Mahanadi Coalfields Limited Recruitment 2026 is a large technical recruitment drive for candidates looking for electrical posts under a Coal India subsidiary. The notification covers two posts only, but the eligibility is not the same for both. Assistant Foreman (Electrical) (Trainee) is meant for diploma or degree holders in the electrical stream, while Technician (Electrician) (Trainee) is aimed at candidates with Matriculation, ITI Electrician qualification, practical experience, and statutory permit requirements.

For most applicants, the key things to confirm before applying are the exact post you qualify for, the online application dates, the fee category, and whether you meet the age cut-off as on 28 May 2026. The recruitment is not interview-based. MCL has stated that selection will be through a Computer Based Test, with document verification and medical fitness checks after that.

This guide focuses on what an applicant usually needs first: vacancy breakup, eligibility, age relaxation, application fee, salary, CBT pattern, and the practical steps to submit the online form correctly. Since this is a technical recruitment, small eligibility details such as AICTE approval, ITI trade, experience, and LT permit matter a lot and should be checked before registration opens.

Recruitment Overview

Mahanadi Coalfields Limited has issued Employment Notice No. MCL/HQ/Recruitment/Open/2026/311 dated 16 April 2026 for open or direct recruitment to electrical posts in the company. The recruitment covers two trainee categories: Assistant Foreman (Electrical) (Trainee), T&S Grade C, and Technician (Electrician) (Trainee), Category III.

This is an online recruitment process. The MCL careers page states that the online application submission link will be available from 7 May 2026 to 28 May 2026. Candidates should therefore treat the recruitment as officially announced, even if the live application form opens later than the advertisement date.

Post-wise Vacancy Details

Post nameVacancies
Assistant Foreman (Electrical) (Trainee), T&S Gr-C (E&M)150
Technician (Electrician) (Trainee), Cat-III (E&M)350
Total500

MCL has indicated that the vacancies are tentative and may be increased, reduced, or cancelled depending on requirement. The notice also mentions 6 horizontal vacancies for PwBD candidates only in the Assistant Foreman post. No PwBD reservation is applied to the Technician post under the notice.

Important Dates

EventDate
Advertisement date16 April 2026
Online application start date07 May 2026, 10:00 AM
Last date to submit online application28 May 2026, 11:50 PM
Cut-off date for age and eligibility28 May 2026
Admit card dateNot yet announced
CBT dateWill be notified on the website
Result dateWill be notified on the website

If you are planning to apply, use the cut-off date carefully for age and qualification checks. The exam and admit card schedule has not been announced in the notice summary available at this stage.

Eligibility Criteria

MCL has prescribed separate qualifications for the two posts. Candidates should not assume that one qualification works for both.

PostEssential qualification
Assistant Foreman (Electrical) (Trainee)Diploma in Electrical Engineering, minimum 3-year course approved by AICTE, or Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering approved by AICTE
Technician (Electrician) (Trainee)Matriculate or equivalent, ITI in Electrician trade with NCVT or SCVT certificate, minimum 1 year training or on-the-job practical experience, and LT permit under IE Rules for Mines or 440-550 volts mining parts permit issued by competent authority

The Technician post has more practical compliance requirements than many candidates expect. Matriculation and ITI alone are not enough unless the required training or experience and permit conditions are also satisfied.

Age Limit and Relaxation

Age is to be calculated as on 28 May 2026. The basic age band for UR and EWS candidates is 18 to 30 years.

CategoryRelaxation
UR / EWSNo relaxation
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer, Central List)3 years
SC / ST5 years
Ex-ServicemenActual period of military service plus 3 years
Departmental candidates of CIL and subsidiariesNo upper age limit
PwBD candidates for Assistant Foreman post only10 years for UR/EWS, 13 years for OBC-NCL, 15 years for SC/ST

The notice also states that the actual upper age, except for departmental candidates, should not exceed 56 years on the crucial date. PwBD relaxation is specifically available only for the Assistant Foreman post under this recruitment.

Application Fee and Salary

ItemDetails
Application fee for UR / OBC / EWSRs. 1,000 plus GST Rs. 180, total Rs. 1,180
Fee exemptionSC, ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, Female candidates, and employees of Coal India Limited and its subsidiaries
Fee modeOnline only through debit card, credit card, or net banking
Assistant Foreman payRs. 47,330.25 per month
Technician payRs. 1,583.32 per day during training

The application fee is non-refundable. For salary, candidates should note that the Technician amount is shown as a daily rate during training, not a monthly consolidated figure.

Selection Process

MCL has stated that the selection methodology will comprise of Computer Based Test only. There will be no personal interview for this recruitment.

  1. Computer Based Test (CBT)
  2. Document verification for candidates shortlisted after CBT
  3. Initial medical examination in the designated hospital

Eligible candidates will be provisionally allowed to appear in CBT based on self-declaration in the online application. Detailed scrutiny of eligibility is to be done after CBT results for candidates called for document verification.

The notice also mentions that selected candidates will have to be declared medically fit as per company rules. A minimum height requirement of 60 inches is mentioned, with a specific relaxation note related to the Assistant Foreman post in case of dwarfism.

CBT Exam Pattern

The CBT will be objective in nature with multiple-choice questions. There is no negative marking for wrong answers, and the instructions will be bilingual in English and Hindi.

SectionSubjectQuestionsMarks
Section AGeneral Awareness and Aptitude2020
Section BTechnical Knowledge8080
TotalCombined100100

Total duration of the test is 2 hours. Candidates can choose three preferred test cities while filling the application form, but MCL reserves the right to allot or change the test city.

CategoryMinimum qualifying marks
General / EWS45 marks
OBC (NCL)40 marks
SC / ST35 marks

How to Apply Online

  1. Visit the official MCL website and open the Careers or Recruitment section.
  2. Read the instructions carefully before starting registration.
  3. Register with your basic details and create login credentials when the application portal opens.
  4. Fill in the online application form with personal, educational, and category details.
  5. Upload the required scanned documents in the prescribed format.
  6. Pay the application fee online if you are in a fee-paying category.
  7. Submit the form and save or print the final application for future use.

No offline or manual application mode is accepted for this recruitment. Since the application link becomes active later than the advertisement date, candidates should monitor the careers page from 7 May 2026 onward.

Documents and Practical Checks Before Applying

Before the application window opens, candidates should keep the relevant documents ready and verify that the post they choose matches their qualification exactly.

  • Recent passport-size photograph and signature scan
  • Matriculation certificate for age proof
  • Diploma or degree certificate for Assistant Foreman applicants
  • ITI Electrician trade certificate with NCVT or SCVT proof for Technician applicants
  • Minimum 1 year training or on-the-job practical experience certificate for Technician applicants
  • LT permit under IE Rules for Mines or 440-550 volts mining parts permit, if applicable to the post requirement
  • Category certificate, PwBD certificate, or ESM certificate where relevant
  • Valid identity proof and payment details for fee payment

Technician applicants should be especially careful about the permit and practical experience requirement. Missing either of these can make an application non-compliant even if the candidate has Matriculation and ITI.

What Happens After Selection

Shortlisting after CBT does not automatically mean final appointment. Candidates still have to clear document verification and medical examination. Any mismatch between the online form and original documents can affect candidature.

MCL has also indicated role-specific progression. For Assistant Foreman (Electrical), career growth to higher grades will depend on acquiring the required Electrical Supervisorship Certificate of Competency valid for mines as per the cadre scheme. For Technician (Electrician), trainees are to be regularized as Electrician Category IV after successful completion of one year of training and possession of the required statutory permit or certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many vacancies are there in MCL Recruitment 2026 for Assistant Foreman and Technician posts?

There are 500 vacancies in total, including 150 Assistant Foreman (Electrical) (Trainee) posts and 350 Technician (Electrician) (Trainee) posts.

What are the online application dates for MCL Recruitment 2026?

The online application window is scheduled from 7 May 2026 at 10:00 AM to 28 May 2026 at 11:50 PM.

What is the qualification required for the MCL Technician (Electrician) post?

The Technician post requires Matriculation or equivalent, ITI in Electrician trade with NCVT or SCVT certificate, minimum 1 year training or practical experience, and the required LT permit under mining electrical rules.

What is the age limit for MCL Recruitment 2026?

For UR and EWS candidates, the age limit is 18 to 30 years as on 28 May 2026. Age relaxation is available for eligible reserved categories as per the notice.

What is the application fee for MCL Recruitment 2026?

UR, OBC, and EWS candidates have to pay Rs. 1,180 including GST. SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, Female candidates, and CIL or subsidiary employees are exempted.

What is the selection process for MCL Assistant Foreman and Technician Recruitment 2026?

Selection is through Computer Based Test only, followed by document verification and medical examination. There is no personal interview.

Is there negative marking in the MCL CBT?

No. The notice states that there will be no negative marking for wrong answers in the CBT.