Coal India Cancels GATE-Based Recruitment for All Branches Except Mining

Coal India Limited made a crucial change to its recruitment process. As per an official notification dated 13 October 2025, which was discussed in the Board of Directors’ meeting on 8 October 2025, the company has decided that all future hiring of Management Trainees in engineering disciplines, except for Mining, will be conducted through a Computer-Based Test (CBT).

This move represents a major shift in Coal India’s recruitment approach and is likely to disappoint many Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) aspirants who had been preparing specifically for Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) recruitment through the GATE exam.

Coal India Recruitment Cancelled Through GATE

Coal India’s new recruitment decision aims to make the hiring process more effective and to reduce dropouts caused by multiple selections of top candidates across PSUs.

Why is Coal India Recruitment Cancelled Through GATE?

Coal India is shifting most of its engineering recruitment from GATE to CBT-based exams, except for Mining. While the company hasn’t officially stated the reasons, it is likely due to practical considerations. In recent years, many top GATE candidates received offers from multiple PSUs. For instance, a candidate might join Coal India after being selected through GATE but later move to another PSU like NTPC, ONGC, IOCL, or BARC if a better opportunity arises.

Such movement can lead to vacant seats and delays in filling positions, making the recruitment process less smooth. Mining, however, has limited opportunities, and seats are usually filled quickly, which may be why GATE-based recruitment continues only for this branch.

Before 2020, Coal India conducted CBT exams for hiring before switching to GATE. Moving back to CBT is expected to give the company more control over recruitment timelines and the candidate pool.

Industry Trends and What They Mean for Candidates

This change follows a wider trend among top PSUs, many of which are rethinking their reliance on GATE scores for recruitment. While some companies, like PGCIL (Power Grid Corporation of India Limited), still use GATE for hiring, others are now conducting their own CBT exams to manage the recruitment process more efficiently.

For GATE aspirants, this may be a bit disappointing since fewer PSUs will recruit directly through GATE. At the same time, it creates new opportunities for candidates to compete through CBT-based exams and apply for positions without depending on GATE scores.

What’s Next for Candidates

Coal India is likely to release a detailed notification soon for its CBT-based recruitment. This notice will include key details such as the exam pattern, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines. Candidates are advised to keep an eye on the official website, www.coalindia.in, to stay updated.

For aspirants aiming for PSU jobs, it’s time to plan strategically. Some organizations may continue to hire through GATE scores, while others, like Coal India, may conduct their own exams. Preparing for both possibilities will keep candidates ready for any recruitment route.