Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) has invited online applications for 171 Trade Apprentice seats at its Malanjkhand Copper Project in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh. The recruitment is under Notification No. HCL/MCP/HR/Trade App./01/2026, dated 3 November 2026. Candidates who have passed Class 10 can apply without ITI in three trades, while the other 16 trades require an ITI in the relevant trade. Online applications opened on 5 November 2026 and close on 24 November 2026. Selection is merit-based, on Class 10 and ITI marks, with no written examination.
HCL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) — a Miniratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Mines |
| Project | Malanjkhand Copper Project, Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh |
| Advertisement number | HCL/MCP/HR/Trade App./01/2026 |
| Notification date | 3 November 2026 |
| Post name | Trade Apprentice |
| Total seats | 171 |
| Number of trades | 19 |
| Qualification | Class 10 pass; ITI in the relevant trade for trades 4 to 19 |
| Age limit | 18 to 25 years (as on 1 November 2026) |
| Stipend | As admissible under the applicable rules (no fixed amount in the notification) |
| Application fee | Not specified in the notification |
| Application mode | Online — two steps are compulsory (apprenticeship portal + HCL application) |
| Official website | hindustancopper.com |
Please note: this is apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961, not a permanent job. Completing the training gives no right to regular employment with HCL.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification issued | 3 November 2026 |
| Online applications open | 5 November 2026, 11:00 AM |
| Last date to apply online | 24 November 2026 |
| Cut-off date for age and qualification | 1 November 2026 |
| Publication of shortlisted candidates list | 8 December 2026* |
| Document verification | To be announced |
| Training commencement | To be announced |
*One source (Jagran Josh) reports 12 December 2026 for the shortlist. Two sources that read the official notification give 8 December 2026 — check the official HCL website for the final date.
Total Seats and Trade-wise Vacancies
A total of 171 training seats are spread across 19 trades. Electrician has the largest share with 36 seats, followed by Computer Assistant (COPA) with 20 seats.
| S. No. | Trade Name | Seats | Training Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mate Mines (Fresher) | 4 | 3 Years |
| 2 | Shotfirer / Blaster (Mines) | 13 | 2 Years |
| 3 | Driver-cum-Mechanic (LMV) | 6 | 1 Year 3 Months |
| 4 | Mechanic Diesel | 10 | 1 Year |
| 5 | Fitter | 16 | 1 Year |
| 6 | Turner / Machinist | 16 | 1 Year |
| 7 | Welder (Gas & Electric) | 16 | 1 Year |
| 8 | Electrician | 36 | 1 Year |
| 9 | Draughtsman Civil | 2 | 1 Year |
| 10 | Draughtsman Mechanical | 3 | 1 Year |
| 11 | Computer Assistant (COPA) | 20 | 1 Year |
| 12 | Surveyor | 3 | 1 Year |
| 13 | AC & Refrigeration Mechanic | 2 | 1 Year |
| 14 | Mason (Building Constructor) | 2 | 1 Year |
| 15 | Carpenter | 3 | 1 Year |
| 16 | Plumber | 3 | 1 Year |
| 17 | Horticulture Assistant | 2 | 1 Year |
| 18 | Instrument Mechanic | 10 | 1 Year |
| 19 | Solar Technician (Electrician) | 4 | 1 Year |
| Total | 171 |
Category-wise Vacancies
| Category | Seats |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 71 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 46 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 25 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 17 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 12 |
| Total | 171 |
HCL reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of seats.
Educational Qualification
- For all trades: Class 10 / Matriculation under the 10+2 system or an equivalent examination.
- Trades 1 to 3 (Mate Mines Fresher, Shotfirer/Blaster Mines, Driver-cum-Mechanic LMV): Class 10 pass only — no ITI required.
- Trades 4 to 19: Class 10 pass plus ITI in the relevant trade from a recognised institute.
- Not eligible: candidates holding a Diploma, B.E. or equivalent higher professional qualification are not eligible for this apprenticeship. Academic degrees such as B.A., B.Sc. or B.Com. carry no additional weightage in selection.
- Affidavit: candidates who passed ITI in 2025 or earlier must upload an affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper, sworn before a Magistrate or Notary Public, declaring that they have neither undergone apprenticeship training before nor taken employment anywhere. The affidavit must be uploaded as a PDF smaller than 1 MB.
Age Limit
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 years |
| Maximum age | 25 years |
| Age calculation date | 1 November 2026 |
| SC / ST relaxation | 5 years |
| OBC relaxation | 3 years |
| Other relaxation | As per Government guidelines |
Stipend
Selected Trade Apprentices will receive a stipend as admissible under the applicable apprenticeship rules. The notification does not specify a fixed monthly amount for any trade, so candidates should not assume a figure — check the official notification for details.
Application Fee
The official notification does not specify an application fee or a category-wise fee schedule. Follow only the official online application instructions and do not pay through unverified websites or intermediaries.
Selection Process
There is no written examination and no interview. Selection is based on educational merit:
- ITI trades: Class 10 marks carry 70% weightage and ITI marks carry 30%. For example, 80% in Class 10 and 90% in ITI gives a merit of (80 × 0.70) + (90 × 0.30) = 83%.
- Trades without ITI (Mate Mines, Blaster Mines, Driver-cum-Mechanic): merit is prepared on 100% weightage of Class 10 board marks.
- Tie-breaker: if two or more candidates obtain the same merit marks, the older candidate is given preference.
- CGPA conversion: where Class 10 results are awarded in CGPA, the percentage is worked out by multiplying the CGPA by 9.5 (for example, a CGPA of 8.0 corresponds to 76%).
- After shortlisting, there is certificate verification and a medical fitness check. The apprenticeship contract is generated through the Government portal and is subject to approval by RDSDE Bhopal.
- One applicant — one application: if multiple applications are submitted, only the first submitted application will be considered.
- Candidates who have already completed apprenticeship training under NAPS are not eligible for another apprenticeship contract in a different trade.
Important Documents
- Class 10 marksheet and certificate
- ITI marksheet and trade certificate in the relevant trade (where required)
- Aadhaar details for profile verification
- Government apprenticeship registration number and profile copy
- Recent passport-size colour photograph (JPG, less than 50 KB)
- Signature in English using black ink (JPG, less than 50 KB)
- Affidavit (for candidates who passed ITI in 2025 or earlier; PDF, less than 1 MB)
- Category certificate (where claiming the applicable benefit)
How to Apply Online
Both steps are compulsory — completing only one step will not make the application valid.
Step 1 — Register on the Government Apprenticeship Portal
- Visit the Government apprenticeship portal at www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.
- Create or open the candidate apprenticeship profile.
- Fill in the name, parents’ names, date of birth and Aadhaar details so they match the educational records; complete Aadhaar verification and eKYC.
- Update the bank account details in the profile and enter the Class 10 / ITI qualification details.
- Search for the establishment “Hindustan Copper Limited, Malanjkhand Copper Project” and apply for the apprenticeship opportunity in the chosen trade.
- Note the apprenticeship registration number generated by the portal — it must be entered in the HCL form.
Step 2 — Submit the HCL Online Application
- Visit the official HCL website at www.hindustancopper.com and open the Careers section.
- Find Advertisement No. HCL/MCP/HR/Trade App./01/2026 and read the official notification.
- Select the online application facility, fill in the personal and educational details, and choose the trade matching the prescribed qualification.
- Enter the apprenticeship registration number generated in Step 1.
- Upload the photograph, signature and (if applicable) the affidavit.
- Verify all details and submit the form by 24 November 2026; download and keep the computer-generated application form and acknowledgement slip.
Important Instructions
- The last date to apply is 24 November 2026 — do not wait until the last day.
- Aadhaar profile details must match the educational certificates; incorrect information can lead to rejection.
- The shortlisted candidates list is scheduled for 8 December 2026 on HCL’s Careers page.
- This training does not guarantee employment with Hindustan Copper Limited.
- The official notification is the final authority — read it before applying.
Important Links
| Link | Description |
|---|---|
| HCL Official Website | Notification and application |
| Apprenticeship Portal | Government apprenticeship registration |
| IOCL Pipelines Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 500 Posts | Related apprentice recruitment |
| ISRO SDSC SHAR Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 400 Posts | Related apprentice recruitment |
| BBMB Dhulkote Lineman Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 7 Posts | Related apprentice recruitment |
| RRC Central Railway Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 2,861 Posts | Related apprentice recruitment |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many vacancies are available in HCL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Hindustan Copper Limited has announced 171 Trade Apprentice training seats across 19 trades at its Malanjkhand Copper Project — the most in Electrician (36) and Computer Assistant (COPA) (20). - What is the last date to apply for HCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 24 November 2026. Applications opened on 5 November 2026 at 11:00 AM. - Can Class 10 pass candidates apply without ITI?
Yes. Mate Mines (Fresher), Shotfirer/Blaster (Mines) and Driver-cum-Mechanic (LMV) require only Class 10 pass. The other 16 trades require an ITI in the relevant trade. - What is the age limit for HCL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The age limit is 18 to 25 years as on 1 November 2026, with five years’ relaxation for SC/ST and three years for OBC candidates. - What is the stipend for HCL Trade Apprentices?
The notification states that the stipend will be paid according to the applicable apprenticeship rules. An exact monthly amount is not specified. - How will selection be done? Is there a written examination?
No separate written examination is specified. Selection is merit-based: Class 10 marks carry 70% weightage and ITI marks carry 30% for ITI trades; for trades without an ITI requirement, Class 10 marks alone decide merit. This is followed by certificate verification and medical fitness. - Can engineering diploma or degree holders apply?
No. The notification states that candidates possessing higher professional qualifications such as a Diploma, B.E. or equivalent are not eligible for this apprenticeship. - Is this a permanent job?
No. This is apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Completing the training does not provide a right to regular employment with Hindustan Copper Limited.
Next Action
Read the official notification on hindustancopper.com, complete the apprenticeship portal registration at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in, and submit the HCL online application before 24 November 2026.
Sources: HCL Notification No. HCL/MCP/HR/Trade App./01/2026 (3 November 2026); FreeJobAlert, PlacementStore, SahiSarkariJobs, JobSearchKing, NA Telangana, Jagran Josh. Read the official notification before applying.
Photo: Matthew.kowal, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) — representative image of an open-pit copper mine, not Malanjkhand.
