Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 171 Training Seats at Malanjkhand Copper Project
Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), a premier Miniratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, has published the official recruitment advertisement (Advt. No. HCL/MCP/HR/Trade App./01/2026, dated 03 November 2026). The Malanjkhand Copper Project (MCP), located at Malanjkhand, District Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, invites online applications from eligible Indian citizens for engagement as Trade Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961 across 19 distinct trades for a total of 171 training seats.
The online application window opened on 05 November 2026 and will close on 24 November 2026. The crucial cut-off date for reckoning age and educational eligibility is 01 November 2026. The official publication of the list of shortlisted candidates will take place on 08 December 2026. Candidates who have passed Class 10th (Matriculation) under the 10+2 education system and hold an ITI certificate in the respective trade from a recognized institute (or 10th pass for designated non-ITI mining trades) are eligible to apply.
⚠️ Important Statutory Clarification: Apprenticeship Training Only (Not a Permanent Job)
This engagement is strictly for apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961 to enhance vocational skills and employability. The official notification explicitly clarifies that completion of apprenticeship training provides no guarantee, right, or entitlement to regular employment or permanent appointment in Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) or the Malanjkhand Copper Project.
HCL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Official Overview
| Recruiting Enterprise | Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) • Miniratna Category-I CPSE |
| Project & Unit Location | Malanjkhand Copper Project (MCP), Malanjkhand, District Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh |
| Official Advertisement No. | HCL/MCP/HR/Trade App./01/2026 (Dated 03.11.2026) |
| Designated Post Title | Trade Apprentice (Under the Apprentices Act, 1961) |
| Total Vacancies Advertised | 171 Training Seats across 19 Designated Trades |
| Mode of Application | Online via 2 Mandatory Steps (Apprenticeship Portal + HCL Website) |
| Eligibility Cut-off Date | 01 November 2026 |
| Online Application Window | 05 November 2026 to 24 November 2026 |
| Publication of Shortlisted List | 08 December 2026 (On HCL Official Website) |
| Selection Process | Merit-Based (10th & ITI Marks) • No Written Exam • No Interview |
| Monthly Stipend | As admissible under the Apprenticeship Rules |
| Application Fee | Not mentioned in the official notification |
| Official Portals | hindustancopper.com • apprenticeship.gov.in |
HCL Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Important Dates & Official Schedule
Candidates must adhere strictly to the schedule prescribed in Advertisement No. HCL/MCP/HR/Trade App./01/2026:
| Recruitment Event / Milestone | Official Date | Current Status / Key Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Official Notification Release Date | 03 November 2026 | Released |
| Online Application Opening Date | 05 November 2026 | Application Portal Active |
| Cut-off Date for Age, Qualification & Other Eligibility | 01 November 2026 | Determining eligibility criteria |
| Online Application Closing Date (Last Date to Apply) | 24 November 2026 | Final Application Deadline |
| Publication of Shortlisted Candidates List | 08 December 2026 | Official Shortlist on HCL Website |
Official Accuracy Notice: The official notification unambiguously fixes 08 December 2026 as the date for publishing the shortlisted candidates list. Third-party articles citing 12 December 2026 are inaccurate; candidates must rely strictly on 08 December 2026. Furthermore, the official advertisement does not specify separate document verification or medical examination dates; subsequent schedules will be notified to shortlisted candidates via HCL portal.
HCL Trade Apprentice Vacancies: Trade-Wise & Category-Wise Breakdown
A total of 171 seats across 19 trades are offered at Malanjkhand Copper Project. The comprehensive trade-wise training durations and category-wise reservation distribution from the official notification are detailed below:
| Sl. No. | Designated Trade Name | Training Duration | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mate Mines (Fresher) | 3 Years | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 2 | Shotfirer/Blaster (Mines) | 2 Years | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 13 |
| 3 | Driver-cum-Mechanic (LMV) | 1 Year 3 Months | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 4 | Mechanic Diesel | 1 Year | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| 5 | Fitter | 1 Year | 6 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 16 |
| 6 | Turner/Machinist | 1 Year | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 16 |
| 7 | Welder (Gas & Electric) | 1 Year | 6 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 16 |
| 8 | Electrician | 1 Year | 15 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 36 |
| 9 | Draughtsman Civil | 1 Year | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 10 | Draughtsman Mechanical | 1 Year | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 11 | Computer Assistant (COPA) | 1 Year | 8 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 20 |
| 12 | Surveyor | 1 Year | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 13 | AC & Refrigeration Mechanic | 1 Year | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 14 | Mason (Building Constructor) | 1 Year | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 15 | Carpenter | 1 Year | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 16 | Plumber | 1 Year | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 17 | Horticulture Assistant | 1 Year | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 18 | Instrument Mechanic | 1 Year | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 10 |
| 19 | Solar Technician (Electrician) | 1 Year | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Total Sanitized Vacancies (All 19 Trades) | 71 | 25 | 12 | 46 | 17 | 171 | ||
Category-Wise Vacancy Summary
| Community / Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 71 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 25 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 12 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC - NCL) | 46 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 17 |
| Grand Total | 171 Posts |
Enterprise Rights on Seat Matrix:
The official notification clearly stipulates that Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of seats in any trade or category according to the operational requirements of the Malanjkhand Copper Project without assigning any prior notice.
HCL Trade Apprentice Eligibility Criteria: Academic & Technical Mandate
Candidates must fulfill the minimum prescribed academic and technical standards as on the cut-off date of 01 November 2026:
Class 10th / Matriculation
The candidate must have passed the 10th / Matric Examination under the 10+2 system of education or its equivalent from a recognized State or Central Education Board.
ITI in Respective Trade
For Trade Sl. No. 4 to 19 (Mechanic Diesel, Fitter, Turner, Welder, Electrician, COPA, Draughtsman, Surveyor, RAC, Mason, Carpenter, Plumber, Horticulture, Instrument Mechanic, Solar Technician), the candidate must have passed ITI in the respective trade from an NCVT / SCVT recognized institute.
Designated Trades with Nil Technical Qualification (10th Pass Sufficient):
- Mate Mines (Fresher) – Sl. No. 1: Class 10th Pass. Technical qualification is Nil.
- Shotfirer/Blaster (Mines) – Sl. No. 2: Class 10th Pass as per trade matrix on page 1 of notification.
- Driver-cum-Mechanic (LMV) – Sl. No. 3: Class 10th Pass. Technical qualification is Nil.
Careful Document Review: On Page 1 of the official notification (the Vacancy Table), Trade Sl. No. 2 (Shotfirer/Blaster - Mines) is clearly tabulated with Academic Qualification: 10th Pass and Technical Qualification: Nil. However, in the subsequent eligibility descriptive text on Page 2, the notification states that "candidates applying for Sl. No. 1 and 3 must be 10th pass", inadvertently omitting Sl. No. 2 from that specific descriptive sentence.
Aspirants applying for the Shotfirer/Blaster (Mines) trade are advised to verify this wording difference with HCL's official clarification desk before concluding a definitive technical requirement, while relying on the primary Page 1 Vacancy Table during application submission.
🚫 Higher Professional Qualifications Strictly Disqualified
- Engineering Diploma & Degree Holders Ineligible: Candidates possessing higher professional qualifications such as Diploma in Engineering, B.E., B.Tech, or equivalent qualifications will NOT be considered for this apprentice engagement.
- No Merit Weightage for Higher Academic Degrees: Candidates holding higher academic qualifications such as B.A., B.Sc., or B.Com will NOT receive any additional merit marks or preferential weightage. Merit is computed strictly on 10th and ITI marks.
HCL Apprentice Age Limit & Permissible Age Relaxations
The decisive cut-off date for reckoning candidate age is 01 November 2026:
| Particulars / Parameter | Prescribed Age | Remarks & Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age Limit | 18 Years | As on 01 November 2026 |
| Maximum Age Limit (Unreserved / General) | 25 Years | As on 01 November 2026 |
| SC / ST Candidates | Up to 30 Years | 5 Years upper age relaxation as per Govt. guidelines |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Candidates | Up to 28 Years | 3 Years upper age relaxation as per Govt. guidelines |
* Applicable Government of India reservation and age-relaxation guidelines will be followed. Candidates seeking age relaxation must upload authentic caste certificates in the prescribed central format.
Special Eligibility Conditions & Affidavit Requirements
Candidates must carefully review five critical conditions outlined in the official notification to avoid disqualification:
1 Affidavit Requirement for Candidates Passing ITI in 2025 or Earlier
Candidates who passed ITI in the year 2025 or earlier must produce an affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper, sworn before a Magistrate or Notary Public. The affidavit must affirm that the candidate has neither undergone apprenticeship training anywhere earlier nor taken employment anywhere. This affidavit must be uploaded in PDF format (less than 1 MB). Candidates who passed ITI in 2026 are exempt from this affidavit.
2 Existing Apprenticeship Contract Restriction
Candidates who are already undergoing an apprenticeship training contract with any other establishment are not eligible for acceptance on the Apprenticeship Portal unless their formal resignation has been accepted by both the previous organisation and the Regional Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (RDSDE).
3 Past NAPS Apprenticeship Contract Holders Barred
Candidates who have already completed an Apprenticeship Training Contract under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) are not eligible for engagement under another contract in any other trade.
4 Mandatory Physical & Medical Fitness
Selected candidates must fulfill prescribed physical fitness standards and be certified medically fit by authorized medical authorities according to HCL's institutional medical norms before commencement of training.
HCL Trade Apprentice Selection Process: 100% Merit-Based Formula
In accordance with the official notification, candidate selection will be made solely on the basis of merit prepared from academic and technical examination scores. There is no written examination, no online test, and no interview:
Combined 70:30 Merit Weightage
- Class 10th Board Marks: 70% Weightage
- ITI Marks in Relevant Trade: 30% Weightage
The cumulative weighted score out of 100 will determine trade-wise merit standing.
100% Class 10th Board Marks
- Class 10th Board Marks: 100% Weightage
- Mate Mines (Fresher) & Blaster Mines selections are based exclusively on Matric marks.
Percentage obtained in Class 10th constitutes the direct merit score.
Official Rules for CGPA Conversion & Tie-Breaker:
• CGPA Multiplication Formula: For candidates whose Class 10th result is issued in Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), the CGPA must be converted into an equivalent percentage by multiplying the CGPA by 9.5 (Equivalent % = CGPA × 9.5).
• Tie-Breaking Benchmark: In the event of two or more candidates securing identical composite marks in the merit list, the candidate older in age will be placed higher in the merit order.
Apprenticeship Training Duration & Monthly Stipend
Trade-Wise Training Duration
- Mate Mines (Fresher): 3 Years
- Shotfirer/Blaster (Mines): 2 Years
- Driver-cum-Mechanic (LMV): 1 Year 3 Months
- All Other Advertised Trades: 1 Year
Monthly Stipend Policy
The official notification states:
"Stipend: As admissible under the rules."
* The official advertisement does not specify a fixed rupee figure. Monthly stipend is paid according to rates notified under the Apprentices Act, 1961 and Ministry of Skill Development guidelines.
How to Apply for HCL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Two Mandatory Steps
Step 1: Government Apprenticeship Portal Registration
Candidates must first complete their candidate profile on the Government of India Apprenticeship Portal at apprenticeship.gov.in:
- Visit apprenticeship.gov.in and register as a candidate under the Trade Apprenticeship section.
- Ensure your profile matches your Class 10th and ITI mark sheets exactly (Name, Father's Name, Mother's Name, Date of Birth).
- Complete 100% Aadhaar Verification and update active bank account details with eKYC.
- Input educational qualifications correctly: ITI candidates must enter trade and marksheet details; fresher candidates must enter Class 10th Pass as highest qualification.
- Go to the Establishment Search menu and search for: Hindustan Copper Limited.
- Select Hindustan Copper Limited, Malanjkhand Copper Project and apply against the relevant HCL opportunity.
- Obtain and record your Unique Apprenticeship Registration Number and print a copy of your verified profile and applied opportunity details.
Step 2: Online Application Submission on HCL Careers Portal
After obtaining the registration number in Step 1, proceed to the official HCL Careers portal at hindustancopper.com/Page/Career_New:
- Locate Advertisement No. HCL/MCP/HR/Trade App./01/2026 for Malanjkhand Copper Project.
- Click on the online application link and input your Step 1 Apprenticeship Registration Number.
- Fill in all personal, demographic, category, and educational details.
- Select the single trade corresponding to your qualification.
- Upload your recent photograph, signature, profile copy, marks sheets, and affidavit (if applicable).
- Review all submitted entries and execute final online submission before 24 November 2026.
- Download and print the computer-generated application form and acknowledgement slip for document verification.
One Applicant – One Application System:
The notification strictly enforces a "One Applicant – One Application" rule. Only one application corresponding to one login ID will be admitted. Candidates must apply for only one trade that matches their qualification. If a candidate submits multiple applications, only the first submitted application will be considered, and subsequent applications will be summarily rejected.
Documents Required for Online Application & Upload Specifications
| Document / Certificate | Format & File Size | Applicability & Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Recent Passport-Size Photograph | JPG Format • Less than 50 KB | Colour photograph against light background |
| Candidate Signature | JPG Format • Less than 50 KB | Executed in English using black ink on white paper |
| Apprenticeship Portal Profile Copy | PDF / Image Format | Downloaded profile reflecting 100% Aadhaar verification |
| Applied Opportunity Details Slip | PDF / Image Format | Confirmation of application against HCL MCP establishment |
| Class 10th / Matric Marksheet & Certificate | PDF Format | Showing date of birth and board subject marks |
| ITI Marksheets & NCVT/SCVT Certificate | PDF Format | Mandatory for Trade Sl. No. 4 to 19 |
| Sworn Affidavit on Stamp Paper | PDF Format • Less than 1 MB | Mandatory ONLY for candidates who passed ITI in 2025 or earlier |
HCL Trade Apprentice Application Fee Structure
Application fee: Not mentioned in the official notification.
Candidates are not required to pay any application fee under Advertisement No. HCL/MCP/HR/Trade App./01/2026, as no fee schedule has been prescribed in the official advertisement.
Crucial Candidate Advisories & Compliance Instructions
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