SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026: The South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), Bilaspur — a Mini Ratna subsidiary of Coal India Limited — has officially released the notification for Graduate and Technician Apprenticeship Training for the financial year 2026–27 under the Apprentices Act, 1961. A total of 1600 seats have been announced across multiple engineering and general stream disciplines.
Online applications closed on 31 March 2026 at midnight. If you applied, here is what happens next: the Provisional Selection List is expected to be uploaded on the SECL official website in the second week of April 2026. Document verification begins from 20 April 2026 onwards. Candidates who registered on the NATS 2.0 portal and submitted their application through apprenticeship.secl-cil.in should keep checking the official website for updates.
This article covers everything from the complete vacancy table, eligibility conditions, stipend, selection method, medical standards, and step-by-step application process — all sourced directly from the official SECL notification Ref. No. SECL/BSP/HRD/NATS/Apprentice 26-27/1393 dated 17.03.2026.
- Notification Date : 17 March 2026
- Application Start Date : 17 March 2026
- Last Date to Apply : 31 March 2026 (12:00 Midnight)
- Provisional Selection List : 2nd Week of April 2026
- Document Verification : From 20 April 2026
- Training Duration : 1 Year
- Application Mode : Online Only
- Official Portal : apprenticeship.secl-cil.in
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Categories | No Application Fee |
No TA/DA provided for document verification or medical examination. No accommodation facility provided.
SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 — Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), Bilaspur (C.G.) |
| Parent Company | Coal India Limited (A Government of India Undertaking) |
| Notification Reference | SECL/BSP/HRD/NATS/Apprentice 26-27/1393 |
| Notification Date | 17 March 2026 |
| Post Names | Graduate Apprentice & Technician Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 1600 Posts |
| Training Duration | 1 Year (FY 2026–27) |
| Training Locations | Opencast / Underground Mines & Establishments of SECL in MP and Chhattisgarh |
| Act Under Which Notified | Apprentices Act 1961 (amended up to date) |
| Official Website | secl-cil.in / apprenticeship.secl-cil.in |
SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Complete Vacancy Table — Post and Category Wise
Graduate Apprentice Posts (500 Total)
| S.No. | Post Name | Total | General (50%) | SC (19%) | OBC (17%) | ST (14%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graduate in Mining Engineering | 200 | 100 | 38 | 34 | 28 |
| 2 | Graduate in Civil Engineering | 20 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | Graduate in Electrical Engineering | 30 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| 4 | Graduate in Mechanical Engineering | 30 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| 5 | Graduate in Electronics & Telecom Engg. | 10 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 6 | Graduate in Administration (BBA) | 25 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| 7 | Graduate in Computer Application (BCA) | 100 | 50 | 19 | 17 | 14 |
| 8 | Graduate in Commerce (B.Com) | 50 | 25 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
| 9 | Graduate in Science — Chemistry (B.Sc.) | 35 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
| Total Graduate | 500 | 250 | 97 | 84 | 69 |
Technician Apprentice Posts (1100 Total)
| S.No. | Post Name | Total | General (50%) | SC (19%) | OBC (17%) | ST (14%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Technician in Mining Engineering | 900 | 450 | 171 | 153 | 126 |
| 11 | Technician in Mine Surveying | 40 | 20 | 8 | 7 | 5 |
| 12 | Technician in Civil Engineering | 40 | 20 | 8 | 7 | 5 |
| 13 | Technician in Electrical Engineering | 50 | 25 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
| 14 | Technician in Mechanical Engineering | 50 | 25 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
| 15 | Technician in Electronics & Telecom Engg. | 20 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Total Technician | 1100 | 550 | 211 | 186 | 153 | |
| Grand Total | 1600 | 800 | 308 | 270 | 222 |
Note on OBC Reservation: The 17% OBC reservation and 14% ST reservation figures are as per MP/CG state government guidelines followed by SECL. Candidates from OBC category must hold a valid Non-Creamy Layer certificate issued on or after 01 April 2025 — certificates issued before this date will not be accepted during document verification.
SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Stipend — How Much Will You Earn
This is a question most candidates have, and the notification gives a clear answer:
| Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | ₹12,300/- per month |
| Technician Apprentice | ₹10,900/- per month |
How the stipend is paid: 50% of the stipend is paid directly by SECL, and the remaining 50% is paid by the Government of India through DBT (Direct Beneficiary Transfer) into the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the apprentice. This is why both NATS registration and an Aadhaar-linked bank account are mandatory conditions.
The government’s share of the stipend will continue to be paid at the older rate of stipend as per directives from the Board of Apprenticeship Training, Western Region, Mumbai — until further instructions are issued.
Important: Being selected as an apprentice does NOT create any employment claim in SECL. The training is purely for skill development under the Apprentices Act. No absorption into regular employment will be done under any circumstances.
SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
For Graduate Apprentices (Post Codes 1 to 9):
- Candidates must hold a 4-year B.E./B.Tech degree in the relevant engineering branch — for engineering stream apprenticeship.
- Candidates must hold a 3-year regular degree (B.Com, BBA, BCA, B.Sc.) — for general stream apprenticeship.
- The degree must be obtained through full-time regular mode of education only. Correspondence, distance, or part-time degrees are not eligible.
- If you pursued a diploma course through lateral entry into 2nd year (after 10+2), the total duration counts as 2 years after 12th — this is allowed provided the total diploma duration after class 10th is 3 or 4 years.
- One-year diplomas are not allowed under any condition.
For Technician Apprentices (Post Codes 10 to 15):
- Candidates must hold a 3-year Diploma in the relevant engineering branch — Mining, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Electronics & Telecom, Mine Surveying.
- The diploma must be obtained through full-time regular mode only.
5-Year Condition: Candidates must not have passed their qualifying degree or diploma more than 5 years before the date of joining as an apprentice. If your degree is older than 5 years from the joining date, you are ineligible.
SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 NATS 2.0 Registration (Mandatory)
Before applying to SECL, every candidate must be registered on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS 2.0) portal operated by the Board of Apprenticeship Training, Western Region, Mumbai.
- NATS portal: https://nats.education.gov.in (or https://moenats.aicte-india.org/student_register.php)
- SECL plays no role in the NATS registration process. Do not contact SECL for NATS-related issues.
- For NATS support: Email — natssupport_student@aicte-india.org | Landline: 011-29581332 | Phone: +91-22-24055635/24053682
Age Limit (as on 31 March 2026)
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Upper Age Limit: No upper age limit specified for any category — no age relaxation is applicable since there is no upper limit.
- Candidates should not be perusing or have completed any Postgraduate qualification.
SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Other Eligibility Conditions
- Must NOT have undergone apprenticeship training in any other institution previously.
- Must NOT have completed employment or service at any establishment for one year or more.
- Must NOT be currently perusing or have completed a Postgraduate degree.
SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Selection Process — How Candidates Are Shortlisted
This is where SECL’s process is different from most other recruitments — and most websites have not explained it correctly.
There is no written exam and no interview. Selection is entirely merit-based on the following criteria:
Primary Criteria: Date of Passing
The date on which you passed your degree or diploma is the main basis for shortlisting. Earlier passing = higher rank. A candidate who passed in 2022 will rank above a candidate who passed in 2024, within the same category.
Critical note: If the date of declaration of result is not mentioned on your marksheet, you must obtain a certificate from the Principal of your Polytechnic/College/Institute mentioning the exact date of publication of result. Without this, your provisional selection may be cancelled.
Tie-Breaking Rules (When Date of Passing Is the Same)
- First Tie-Break: Percentage of marks in Degree/Diploma (Engineering) OR General stream / Diploma
- Second Tie-Break: Percentage of marks in 12th (for Degree holders) or 10th (for Diploma holders)
- Third Tie-Break: Date of Birth — older candidate gets preference
Two Seniority Lists (Level-1 and Level-2)
This is a critical point that most articles have not clearly explained. SECL prepares two separate provisional selection lists:
- Level-1 List: Candidates from Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh — these candidates get first preference
- Level-2 List: Candidates from all other states — selected only after Level-1 vacancies are exhausted
Within Level-2, preference is given to candidates from other states that fall under the Western Region of the Board of Apprenticeship Training.
Practical meaning for candidates: If you are from a state other than CG or MP, your chances depend entirely on whether Level-1 seats remain unfilled after CG/MP candidates are placed.
Where Will Apprentices Be Posted?
The posting location depends on the trade:
- Mining Engineering / Mine Surveying Technician Apprentices — Posted only in Underground Mines of SECL
- Other Engineering Stream Apprentices (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, E&T) — Posted in Opencast Mines, Underground Mines, Workshops, and Establishments
- General Stream Graduate Apprentices (BBA, BCA, B.Com, B.Sc.) — Posted in Offices and Establishments in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
Candidates have no right to request a change of posting location. This is clearly stated in the Affidavit format that each selected candidate must sign.
SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Document Verification — What You Need to Bring
Document verification will be conducted from 20 April 2026 onwards. The exact schedule will be uploaded on the SECL website along with the Provisional Selection List.
Documents required (both originals and self-attested photocopies):
| S.No. | Document |
|---|---|
| 1 | Printout of online application submitted |
| 2 | NATS Registration Document (profile and status printout) |
| 3 | Medical Fitness Certificate (in prescribed format) |
| 4 | Notarized Affidavit (in prescribed format) |
| 5 | Degree / Diploma Marksheet |
| 6 | Degree / Diploma Certificate |
| 7 | SSC / High School Marksheet |
| 8 | SSC / High School Certificate |
| 9 | Aadhaar-linked Bank Account passbook (first page) |
| 10 | Aadhaar Card |
| 11 | Date of Birth Certificate |
| 12 | 4 Passport size photographs |
| 13 | Domicile Certificate — mandatory for Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh candidates |
| 14 | Caste Certificate — SC/ST/OBC (OBC: Non-Creamy Layer, issued on or after 01.04.2025 only) |
| 15 | Printout of Provisional Selection List showing your name |
Important: All names (candidate name, father’s name) and Date of Birth must match exactly across High School certificate, Degree/Diploma certificate, Aadhaar Card, and NATS portal. Any mismatch must be supported by a Notarized Affidavit.
SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Medical Examination — Two Different Standards Apply
This is a detail that almost no other website has explained. SECL uses two different medical fitness standards depending on the trade:
For Mining / Mine Surveying Apprentices: The medical examination is conducted as per Mines Rules 1955 (Form P-I / Form O) — a more rigorous standard designed for underground mine workers. Vision standards, respiratory system fitness, blood pressure, and nervous system conditions are examined in detail. A full-size chest X-ray is mandatory.
For Other Engineering and General Stream Apprentices: The medical examination is conducted as per Apprenticeship Rules 1992 — a standard fitness test that checks height, weight, chest expansion, vision, hearing, skin, speech, digestive system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and nervous system.
In both cases, the medical certificate must be issued by a government hospital Medical Officer not below the rank of Assistant Civil Surgeon, after the date of this notification (17.03.2026). Medical certificates in any format other than the prescribed formats will not be accepted.
How to Apply — SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Step 1 — NATS 2.0 Registration (Mandatory First)
- Visit https://nats.education.gov.in
- Register your student profile with all academic and personal details
- Ensure E-KYC is complete and your Aadhaar is linked
- Note your NATS ID — you will need this for the SECL application
Step 2 — SECL Portal Registration
- Visit the SECL Apprenticeship Portal: https://apprenticeship.secl-cil.in/login.php
- Click on “New User — Register Here!”
- Fill in the registration form with the following details:
- Full Name (must exactly match NATS portal, Degree/Diploma certificate, and Aadhaar Card)
- Father’s Name (as per SSC certificate)
- Application Type (Graduate / Graduate General Stream / Technician / Technician Mine Surveying)
- Field of Specialisation, Gender, Community, State of Domicile
- Date of Birth (as per SSC certificate)
- Aadhaar Number (showing full digits)
- Mobile Number, Email Address, Password, and CAPTCHA
- Click Submit — a Registration Number will be generated
Step 3 — Fill the SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Application Form (4 Parts)
Part I — Basic Information: Communication and Permanent Address (all fields mandatory)
Part II — Educational Details:
- Date of Passing (not earlier than 1 April 2021)
- Institution Name and University Roll/Enrollment Number
- Percentage in qualifying exam (convert CGPA to percentage properly)
- Upload SSC certificate, Degree/Diploma certificate, and NATS Registration document (PDF, each under 1 MB)
- NATS ID and Date of NATS Registration
- Apprenticeship/Experience history, Current education status
- Whether SECL Employee’s Son/Daughter (Yes/No)
Part III — Photograph, Signature & Aadhaar:
- Photograph: JPG/PNG format, 200×230 pixels, under 500KB
- Signature: JPG/PNG format, 200×230 pixels, under 500KB
- Aadhaar Card: PDF format, under 1MB
Part IV — Bank Details:
- Aadhaar-linked bank account details (must match the account registered in NATS portal)
- Upload first page of bank passbook (PDF, under 1MB)
Step 4 — Final Submit
- Tick the Terms & Conditions checkbox
- Click “Final Submit” — a confirmation popup will appear
- Click OK — form cannot be edited after this
Step 5 — Download and Print
- Download the PDF of your submitted application
- Take a printout and keep it safely — you will need it at document verification
Application mode is online only. Applications sent by post, email, or any other mode are not accepted and will be rejected. Applications received after 31 March 2026 at 12:00 midnight were not considered.
Important Conditions — Read Before You Proceed
- No employment guarantee: Selection as an apprentice does not create any right to employment in SECL. The training contract automatically terminates after one year.
- No TA/DA: No travel allowance or daily allowance is provided for document verification, medical examination, or training attendance. No accommodation or housing is provided during training.
- SECL reserves the right to increase or decrease seats at any level, or cancel the entire apprenticeship training selection program without any prior notice.
- Posting is non-negotiable: Apprentices must report to whichever SECL mine or establishment they are posted to. No transfer or posting change request will be entertained.
- No contact with SECL for NATS issues: SECL has no role in the NATS 2.0 registration process. All NATS-related problems should be addressed to the BOAT office directly.
- Dispute resolution: Any dispute will be resolved under the jurisdiction of Bilaspur Court only, or before officials referred to in the Apprentices Act 1961 (amended).
- Form cannot be changed: Candidates are advised to fill the registration and application form carefully. No change in any data filled in the application form will be entertained after submission.
What Is NATS 2.0 — and Why It Is Mandatory
NATS stands for National Apprenticeship Training Scheme. It is the Government of India’s official platform for managing apprenticeship programs across the country. Managed by the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT), Western Region, Mumbai, under AICTE, NATS 2.0 is the upgraded version of the portal.
Why it matters: SECL uses NATS data directly. The name, Aadhaar number, date of birth, educational qualification, and bank account details on your NATS profile must exactly match what you fill in the SECL portal. Any mismatch will lead to rejection at the document verification stage.
After training, NATS also tracks completion and issues training certificates that are recognised by the Ministry of Education and by industries across India.
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Important Links
| Action | Link |
|---|---|
| SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 SECL Official Website | secl-cil.in |
| SECL Apprenticeship Portal | apprenticeship.secl-cil.in |
| NATS 2.0 Registration | nats.education.gov.in |
| NATS Support Email | natssupport_student@aicte-india.org |
| NATS Helpline | 011-29581332 / +91-22-24055635 |
| SECL HRD Email | gmhrd.secl@coalindia.in |
| SECL Helpdesk | 07752-255059 (Mon–Fri: 10 AM–5 PM, Sat: 10 AM–1:30 PM) |
| Zee Jagran Homepage | zeejagran.com |
FAQ: SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Can I still apply if the last date (31 March 2026) has passed?
No. The application portal closed at 12:00 midnight on 31 March 2026. No late applications are accepted. Focus on checking the provisional selection list expected in the second week of April 2026.
I am from Uttar Pradesh. Can I get selected?
Yes, but only through the Level-2 seniority list. Candidates from CG and MP fill Level-1 seats first. You get a chance only if Level-1 vacancies remain unfilled. Within Level-2, candidates from other Western Region states get preference.
Is there any SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 written exam or interview?
No. Selection is entirely based on the date of passing your degree/diploma. No written test, no interview, no group discussion. Just merit-based shortlisting followed by document verification and medical examination.
What if my degree result date is not printed on the marksheet?
You must get a certificate from the Principal of your college/polytechnic that clearly mentions the date on which the results were officially published. Without this, your candidature may be rejected at document verification.
I am pursuing a Postgraduate degree. Am I eligible?
No. Candidates who are currently pursuing or have completed any Postgraduate qualification are not eligible for this recruitment.
What is the last date for NATS registration?
NATS registration does not have the same deadline as the SECL portal. However, you should ideally complete NATS registration before applying on the SECL portal since your NATS ID is required during application
Can I apply for both Graduate and Technician categories?
No. You can apply for only one category based on your qualification. Check your eligibility for the specific post code before applying.
Will I get a permanent job in SECL after one year?
No. The Apprentices Act is very clear — apprenticeship training does not create any employment rights. SECL has explicitly stated that no absorption in regular employment will happen based on apprenticeship training.
What is the OBC certificate date condition?
The OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate must be issued on or after 01 April 2025. Any OBC certificate dated before this will not be accepted at document verification.
What happens if my name in Aadhaar and marksheet do not match?
You must submit a Notarized Affidavit (on Rs. 10 stamp paper) explaining the discrepancy. This is accepted but must be in the prescribed format as given in the official notification.
Disclaimer: Zee Jagran is an independent informational platform. This article is based on the official SECL notification Ref. No. SECL/BSP/HRD/NATS/Apprentice 26-27/1393 dated 17 March 2026. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official SECL website before taking any action. Zee Jagran is not affiliated with SECL, Coal India Limited, or any government body.
