Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) is one of the eight subsidiaries of Coal India Limited, the world's largest coal-producing company. MCL operates in Odisha and parts of Jharkhand, running large-scale underground and open-cast mining operations primarily at Talcher and IB Valley coalfields. Its electrical and electromechanical workforce is the backbone of continuous mining operations — keeping conveyors, pumping systems, underground lighting, and high-voltage equipment running around the clock in mines that cannot afford downtime. This recruitment of 500 trainee posts is directly aimed at building that frontline technical workforce.
The notification (MCL/HQ/Recruitment/Open/2026/311, dated 16 April 2026) covers two distinct posts with different educational requirements and pay structures. Both posts are for the E&M (Electrical & Mechanical) department.
Post-wise & Category-wise Vacancy
| Post | Total | UR | EWS | SC | ST | OBC-NCL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asst. Foreman (Electrical) Trainee [T&S Gr-C] | 150 | 60 | 15 | 24 | 33 | 18 |
| Technician (Electrician) Trainee [Cat-III] | 350 | 140 | 35 | 56 | 77 | 42 |
| Total | 500 | 200 | 50 | 80 | 110 | 60 |
Pay During Trainee Period
| Asst. Foreman (Electrical) Trainee | ₹47,330.25 per month |
| Technician (Electrician) Trainee | ₹1,583.32 per day |
These are trainee-period rates. Post-training pay scales are governed by Coal India's wage agreement and are not specified in this notification.
Eligibility
Assistant Foreman (Electrical) Trainee: Full-time Diploma in Electrical Engineering — must be a 3-year course from an AICTE-approved institution or equivalent recognized degree. Distance or part-time programs are not accepted.
Technician (Electrician) Trainee: This post has multiple mandatory conditions that all need to be met simultaneously:
- Matriculation (Class 10) pass from a recognized board
- 2-year ITI course in Electrician trade, certified by NCVT or SCVT
- Minimum 1 year of practical post-ITI work experience in the Electrician trade
- Valid LT Permit under Indian Electricity Rules applicable for mines — or a 440–550 volt permit for mining parts issued by a competent authority. This permit is not optional — it is a hard eligibility condition. Candidates without it are not eligible regardless of other qualifications.
Age Limit
Maximum age is 30 years as on 28 May 2026. Relaxations: OBC-NCL +3 years, SC/ST +5 years, PwBD +10 to +15 years depending on category, Ex-Servicemen as per GoI rules (military service period + 3 years).
Selection — CBT Only, No Interview
Selection is through a Computer-Based Test (CBT):
- 100 questions, 100 marks, no negative marking
- Part A — General Awareness & Aptitude: 20 questions
- Part B — Technical Knowledge (specific to the post applied for): 80 questions
After CBT, merit lists are prepared separately for each post and category. Shortlisted candidates go through Document Verification and Medical Examination. No personal interview is held.
Application Fee
₹1,180 (₹1,000 + ₹180 GST) for General, EWS, and OBC-NCL candidates. Nil for SC, ST, PwBD, Female, Ex-Servicemen, and existing CIL/subsidiary employees. Apply via the digialm.com portal between 07 May and 28 May 2026 (11:50 PM).