Comprehensive Guide to 140 Vacancies – Meet Academy

Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) and subsidiary of Coal India Limited, has issued an official hiring notification for trade apprentices. Under reference number ECL/HRD/DIS/Apprentices/ITI/-26-27/341ECL is inviting offline applications from qualified ITI candidates for 140 apprentice seats across key industrial trades.

This recruitment drive targets ITI pass-outs in the fitter, Electrician,and welder trades who are registered on the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) portal and hold domicile/registration in West Bengal or Jharkhand.

Key Highlights & Recruitment Summary

Breakdown of Vacancies & Trade-Wise Seats

The total pool of 140 seats is allocated across three core technical disciplines. Reservations are applied as per Government rules for Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).

ECL Apprentice Vacancies (140 Total)
│
├── Fitter Trade (60 Seats)
│   ├── Unreserved (UR): 30
│   ├── Scheduled Caste (SC): 12
│   ├── Scheduled Tribe (ST): 07
│   └── OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 11
│
├── Electrician Trade (60 Seats)
│   ├── Unreserved (UR): 30
│   ├── Scheduled Caste (SC): 12
│   ├── Scheduled Tribe (ST): 07
│   └── OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 11
│
└── Welder Trade (20 Seats)
    ├── Unreserved (UR): 10
    ├── Scheduled Caste (SC): 04
    ├── Scheduled Tribe (ST): 02
    └── OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 04

Seats Allocation Matrix

Monthly Stipend Structure

Apprentices engaged under the Apprentices Act, 1961 receive a monthly stipend paid directly during the 1-year practical training period:

• Electrician Trade: ₹10,560 per month
• Fitter Trade: ₹10,560 per month
• Welding Trade: ₹9,600 per month

Note: No separate housing allowance or accommodation is provided unless specified by local unit policies during actual posting.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the ECL ITI Apprentice program, candidates must fulfill all of the following prerequisites concurrently:

1. Educational Qualification

• For Fitter & Electrician Trades: Must have passed Matriculation (10th standard) alongside an NCVT or SCVT recognized ITI Certificate in the respective trade.
• For welder trade: Must hold an ITI Certificate in Welding trade (Matriculation or 8th Pass as per basic ITI entry rules).
• Minimum Marks Requirement: Candidates must have secured a minimum of 40% aggregate marks in their qualifying ITI examination.

2. NAPS Portal Registration

• The applicant must be actively registered on the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) official portal (apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) in the trade applied for.
• Bank account details linked with Aadhaar must be updated on the NAPS profile.

3. State Domicile / Regional Constraint

• Candidates must belong to or be registered in either West Bengal or Jharkhand.

4. Application Restrictions

• Single Trade Rule: Candidates can apply for only one trade. Submitting multiple applications for different trades will lead to automatic rejection of all submissions.
• Single Location Rule: Candidates cannot apply for multiple regional units. Select one state/discipline combination.

Selection Process & Tie-Breaking Rules

There is no written examination or oral interview for this recruitment. Selection is conducted strictly on a merit basis derived from academic performance in the qualifying ITI examination.

Step 1: Merit List Preparation (Based on ITI % Marks)
                      │
Step 2: Tie-Breaking Mechanics (If Marks are Equal)
        ├─ 1st Criteria: Earlier Year of Passing ITI
        ├─ 2nd Criteria: Older Candidate (Date of Birth)
        └─ 3rd Criteria: Earlier NAPS Portal Registration Date
                      │
Step 3: Document Verification (DV) at Designated ECL Office
                      │
Step 4: Issuance of Engagement Letter & Joining at Posting Site
                      │
Step 5: Portal Contract Generation at HRD Dishergarh

Detailed Merit Tie-Breaking Order

If two or more candidates score identical marks in the ITI examination, rankings are determined using the following sequence:

1. Year of Passing: Preference is given to the candidate who passed the ITI examination in an earlier calendar year.
2. Age Priority: If the year of passing is the same, the older candidate (determined by Date of Birth) receives higher merit.
3. NAPS Registration Date: If both marks and date of birth match, the candidate who registered earlier on the NAPS apprenticeship portal takes precedence.

Required Documents Checklist

All candidates must submit self-attested photocopies of the following documents along with their hard-copy application form. Original documents must be presented during formal Document Verification (DV).

1. Proof of Age / Educational Qualification:
   • Class 10th / Matriculation Passing Certificate (or 8th Pass Certificate for Welding trade).
2. Technical Qualification Documents:
   • ITI Trade Passing Certificate (NCVT/SCVT).
   • Final Year / Consolidated ITI Marksheet.
3. Apprenticeship Portal Proof:
   • Profile registration copy from the NAPS Portal showing candidate ID and active trade status.
4. Identification & Banking:
   • Self-attested copy of Aadhaar Card.
   • Copy of Aadhaar-linked Bank Account details as updated on the NAPS portal.
5. Category Certificate (If Applicable):
   • SC / ST / OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Certificate issued by a competent authority.
   • Note: OBC (NCL) certificates must be valid and issued within 1 year prior to submission.
6. Photograph & Undertaking:
   • One recent passport-sized photograph affixed to the application form.
   • Duly signed Affidavit/Undertaking in the format prescribed in Annexure-III of the official notification.

Step-by-Step Offline Application Guide

Since the application process is strictly offlinecandidates must ensure their complete application package reaches the HRD center via postal services before the deadline.

Step 1: Download & Print Formats

Visit the official Eastern Coalfields Limited website (easterncoalfields.in) under the Recruitment/HRD section to download:

• The Application Form (Annexure-I)
• The Undertaking Affidavit Format (Annexure-III)

Step 2: Fill Out Details Accurately

Complete all fields in block letters, including:

• Full Name, Father’s Name, Date of Birth.
• NAPS Registration Number.
• Permanent & Communication Address.
• Trade Applied For (Fitter, Electrician, or Welder).
• ITI Marks Obtained, Total Marks, and Calculated Percentage.
• Bank Account Details (Aadhaar-linked).

Step 3: Attach Self-Attested Enclosures

Arrange all supporting documents listed in the checklist. Sign across every photocopy (“Self-Attested”) with the current date.

Step 4: Enclose in Sealed Envelope

Place the completed application form, signed undertaking, and documents inside a sturdy envelope. Write on top of the envelope:

“APPLICATION FOR ITI APPRENTICE RECRUITMENT 2026 – TRADE: [Insert Trade Name]”

Step 5: Send via Postal Service

Send the envelope via Registered Post, Speed ​​Post, or standard post to the designated official postal address:

Office of the General Manager (HRD)

Eastern Coalfields Limited, HRD Center

Dishergarh, Paschim Bardhaman

West Bengal – 713333

• Crucial Target Date: The hard copy must physically reach the Dishergarh office on or before July 31, 2026.

Important Terms & Conditions

• Exemption for Prior Applicants: Candidates who submitted applications against ECL’s earlier notification (Ref no. ECL/HRD/DIS/2025/532 dated 13.08.2025) do not need to reapply. Their existing submissions will be considered under this current recruitment cycle.
• No Permanent Job Claim: Apprenticeship training is a statutory engagement under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Completion of the 1-year training period does not guarantee permanent employment or absorption in Eastern Coalfields Limited or Coal India Limited.
• Contract Termination: The apprenticeship contract automatically terminates upon completion of exactly 12 months from the date of practical training commencement.
• Active Contact Information: Applicants must maintain an active mobile number and email ID until the completion of the apprenticeship cycle, as official calls for DV and engagement letters will be communicated through these channels.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is there any application fee for applying to ECL ITI Apprentice seats?

No. There is no application fee for any category (Unreserved, OBC, SC, ST, or PwD).

Q2. Can candidates outside West Bengal and Jharkhand apply?

No. The notification restricts eligibility to candidates registered or domiciled within the states of West Bengal and Jharkhand.

Q3. Can I submit my application through email or online forms?

No. Only physical applications sent via postal delivery to the Dishergarh HRD office will be processed. Applications submitted online or by hand/email will be rejected.

Q4. What happens after Document Verification?

Candidates who clear Document Verification will receive an Engagement Letter specifying their unit posting. After reporting to the assigned site, candidates obtain a joining letter and report back to the HRD office in Dishergarh to register their apprenticeship contract on the NAPS portal.

Q5. Who can candidates contact for official queries regarding this notification?

Applicants can contact Shri P. Sahani (Senior Manager – HR) at the HRD Centre, ECL, via the official phone contact: 7415473799.