduate Apprentice | Mining Engineering | B.E. / B.Tech (Mining) | 200 |
| Graduate Apprentice | Civil Engineering | B.E. / B.Tech (Civil) | 40 |
| Graduate Apprentice | Electrical Engineering | B.E. / B.Tech (Electrical) | 50 |
| Graduate Apprentice | Mechanical Engineering | B.E. / B.Tech (Mechanical) | 50 |
| Graduate Apprentice | Electronics & Telecom (E&T) | B.E. / B.Tech (E&T / ECE) | 20 |
| Graduate Apprentice | Business Administration | BBA (3-year degree) | 30 |
| Graduate Apprentice | Computer Application | BCA (3-year degree) | 30 |
| Graduate Apprentice | Commerce | B.Com (3-year degree) | 40 |
| Graduate Apprentice | Chemistry | B.Sc. Chemistry (3-year) | 40 |
| Technician Apprentice 1100 Seats | |||
| Technician Apprentice | Mining Engineering | 3-year Diploma (Mining) | 900 |
| Technician Apprentice | Mine Surveying | 3-year Diploma (Mine Surveying) | 40 |
| Technician Apprentice | Civil Engineering | 3-year Diploma (Civil) | 30 |
| Technician Apprentice | Electrical Engineering | 3-year Diploma (Electrical) | 60 |
| Technician Apprentice | Mechanical Engineering | 3-year Diploma (Mechanical) | 40 |
| Technician Apprentice | Electronics & Telecom (E&T) | 3-year Diploma (E&T / ECE) | 30 |
| Grand Total | 1600 | ||
ℹ️ Reservation Breakdown (Community-Wise)
- General / Unreserved: 50% of total seats
- SC (Scheduled Caste): 19% of total seats
- OBC (Other Backward Class): 17% of total seats
- ST (Scheduled Tribe): 14% of total seats
04
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Candidates must be Indian citizens as per the eligibility conditions prescribed by SECL and the Apprentices Act 1961.
Age Limit
Minimum age: 18 years as on 31 March 2026.
There is no upper age limit specified in the SECL Apprentice 2026 notification. No age relaxation for any reserved category has been mentioned either.
There is no upper age limit specified in the SECL Apprentice 2026 notification. No age relaxation for any reserved category has been mentioned either.
Educational Qualification
Graduate Apprentice: Full-time, regular 4-year B.E. / B.Tech in the relevant engineering branch OR a 3-year general graduation degree (BBA / BCA / B.Com / B.Sc) from a government-recognised institution.
Technician Apprentice: Full-time, regular 3-year Diploma in the relevant engineering branch from a recognised Polytechnic (after 10th, or 2-year lateral entry after 12th). 1-year Diploma is not permitted.
All degrees and diplomas must be in regular / full-time mode only — part-time, correspondence, or distance education is not accepted.
Technician Apprentice: Full-time, regular 3-year Diploma in the relevant engineering branch from a recognised Polytechnic (after 10th, or 2-year lateral entry after 12th). 1-year Diploma is not permitted.
All degrees and diplomas must be in regular / full-time mode only — part-time, correspondence, or distance education is not accepted.
NATS 2.0 Portal Registration
Before applying on the SECL portal, every candidate must be registered on the NATS 2.0 portal (National Apprenticeship Training Scheme) at nats.education.gov.in or moenats.aicte-india.org and must possess a valid NATS ID. Applications without NATS ID will be rejected.
Passing Year Requirement
Candidates should have passed their qualifying degree/diploma after 2021 to be considered for this engagement. Candidates who passed before 2021 may not be eligible due to the merit-ranking criterion based on date of passing.
⛔ Who Cannot Apply — Disqualification Conditions
- Candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training anywhere earlier are not eligible.
- Candidates who have been in employment/service for 1 year or more in any enterprise are not eligible.
- Candidates who are currently pursuing or have already completed a Postgraduate (PG) degree are not eligible.
- Candidates with degrees obtained in distance / correspondence / part-time mode are not eligible.
- Applications submitted through post, email, or any offline mode will not be accepted under any circumstances.
05
Application Fee
₹ 0
Absolutely No Application Fee
All categories — General, OBC, SC, ST, PwD — pay zero fee. This applies to all 1600 posts. No payment gateway, no DD, no challan required.
06
Monthly Stipend
Graduate Apprentice
₹12,300
per month
50% paid by SECL directly
50% paid by Govt. of India via DBT
Credited to Aadhaar-linked bank account
50% paid by Govt. of India via DBT
Credited to Aadhaar-linked bank account
Technician Apprentice
₹10,900
per month
50% paid by SECL directly
50% paid by Govt. of India via DBT
Credited to Aadhaar-linked bank account
50% paid by Govt. of India via DBT
Credited to Aadhaar-linked bank account
💡 Stipend is governed by the Apprenticeship Rules under the Apprentices Act 1961. The 50% Government share is transferred directly to the apprentice's Aadhaar-seeded bank account via DBT. No other pay, allowance, or benefit is provided.
07
Selection Process
1
Merit-Based Shortlisting — No Written Exam
There is no written test or interview. Candidates are shortlisted purely on merit. The primary criterion is the date of passing the qualifying degree/diploma — candidates who passed earlier are ranked higher on the seniority list.
2
Tie-Breaker Rules (in order of priority)
When two or more candidates share the same date of passing, the following tiebreaker sequence is applied:
1
Higher percentage of marks in the qualifying Degree / Diploma
2
Higher percentage of marks in 12th Standard (HSC)
3
Higher percentage of marks in 10th Standard (SSC / Matriculation)
4
Older date of birth (senior by age gets priority)
3
Two Separate Seniority Lists — Level 1 & Level 2
SECL prepares two seniority lists based on candidate domicile. Level-1 candidates (from CG & MP) are given preference and filled first. Level-2 candidates (from other states) are considered only after all Level-1 seats are exhausted.
4
Provisional Selection List Published
The provisional list is expected to be uploaded on the SECL official website in the 2nd week of April 2026. Selected candidates will be individually intimated via their registered email and mobile number.
5
Document Verification & Medical Examination
Provisionally selected candidates must appear for document verification and a medical fitness examination starting from 20 April 2026 at the designated SECL offices. Only those clearing both stages will be formally engaged as apprentices.
Level 1 — Priority
Chhattisgarh & Madhya Pradesh
Candidates with domicile from CG or MP are placed in the Level-1 seniority list and considered first for all available seats before any Level-2 candidate.
Level 2 — Other States
All Other States (Western Region)
Candidates from all other states under the Western Region of the Board of Apprenticeship Training are placed in Level-2 and considered only after Level-1 vacancies are filled.
No Written Exam
No Interview
Pure Merit-Based
Date of Passing is Key
CG & MP Get Priority
08
How to Apply — Step by Step
1
Register on NATS 2.0 Portal First (Mandatory)
Before anything else, visit nats.education.gov.in or moenats.aicte-india.org. Complete student registration and obtain your NATS ID. This step is mandatory — no application is accepted without a valid NATS registration.
2
Visit the SECL Apprenticeship Portal
Open apprenticeship.secl-cil.in in your browser. You can also navigate via the official SECL website: secl-cil.in → HRD → Apprentice → Apply Online link.
3
New User Registration on SECL Portal
Click on "New User — Register Here!" on the SECL apprenticeship portal. Fill in your personal details including name, mobile number, email ID, and create a password. Tick the Terms & Conditions checkbox and click Submit to create your account.
4
Fill in the Application Form
Login using your registered email and password. Complete all three parts of the form:
Part I: Personal details, category, domicile state, NATS ID
Part II: Educational details — upload SSC/HSC certificates, Degree/Diploma mark sheets, NATS registration proof
Part III: Upload photograph, signature, and Aadhaar card (clear scanned copies)
5
Enter Bank Account Details
Provide your Aadhaar-linked bank account number and IFSC code accurately. The Government's 50% DBT stipend share will be credited directly to this account. Incorrect bank details will cause payment failures.
6
Final Submit Before Deadline
Carefully review all filled details. Once confirmed, tick the declaration checkbox and click "Final Submit". Ensure submission before 31 March 2026, 12:00 Midnight. Applications submitted by post, email, or courier will not be accepted.
7
Print Confirmation Page
After successful submission, save and print the application confirmation page for your records. Keep it available for document verification. No application form needs to be sent physically to SECL.
⛔ Common Mistakes That Lead to Rejection
- Applying without completing NATS 2.0 registration first.
- Uploading blurred, incomplete, or wrongly-named documents.
- Entering a bank account that is not Aadhaar-linked.
- Submitting after 31 March 2026 midnight — no extensions will be granted.
- Applying for a discipline different from your actual qualifying degree/diploma.
09
Documents Required at Time of Application
10th (SSC / Matriculation) Certificate & Mark Sheet — for age and percentage proof
12th (HSC / Intermediate) Certificate & Mark Sheet — for tiebreaker percentage
Degree / Diploma Certificate & all semester/year Mark Sheets — qualifying qualification
NATS 2.0 Registration proof / NATS ID document — mandatory pre-requisite
Aadhaar Card — identity proof and DBT bank account linking
Aadhaar-linked Bank Passbook / Account details with IFSC code — for stipend credit
Recent passport-size photograph (clear, white background, formal attire)
Signature scan on white paper (black/blue ink)
Category / Caste Certificate (for SC / ST / OBC candidates) — issued by competent authority
Domicile / Residence Certificate of Chhattisgarh or Madhya Pradesh — if applying under Level-1 priority
💡 Document Upload Tips
- All documents must be scanned in PDF or JPEG format with clear, legible text.
- Each file size should be within the portal's specified limit (generally under 200 KB).
- Ensure the Aadhaar card photo matches your application photograph.
- Bring originals of all uploaded documents on the date of document verification.
10
Training Programme Details
Duration of Training
The apprenticeship training spans one full year (12 months) under the financial year 2026-27. The training is conducted in Opencast Mines, Underground Mines, and Surface Establishments of SECL across Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
Training Location
Training is carried out at various SECL mines and establishments located in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Candidates should be prepared to be posted at any SECL operating site within these two states as per operational requirements.
No Employment After Training
As clearly stated in the official notification, no apprentice will be absorbed into SECL's regular employment upon completion of training. No employment claim of any kind will be entertained. The engagement is purely for the purpose of skill development and industrial training under the Apprentices Act 1961.
Apprenticeship Certificate
On successful completion of the one-year training, apprentices will be issued a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) or a National Apprenticeship Training Certificate from the Board of Apprenticeship Training. This certificate holds significant value for future job applications in PSUs and private companies.
✅ Career Benefits of SECL Apprenticeship
- Hands-on exposure to live mining operations — highly valued in PSU job applications.
- National Apprenticeship Certificate adds strong weight to your resume.
- SECL apprenticeship experience boosts eligibility scores in many PSU recruitment drives.
- Networking opportunities with senior engineers and industry professionals at SECL.
- Monthly stipend of up to ₹12,300 while gaining real-world industrial skills.
11
Frequently Asked Questions
A total of 1600 seats are available — 500 for Graduate Apprentices and 1100 for Technician Apprentices across various engineering and general stream disciplines. The highest number of seats (900) is in Technician Apprentice (Mining Engineering).
The final date for online application submission is 31 March 2026 up to 12:00 Midnight at apprenticeship.secl-cil.in. No extension is expected. Candidates are advised to apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
No. The SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is completely free of cost for all categories. Candidates of General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwD categories are not required to pay any application fee.
Graduate Apprentices receive ₹12,300 per month and Technician Apprentices receive ₹10,900 per month. The stipend is split equally: 50% is paid directly by SECL, and the remaining 50% is transferred by the Government of India through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system into the apprentice's Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Yes, absolutely mandatory. Every candidate must first complete their registration on the NATS 2.0 portal at nats.education.gov.in and obtain their NATS ID before applying on the SECL portal. Applications without a valid NATS ID will be rejected outright.
No. There is no written examination or interview. Selection is entirely merit-based, based on the date of passing the qualifying degree/diploma. Earlier passed candidates rank higher. Tiebreakers use percentage in degree/diploma, 12th, and 10th marks in that order.
Yes, candidates from all states across India can apply. However, Level-1 priority is given to candidates with domicile from Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Candidates from all other states under the Western Region of the Board of Apprenticeship Training are placed in the Level-2 seniority list and are considered only after Level-1 seats are filled.
No. SECL has clearly and explicitly stated in the official notification that no apprentice will be absorbed as a regular or permanent employee of SECL under any circumstances. The training is purely for skill development under the Apprentices Act 1961 and creates no employment obligation on SECL's part.
The minimum age is 18 years as on 31 March 2026. There is no upper age limit mentioned in the official SECL Apprentice 2026 notification. No age relaxation for any reserved category has been specified either.
The provisional selection list is expected to be uploaded on the SECL official website (secl-cil.in) in the 2nd week of April 2026. Document verification and medical examination are scheduled to begin from 20 April 2026 onwards for provisionally selected candidates.
12
Important Links
🔗 Official & Direct Links
Apply Online — SECL Apprentice 2026 (apprenticeship.secl-cil.in)
SECL Official Website — secl-cil.in (HRD → Apprentice Section)
NATS 2.0 Portal Registration — nats.education.gov.in (Mandatory First Step)
NATS Alternate Portal — moenats.aicte-india.org
Official Notification PDF — SECL Apprentice 2026-27
Provisional Selection List (2nd Week of April 2026) — secl-cil.in
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