South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has officially released the notification for the engagement of Graduate and Technician Apprentices for the financial year 2026-27. This is one of the largest apprenticeship recruitment drives in the coal sector, offering a golden opportunity for engineering and general stream graduates to gain one year of industrial training in one of India’s premier public sector undertakings.
The online application process has commenced. Eligible candidates registered on the NATS 2.0 portal can apply through the official SECL website at www.secl-cil.in. The last date to submit online applications is March 31, 2026, till 12:00 Midnight. A total of 1600 vacancies are available across various engineering and general streams.
SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
South Eastern Coalfields Limited, headquartered in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, is inviting applications for apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act 1961. Selected candidates will undergo a one-year training program in Opencast/Underground Mines and Establishments of SECL across Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Apprentices will receive a monthly stipend, with 50% contributed by SECL and 50% by the Government of India through DBT. This is a purely training-oriented engagement with no obligation for permanent employment, but it provides invaluable industry experience for young professionals.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) |
| Program Name | Graduate & Technician Apprenticeship Training 2026-27 |
| Total Vacancies | 1600 |
| Application Mode | Online (through SECL Portal) |
| Application Start Date | March 17, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | March 31, 2026 (up to 12:00 Midnight) |
| Training Duration | 1 Year |
| Stipend | ₹12,300/month (Graduate) | ₹10,900/month (Technician) |
| Official Website | www.secl-cil.in |
SECL Apprentice Vacancy 2026 Breakdown
A total of 1600 seats are available for apprenticeship training, distributed across Graduate and Technician categories with reservations as per government norms (General: 50%, SC: 19%, OBC: 17%, ST: 14%).
Eligibility Criteria for SECL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Candidates must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
Educational Qualification (as on last date of application):
- Graduate Apprentices: 4-year Degree (for Engineering) / 3-year Degree (for General Streams) from a recognized institution.
- Technician Apprentices: 3-year Diploma in relevant Engineering branch (3 years after 10th or 2 years after 12th with lateral entry). One-year Diploma is not allowed.
- Mode: Only through Regular (Full-time) mode of education.
Year of Passing: Candidates should not have passed their qualifying degree/diploma more than 5 years before the date of joining as an apprentice.
Age Limit: Minimum 18 years as of the last date of application (31.03.2026).
NATS Registration: Must be registered on the NATS 2.0 portal (https://nats.education.gov.in).
Other Conditions:
- Must not have undergone apprenticeship training elsewhere earlier.
- Must not have completed employment/service for one year or more.
- Must not be pursuing or have completed a Postgraduate qualification.
Also Read: FCRI Multi-Task Assistant-cum-Driver Notification 2026 Out, Check Eligibility Details
Stipend Details
Selected apprentices will receive a monthly stipend as per Apprenticeship Rules.
| Category | Stipend (per month) |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentices | ₹12,300/- |
| Technician Apprentices | ₹10,900/- |
Selection Process
The selection will be based on the following criteria:
Shortlisting Basis: Candidates are shortlisted based on the date of passing in the qualifying degree/diploma. Earlier passed candidates are placed higher.
Tie-Breaker: In case of a tie, the following order is used:
- Higher percentage of marks in Degree/Diploma.
- Higher percentage in 12th /10th.
- Older date of birth.
Level-Wise Selection:
- Level-1: Candidates from Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
- Level-2: Candidates from other states (including other Western Region states) are considered after exhausting Level-1 candidates.
- Provisional List: The provisional selection list will be uploaded on the SECL website in the 2nd week of April 2026.
How to Apply
The application process involves two mandatory steps: Registration on NATS portal and application on the SECL portal.
Step 1: Register on NATS 2.0 Portal
- Visit https://nats.education.gov.in or https://moenats.aicte-india.org.
- Complete student registration and obtain your NATS ID.
Step 2: Apply on SECL Portal
- Visit the SECL Apprenticeship Portal: https://apprenticeship.secl-cil.in/login.php.
- Click on “New User – Register Here!” and complete the registration.
- Login with your Email ID and Password.
- Fill the application form in four parts:
- Part I: Basic Information (Address, etc.)
- Part II: Educational Details (Upload SSC Certificate, Degree/Diploma Certificate, NATS Registration Document)
- Part III: Upload Photograph, Signature, and Aadhar Card
- Part IV: Bank Details (Aadhaar-linked account)
- Tick the Terms & Conditions and click “Final Submit” .
- Save and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Note: Applications sent through post/mail or any other mode will not be accepted.
SECL Apprentice Online Application Link – Click Here to Apply
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | March 17, 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | March 17, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | March 31, 2026 (12:00 Midnight) |
| Provisional Selection List | 2nd Week of April 2026 |
| Document Verification Starts | April 20, 2026 onwards |
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for SECL Apprentice 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is March 31, 2026, up to 12:00 Midnight.
How many vacancies are there in SECL Apprentice 2026?
A total of 1600 vacancies are available, including 900 for Technician (Mining) and 200 for Graduate (Mining).
What is the stipend for SECL apprentices?
Graduate apprentices will receive ₹12,300 per month, and Technician apprentices will receive ₹10,900 per month.
Is NATS registration mandatory to apply?
Yes, candidates must be registered on the NATS 2.0 portal before applying on the SECL website.
Will I get a job in SECL after the apprenticeship?
No. As per the notification, apprentices will not be absorbed into employment. The training is purely for skill development, and no employment claim will be entertained.
