Coal India SECL Exam Date 2026 Out - Mining Sirdar, Surveyor & Assistant Foreman Posts

South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, has announced recruitment for Mining Sirdar, Surveyor, and Assistant Foreman positions for 2026. SECL is one of India's largest coal producing companies, operating primarily in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. These technical positions are crucial for underground and opencast mining operations, involving supervision of mining activities, surveying work, and assisting in various mining operations. Candidates selected will be responsible for ensuring safe and efficient coal production at SECL's various mining projects. This recruitment offers stable central public sector employment with attractive salary packages and career advancement opportunities in the coal mining sector.

Important Dates

Note: Exact dates will be updated in the official notification. Candidates should regularly check the SECL official website.

Vacancy Details (Typical / Indicative)

Post-wise Distribution:

• Mining Sirdar: 200 posts
• Surveyor: 100 posts
• Assistant Foreman: 50 posts

Exact vacancy numbers will be specified in the official notification.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Mining Sirdar:

• Matriculation/Class 10th pass
• Mining Sirdar Certificate of Competency granted by DGMS (Directorate General of Mines Safety)
• OR Diploma in Mining Engineering with minimum 2 years experience

Surveyor:

• Matriculation/Class 10th pass
• Mine Surveyor Certificate of Competency (First Class/Second Class) granted by DGMS
• OR Diploma in Mine Surveying

Assistant Foreman:

• Diploma in Mining Engineering/Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering from recognized institution
• Relevant statutory certificate as per DGMS regulations (if applicable)

Age Limit

Age Relaxation:

Age calculated as on the closing date of application.

Nationality

• Candidate must be a citizen of India
• Nepalese and Bhutanese nationals are eligible as per government rules
• Tibetan refugees and persons of Indian origin from certain countries require eligibility certificate from Government of India

How to Apply

1. Visit Official Website: Go to the SECL official recruitment portal at www.secl.gov.in or careers.coalindia.in

1. New Registration: Click on 'New Registration' and fill basic details (name, email, mobile number) to generate Registration ID and Password

1. Login: Use the Registration ID and Password to login to the application portal

1. Fill Application Form: Complete all sections including personal details, educational qualifications, experience, category, and upload required documents

1. Upload Documents: Scan and upload recent passport photograph (50KB), signature (20KB), relevant certificates (educational, caste, experience - each under 200KB) in prescribed format (JPG/PDF)

1. Pay Application Fee: Make online payment through Net Banking/Debit Card/Credit Card/UPI and save the payment receipt

1. Submit Application: Review all details carefully and click 'Final Submit'

1. Print Application: Take printout of the submitted application form for future reference

Application Fee

Payment Mode: Online only (Net Banking/Debit Card/Credit Card/UPI)

Fees once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances.

Selection Process

1. Written Examination (Computer Based Test): Candidates will appear for an online CBT covering technical knowledge related to the post, general awareness, quantitative aptitude, and reasoning. The exam tests domain knowledge in mining operations, safety regulations, and relevant engineering subjects.

1. Skill/Trade Test: Shortlisted candidates from written exam will undergo practical skill assessment relevant to their post. For Mining Sirdar and Surveyor, this may include practical mining/surveying tasks, while Assistant Foreman candidates may face engineering problem-solving tests.

1. Document Verification: Candidates qualifying the skill test will be called for verification of original documents including educational certificates, statutory competency certificates from DGMS, experience certificates, caste certificates, and identity proof.

1. Medical Examination: Finally selected candidates must undergo comprehensive medical examination as per Coal India Medical Standards. Mining posts require fitness for underground work, good vision, and absence of certain medical conditions.

1. Final Merit List: Based on performance in written exam, skill test, and successful completion of document and medical verification, final merit list will be prepared category-wise and appointments will be issued.

Examination Pattern

Written Examination (Computer Based Test)

Exam Details:

• Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
• Medium: Hindi and English (except for technical terms)
• Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with 4 options
• Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer

Skill/Trade Test

Skill Test Details:

• Mining Sirdar: Practical mining operations, safety procedures, supervision tasks
• Surveyor: Practical surveying work, instrument handling, calculations
• Assistant Foreman: Engineering problem-solving, equipment knowledge, technical assessment
• Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks (typically 40% for UR, 35% for reserved categories)

Detailed Syllabus

Technical Knowledge (Post-Specific)

For Mining Sirdar:

• Underground mining methods and operations
• Opencast mining techniques
• Mine safety regulations and DGMS rules
• Ventilation systems in mines
• Support systems and roof control
• Explosive handling and blasting procedures
• Mine transportation and haulage
• Rescue and emergency procedures
• Coal Mines Regulations
• Mine supervision responsibilities

For Surveyor:

• Mine surveying principles and methods
• Theodolite, Total Station, and GPS operations
• Levelling and contouring
• Underground mine surveying
• Surface surveying techniques
• Plan and section drawing
• Volume and area calculations
• Survey instruments maintenance
• DGMS regulations for mine surveyors
• Computer-aided surveying

For Assistant Foreman:

• Mining/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering fundamentals
• Mine machinery and equipment
• Maintenance procedures
• Material handling systems
• Power supply and distribution (for Electrical)
• Hydraulics and pneumatics (for Mechanical)
• Quality control and productivity
• Industrial safety standards
• Project management basics
• Technical report writing

General Awareness & Current Affairs

• Indian coal industry and Coal India Limited
• Current national and international events
• Indian geography, history, and culture
• Indian economy and planning
• Science and technology developments
• Sports and awards
• Government schemes and policies
• Environmental and mining regulations

Quantitative Aptitude

• Number systems and simplification
• Percentage, ratio, and proportion
• Average, profit and loss
• Time and work, time and distance
• Simple and compound interest
• Mensuration and geometry
• Data interpretation (tables, graphs, charts)
• Basic statistics

Reasoning Ability

• Verbal and non-verbal reasoning
• Analogies and classifications
• Series completion
• Coding-decoding
• Blood relations
• Direction sense
• Logical reasoning
• Data sufficiency
• Puzzles and arrangements

Salary Structure (Typical / Indicative)

Additional Benefits:

• Performance Related Pay (PRP) annually
• Coal/Fuel supply at concessional rates
• Medical facilities for self and dependents
• Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
• Contributory Provident Fund
• Gratuity and pension benefits
• Housing accommodation (subject to availability)
• Children education allowance
• Mine accident insurance coverage

Actual salary may vary based on posting location, grade, and company policies. DA varies as per government revision.

Career progression in SECL follows a structured path with regular promotions based on experience and performance. Mining Sirdar can advance to Senior Sirdar and Mining Mate positions, while Surveyors can progress to Senior Surveyor and Mine Surveyor roles. Assistant Foreman positions can lead to Foreman, Senior Foreman, and eventually management positions like Mine Manager or departmental heads. Internal departmental exams, performance assessments, and statutory mining qualifications facilitate upward movement, with opportunities to reach executive cadre within 15-20 years of service.

Admit cards for the SECL recruitment exam will be released approximately 10-15 days before the examination date on the official SECL recruitment portal. Candidates must login using their Registration ID and Password to download the admit card. The admit card will contain important details including candidate's name, photograph, exam centre address, reporting time, and examination instructions. No physical admit cards will be sent by post; candidates must carry a printed copy along with valid photo ID proof to the examination centre.

The result of the written examination will be declared on the official SECL website within 4-6 weeks after the exam date. Candidates can check their results by entering their Registration Number and Date of Birth on the result portal. The result will display marks obtained, cutoff marks, and qualification status. Shortlisted candidates will receive further communication regarding skill test, document verification, and medical examination through registered email and mobile number. Final merit list will be published after completion of all selection stages.

SECL exam cutoffs vary based on post, category, and number of applicants. Typical cutoff ranges for Mining Sirdar and Surveyor posts are 45-55% for UR, 40-50% for OBC, and 35-45% for SC/ST categories out of total marks. Assistant Foreman positions generally have slightly higher cutoffs at 50-60% for UR category. Cutoffs depend on exam difficulty level, vacancy numbers, and overall performance of candidates. Category-wise merit lists are prepared separately, and candidates must score minimum qualifying marks in each section to be considered.

Examination Centres

North: Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Varanasi

Central/East: Bilaspur, Raipur, Korba, Ranchi, Dhanbad, Patna, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar

South: Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Visakhapatnam

West: Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Indore

Northeast: Guwahati

Primary exam centres will be in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh where SECL operations are located. Candidates may choose preferred centre during application, subject to availability. Final allotment will be at SECL's discretion.