NLC India Apprentice Online Form 2026

NLC India Limited (formerly Neyveli Lignite Corporation) is a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Coal, Government of India. The organisation is recruiting 1,067 Apprentices across various trades under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This recruitment is open to ITI qualified candidates from all over India. Apprentices will undergo practical training in various technical trades at NLC India's installations located primarily in Tamil Nadu and other project sites. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, candidates gain valuable industrial experience and may have opportunities for regular employment. This is an excellent opportunity for ITI pass-outs to gain hands-on experience in the power and mining sector.

Important Dates

Note: Dates are indicative and subject to official notification

Vacancy Details (Typical / Indicative)

Trade-wise breakdown will be available in official notification

Educational Qualification

• Candidates must have passed National Trade Certificate (NTC) / National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) in relevant trade from recognized ITI
• Trades include: Fitter, Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Instrument Mechanic, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic, Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA), Draughtsman (Mechanical/Civil), and others
• The ITI certificate must be issued by NCVT (National Council for Vocational Training) or SCVT (State Council for Vocational Training)
• Candidates awaiting final results are not eligible to apply

Age Limit

Age Relaxation

Age is calculated as on the closing date of application

Nationality

• Candidate must be a citizen of India
• No other nationality is eligible for this recruitment

How to Apply

1. Visit the official NLC India Limited website at nlcindia.in or the dedicated recruitment portal
2. Click on the 'Careers' section and locate the 'Apprentice Recruitment 2026' notification link
3. Read the detailed notification carefully including eligibility criteria and instructions
4. Click on 'Apply Online' link to access the application form
5. Register using your valid email ID and mobile number to generate login credentials
6. Login with the generated credentials and fill the online application form with personal, educational, and contact details
7. Upload scanned copies of recent photograph (50 KB, JPG format), signature (20 KB), and relevant certificates
8. Pay the application fee through online mode (Net Banking/Credit Card/Debit Card/UPI)
9. Review the filled application form thoroughly for any errors
10. Submit the application form and take a printout of the submitted form for future reference
11. Note down the application/registration number for tracking purposes

Application Fee

Fee is non-refundable and must be paid online only

Selection Stages

1. Application Screening: All received applications will be screened for eligibility criteria including educational qualifications, age limit, and category certificates. Only eligible candidates will be considered for further process.

1. Merit List Preparation: Candidates will be shortlisted based on merit list prepared according to percentage of marks obtained in ITI examination (NCVT/SCVT). Higher percentage holders will be given preference.

1. Written Test / Skill Test (if applicable): Depending on the number of applications, NLC India may conduct a written test covering basic technical knowledge in respective trades or a practical skill test to assess trade proficiency.

1. Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification where original certificates including ITI mark sheets, caste certificate, age proof, and identity documents will be physically verified.

1. Medical Examination: Finally selected candidates must undergo pre-engagement medical examination to ensure fitness for the apprenticeship training. Medical standards as prescribed by NLC India must be met.

1. Final Engagement: After successful completion of all stages, candidates will be issued engagement orders specifying the training location, duration, and stipend details.

Selection Pattern

Note: Selection is primarily based on merit (ITI marks). If written test is conducted, the pattern may be:

Written Test Pattern (If Applicable)

Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer

Merit List (Primary Method)

Final selection method will be as per official notification. Merit-based selection without exam is most common for apprentice recruitment.

Syllabus Details

Trade Theory (Trade Specific)

• Fitter Trade: Fitting operations, hand tools, measuring instruments, bench work, assembly and dismantling, workshop safety
• Electrician Trade: Basic electricity, AC/DC circuits, electrical machines, wiring systems, electrical safety, power distribution
• Electronics Mechanic: Electronic components, circuits, digital electronics, communication systems, PCB assembly, troubleshooting
• Welder Trade: Welding processes (Arc, Gas, MIG, TIG), welding joints, electrodes, safety precautions, welding defects
• Turner Trade: Lathe operations, turning tools, machining operations, threading, taper turning, workshop calculations
• COPA Trade: Computer fundamentals, MS Office, programming basics, internet applications, hardware basics
• Instrument Mechanic: Measuring instruments, calibration, process control, pneumatic and hydraulic systems

General Awareness

• Current affairs (national and international)
• Indian geography, history, and culture
• Basic economics and polity
• Science and technology developments
• Sports and awards
• NLC India Limited - company profile, projects, achievements

Reasoning Ability

• Analogies and classifications
• Series completion
• Coding-decoding
• Blood relations
• Direction sense
• Logical reasoning

Numerical Ability

• Basic arithmetic (percentages, ratios, averages)
• Simple and compound interest
• Time and work
• Time and distance
• Data interpretation
• Workshop calculations

Detailed syllabus based on ITI curriculum for respective trades

Stipend & Benefits (Typical / Indicative)

Additional Benefits:

• Stipend is paid monthly as per Apprentices Act, 1961 norms
• ESI (Employee State Insurance) medical coverage provided
• Casual leave and sick leave as per rules
• Training certificate upon successful completion
• No other allowances like DA, HRA, or Transport Allowance applicable during apprenticeship
• Upon absorption as regular employee (if selected): Basic Pay ₹25,000+ with 7th CPC benefits

Stipend varies by trade and qualification level as per Government guidelines

After completing the apprenticeship training at NLC India, candidates receive a Certificate of Proficiency which is recognized across industries. While apprenticeship does not guarantee permanent employment, NLC India often considers apprentices for direct recruitment to Group-C technical positions through internal recruitment drives, giving them an advantage. Former apprentices have strong prospects for regular employment in NLC India and other PSUs, with career progression from Trainee to Junior Engineer, then to Assistant Engineer, and eventually to managerial positions with corresponding pay scales under CDA rules.

Admit cards for the written test (if conducted) will be available for download approximately 10-15 days before the examination date through the NLC India recruitment portal. Candidates must login using their registration number and date of birth to download the admit card. The admit card contains important details including exam center address, reporting time, exam date, candidate's photograph, and important instructions. No hard copy will be sent by post; candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card along with valid photo ID proof to the examination center.

Results will be declared on the official NLC India website within 3-4 weeks after the completion of the selection process. The result will be published in the form of a merit list containing roll numbers or registration numbers of selected candidates category-wise. Shortlisted candidates will be intimated via email/SMS registered during application. The final list will mention candidates selected for document verification and medical examination. Score cards may be available for download from the candidate login portal after result declaration.

Cutoff marks vary each year based on the number of applicants, difficulty level of exam, and vacancies. For ITI merit-based selection, typically candidates scoring above 65-70% in ITI examinations are considered for shortlisting, while SC/ST candidates may get selection with 55-60% marks. If written test is conducted, expected cutoffs are: UR - 120-130/200, OBC - 110-120/200, SC - 95-105/200, ST - 90-100/200. Final cutoffs depend on normalization and vacancy position and are declared along with results.

Examination Centers

South: Chennai, Neyveli, Cuddalore, Tuticorin, Madurai, Trichy, Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Vijayawada

North: Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Patna, Ranchi

East: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Rourkela

West: Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Nagpur

Northeast: Guwahati, Agartala

Central: Bhopal, Indore, Raipur

Primary centers are in Tamil Nadu where NLC India has major installations. Final exam cities will be notified in admit card.