POWERGRID is recruiting 319 Engineer Trainees in Electrical, Civil and Computer Science through GATE 2026. Applications run on powergrid.in from 3 November 2026 to 18 November 2026. Candidates other than SC, ST, PwBD and departmental pay ₹500, and only GATE 2026 scores count, followed by group discussion and interview.
Updated 4 November 2026
If you wrote GATE 2026 in Electrical, Civil or Computer Science, this is one of the PSU jobs you shouldn't miss. Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) put out Notice No. 2 dated 3 November 2026, giving the vacancy numbers and opening the application window. Here's a clear breakdown of the posts, the dates, the fee and what happens after you apply.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official portal | POWERGRID job opportunities and Notice No. 2 (PDF) |
| Helpline | Use the contact details given in the main advertisement on powergrid.in; all communication is by email |
| Fee | ₹500, non-refundable. No fee for SC, ST, PwBD and departmental candidates |
| Deadline | Apply from 3 November 2026 to 18 November 2026 |
| Documents | GATE 2026 admit card and score card, photo, signature, DOB proof, caste or disability certificate if applicable, qualification certificate or last semester mark sheet |
| Total posts | 319 (309 regular plus 10 backlog) |
| Main advertisement | Advt. No. CC/04/2025 dated 27 September 2025 |
Posts by branch and category
From POWERGRID's Notice No. 2 dated 3 November 2026 (asterisk numbers are backlog posts):
| Discipline (Post ID) | UR | OBC (NCL) | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical (566) | 98 | 66 + 6 | 37 + 1 | 18 | 24 | 243 + 7 |
| Civil (567) | 19 | 12 + 2 | 7 + 1 | 3 | 4 | 45 + 3 |
| Computer Science (568) | 9 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 21 |
| Total | 126 | 83 + 8 | 48 + 2 | 22 | 30 | 309 + 10 |
PwBD reservation is horizontal: 10 posts in Electrical and 2 in Civil, spread across specific disability categories listed in the notice.
Electrical has by far the most posts, 250 in all including backlog. If you're a Civil or CS candidate, competition per seat will be tighter.
Key dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Main advertisement | 27 September 2025 |
| Vacancy notice (Notice No. 2) | 3 November 2026 |
| Applications open | 3 November 2026 |
| Applications close | 18 November 2026 |
| Group discussion and interview | To be announced on powergrid.in |
Eligibility, in brief
The vacancy notice says the full eligibility rules are in the main advertisement, ET2026throughGATe2026.pdf. Broadly:
• A full-time engineering degree in the relevant discipline (Electrical, Civil or Computer Science, plus related branches the advertisement allows).
• A valid GATE 2026 score in the matching paper. GATE 2025 or older scores are not valid.
• Age limit, minimum marks in your degree, and relaxations for reserved categories are given in the main advertisement.
PSU Engineer Trainee jobs commonly ask for around 60% in the degree with relaxation for SC, ST and PwBD, and an upper age limit around 28 years for unreserved candidates. Don't rely on those general figures: check the main advertisement PDF for the exact numbers before applying.
If your degree is in a branch not listed, you're not eligible, though POWERGRID keeps the right to decide on borderline branches.
How to apply, step by step
1. Keep your GATE 2026 admit card handy. You'll need the GATE Registration Number and Application Number exactly as printed.
2. Go to powergrid.in and open the Engineer Trainee through GATE 2026 application link under job opportunities.
3. Register and fill in your details exactly as in your GATE admit card and 10th certificate.
4. Upload a recent colour photo (jpg, under 50 KB) and signature (jpg, under 30 KB).
5. Upload DOB proof, category or disability certificate if applicable, and your degree certificate (final year students upload the last semester mark sheet).
6. Pay ₹500 online if you're in the fee-paying category.
7. Submit. You'll get a unique POWERGRID Registration Number. Take a printout.
You can edit details until the last date, but after the window closes, no changes to GATE numbers, name or other details are allowed. Double-check your email address, since every update comes by email.
How selection works
POWERGRID's notice lays it out:
1. Candidates are shortlisted based on their GATE 2026 score (normalised marks out of 100).
2. Shortlisted candidates are called for group discussion and personal interview.
3. They may also take a psychometric assessment, used as an input during the interview.
4. You need to qualify both GATE 2026 and the interview separately to be considered for the final panel.
5. Selected candidates are notified through their candidate login.
How much weight GATE, GD and interview each get is in the main advertisement. Check it there rather than going by coaching-site guesses.
At the GD and interview, bring your original GATE 2026 admit card and score card, plus an original photo ID. Photocopies aren't accepted.
A realistic preparation plan for the next few weeks
Once you've applied, the next step is the GD and interview, and it pays to start preparing early rather than waiting for the call letter.
• Brush up on your core subject. Interview panels at power sector PSUs usually ask about basics from your branch. For Electrical, think power systems, protection, machines and transmission. For Civil, think structures, foundations and construction of towers and substations. For CS, think networks, databases and the IT systems that run a grid.
• Know the company. Read about what POWERGRID does: inter-state transmission, the national grid, and its telecom arm. Panels like candidates who know why they want this job.
• Practise group discussion. Topics are often current affairs, like renewable energy, grid stability or energy security. Practise speaking clearly and listening to others.
• Keep documents ready. Arrange originals of your certificates, GATE admit card and score card, and caste or disability certificates in one folder.
Posting, pay and bond
Selected trainees can be posted anywhere in India or abroad: POWERGRID offices, substations, transmission line sites and subsidiaries. The pay package and service agreement bond details are in the main advertisement. Read the bond clause carefully, since leaving early usually means paying the bond amount.
Mistakes to avoid
• Entering the wrong GATE number. It's the most common cause of rejection.
• Leaving the fee unpaid. Applications without the fee are rejected.
• Mismatched name or DOB between your application and certificates.
• Waiting until 18 November 2026 to apply when the site is slow.
Looking for more government job notices? Read our tips on spotting fake government job notices. And to see who represents your area, check NetaSampark.
Is this job right for you?
POWERGRID is one of India's top Maharatna PSUs, and an Engineer Trainee job there offers job security, a good pay package and serious technical work on the national grid. But be honest with yourself about a few things. Postings can be at remote substations or line sites, especially in the early years. Field work in summer and monsoon can be tough. And the service bond means you're committing for a period. If you're fine with travel and site life, it's a great start. If you want a fixed city posting, think it through before you accept an offer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date for PGCIL ET 2026 through GATE?
Applications close on 18 November 2026. The window opened on 3 November 2026 on powergrid.in.
Is GATE 2025 score valid?
No. POWERGRID's notice clearly says only the GATE 2026 score (normalised marks out of 100) is valid. GATE 2025 or earlier scores won't be accepted.
How many Electrical posts are there?
There are 250 Electrical posts: 243 regular and 7 backlog vacancies. Civil has 48 and Computer Science 21, for a total of 319.
What is the application fee?
₹500, non-refundable, paid online. SC, ST, PwBD and departmental candidates don't pay any fee.
What happens after shortlisting?
Shortlisted candidates go through group discussion and personal interview, possibly with a psychometric assessment. You must clear both GATE 2026 and the interview to be empanelled.
Sources
• POWERGRID Notice No. 2 dated 3 November 2026
• POWERGRID main advertisement CC/04/2025
• POWERGRID job opportunities page