Eligibility for MDL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 depends on the group applied for - Group A, B, or C - and is assessed based on educational qualification marks as on 01 October 2026. ITI-passed candidates are not eligible for Group A and Group C; if discovered at any stage, their candidature will be cancelled without notice. Group A – Educational Qualification Passed SSC (10th Class) with General Science and Mathematics. General / OBC / SEBC / EWS / Divyang / AFC: Minimum 50% aggregate marks. SC / ST: Passing class only (no minimum percentage). If qualifying criteria is best-of-5 subjects, General Science and Mathematics must be part of the curriculum and the candidate must have passed both subjects; otherwise the application will be rejected. Higher-qualified candidates may apply but eligibility will be based on SSC marks only. ITI-passed candidates are NOT eligible for Group A. Group B – Educational Qualification Passed ITI in the relevant trade from a Government or Government-recognized Industrial Training Institute. General / OBC / SEBC / EWS / Divyang / AFC: Minimum 50% aggregate marks. SC / ST: Passing class only. Applicants in the semester system must have cleared all backlog papers of previous semesters, duly certified by the institute head. For Fitter Structural trade, applicants from the ITI Fitter trade can apply. Applicants appearing in the final ITI exam may apply but must pass the final exam on or before 01 October 2026. Candidates passing ITI after 01-10-2026 will not be considered. Group C – Educational Qualification Passed 8th Standard (under 10+2 system) with Science and Mathematics. General / OBC / SEBC / EWS / Divyang / AFC: Minimum 50% aggregate marks. SC / ST: Passing class only. Higher-qualified candidates may apply but eligibility will be based on 8th Standard marks only. ITI-passed candidates are NOT eligible for Group C. Age Limit (as on 01 October 2026) Group Age Limit Group A 15 to 19 years Group B 16 to 21 years Group C 14 to 18 years Age Relaxation SC / ST: Upper age relaxed by 5 years OBC: Upper age relaxed by 3 years Divyang (PwD): Upper age relaxed by 10 years Age relaxation is applicable as per Government Rules and is subject to submission of a valid certificate issued by the Competent Authority in the prescribed format. Nationality Candidates must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India. Candidates in the latter categories must hold an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.

MDL has prescribed a nominal application fee of Rs. 100/- (plus bank charges) for UR, OBC, SEBC, EWS, and AFC category candidates. SC, ST, and Divyang (PwD) candidates are fully exempted from the fee but must upload valid caste or disability certificates with their application, failing which the application will not be accepted. The fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances. Category Application Fee UR / OBC / SEBC / EWS / AFC Rs. 100/- + Bank charges (non-refundable) SC / ST / Divyang (PwD) Nil (valid caste/disability certificate upload mandatory)

Selection for MDL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is carried out in three stages: an Online Examination (CBT), followed by Document Verification and Trade Allotment, and finally a Medical Examination. Candidates are shortlisted based on merit in the online exam and there is no interview. The tentative date for the online exam is 25 July 2026. Stage 1 – Online Examination (Computer Based Test – CBT) The CBT consists of 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 2 hours. The syllabus differs by group: Subject Group A (10th Passed) Group B (ITI Passed) Group C (8th Passed) English & GK 25 Questions 25 Questions 25 Questions Physics 25 Questions - 25 Questions Chemistry 25 Questions - 25 Questions Mathematics 25 Questions - 25 Questions Trade Theory - 25 Questions - Workshop Calculation & Science - 25 Questions - Engineering Drawing - 25 Questions - Total 100 100 100 Note for COPA trade (Group B): 75 questions will be from Trade Theory and 25 from English & GK. Examination Centres Candidates can choose two preferred centres from the following tentative list while applying: Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad), Nagpur, Latur, Kolhapur, and Nashik. MDL reserves the right to cancel, add, or change examination centres. No requests for centre change will be entertained after submission. Stage 2 – Document Verification and Trade Allotment Candidates securing the highest marks in the CBT (group and category wise) will be called for document verification and trade allotment on the same day. Candidates must bring all original documents for age, caste, educational qualification, and other relevant certificates. Absence of originals will result in immediate cancellation of candidature. During Trade Allotment, candidates will be offered available trades based on merit order. Absence at allotment or non-acceptance of the available merit seat will lead to rejection. Once a trade is accepted, no change will be permitted. Contract Registration must be filled in the presence of the candidate's mother, father, or guardian. Stage 3 – Medical Examination Shortlisted candidates must be medically fit as per the Apprentices Rules 1992. If a specialist opinion (X-ray, blood test, etc.) is required, the cost will be borne by the candidate. Joining for apprenticeship is subject to declaration of fitness by the Medical Officer.