BHEL Artisan Grade-IV Recruitment 2026 (660 Posts) | Advt. 01/2026 — Dual NAC Mandate, 20-Year Lock-In & Salary Explained

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), India’s premier Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking, has officially released Advertisement No. 01/2026 to recruit 660 Artisan Grade-IV personnel across 9 manufacturing units nationwide. Covering seven core technical trades—Fitter, Welder, Machinist, Electrician, Turner, Electronics Mechanic, and Foundryman—this drive is one of the largest PSU industrial recruitment cycles of the year. The online application window at careers.bhel.in opened on 21 October 2026 (10:00 AM) and will close strictly on 18 November 2026 (11:45 PM). Before paying the ₹1,072 application fee, candidates must understand the mandatory apprenticeship clause, the initial one-year temporary pay structure, and the strict 20-year unit lock-in rule.

The Eligibility Trap: Mere ITI is Not Enough (NTC + NAC Mandate)

The biggest mistake ITI holders make in BHEL Artisan recruitments is applying with only a National Trade Certificate (NTC/ITI). To be eligible under Advt. No. 01/2026, you must possess all three qualifications acquired through full-time regular courses on or before the cut-off date of 01 October 2026:

1. Class 10 (Matriculation / High School) pass from a recognized board.
2. National Trade Certificate (NTC / ITI) in the relevant trade.
3. National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) in the exact same trade.

The 60% Aggregate Rule: Simply passing your ITI and Apprenticeship is insufficient. General and OBC candidates must have secured a minimum of 60% marks in BOTH the NTC/ITI and the NAC (relaxed to 55% marks in both certificates for SC/ST candidates).

Trade-Wise & Unit-Wise Vacancy Breakdown (660 Posts)

The 660 vacancies are distributed across 9 major BHEL manufacturing units located in 7 states (including HPBP Tiruchirappalli with 150 posts, HEP Bhopal with 60 posts, TP Jhansi with 60 posts, HEEP Haridwar, and HPEP Hyderabad).

Critical Unit Selection Warning: Because the Computer Based Examination (CBE) for all 9 units will be held on the exact same day, candidates are allowed to apply for only ONE Manufacturing Unit and ONE Trade. Furthermore, selected Artisans must serve at their allocated manufacturing unit for a minimum of 20 years, during which no inter-unit transfer requests will be entertained.

Salary Structure: 1-Year Temporary Period vs. Regular Scale

BHEL recruits Artisans through a two-phase remuneration framework before absorbing them into the permanent Maharatna payroll:

Age Limit & The 7-Year Work Experience Relaxation (As on 01 October 2026)

Maximum Age Cap: Including all cumulative relaxations (PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, J&K Domicile, and Work Experience), a candidate’s age cannot exceed 56 years as of 01 October 2026.

Selection Process: 90-Minute CBE & 1:3 Skill Test

1. Stage I — Computer Based Examination (CBE): Tentatively scheduled for 11 December 2026, this 90-minute online exam evaluates core Trade Knowledge, Reasoning Ability, and General Awareness.
2. Stage II — Skill Test & Document Verification: Based on CBE merit, candidates are shortlisted in a 1:3 ratio against category-wise vacancies for each unit and trade (up to 5 candidates if only a single vacancy exists) to undergo a practical trade Skill Test.

Important Dates & Application Fee

Application Fee Structure (Inclusive of GST):

• Unreserved (General) / EWS / OBC: ₹1,072
• SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen: ₹472 (Processing Fee + GST only)

How to Apply Online Without Errors

1. Visit the official BHEL Careers portal at careers.bhel.in.
2. Open the link titled “Artisan Recruitment – 2027 (Advt. No. 01/2026)” and complete the initial registration using an active email ID and mobile number.
3. Carefully choose your single Manufacturing Unit and single Trade after comparing unit-wise category vacancies.
4. Enter your Class 10, NTC (ITI), and NAC marks accurately, ensuring your percentages meet the 60% (Gen/OBC) or 55% (SC/ST) cutoff in both technical certificates.
5. Upload clear scanned copies of your photograph, signature, 10th certificate, ITI/NTC certificate, NAC certificate, and prescribed experience proof (if claiming age relaxation).
6. Pay the ₹1,072 or ₹472 fee online before 11:45 PM on 18 November 2026 and print the confirmation page for Document Verification.

Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I apply for BHEL Artisan Recruitment 2026 if I have an ITI certificate but have not completed an Apprenticeship (NAC)?
No. Holding both a National Trade Certificate (NTC/ITI) and a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) in the respective trade with at least 60% marks (55% for SC/ST) as of 01 October 2026 is compulsory.

Q2. Can I submit multiple applications for different BHEL units like Haridwar and Bhopal?
No. Candidates are strictly permitted to apply for only one manufacturing unit and one trade, and the Computer Based Examination for all units will be conducted on the same day.

Q3. Can I take a transfer to my home state unit after joining BHEL as an Artisan?
No. As per the official notification terms, selected Artisan Grade-IV employees must serve at their initially allotted manufacturing unit for a minimum of 20 years, during which transfer requests are not entertained.

Q4. When will the BHEL Artisan Computer Based Exam be conducted?
The online Computer Based Examination (CBE) is tentatively scheduled to be held on 11 December 2026.