SECL Apprenticeship 2026-27 – Overview, Eligibility & Apply Online

SECL Apprenticeship 2026-27 has been officially announced by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a Mini Ratna subsidiary of Coal India Limited and a Government of India Undertaking. This notification, issued from SECL’s Management Development Institute, Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) on 17 March 2026, invites online applications from Graduate and Diploma holders for 1,600 apprenticeship training seats across 15 engineering and general stream trades for Financial Year 2026-27. Training is conducted under the Apprentices Act 1961 (amended up to date) for a period of one year in Opencast Mines, Underground Mines, and Establishments of SECL.

With 1,600 total seats across disciplines including Mining Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics and Telecom Engineering, Administration (BBA), Computer Application (BCA), Commerce (B.Com), and Science (B.Sc. Chemistry), this is one of the largest single-notification apprenticeship drives by any Coal India subsidiary in FY 2026-27. For fresh graduates and diploma holders who want real-world exposure in India’s coal mining sector — one of the country’s most critical industrial backbones — this is an exceptional opportunity.

The stipend for Graduate Apprentices is Rs. 12,300 per month and for Technician Apprentices is Rs. 10,900 per month, with 50% paid by SECL and 50% paid by the Government through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the apprentice’s Aadhaar-linked bank account. Critically, candidates must note that apprenticeship training in SECL does not create any employment claim in SECL — this is a training engagement, not a job offer. The last date to apply online is 31 March 2026 (Tuesday) by 12:00 Midnight.

Recruitment Overview

South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is a Mini Ratna Category-I company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), the world’s largest coal producer. SECL operates primarily in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, with extensive opencast and underground mining operations. As a Government of India Undertaking (CIN: U10102CT1985G01003161), SECL’s apprenticeship programme is one of the most prestigious in the central public sector enterprise (CPSE) ecosystem. The training provided in SECL’s mines and establishments gives apprentices direct exposure to large-scale industrial operations — an experience that significantly enhances career prospects in both public and private sector employment.

Important Dates

The most critical date awareness point for this recruitment is the extremely short application window — the notification was released on 17 March 2026 and the last date is 31 March 2026. This gives candidates only about two weeks to complete both the NATS 2.0 portal registration and the SECL portal application. Candidates who have not yet registered on the NATS 2.0 portal must do so immediately — NATS registration is a prerequisite for applying on the SECL portal, and the NATS process is entirely separate from SECL’s role. The minimum age requirement of 18 years must be fulfilled as on 31 March 2026. The provisional selection list is expected to be uploaded on the SECL website in the second week of April 2026, and document verification will begin from 20 April 2026 onwards.

Application Fee

There is no application fee for SECL Apprenticeship 2026-27. This recruitment is completely free to apply for — candidates do not need to make any payment on either the NATS 2.0 portal or the SECL apprenticeship portal. However, candidates will need to arrange a medical fitness certificate from a government hospital doctor of rank not less than an Assistant Civil Surgeon, and there may be costs associated with obtaining this certificate and the notarized affidavit required at the time of document verification. No TA/DA will be provided by SECL for coming to or going from document verification, medical examination, or training — candidates must arrange their own travel and accommodation.

Age Limit

The minimum age requirement for SECL Apprenticeship 2026-27 is 18 years, which must be completed as on the last date of submission of application — i.e., 31 March 2026. There is no upper age limit explicitly mentioned in the notification. However, there is a critical qualification-age constraint: candidates must not have passed their engineering degree or diploma more than 5 years before the date of joining as apprentice. This means that candidates who completed their degree or diploma before approximately 2021 (5 years before the expected joining date in 2026) would be ineligible. Additionally, candidates must not be pursuing or have completed a Postgraduate qualification. Candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training in any other institution earlier are not eligible.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria differ between Graduate Apprentices and Technician Apprentices. For Graduate Apprenticeship, candidates must hold a 4-year (for engineering streams) or 3-year (for general streams like BBA, BCA, B.Com, B.Sc.) degree from a government-recognised institution. For Technician Apprenticeship, candidates must hold a 3-year Diploma in the relevant engineering branch — or a 2-year Diploma after Class 12 (10+2), which is valid only if the candidate received lateral entry into the second year of the diploma course. One-year diplomas are explicitly not allowed. Only regular (full-time) mode of education is eligible — distance education or part-time degree/diploma holders are not eligible for apprenticeship enrolment. The date of passing of degree/diploma must not be earlier than 1 April 2021 (as per the portal requirement of “not earlier than 1st April 2021”). Candidates must also be registered on the NATS 2.0 portal of the Board of Apprenticeship Training, Western Region, Mumbai.

Vacancy Details – Category Wise

The 1,600 total seats follow a reservation pattern of 50% General, 19% SC, 17% OBC, and 14% ST — as per government guidelines under the Apprentices Act 1961. The largest trade by far is Technician Apprentice in Mining Engineering with 900 seats, reflecting SECL’s core operational requirement for diploma-level mining technicians. The second largest is Graduate Apprentice in Computer Application (BCA) with 100 seats, which is notable for being the single largest non-engineering graduate trade. Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh domicile candidates will be given Level-1 priority in the provisional selection list — candidates from other states of the Western Region of Board of Apprenticeship Training will be given Level-2 priority. Candidates from Level-2 list will only get an opportunity after Level-1 candidates are exhausted.

Priority Note Level-1 list: Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh candidates. Level-2 list: Candidates from other states of Western Region BOAT. Level-2 candidates get seats only after Level-1 is exhausted.

Selection Process

The SECL Apprenticeship 2026-27 selection process is merit-based and does not involve any written examination, physical test, or interview. The selection is entirely based on the date of passing of the qualifying degree or diploma — earlier passed candidates are ranked higher. This is a transparent, seniority-in-qualification-based selection process governed by the Apprentices Act 1961 and Apprenticeship Rules 1992.

Stage 1: Merit-Based Shortlisting

Candidates are shortlisted based on the date of passing of their degree or diploma in the relevant engineering or general stream. Earlier passed candidates are placed higher on the provisional selection list. If the date of declaration of result is not mentioned in the marksheet, candidates must submit a certificate from the Principal of their Polytechnic/College/Institute mentioning the date of publication of results at the time of document verification. If there is a tie on the date of passing within the same category, the following tie-breakers are applied in order: (1) Percentage of marks in Degree/Diploma, (2) Percentage of marks in 12th (for Graduate) or 10th (for Diploma) respectively, and (3) Date of birth (older candidate ranked higher).

Stage 2: Provisional Selection List Publication

The provisional selection list will be published on the SECL website (www.secl-cil.in) tentatively in the second week of April 2026. Two separate seniority lists will be prepared — Level-1 for Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh candidates, and Level-2 for candidates from other states. Candidates should check the SECL website regularly from the second week of April 2026 onwards. SECL will not individually notify selected candidates.

Stage 3: Document Verification

Document verification begins from 20 April 2026. Provisionally selected candidates must appear for document verification as per the schedule uploaded on the SECL website. All original documents must be brought along with one set of self-attested photocopies, four passport-size photographs, and a notarized affidavit in the prescribed format (enclosed with the notification). OBC certificates must be in the format prescribed for appointments in Central Services and must be dated on or after 01/04/2025 — OBC certificates with an earlier date will not be accepted.

Stage 4: Medical Examination

Provisionally selected candidates must pass a medical examination before being allowed to commence training. For mining apprentices (Mining Engineering and Mine Surveying), the medical examination is as per the Mines Rules 1955 (Form O). For General Stream Graduate Apprentices, the medical examination follows the Apprenticeship Rules 1992 format. The fitness certificate must be from a government hospital doctor of rank not less than an Assistant Civil Surgeon. The medical certificate must be dated after 17 March 2026 (the date of this notification) — earlier certificates will not be accepted. If SECL has any doubt about a fitness certificate, it can conduct its own medical examination.

Important Reminder: Apprenticeship training in SECL does not create any employment claim in SECL. Completing this training will not entitle the apprentice to a job in SECL under any circumstances. The training period contract terminates automatically after one year. Apprentices must not pressure SECL for employment.

Selection Criteria & No Written Exam

Selection Priority Rules (Tie-Breakers in Order)

Stipend Details

Selected apprentices will be paid stipend at the minimum rate as per Rule 11(2) of the Apprenticeship Rules 1992. The current stipend is Rs. 12,300 per month for Graduate Apprentices and Rs. 10,900 per month for Technician Apprentices. Of the total stipend, 50% is paid by SECL and 50% is paid by the Government through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into the apprentice’s Aadhaar-linked bank account. The Government’s share will continue to be paid at the old rate of stipend as per directives from Board of Apprenticeship Training (Western Region), Mumbai, until further directives are issued. Apprentices must maintain an Aadhaar-linked DBT-enabled bank account — without this, the government’s share of the stipend cannot be received. No TA/DA, accommodation, or housing will be provided by SECL during the training period. No absorption as a permanent employee of SECL is possible under any circumstances.

Posting Note Mining and Mine Surveying Apprentices will be posted in Underground Mines of SECL only. Other Engineering Apprentices will be posted in Opencast Mines, U/G Mines, Workshops and Establishments. General Stream Graduate Apprentices (BBA, BCA, B.Com, B.Sc.) will be posted in Offices and Establishments in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

How to Apply Online – Step by Step

Step 1: Register on NATS 2.0 Portal (Mandatory First Step)

Before applying on the SECL website, every candidate must register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) 2.0 portal of Board of Apprenticeship Training, Western Region, Mumbai. Go to https://nats.education.gov.in or https://moenats.aicte-india.org/student_register.php. Refer to the Student Manual on the NATS portal home page. For any issues with NATS registration, contact BOAT directly at natssupport_student@aicte-india.org, Landline: 011-29581332 and 9773895330, Phone: +91-22-24055635 / 24053682. SECL has no role in the NATS registration process — do not contact SECL for NATS issues.

Step 2: Register on SECL Apprenticeship Portal

After completing NATS registration, go to the SECL Apprenticeship Portal at https://apprenticeship.secl-cil.in/login.php. Click “New User – Register Here!” and fill in: Full Name (must match NATS, Degree/Diploma Certificate, and Aadhaar Card exactly), Father’s Name (as per SSC Certificate), Application Type (Graduate/Graduate General Stream/Technician/Technician Mine Surveying), Field of Specialisation, Gender, Community, State/UT of Domicile, Date of Birth (as per SSC Certificate), Aadhaar Number, Mobile Number, Email Address, and Password. Click Submit — a Registration Number will be generated. Note this number for future logins.

Step 3: Fill the Application Form — Part I (Basic Information)

Log in with your registered Email ID and Password. Fill your complete Communication Address and Permanent Address (AT, PO, District, City, Pincode, State). All fields are mandatory. Click Save Details, then Next.

Step 4: Fill Part II (Educational Details)

Your Educational Qualification and Field of Specialisation will be pre-filled. Enter: Date of Passing (must not be earlier than 1 April 2021), Institution Name, University Roll/Enrollment Number, Percentage in Qualifying Exam (convert CGPA to percentage as per your institution’s conversion formula), Percentage in HSC (for Graduate) or SSC (for Diploma). Upload SSC Certificate (PDF, less than 1 MB), Degree/Diploma Certificate (PDF, less than 1 MB), NATS Registration Document (PDF, less than 1 MB). Enter your NATS ID and Date of NATS Registration. Fill Apprenticeship/Experience History, Current Education Status, and whether you are an SECL employee’s son/daughter. Click Save Details, then Next.

Step 5: Upload Photograph, Signature, and Aadhaar (Part III)

Upload your passport-size photograph (JPG/PNG, 200×230 pixels, less than 500 KB), signature image (JPG/PNG, 200×230 pixels, less than 500 KB), and Aadhaar Card (PDF, less than 1 MB). All fields are mandatory. Click Save Details, then Next.

Step 6: Fill Bank Details and Final Submit (Part IV)

Enter your Bank Name, Branch Name, Account Number (as mentioned in NATS portal — must be Aadhaar-linked), IFSC Code, Account Holder’s Name, and upload the first page of your passbook (PDF, less than 1 MB). Tick the Terms and Conditions checkbox and click Final Submit. A confirmation message will appear — click OK. Save or print the PDF of your application. You can re-login to print the form again during the form-filling period, but once finally submitted, the form cannot be edited.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying on the SECL portal without completing NATS 2.0 registration — NATS ID is mandatory in the application form.
• Name mismatch across NATS portal, Degree/Diploma Certificate, and Aadhaar Card — the application checklist explicitly requires all four to match. Any discrepancy requires a Notarized Affidavit at the time of document verification.
• Uploading an OBC certificate dated before 01/04/2025 — such certificates are not accepted. Obtain a fresh certificate on or after 01/04/2025 before applying.
• Entering CGPA instead of percentage — the portal requires percentage marks. Convert your CGPA to percentage using your institution’s official conversion formula before filling the form.

Important Instructions for Candidates

Expert Tips to Maximise Your SECL Apprenticeship 2026-27 Application

1. Complete NATS 2.0 Registration Today — Not Tomorrow

With only a two-week application window (17–31 March 2026), the NATS 2.0 portal registration must be completed first — and this is entirely outside SECL’s control. NATS registration can take time if the portal is experiencing traffic, and any delay here directly delays your SECL application. Log on to https://nats.education.gov.in right now, complete the student registration, and note your NATS ID before opening the SECL portal. If you face any NATS registration issues, contact BOAT directly (not SECL).

2. Read the Full Notification and Check All Eligibility Conditions

The SECL notification has several disqualifying conditions that are easy to miss — no prior apprenticeship training anywhere, no postgraduate qualification, degree/diploma not more than 5 years old, no employment of 1 year or more at any establishment, and minimum 18 years of age as on 31 March 2026. Verify every single one of these conditions against your own profile before spending time on the application. Discovering ineligibility at the document verification stage after being provisionally selected is a frustrating and avoidable outcome.

3. Ensure Document Consistency Across All Sources

SECL’s document verification checklist explicitly checks your Name, Father’s Name, and Date of Birth across four sources simultaneously: High School Certificate, Degree/Diploma Certificate, Aadhaar Card, and the NATS Apprenticeship Portal. Any discrepancy between any two of these four will require a Notarized Affidavit — which must be prepared in advance in the prescribed format attached to the notification. If you have a known name or date of birth discrepancy across documents, prepare the notarized affidavit before reporting for document verification.

4. Obtain a Fresh OBC Certificate if Needed — Immediately

OBC candidates must note that only OBC certificates dated on or after 01/04/2025 will be accepted at document verification. If your existing OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate is dated before 01 April 2025, it will be rejected and you will be treated as a General category candidate. Given that document verification begins around 20 April 2026, OBC candidates who need a fresh certificate should initiate the process immediately — it can take several weeks to obtain a certificate from the District Magistrate or competent authority.

5. Get Your Medical Fitness Certificate Prepared Post-17 March 2026

The medical fitness certificate required for SECL Apprenticeship must be dated after 17 March 2026 (the date of the notification) — any certificate dated before this date will not be accepted. The certificate must be from a government hospital doctor of rank not less than an Assistant Civil Surgeon, and must be in the specific format (Form O for mining apprentices, Apprenticeship Rule 1992 format for general stream). Do not obtain a generic medical certificate — use only the prescribed formats attached to the SECL notification. Plan to get your medical examination done during the last week of March or first week of April 2026.

6. Stay Updated Through the SECL Website Exclusively

All provisional selection lists, document verification schedules, and any changes to the recruitment will be communicated through the SECL website (www.secl-cil.in) only. There is no individual notification process — candidates who miss checking the website may miss the document verification schedule entirely, which leads to automatic loss of the provisional selection. Bookmark the SECL website and check it every two to three days from 1 April 2026 onwards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many total seats are available in SECL Apprenticeship 2026-27?

There are 1,600 total apprenticeship seats across 15 trades — 500 Graduate Apprenticeship seats (9 engineering and general stream trades) and 1,100 Technician Apprenticeship seats (6 engineering trades). Mining Engineering Technician has the most seats at 900, followed by BCA Graduate at 100.

What is the last date to apply for SECL Apprenticeship 2026-27?

The last date to apply online is 31 March 2026 (Tuesday) by 12:00 Midnight. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Incomplete or unclear applications will also not be accepted.

Is NATS 2.0 registration mandatory for applying to SECL Apprenticeship 2026-27?

Yes. Registration on the NATS 2.0 portal (https://nats.education.gov.in) is a mandatory prerequisite. Candidates must register on NATS 2.0 first, obtain their NATS ID, and then apply on the SECL portal. SECL has no role in the NATS registration process.

What is the stipend for SECL apprentices?

Graduate Apprentices receive Rs. 12,300 per month and Technician Apprentices receive Rs. 10,900 per month. 50% of the stipend is paid by SECL and 50% is paid by the Government through DBT into the apprentice’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.

Is there a written examination for SECL Apprenticeship 2026-27?

No. There is no written examination. Selection is based entirely on the date of passing of the qualifying degree or diploma — earlier passed candidates rank higher. In case of a tie, percentage of marks in the qualifying exam, then 12th/10th marks, and finally date of birth are used as tie-breakers.

Will I get a job in SECL after completing apprenticeship training?

No. Apprenticeship training in SECL does not create any employment claim in SECL under any circumstances. The training contract terminates automatically after one year. No apprentice will be absorbed as an employee of SECL by virtue of completing training here.

Are candidates from states other than Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh eligible?

Yes, candidates from other states are eligible. However, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh candidates will be given Level-1 priority. Candidates from other states of the Western Region of Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT) will be in Level-2 and will get seats only after Level-1 candidates are exhausted.

Is a distance education degree valid for SECL Apprenticeship 2026-27?

No. Only regular (full-time) mode of education is eligible. Distance education or part-time degree/diploma holders are not eligible for apprenticeship enrolment under the Apprentices Act 1961 rules.

What is the age limit for SECL Apprenticeship 2026-27?

The minimum age is 18 years as on 31 March 2026. There is no upper age limit specified. However, candidates must not have passed their degree/diploma more than 5 years before the date of joining as apprentice, and must not be pursuing or have completed a Postgraduate qualification.

What OBC certificate is accepted for SECL Apprenticeship 2026-27?

Only OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) certificates in the format prescribed for appointments in Central Services, dated on or after 01/04/2025, will be accepted. OBC certificates with an earlier date will be rejected and the candidate will be treated as General category.

Where will Mining Engineering apprentices be posted?

Mining Engineering and Mine Surveying apprentices will be posted only in the Underground Mines of SECL. Other engineering apprentices will be posted in Opencast Mines, U/G Mines, Workshops, and Establishments. General Stream Graduate Apprentices (BBA, BCA, B.Com, B.Sc.) will be posted in Offices and Establishments in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

When and where will the provisional selection list be published?

The provisional selection list will be uploaded tentatively in the second week of April 2026 on the official SECL website (www.secl-cil.in). Candidates must check the website regularly — SECL will not individually notify selected candidates.