Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited — a Maharatna PSU and India’s largest power plant equipment manufacturer, producing turbines, generators, boilers and transformers — hires trade staff through two tracks.
Advertisement
Artisan Grade IV is the permanent post: ₹29,000 to ₹60,000 per month, selected by Computer Based Test, across 11 manufacturing units.
Trade, Technician and Graduate Apprentice engagements are one-year training: a stipend, merit-based selection with no examination, and — as the notifications state — no claim to future employment at BHEL.
Advertisement
And the two connect in a way no other employer in this series does.
BHEL Artisan Grade IV requires a Class 10 pass, an NTC/ITI certificate — and an NAC. The National Apprenticeship Certificate is what you receive on completing an apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act.
An ITI alone does not qualify you for BHEL’s permanent trade post. The apprenticeship is a prerequisite.
Overview
| Artisan Grade IV | Apprentice | |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Permanent | 1-year training |
| Qualification | Class 10 + NTC/ITI + NAC | Class 10 + ITI (Trade) · Diploma (Technician) · Degree (Graduate) |
| Marks | 60% Gen/OBC · 55% SC/ST | 60% Gen/OBC · 55% SC/ST |
| Selection | Computer Based Test | Merit — no written test |
| Pay | ₹29,000 – ₹60,000 per month | Stipend — ₹10,700 to ₹12,300 by category |
| Age | 27 Gen/EWS · 30 OBC · 32 SC/ST | 18–27 Gen · 30 OBC · 32 SC/ST |
| Employment | It is the permanent post | No claim to future employment |
| Portal | BHEL Careers | Unit-wise websites + apprenticeshipindia.gov.in |
1. The NAC Requirement — Why the Apprenticeship Comes First
BHEL Artisan Grade IV eligibility: “Class 10 pass certificate along with a National Trade Certificate (NTC/ITI) and a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) in the relevant trade.”
Three documents, not two.
The NAC is issued on completion of an apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act. It is not an alternative to the ITI — it is required in addition to it.
This inverts the sequence most candidates assume. An ITI holder cannot apply directly for BHEL’s permanent artisan post. The apprenticeship is the route, and it is compulsory.
Set this against the pattern established across this series:
| Employer | Position on apprenticeship |
|---|---|
| RRB Technician Grade III | CCAA accepted as equal to ITI — an alternative route |
| IOCL Apprentice | The apprenticeship is the engagement; permanent posts recruited separately |
| BHEL Artisan Grade IV | NAC required in addition to ITI — the apprenticeship is mandatory |
For an ITI holder planning a PSU trade career, the apprenticeship is not optional experience. It is a qualification that BHEL requires, RRB accepts, and IOCL trains you toward.
2. Artisan Grade IV — The Permanent Post
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Post | Artisan Grade IV |
| Advertisement | 04/2025, issued 12 July 2025 |
| Vacancies | 515 |
| Units | 11 major manufacturing units — Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh |
| Application closed | 12 September 2025 |
| CBT | 12 January 2026 |
| Pay | ₹29,000 – ₹60,000 per month, plus benefits |
The Trade Split
| Trade | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Fitter | 176 |
| Machinist | 104 |
| Welder | 97 |
| Electrician | 65 |
| Turner | 51 |
| Electronics Mechanic | 18 |
| Foundryman | 4 |
| Total | 515 |
Fitter and Machinist together account for 280 of 515 posts — over half.
Eligibility
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Class 10 pass + NTC/ITI + NAC in the relevant trade |
| Minimum marks | 60% for General/OBC; 55% for SC/ST |
| Age | 27 — General/EWS · 30 — OBC (NCL) · 32 — SC/ST |
| Additional relaxation | PWD, Ex-Servicemen, and candidates with prior relevant work experience |
Note the last relaxation. BHEL extends age relaxation for prior relevant work experience — an unusual provision, and one that favours candidates who took the apprenticeship route and worked before applying.
Selection
A Computer Based Test, evaluating trade knowledge, reasoning ability and general awareness required for technical roles.
The job profile: working in core manufacturing, electrical and mechanical operations across BHEL units, contributing to power, transport and heavy engineering, with responsibilities aligned to the trade specialisation.
3. The Apprentice Track — Unit by Unit
BHEL does not run a single national apprentice notification. Each unit issues its own, with its own vacancy count, domicile rules and dates.
| Unit | Vacancies | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trichy | 760 | Trade, Technician and Graduate Apprentices |
| Haridwar | 187 | Seven trades — live, closing 15 July 2026 |
| Bhopal | 160 | MP domicile only |
| Jhansi | 47 | Trade, Technician and Graduate |
BHEL Haridwar 2026-27 — Live
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Notification | 2 July 2026 |
| Vacancies | 187 across seven trades |
| Online application | 2 July to 15 July 2026 |
| Hard copy deadline | 27 July 2026 |
| Training starts | September 2026 |
| Portal | hwr.bhel.com/recruitment |
Trade-wise: Fitter (74), Machinist (36), Turner (26), Electrician (26), Welder (17), Draftsman-Mechanical (4), Foundryman (4).
Fitter and Machinist together account for 110 of 187 — over half.
4. The Apprentice Exclusions — Read Before Applying
BHEL Haridwar’s notification excludes four categories, and they are precise:
| Excluded | Detail |
|---|---|
| Already completed an apprenticeship | Not eligible |
| One year or more of work experience | Not eligible |
| Passed ITI as a private candidate | Not eligible |
| Marksheet not yet received from the board | Not eligible |
The first exclusion is the one to understand. A candidate who has already completed an apprenticeship cannot do another.
Combined with the NAC requirement for Artisan Grade IV, the sequence becomes clear and one-directional:
ITI → apprenticeship (once) → NAC → eligible for Artisan Grade IV.
You get one apprenticeship. It should be taken deliberately, at a unit and in a trade that matters — because the NAC it produces is what unlocks the permanent post, and the opportunity does not repeat.
The private-candidate exclusion is equally firm. An ITI passed as a private candidate does not qualify. The course must be regular.
Eligibility is restricted to ITI passed in 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 — recent pass-outs only.
5. Apprentice Selection — Merit, and a Provision Worth Knowing
Selection is by merit. There is no written test and no interview.
BHEL Haridwar’s formula:
Weighted Average = 70% ITI marks + 30% High School marks
Tie-break: higher ITI percentage first, then the older candidate — senior in age — is preferred.
The same age-based tie-break appears in IOCL apprentice selection, Post Office GDS and Navy SSR shortlisting. The candidate with fewer remaining chances wins.
The Direct Selection Rule
“If the number of eligible candidates for a trade is less than or equal to the number of vacancies, all eligible candidates will be directly called for training without any further selection process.”
This is worth acting on. In a trade with few applicants — Draftsman-Mechanical and Foundryman carry 4 seats each at Haridwar — every eligible applicant may be selected outright.
Candidates in low-volume trades should apply rather than assume the competition mirrors Fitter’s 74 seats.
Preference Categories
| Category | Provision |
|---|---|
| Uttarakhand domicile | Preference — a valid domicile certificate is mandatory to claim it |
| Employee wards | Reservation for wards of BHEL Haridwar employees — working, retired or deceased — per company rules. The “Form for Employee Ward” must be submitted with the application |
BHEL employees’ wards are exempt from the domicile requirement.
Candidates from across India may apply, but Uttarakhand domicile holders are preferred in selection.
6. The Two-Step Application — Plus a Third
BHEL’s apprentice application has three stages, and all are mandatory.
Step 1 — Portal registration:
Register on the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme portal — apprenticeshipindia.gov.in. The Aadhaar number must be verified successfully on the portal.
For Diploma and Graduate apprentices, registration is on NATS or BOAT — the regional Board of Apprenticeship Training.
Step 2 — BHEL application:
Apply on the unit’s career website under the relevant heading — for Haridwar, “Engagement of Trade Apprenticeship for 2026, BHEL Haridwar” at hwr.bhel.com/recruitment — uploading a recent passport-size colour photograph.
Download and retain the acknowledgement slip generated after applying.
Step 3 — Hard copy despatch:
Send the printed acknowledgement slip along with self-attested documents by post, to reach the unit by the stated date.
| Unit | Address |
|---|---|
| Haridwar | Executive (HR), Room No. 29, HR – Recruitment Section, Main Administrative Building, BHEL, HEP Ranipur, Haridwar, Uttarakhand – 249403 — by 27 July 2026 |
| Bhopal | Post Box No. 35, Post Office Piplani, BHEL Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh – 462022 |
Applications received through fax, email or other modes are rejected.
The gap between the online deadline and the document deadline — 15 July to 27 July at Haridwar — gives roughly two weeks to organise self-attested copies. Use it; do not treat the online submission as completion.
There is no application fee.
7. Stipends
| Category | Stipend |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | ₹12,300 per month |
| Technician Apprentice | ₹10,900 per month |
| Trade Apprentice (Trichy) | ₹10,700 – ₹11,050 per month |
BHEL Haridwar’s notification states the stipend as “per apprenticeship guidelines” without disclosing the rate — a gap worth noting before applying.
Rates are as prescribed under the Apprentices Act and the company’s guidelines, and vary by unit and category.
8. Unit-Specific Rules
BHEL Bhopal — 160 posts, 2025-26:
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| ITI | 100 posts — Electrician (30), Fitter (30), Welder (18), Machinist (10), Turner (10), Electroplater (2) |
| Graduate | Civil (2), Computer Science (5), Electrical (10), ECE (5), Mechanical (10), BBA (7) |
| Diploma | Civil (2), Electrical (8), ECE (2), Mechanical (9) |
| Domicile | MP domicile only — ITI must be from an institute located in Madhya Pradesh, NCVT recognised |
| ITI marks | Minimum 60% aggregate |
| Age | 14 to 27 as on 01-12-2025 |
Note the minimum age of 14 — the Apprentices Act floor, and the lowest in this series.
And a firm exclusion: “A degree/Diploma acquired from the Distance/Correspondence education system is not eligible for the apprenticeship.”
BHEL Jhansi — 47 posts:
- Trade Apprentice: Class 10 with 60% (Gen/OBC) or 55% (SC/ST) + ITI passed 2023–2025
- Technician Apprentice: 3-year Diploma from an AICTE-recognised institute + required high school marks
- Graduate Apprentice: 4-year Engineering Degree from an AICTE-recognised university + required high school marks
- No application fee; merit-based, no written test
9. Documents Checklist
- ☐ Class 10 / High School marksheet and certificate — 30% of the merit weighting
- ☐ ITI marksheet and certificate — regular course only, NCVT/SCVT recognised, 70% of the merit weighting
- ☐ NAC — National Apprenticeship Certificate — required for Artisan Grade IV
- ☐ Diploma / Degree, for Technician and Graduate apprentices — not distance or correspondence
- ☐ Domicile certificate — mandatory to claim Uttarakhand preference; MP domicile required at Bhopal
- ☐ “Form for Employee Ward” — for wards of BHEL employees
- ☐ Aadhaar — must verify successfully on the apprenticeship portal
- ☐ Acknowledgement slip — generated after online application, required for despatch
- ☐ Category certificate
- ☐ Passport-size colour photograph
10. Assessment
Artisan Grade IV — in favour:
- Permanent BHEL employment at ₹29,000 – ₹60,000 per month
- 515 vacancies across 11 units
- Fitter and Machinist carry 280 of 515 posts
- Age relaxation for prior relevant work experience — unusual and favourable
- Age to 32 for SC/ST candidates
Artisan Grade IV — against:
- NAC is mandatory — an ITI alone does not qualify you
- 60% minimum (55% SC/ST)
- CBT-based — unlike the merit-based apprentice route
Apprentice — in favour:
- No written test, no interview — pure merit on ITI and Class 10 marks
- No application fee
- Direct selection where applicants do not exceed vacancies — a real prospect in low-volume trades
- Stipend ₹10,700 to ₹12,300 by category
- Produces the NAC that Artisan Grade IV requires
- Minimum age 14 at some units
Apprentice — against:
- No claim to future employment at BHEL
- One apprenticeship only — prior apprenticeship or a year’s work experience disqualifies
- Private-candidate ITI holders are excluded
- Domicile rules — MP-only at Bhopal; Uttarakhand preference at Haridwar
- Three-stage application, including a postal despatch
- Stipend not always disclosed in the notification
Recommendations:
If you hold an ITI and want a permanent BHEL trade post, do the apprenticeship first. Artisan Grade IV requires the NAC. There is no direct route.
Take the apprenticeship once, and take it deliberately. A completed apprenticeship disqualifies you from another, and so does a year of work experience. The NAC it produces is what BHEL requires, what RRB accepts in lieu of an ITI for Technician Grade III, and what IOCL’s own training is designed to deliver.
Apply in the low-volume trades if you hold them. Draftsman-Mechanical and Foundryman carry 4 seats each at Haridwar — and if eligible applicants do not exceed vacancies, all are called directly for training.
Complete all three stages. Portal registration with verified Aadhaar, the unit’s online form, and the postal despatch of the acknowledgement slip and documents. Missing the third is as fatal as missing the first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the qualification for BHEL Artisan Grade IV? Class 10 pass, plus a National Trade Certificate (NTC/ITI), plus a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) in the relevant trade — with 60% marks for General/OBC and 55% for SC/ST. All three are required.
Q2. Can I apply for BHEL Artisan with only an ITI? No. The NAC — issued on completing an apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act — is a separate and mandatory requirement in addition to the ITI.
Q3. What is the BHEL Artisan salary? ₹29,000 to ₹60,000 per month on the BHEL Grade IV pay scale, along with other benefits. Selection is by Computer Based Test.
Q4. What is the BHEL apprentice stipend? Graduate Apprentices: ₹12,300 per month. Technician Apprentices: ₹10,900 per month. Trade Apprentices: ₹10,700 to ₹11,050 per month at Trichy. Rates are per the Apprentices Act and company guidelines and vary by unit — the Haridwar notification does not disclose the rate.
Q5. How is the apprentice merit list prepared? By a weighted average of 70% ITI marks and 30% High School marks. Ties are broken on higher ITI percentage, then the older candidate is preferred. There is no written test or interview.
Q6. Who is not eligible for the apprenticeship? Candidates who have already completed apprenticeship training, who have one year or more of work experience, who passed ITI as a private candidate, or who have not received their marksheet from the board. Distance and correspondence degrees are not eligible.
Q7. Does the apprenticeship lead to a BHEL job? No. The notifications state that training does not create any claim to future employment at BHEL. But it produces the NAC, which is a mandatory qualification for BHEL Artisan Grade IV and is accepted by RRB in lieu of an ITI for Technician Grade III.
Q8. Is there a domicile requirement? It varies by unit. BHEL Bhopal requires MP domicile and an ITI from an institute located in Madhya Pradesh. BHEL Haridwar accepts applicants from across India but gives preference to Uttarakhand domicile holders, for which a valid domicile certificate is mandatory. Wards of BHEL employees are exempt.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. BHEL issues separate apprentice notifications for each manufacturing unit, with their own vacancy counts, trades, domicile rules, stipends and dates; figures cited are from specific notifications and are not applicable across all units. Apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act is a training engagement and creates no claim to employment at BHEL. Artisan Grade IV is recruited separately by Computer Based Test. Candidates must read the official notification for their chosen unit on the BHEL careers portal before applying and treat it as the final authority.