Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) has released its 2026 recruitment notification for 270 Assistant Foreman (Trainee) positions in Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication (E&T) disciplines. Applications are open until 5 March 2026 via the official NCL website.
Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), a Miniratna Company and a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), has officially released its latest Employment Notification (Ref: NCL/HQ/HR/Recruitment/DR/2025-26/59 dated 09/02/2026) for recruitment to Supervisory (Trainee) positions. This recruitment drive invites online applications from eligible Indian nationals for deployment across NCL Mines and Establishments located in Singrauli District (Madhya Pradesh) and Sonbhadra District (Uttar Pradesh).
This is an excellent opportunity for diploma holders in Engineering disciplines who are looking for a stable government-sector career in one of India’s leading coal-producing companies. In this detailed blog, we will cover vacancy details, important dates, eligibility criteria, age limit, relaxation, salary, selection process, application fee, and step-by-step application procedure. We will also share practical preparation tips for aspirants.
NCL Recruitment 2026
Northern Coalfields Limited plays a crucial role in coal production for the power sector in India. Being a Miniratna company under Coal India Limited, NCL offers stable career growth, attractive pay scales, and government benefits.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) |
| Post Name | Assistant Foreman (Trainee) Grade-C |
| Total Vacancies | 270 |
| Application Mode | Online via NCL Official Website |
| Application Dates | 11 February 2026 – 5 March 2026 |
| Selection Process | Computer Based Test (CBT) + Document Verification |
| Exam Duration | 90 Minutes |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Basic Pay | ₹47,330.25 per month (during training) |
| Job Location | Singrauli (MP) & Sonbhadra (UP) |
NCL Vacancy 2026 – Post Details
Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) has announced a total of 270 vacancies for Assistant Foreman (Trainee) positions in the 2026 recruitment cycle. These positions are distributed across three main technical disciplines and two functional cadres (Excavation and Electrical & Mechanical).
| Discipline (Assistant Foreman) | Excavation Cadre | E&M Cadre | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical (Trainee) | 87 | 21 | 108 |
| Electrical (Trainee) | 74 | 74 | 148 |
| E&T (Trainee) | — | 14 | 14 |
| Total | 161 | 109 | 270 |
NCL Recruitment 2026: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | February 9, 2026 |
| Commencement of Online Applications | February 11, 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Last Date for Online Application Submission | March 5, 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | March 5, 2026 |
| Crucial Date (Age & Qualification Eligibility) | March 5, 2026 |
| CBT Exam Date | To be notified later |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the NCL Assistant Foreman posts, candidates must fulfill the minimum eligibility conditions mentioned below.
Nationality
The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
Age Limit
Although the detailed age criteria are mentioned in the full notification, generally for such Trainee Grade-C posts in Coal India subsidiaries:
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
Candidates are advised to verify the exact age bracket from the detailed advertisement.
Age Relaxation
As per Government of India rules, age relaxation is applicable to reserved categories:
| Category | Age Relaxation | Maximum Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years | 33 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years | 35 years |
| PwBD (UR) | 10 years | 40 years |
| PwBD (OBC-NCL) | 13 years | 43 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years | 45 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | Service period + 3 years | Up to 50 years max |
Reservation benefits will be granted only upon submission of valid certificates.
NCL Assistant Foreman Educational Qualification
For the NCL Assistant Foreman (Trainee) Grade-C recruitment 2026, the following educational qualifications are required as of the crucial date (March 5, 2026).
Candidates must have passed Matriculation (10th) or its equivalent from a recognized board, along with the technical qualifications listed below:
| Post Name (Grade-C Trainee) | Required Technical Qualification (Regular) | Permissible Higher Qualifications |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Foreman (Mechanical) | 3-year Diploma in Mechanical Engineering | B.E. / B.Tech / B.Sc (Engg.) in Mechanical Engineering |
| Assistant Foreman (Electrical) | 3-year Diploma in Electrical Engineering | B.E. / B.Tech / B.Sc (Engg.) in Electrical or Electrical & Electronics |
| Assistant Foreman (E&T) | 3-year Diploma in Electronics Engineering | B.E. / B.Tech / B.Sc (Engg.) in Electronics, Electronics & Comm., or Electronics & Telecomm. |
NCL Assistant Foreman Salary Structure 2026
| Component | Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay (Monthly) | ₹47,330.25 |
| Grade | Grade-C |
| Training Period | 1 to 2 Years (depending on cadre) |
Training Duration by Post
- Assistant Foreman (E&T): 1 Year of training.
- Assistant Foreman (Mechanical): 2 Years of training.
- Assistant Foreman (Electrical): 2 Years of training.
Allowances :-
- Attractive basic pay under the NCWA Wage Agreement
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Medical Benefits
- Provident Fund
- Gratuity
- Leave encashment
- Performance-related benefits
During the training period, candidates may receive a stipend, after successful completion of training they will be placed in the regular pay scale.
This makes NCL jobs financially secure and attractive compared to many private-sector engineering roles.
Application Fee Structure
The application fee for the NCL Assistant Foreman (Trainee) Recruitment 2026 must be paid online through the NCL official portal.
| Category | Application Fee | GST (18%) | Total Fee Payable |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | ₹1,000 | ₹180 | ₹1,180 |
| OBC-NCL | ₹1,000 | ₹180 | ₹1,180 |
| EWS | ₹1,000 | ₹180 | ₹1,180 |
| SC / ST / PwBD | Nil | Nil | Exempted |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | Nil | Nil | Exempted |
Important Payment Instructions :-
- Payment Mode: Fees can only be paid via Net Banking, Debit Card, or Credit Card.
- Non-Refundable: The application fee is strictly non-refundable under any circumstances.
- Application Rejection: Any application submitted by candidates in the UR/OBC/EWS categories without the successful payment of ₹1,180 will be summarily rejected.
- Last Date for Payment: The fee must be paid before the final application deadline on March 5, 2026 (11:59 PM).
Selection Process
The selection process for NCL Assistant Foreman posts generally consists of:
1. Computer-Based Test (CBT)
The CBT is the initial screening stage and carries the most weight in the final selection
Total Marks: 100.
Duration: 90 minutes.
Structure: 100 objective-type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
- Section A (70 Marks): Technical knowledge related to the specific engineering discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, or E&T).
- Section B (30 Marks): General Knowledge, General Awareness, Reasoning, Verbal & Mental Ability, and Quantitative Aptitude.
Marking Scheme: 1 mark per correct answer; no negative marking.
Language: Bilingual (English and Hindi).
2. Document Scrutiny & Verification
Candidates who meet the minimum qualifying marks in the CBT are shortlisted for document verification.
Minimum Qualifying Marks:
- UR/EWS: 50 marks.
- SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwBD/ESM: 40 marks.
Shortlisting: Based on a category-wise merit list derived from CBT scores.
Requirement: Candidates must produce original documents (10th certificate, Diploma/Degree, Category certificates) to verify eligibility
3. Medical Examination
The final step is a medical fitness test conducted as per Coal India Limited (CIL) medical standards. Only candidates found medically fit will receive a provisional appointment letter.
Tie-Breaking Criteria:
If two or more candidates score the same total marks, the tie is resolved using the following order:
- Higher marks in Section A (Technical).
- Date of Birth (Older candidate is preferred).
- Alphabetical order of the candidate’s name.
How to Apply for NCL Recruitment 2026
Applying for the NCL Assistant Foreman (Trainee) 2026 recruitment is a multi-step online process. The application window is open from February 11 to March 5, 2026.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
1. Visit the Official Website
Go to the NCL Official Website and navigate to the Career tab, then select the Recruitment section.
2. Find the Notification
Click on the link for “Employment Notification for Direct Recruitment of Assistant Foreman (Mechanical/E&T/Electrical)”.
3. Registration
Select “Apply Online” and register as a new user. You will need a valid email ID and mobile number to receive your login credentials.
4. Fill Application Form
Log in and enter your personal details, category, and educational qualifications (Matriculation and Diploma/Degree).
5. Upload Documents
Upload scanned copies of the following in the prescribed format:
- Recent passport-size colour photograph and signature.
- Matriculation (10th) certificate (for age proof).
- Relevant Engineering Diploma or Degree certificates.
- Caste/Category certificate (if applicable).
6. Fee Payment
Pay the application fee through the integrated online gateway (UPI, Net Banking, or Card).
- UR/OBC-NCL/EWS: ₹1,180 (₹1,000 + GST).
- SC/ST/PwBD/ESM/Departmental: Exempted (No fee).
7. Final Submission
Review all details carefully. Once satisfied, click on Submit. You cannot make changes after the final submission.
8. Print Confirmation
Download and print a copy of the completed application form and payment receipt for future reference during document verification.
Important Instructions for NCL Candidates
1.Read the Official Notification Carefully
Before applying, candidates must thoroughly read the complete employment notification. Ensure you understand eligibility criteria, qualification requirements, age limits, reservation rules, and selection procedure.
2. Ensure Eligibility Before Applying
Apply only if you meet all eligibility conditions as on the Crucial Date (05 March 2026).
- Educational qualification
- Age criteria
- Category status
Incomplete eligibility may lead to rejection at any stage.
3. Check Educational Qualification Validity
- Diploma must be a minimum 3-year regular course.
- Qualification must be from a Government-recognized institution.
- Distance learning / part-time / correspondence diplomas are not acceptable.
4. Verify Age and Relaxation Eligibility
Candidates claiming age relaxation must possess valid and updated certificates issued by competent authorities. False claims may result in disqualification.
5. Fill the Application Form Carefully
- Enter correct personal details (Name, Date of Birth, Category, Qualification).
- Ensure spellings match your official documents (10th certificate, Aadhaar, etc.).
- Double-check all entries before final submission.
- Once submitted, corrections may not be allowed.
6. Upload Proper Documents
Upload scanned copies of:
- Passport-size photograph
- Signature
- 10th Marksheet
- Diploma Certificate
- Caste / PwBD / EWS Certificate (if applicable)
Files must meet the prescribed size and format requirements.
7. Keep a Valid Email ID and Mobile Number
- Use an active email and mobile number during registration.
- All updates regarding admit card, exam date, and results will be communicated through official channels.
- Do not change or deactivate your registered contact details.
8. Apply Before the Deadline
The last date for online registration and form submission is 05 March 2026.
Avoid waiting until the last day to prevent server issues or payment failures.
9. Pay Application Fee Properly
- Pay the prescribed fee through authorized online payment modes.
- Keep payment receipt or transaction ID for reference.
- Fee once paid is non-refundable.
10. Admit Card & Exam Updates
- Download admit card only from the official NCL website.
- Verify details printed on the admit card.
- Carry valid photo ID proof to the examination center.
11. Follow Examination Rules Strictly
- Reach the exam center on time.
- Carry only permitted items.
- Electronic gadgets, notes, calculators (unless permitted), and unfair means are strictly prohibited.
- Violation may lead to cancellation of candidature.
12. Document Verification Stage
Shortlisted candidates must produce original documents during verification.
Failure to present valid documents will lead to rejection even after qualifying the written test.
13. Medical Fitness Requirement
Final appointment is subject to medical fitness as per NCL standards. Ensure you meet required health criteria.
14. Keep Copies of Application Form
Take a printout of the submitted application form and keep it safely until the recruitment process is completed.
| OFFICIAL WEBSITE | CLICK HERE |
| OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION PDF | CLICK HERE |
| APPLY ONLINE | CLICK HERE |
| WHAT’S APP LINK | CLICK HERE |
| TELEGRAM LINK | CLICK HERE |
| FACEBOOK LINK | CLICK HERE |
| INSTAGRAM LINK | CLICK HERE |
| MORE UPDATES | CLICK HERE |
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