Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) – A Miniratna Company | Subsidiary of Coal India Limited | HRD / CETI Department, Singrauli, MP | Notification No: NCL/HRD/CETI/2026-27/168 | Dated: 25.05.2026
🔴 Latest Update:
NEW NOTIFICATION – NCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27 | 1607 Posts | Notification: May 25, 2026 | Apply: June 1–15, 2026 | NATS & NAPS Portal
NCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), a Miniratna company and subsidiary of Coal India Limited operating under the Ministry of Coal, Government of India, has released a notification for the engagement of 1,607 Apprentice Trainees for the financial year 2026-27. The recruitment covers Graduate, Diploma, Trade (ITI), and Paramedical disciplines under the Apprentices Act, 1961. The training period is one year from the date of engagement. Applications must be submitted online through the NATS or NAPS portal between June 1 and June 15, 2026. NCL is headquartered at Post Singrauli Colliery, District Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh.
Important: This is NOT a permanent job. Apprenticeship is purely temporary and statutory training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. No absorption into NCL as a regular employee will happen under any circumstance after training completion.
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NCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh |
| Company Status | Miniratna | Subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) | Govt. of India Enterprise |
| Notification Number | NCL/HRD/CETI/2026-27/168 dated 25.05.2026 |
| Training Type | Apprenticeship under The Apprentices Act, 1961 (as amended) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,607 Posts (across all 4 categories) |
| Categories | A. Graduate Apprentices | B. Diploma Apprentices | C. Trade (ITI) Apprentices | D. Paramedical Apprentices |
| Training Duration | One year (12 months) from date of engagement |
| Application Mode | Online only — NATS portal (Graduates/Diploma) | NAPS portal (Trade/ITI) |
| Application Start Date | June 1, 2026 |
| Application Last Date | June 15, 2026 |
| Merit List Release | June 20, 2026 |
| Reporting / Joining | Intimated through email after merit list |
| Age Limit (General) | 18 to 26 years as on June 1, 2026 (Born between June 1, 2000 and June 1, 2008) |
| Domicile of Qualification | Degree/Diploma/ITI must be from institutes in UP or MP only |
| PwBD Horizontal Reservation | 58 posts (across all categories) |
| Official Website | nclcil.in |
| Helpdesk Email | apprentice.ncl@coalindia.in |
| Phone | 07805-256405 |
NATS vs NAPS. Which Portal to Use?
This is an important step. If you use the portal your application will not be accepted. Here is which portal to use for each category.
Portals and Their Uses
- NATS. You can find it at nats.education.gov.in.
Use it for:
Graduate Apprentices (like BE, B.Tech, BCom, BA, LLB, BCA etc.)
- Diploma Apprentices (all types of Diploma in engineering and non-engineering).
First register on NATS to get your Enrolment ID. Then apply for NCL positions.
NATS Portal Details
nats.education.gov.in
- NAPS. You can find it at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.
Use it for:
Trade (ITI) Apprentices.
Examples include ITI Electrician, Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Auto Electrician, COPA, Diesel Mechanic, Motor Mechanic Vehicle.
First register on NAPS. Then apply for NCL positions.
NAPS Portal Details
apprenticeshipindia.gov.in
Important, for Paramedical Candidates: If you are studying Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Nursing, Ayurveda, Optometry, Yoga, Dietetics or any Paramedical Diploma courses check the notification at nclcil.in. Find out if you should use NATS or NAPS. Do not apply without confirming which one to use.
Section A – Graduate Apprentices (₹12,300/month)
| Sno | Discipline | Vacancies | Stipend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bachelor of Electrical Engineering | 45 | ₹12,300 |
| 2 | Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering | 43 | ₹12,300 |
| 3 | Bachelor of Computer Science & Engineering | 13 | ₹12,300 |
| 4 | Bachelor of Mining Engineering | 17 | ₹12,300 |
| 5 | Bachelor of Electronics Engineering | 8 | ₹12,300 |
| 6 | Bachelor of Civil Engineering | 16 | ₹12,300 |
| 7 | Bachelor of Information Technology | 7 | ₹12,300 |
| 8 | Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) | 58 | ₹12,300 |
| 9 | Bachelor of Arts (BA) | 7 | ₹12,300 |
| 10 | Bachelor of Law (LLB) | 12 | ₹12,300 |
| 11 | Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) | 15 | ₹12,300 |
Also Read: BSNL JTO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out – 100 Vacancies, Eligibility, Salary, Apply Online
Section B – Diploma Apprentices (₹10,900/month)
| Sno | Discipline | Vacancies | Stipend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Diploma in Back Office Management | 13 | ₹10,900 |
| 13 | Diploma in Mining Engineering | 29 | ₹10,900 |
| 14 | Diploma in Mechanical Engineering | 67 | ₹10,900 |
| 15 | Diploma in Electrical Engineering | 72 | ₹10,900 |
| 16 | Diploma in Electronics Engineering | 12 | ₹10,900 |
| 17 | Diploma in Civil Engineering | 56 | ₹10,900 |
| 18 | Diploma in Modern Office Management & Secretarial Practices | 16 | ₹10,900 |
| 19 | Diploma in Computer Science / IT | 14 | ₹10,900 |
| 20 | Diploma in Environmental Engineering | 5 | ₹10,900 |
| 21 | Diploma in Survey Engineering | 21 | ₹10,900 |
Section C – Trade (ITI) Apprentices (₹9,600–₹10,560/month)
| Sno | Trade | Vacancies | Stipend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | ITI Electrician | 244 | ₹10,560 |
| 23 | ITI Fitter | 349 | ₹10,560 |
| 24 | ITI Welder | 110 | ₹9,600 |
| 25 | ITI Turner | 44 | ₹10,560 |
| 26 | ITI Machinist | 43 | ₹10,560 |
| 27 | ITI Auto Electrician | 63 | ₹10,560 |
| 28 | ITI Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA) | 32 | ₹10,560 |
| 29 | ITI Diesel Mechanic | 11 | ₹10,560 |
| 30 | ITI Motor Mechanic Vehicle | 10 | ₹10,560 |
Section D – Paramedical Apprentices (₹12,700–₹13,700/month)
| Sno | Discipline | Vacancies | Stipend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Bachelor of Physiotherapy | 6 | ₹13,700 |
| 32 | Bachelor of Nursing | 30 | ₹13,700 |
| 33 | Bachelor of Ayurveda | 3 | ₹13,700 |
| 34 | Bachelor of Optometry | 3 | ₹13,700 |
| 35 | Bachelor of Yoga | 3 | ₹13,700 |
| 36 | Bachelor of Dietetics | 3 | ₹13,700 |
| 37 | Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology | 10 | ₹12,700 |
| 38 | Diploma in Pharmacy | 15 | ₹12,700 |
| 39 | Diploma in ECG Technology | 10 | ₹12,700 |
| 40 | Diploma in General Nursing & Midwifery (GNM) | 60 | ₹12,700 |
| 41 | Diploma in X-Ray Technology | 10 | ₹12,700 |
| 42 | Diploma in Ophthalmic Technology | 2 | ₹12,700 |
| GRAND TOTAL | 1,607 | — |
Category-wise Reservation – NCL Apprentice 2026
| Category | Total Posts | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 652 | General / Open category |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 336 | Central OBC NCL certificate required |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 291 | SC certificate from competent authority |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 168 | ST certificate from competent authority |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 160 | EWS certificate in prescribed format |
| PwBD (Horizontal – across all) | 58 | Disability certificate as per RPwD Rules 2017 |
| Grand Total | 1,607 | As per Annexure-I prescribed formats |
Eligibility Criteria – NCL Apprentice 2026
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian national only |
| Age (General/UR/EWS) | 18 to 26 years as on June 1, 2026 (Born between June 1, 2000 and June 1, 2008) |
| Age Relaxation – SC/ST | 5 years (maximum 31 years) |
| Age Relaxation – OBC-NCL | 3 years (maximum 29 years) |
| Age Relaxation – PwBD General | 10 years | SC/ST: 15 years | OBC-NCL: 13 years |
| Qualification Origin | Degree/Diploma/ITI must be from institute/university functional in Uttar Pradesh OR Madhya Pradesh only |
| Minimum Qualification Date | Must have passed after June 2022 (those who passed before June 2022 are NOT eligible) |
| Mode of Study | Full-time Regular course only – Part-time / Correspondence / Distance Learning renders ineligible |
| Previous Apprenticeship | Candidates who have already undergone or are currently pursuing apprenticeship OR have 1+ year job experience are NOT eligible |
| Higher Qualification | Candidates with qualification higher than prescribed are NOT eligible |
| Multiple Applications | Only ONE position can be applied – multiple applications = disqualification |
Key Disqualification Rules:
- (1) If you passed before June 2022 you cannot apply.
- (2) If you have already done an apprenticeship anywhere you are not eligible.
- (3) Having one or more years of work experience makes you ineligible.
- (4) If you have a time or correspondence degree you cannot apply.
- (5) If you have a qualification, than what is required you are not eligible.
- (6) We do not allow rounding off. For example 49.99% is considered than 50%.
Stipend Structure – NCL Apprentice 2026
| Category | Monthly Stipend | Paid By |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentices | ₹12,300/month | Government of India share via DBT + NCL – based on attendance |
| Diploma Apprentices | ₹10,900/month | Government of India share via DBT + NCL – based on attendance |
| Trade (ITI) Apprentices — Most Trades | ₹10,560/month | Paid directly by NCL |
| ITI Welder (Only) | ₹9,600/month | Paid directly by NCL |
| Paramedical — Graduate Level | ₹13,700/month | Paid by NCL |
| Paramedical — Diploma Level | ₹12,700/month | Paid by NCL |
The stipend is paid directly into the bank accounts that are linked to Aadhaar. This is attendance-based. If the apprentice is absent for some days the stipend will be deducted accordingly. For Graduate and Diploma apprentices the stipend includes a share from the Government of India which is sent directly to the apprentice via Direct Benefit Transfer or DBT for short which means the Government of India share of the stipend, for Graduate and Diploma apprentices is disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer.
Selection Methodology – Merit-based
| Category | Merit Calculation Method |
|---|---|
| Graduate & Diploma Apprentices | Merit based on marks scored in qualifying Graduation/Diploma examination. Candidates ranked in decreasing order of percentage — highest scorer first. |
| ITI Trade Apprentices | Merit based on AVERAGE of passing percentage in Matriculation (Class 10) AND respective NTC/STC (Trade Certificate). Both percentages averaged — highest average scorer first. |
| Tie-Breaking Rule | First preference to candidate born earlier (older DOB). If still tied — alphabetical order of name (Roman script / English Dictionary order). |
We do not round percentages. So 49.99 percent is than 50 percent. It is not rounded, up to 50 percent. When you are entering your marks please enter the marks you scored and the maximum marks separately. Do not enter the percentage directly. If you are entering your CGPA you need to convert it to a percentage using the rules of your university. Then you can mention it. You should only go up to two decimal points. For example you can say 49.99 percent. You cannot say 50 percent if you really scored 49.99 percent.
How to Apply NCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
To apply for the Northern Coalfields Apprentice 2026 you need to follow these steps.
First you have to choose the portal. If you are a Graduate or Diploma applicant you need to go to nats.education.gov.in. If you are an ITI Trade applicant you have to go to apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.
- Next you have to register on the NATS or NAPS portal using your number and email id. When you register you will get an Enrolment ID. You should note this Enrolment ID carefully because you will need it throughout the process.
- After you get your Enrolment ID you have to log in to the portal and search for NCL apprenticeship vacancies. Look for the discipline you want to apply for.
- Then you have to fill out the application. You will need to enter your Enrolment ID, your name as it appears on your matriculation certificate, your date of birth your address and your academic details. You also need to upload a scanned colour photograph and a signature in ink.
- Remember to apply for one discipline or trade. If you apply for than one all of your applications will be disqualified.
- You have to submit your application before June 15 2026. After you submit it take a printout. Save a soft copy for later.
- Finally check the merit list on June 20 2026 at nclcil.in. If you are shortlisted for the NCL Apprentice 2026 you will get an email with the date and place where you need to go for document scrutiny, for the NCL Apprentice 2026.
Important NCL Apprentice 2026 Dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Official Notification Released | May 25, 2026 | Released |
| Age Cut-off Date | June 1, 2026 | Reference Date |
| Application Start Date (NATS & NAPS) | June 1, 2026 | Opening Soon |
| Application Last Date (NATS & NAPS) | June 15, 2026 | Deadline |
| Merit List / Shortlist Release | June 20, 2026 | Awaited |
| Document Scrutiny / Reporting | Intimated via email after merit list | Awaited |
| Medical Test | As per Mines Rules 1955 — after document scrutiny | Awaited |
| Apprenticeship Contract Generation | Via NATS/NAPS — BOAT Western Region / RDSDE Bhopal | After joining |
| Training Period | 1 Year from date of engagement (FY 2026-27) | After joining |
Apply Online (Graduate/Diploma) at: https://nats.education.gov.in
Apply Online (Trade/ITI) at: https://www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in
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| IMPORTANT LINKS | |
| NCL Apprentice Apply Online (Graduate/Diploma – NATS) & (Trade/ITI – NAPS): | Click here | Click here |
| Official Notification PDF: | Click here |
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FAQ- NCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
What is the total number of vacancies in the NCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The NCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 has a total of 1,607 apprentice training positions. These positions are divided into four categories: Graduate Apprentices, Diploma Apprentices, Trade or ITI Apprentices and Paramedical Apprentices. The number of positions for each category is as follows:
Graduate Apprentices:
Diploma Apprentices:
Trade or ITI Apprentices:
Paramedical Apprentices.
The total number of vacancies is divided among groups. For example there are 291 positions for Castes, 168 for Scheduled Tribes 336 for Other Backward Classes 160 for Economically Weaker Sections 652 for people who are not part of any of these groups and 58 for people with disabilities.
How stipend will I get if I am selected for the NCL Apprentice 2026?
The stipend for NCL Apprentice 2026 varies depending on the category you belong to. For instance Graduate Apprentices will get ₹12,300 per month. Diploma Apprentices will get ₹10,900 per month. ITI Trade Apprentices will get ₹10,560 per month except for ITI Welder who will get ₹9,600 per month. Paramedical Apprentices with a bachelors degree will get ₹13,700 per month and those with a diploma will get ₹12,700 per month. The stipend is paid directly into your bank account, which should be linked to your Aadhaar card, based on your attendance.
Which portal should I use to apply for the NCL Apprentice 2026?
To apply for the NCL Apprentice 2026 you need to use either the NATS portal or the NAPS portal. If you are applying for a Graduate or Diploma Apprenticeship you should use the NATS portal at nats.education.gov.in. If you are applying for a Trade or ITI Apprenticeship you should use the NAPS portal at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in. Before you apply you need to register on the portal and get an Enrolment ID. If you apply through the portal your application will not be considered.
What is the age limit to apply for the NCL Apprentice 2026?
To apply for the NCL Apprentice 2026 you should be least 18 years old and not more than 26 years old as of June 1 2026. This means you should have been born between June 1 2000 and June 1 2008. However there are some exceptions. If you belong to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe you can be up to 31 years old. If you belong to a Backward Class you can be up to 29 years old. If you have a disability you can be up to 36 years old if you are from a category up to 41 years old if you are from a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe and up to 39 years old if you are from an Other Backward Class.
Do I need to be from a place to apply for the NCL Apprentice 2026?
Yes to apply for the NCL Apprentice 2026 you should have completed your degree, diploma or ITI from an institute or university in either Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh. It does not matter where you are from originally. Your qualification should be from one of these two states. If you have a qualification from another state you are not eligible to apply.
Can I apply if I have already done an apprenticeship before?
No you cannot apply for the NCL Apprentice 2026 if you have already done an apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act or if you are currently doing an apprenticeship or if you have than one year of work experience. This rule is very strict. There are no exceptions.
What is the last date to apply for the NCL Apprentice 2026?
The last date to apply online for the NCL Apprentice 2026 is June 15 2026. You can start applying from June 1 2026. You should apply online through either the NATS or NAPS portal depending on the category you are applying for. Do not wait until the minute to apply, as you might face technical issues.
Will I get a job at NCL after completing the apprenticeship?
No completing the apprenticeship does not guarantee a job at NCL. The apprenticeship is for training and skill development under the Apprentices Act 1961. After the apprenticeship you will not be considered for a job at NCL. You should not expect to get a job after the apprenticeship.
How will the selection for NCL Apprentice 2026 be done?
The selection for the NCL Apprentice 2026 will be based on merit. For Graduate and Diploma Apprentices the selection will be based on the percentage of marks you got in your qualifying exam. For ITI Trade Apprentices the selection will be based on the average of your Class 10 percentage and your NTC or STC trade certificate percentage. There will be no written test or interview. A list of shortlisted candidates will be released on June 20 2026 on the website nclcil.in. If you are shortlisted you will have to go for a document scrutiny and a medical test.
Can I apply for than one position in the NCL Apprentice 2026?
No you can only apply for one position in the NCL Apprentice 2026. If you apply for than one position all your applications will be rejected. Once you submit your application you cannot change some of the information you provided such, as your date of birth caste category and qualification. So you should be very careful when you fill out your application.
