Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), a leading subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) under the Ministry of Coal, Government of India, has officially announced the Apprentice Recruitment Notification for 2025. This recruitment drive is aimed at providing training opportunities to eligible Graduate, Diploma, and ITI candidates under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
The apprenticeship program will give candidates a chance to gain hands-on industrial experience in India’s coal mining sector while earning a monthly stipend. The duration of the apprenticeship training will be 12 months (1 year), and the candidates will be trained at various WCL establishments located in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | 10 November 2025 |
| Start Date for Online Registration | 17 November 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30 November 2025 |
| Merit List Publication (Tentative) | 22 December 2025 |
| Commencement of Training | January 2026 |
Application Fee
One of the advantages of the WCL Apprentice Recruitment 2025 is that no application fee is required.
Candidates can apply free of cost by simply registering on the NATS (for Graduate/Diploma) or NAPS (for Trade Apprentices) portals and then completing the online application on the WCL website.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹0 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women | ₹0 |
Vacancy Details
Western Coalfields Limited has released a large number of apprenticeship positions for Graduate, Technician (Diploma), and Trade Apprentices. These posts are spread across multiple training establishments located in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
| Apprentice Type | Educational Qualification | Approx. Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | BE/B.Tech in Mining Engineering | 101+ |
| Technician (Diploma) Apprentice | Diploma in Mining or Mine Surveying | 215+ |
| ITI Trade Apprentice | ITI in relevant trade | 900+ |
| Total | — | 1200+ (Approx.) |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet the following eligibility conditions in terms of age, education, and domicile to apply for the apprenticeship.
a. Nationality
- Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply.
- Candidates should be residents of Maharashtra or Madhya Pradesh, or have completed their education from institutions located within these states.
b. Age Limit (as on 01 August 2025)
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| General | 18 years | 26 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 18 years | 29 years |
| SC / ST | 18 years | 31 years |
| PwBD (General) | 18 years | 36 years |
c. Educational Qualification
| Post | Qualification Requirement |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | Bachelor’s Degree (B.E/B.Tech) in Mining Engineering from AICTE/UGC-approved university. |
| Technician (Diploma) Apprentice | Diploma in Mining or Mine Surveying Engineering from recognized institution. |
| Trade Apprentice | Matriculation (10th Pass) with ITI in relevant trade from NCVT/SCVT recognized institute. |
Trade-Wise Vacancy and Stipend Details
| Trade Name | Training Duration | Monthly Stipend (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA) | 1 Year | 10,560 |
| Electrician | 1 Year | 11,040 |
| Fitter | 1 Year | 11,040 |
| Welder (Gas & Electric) | 1 Year | 10,560 |
| Wireman | 1 Year | 11,040 |
| Mechanic Diesel | 1 Year | 10,560 |
| Surveyor | 1 Year | 11,040 |
| Machinist | 1 Year | 11,040 |
| Draughtsman (Civil) | 1 Year | 11,040 |
| Turner | 1 Year | 11,040 |
| Pump Operator-cum-Mechanic | 1 Year | 10,560 |
| Stenographer (Hindi) | 1 Year | 10,560 |
| Security Guard | 1 Year | 8,200 |
Pay Scale / Stipend
Western Coalfields Limited follows a fixed monthly stipend structure approved under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
The amount varies according to the qualification level:
| Apprentice Type | Stipend (Per Month) |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | ₹12,300 |
| Technician (Diploma) Apprentice | ₹10,900 |
| Trade Apprentice (ITI Holders) | ₹10,560 – ₹11,040 |
| Security Guard (Trade Apprentice) | ₹8,200 |
Selection Process
The selection for WCL Apprenticeship 2025 will be based entirely on merit. There won’t be any written examination or personal interview for selection.
a. Merit List Preparation
- Graduate & Diploma Apprentices: Based on percentage marks in the final semester/year of the qualifying examination.
- ITI Trade Apprentices: Based on the average marks of Matriculation (10th) and ITI.
- Security Guard Trade: Based only on 10th standard marks.
b. Tie-Breaking Criteria
In case of equal marks:
- Preference will be given to the candidate who is older in age based on the date of birth.
- If still tied, higher marks in 10th standard will be considered.
c. Document Verification
- Shortlisted candidates (1.5 times the vacancies) will be called for document verification.
- They must produce original documents for age, education, caste, and domicile verification.
- Absence during verification will result in disqualification.
d. Medical Fitness
- After verification, selected candidates must undergo a medical examination as per the Mines Rules, 1955.
- The Medical Fitness Certificate (Form O) will be issued by the WCL medical officer.
Reservation Policy
WCL strictly follows the Government of India’s reservation policy for apprenticeship programs:
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | As per Govt. norms |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | As per Govt. norms |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC – NCL) | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | Horizontal reservation |
Duration and Training Centers
- Training Period: 12 months (One Year)
- Training Location: Across various WCL Areas in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh including:
- Nagpur Area
- Chandrapur Area
- Wani Area
- Majri Area
- Pench Area
- Pathakhera Area
- Ballarpur Area
Application Process
Candidates must follow these steps to complete the online application successfully:
Step 1 – Register on NATS/NAPS Portal
- Graduate and Diploma holders must register on NATS: nats.education.gov.in
- ITI/Trade candidates must register on NAPS: apprenticeshipindia.gov.in
Obtain the unique Enrollment Number/ID, which is mandatory for WCL application.
Step 2 – Apply on WCL Official Website
- Visit westerncoal.in
- Navigate to the Career → Apprentice section.
- Select your category — Graduate, Diploma, or Trade Apprentice.
- Fill in all details carefully — personal, educational, and domicile information.
- Upload scanned copies of required documents.
Step 3 – Upload the Following Documents
- Passport-size photograph and signature (JPEG format)
- 10th mark sheet
- ITI / Diploma / Degree certificate
- Domicile certificate (Maharashtra or Madhya Pradesh)
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- PwBD certificate (if applicable)
- Aadhaar and Bank Passbook copy
Step 4 – Final Submission
- Review the entered information carefully.
- After submitting the application, download and print the confirmation page for your records.
- Retain it for future verification.
12. Documents Required at Verification Time
- Original educational certificates and mark sheets
- Domicile certificate (Maharashtra or Madhya Pradesh)
- Valid caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)
- PwBD certificate (if applicable)
- Aadhaar card and bank passbook (for DBT)
- Medical fitness certificate (for final joining)
- 2–3 recent passport-sized photographs
