For young job seekers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, a practical route into a large public sector workplace has opened this week. NLC India Limited has invited applications for 1,067 apprenticeship training slots, and the window stays open until 5 pm on 9 November 2026. It is not a permanent job. It is a year of structured, hands-on training, with a monthly stipend, inside one of India’s best known lignite mining and power generation companies.
What NLC India is offering
NLC India Limited, a Navratna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Coal, has announced the programme under Advertisement No. L&DC/04/2026. The 1,067 slots are split into two streams: 700 for ITI Trade Apprentices and 367 for Graduate (Non-Engineering) Apprentices. Training will take place at Neyveli in Tamil Nadu and at the company’s Regional Office in Chennai.
The programme runs for 12 months. Selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 12,000 to Rs 16,678, depending on their category, with the highest rates applying to pharmacist and nursing disciplines. Applicants should check the exact stipend for their category in the official notification.
Applications opened at 10 am on 21 October 2026 at nlcindia.in. The last date is 9 November 2026 at 5 pm. Candidates should apply online and keep a copy of the submitted form.
Who can apply
This condition will decide most applications: the drive is open only to candidates hailing from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The minimum age is 18 years as on 31 October 2026, and the summaries give no upper age limit.
For the ITI stream, applicants need an ITI pass in the relevant trade from a recognised institute. Trades covered include fitter, turner, electrician, wireman, welder, motor vehicle mechanic, diesel mechanic, stenographer, computer operator and programming assistant, and refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanic.
For the graduate stream, applicants need a regular, full-time bachelor’s degree in the relevant discipline from a UGC-approved university. Disciplines listed include commerce, business administration, computer science, computer applications, geology, microbiology, chemistry, pharmacy and nursing. Graduate applicants must have passed in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026, according to the notification summary. Candidates who have already undergone, or are currently undergoing, training under NAPS, NATS or the PM Internship scheme are not eligible.
How selection will work
There is no written examination and no interview. Selection is based on merit, the percentage of marks in the qualifying examination. A complete form, with the correct trade or discipline, accurate marks and the right documents, matters more here than exam preparation.
After the merit list, shortlisted candidates will go through document verification and the other checks in the notification. Reservation for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwBD candidates applies as per the Apprentices Act, with certificates in the prescribed format. If the required certificate is not submitted, the candidate will be considered under the general category.
Tentative dates put the trade apprentice selection list on 23 November 2026 and the graduate list on 25 November, with joining on 27 November and 2 December respectively. Candidates should follow updates on the official website rather than social media posts.
How to apply
- Visit nlcindia.in and open the apprentice recruitment link for Advertisement No. L&DC/04/2026.
- Read the full notification first, including eligibility, the stipend for your category, and the document list.
- Choose the stream that matches your qualification and fill in the online form carefully, entering marks exactly as they appear in your certificate.
- Submit the form well before 5 pm on 9 November 2026, and save or print the acknowledgement.
A wrong trade code, a mistyped percentage or a missing certificate can push an otherwise strong application out of a merit list. It is worth checking every field once more before the final submit, and keeping the registered email and phone number active until the selection lists are published.
Why it matters, and what to keep in mind
NLC India is headquartered at Neyveli in Cuddalore district, where lignite mining and thermal power generation have shaped the local economy for decades. Training there means working inside a large, operating industrial system, not a classroom simulation.
It is equally important to be realistic. Completing the apprenticeship does not give a candidate any right to temporary or permanent employment with NLC India. The value lies in the training, the stipend and the experience. With less than two weeks left, eligible candidates should read the notification today, gather their documents, and submit the form with time to spare.
Frequently asked questions
How many apprentice slots has NLC India announced?
A total of 1,067 slots: 700 for ITI Trade Apprentices and 367 for Graduate (Non-Engineering) Apprentices.
What is the last date to apply?
Applications close at 5 pm on 9 November 2026. Applications opened on 21 October 2026.
Who is eligible?
Candidates hailing from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry who meet the ITI or graduate qualification conditions, and who are at least 18 years old as on 31 October 2026.
What stipend will apprentices receive?
The monthly stipend ranges from Rs 12,000 to Rs 16,678, depending on the apprentice category, for 12 months.
Is there an exam?
No. Selection is based on marks in the qualifying examination, followed by document verification and prescribed checks.
Applicants should verify all details in the official notification on nlcindia.in before applying, as the notification remains the final authority on eligibility, dates and conditions.
