POWERGRID Engineer Trainee Recruitment 2026 through GATE – Complete Guide
POWERGRID Engineer Trainee Recruitment 2026: Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) is a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Power, Government of India. Recognized as one of the Best Organizations for Women 2024 by ET Now, it plays a pivotal role in the country’s electricity transmission and renewable energy mission. For 2026, POWERGRID has announced recruitment for Engineer Trainees (ETs) in multiple disciplines through GATE 2026.
This blog provides complete details on eligibility, relaxations, selection process, pay, service bond, and important dates.
About POWERGRID
POWERGRID is a global leader in transmission networks.
| Particulars | Details |
| Transmission Lines Operated | 1,80,849 circuit km |
| Substations | 286 |
| Share of Power Transmitted | ~50% of India’s total generated power |
| Telecom Network | 1,00,000 km, ~3000 Points of Presence (PoPs), 500 intra-city locations |
| Consultancy | National & International in power, sub-transmission, distribution, and telecom |
| Financials (FY 2024-25) | Turnover ₹46,325.32 Crores; PAT ₹15,353.57 Crores |
Vision 2030: India targets 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. POWERGRID has committed investments of ₹3.06 lakh crore till 2032 in transmission, smart metering, solar, data centres, and cross-border projects
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Opening of GATE 2026 Application (GOAPS) | 28th August 2025 |
| Closing (Regular) | 28th September 2025 |
| Closing (Extended with Late Fee) | 9th October 2025 |
| POWERGRID Application – Opens | Feb/March 2026 (Tentative) |
| POWERGRID Application – Closes | March 2026 (Tentative) |
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POWERGRID Engineer Trainee Recruitment 2026: Openings
Recruitment is for Engineer Trainee – 2026 in the following disciplines:
| Post | GATE 2026 Paper Code |
| ET (Electrical) | EE |
| ET (Electronics) | EC |
| ET (Civil) | CE |
| ET (Computer Science) | CS |
POWERGRID may also use GATE 2026 scores for recruitment in subsidiaries
POWERGRID Engineer Trainee Recruitment 2026: Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfill the following:
| Parameter | Requirement |
| Age Limit | Max. 28 years as of 31.12.2025 |
| Education | Full-time B.E./B.Tech/B.Sc (Engg.) in relevant discipline with minimum 60% marks or equivalent CGPA |
| GATE Requirement | Valid score in GATE 2026 in the corresponding paper |
| Final Year Students | Eligible if they secure 60% by 14.08.2026 |
Note: CGPA conversion into percentage must follow university norms; if unavailable, equivalence will be calculated as (CGPA / Max CGPA) × 100
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POWERGRID Engineer Trainee Recruitment 2026: Relaxations and Concessions
(i) Age Relaxations
| Category | Relaxation |
| OBC (NCL) | +3 years |
| SC/ST | +5 years |
| PwBD (UR/EWS) | +10 years |
| PwBD (OBC-NCL) | +13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | +15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen / Victims of riots | As per the Government of India norms |
(ii) Marks Relaxation
- For SC/ST/PwBD candidates, only pass marks are required.
(iii) Fee Exemption
- SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-SM/Departmental candidates are exempted from application fees.
ET2026throughGATe2026
POWERGRID Engineer Trainee Recruitment 2026: Selection Process
The selection involves 3 stages:
| Stage | Details | Weightage |
| GATE 2026 Score | Valid only for GATE 2026, normalized out of 100 | 85% |
| Group Discussion (GD) | No qualifying marks | 3% |
| Personal Interview (PI) | Qualifying: 40% (UR/EWS), 30% (reserved categories) | 12% |
| Total | 100% |
- Candidates must qualify in both GATE 2026 and PI.
- The final merit list is prepared category-wise based on the total weighted score.
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POWERGRID Engineer Trainee Recruitment 2026:Compensation Package
POWERGRID offers one of the best pay scales in the PSU sector.
| Stage | Pay/CTC | Benefits |
| Training Period | Basic Pay ₹40,000 + allowances → ~₹11 LPA | IDA, HRA, perks (12% basic pay) |
| Post Training (E2 Scale) | ₹50,000–1,60,000 → ~₹22.5 LPA | DA, PRP, HRA/quarters, conveyance, medical (self + dependents), insurance, PF, gratuity, pension |
| Other Facilities | Laptop, uniform, conveyance reimbursement, loans/advances (including house building advance), leave encashment. |
POWERGRID Engineer Trainee Recruitment 2026: Service Agreement Bond
Selected candidates must execute a bond:
| Category | Bond Amount | Service Commitment |
| General/OBC(NCL)/EWS | ₹5,00,000 | 3 years |
| SC/ST/PwBD | ₹2,50,000 | 3 years |
Conclusion
POWERGRID’s Engineer Trainee Recruitment 2026 through GATE is a landmark opportunity for engineering graduates in Electrical, Electronics, Civil, and Computer Science. With unmatched pay, extensive perks, and exposure to large-scale renewable energy projects, this recruitment aligns with India’s energy security and sustainability mission.
Aspirants must focus on GATE 2026 preparation, as it carries the maximum weightage, and keep track of POWERGRID’s career portal for updates.
Here are original, plagiarism-free FAQs for your “POWERGRID Engineer Trainee Recruitment 2026 through GATE” blog. These are fully updated, focus on AI/answer engine ranking, and match actual user queries on eligibility, application, selection, salary, and more:
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POWERGRID Engineer Trainee Recruitment 2026 Through GATE– FAQs
Who can apply for the POWERGRID Engineer Trainee Recruitment 2026?
Only Indian nationals with a B.E., B.Tech, or B.Sc. (Engineering) in Electrical, Electronics, Civil, or Computer Science—scoring at least 60%—who have qualified in GATE 2026 in the relevant paper may apply.
What is the age limit for POWERGRID Engineer Trainee 2026?
The upper age limit is 28 years as of 31 December 2025. OBC (NCL), SC/ST, and PwBD categories are relaxed as per government norms.
Can final year engineering students apply for POWERGRID ET 2026?
Yes, final year/semester students who will get results by 14 August 2026 and secure at least 60% overall are eligible.
What is the application and selection process?
First, register and appear for GATE 2026 in the relevant branch. Then, apply online on POWERGRID’s career portal using your GATE registration details. Selection is based on GATE score (85% weight), followed by Group Discussion (3%) and Personal Interview (12%).
Which GATE papers are eligible for POWERGRID ET 2026?
Electrical (EE), Electronics (EC), Civil (CE), and Computer Science (CS) are acceptable GATE papers. You must apply under the discipline that matches your GATE paper.
What is the compensation package for selected ETs?
During training, CTC is ~₹11 LPA (basic pay ₹40,000 plus benefits). After confirmation as an Engineer (E2 Scale), CTC rises to ~₹22.5 LPA with perks, DA, HRA, medical, loans, allowances, and more.
Does POWERGRID require a service bond?
Yes. General/OBC/EWS candidates sign a ₹5,00,000 bond (3 years); SC/ST/PwBD candidates have a ₹2,50,000 bond (3 years).
Is there any fee relaxation for reserved category applicants?
SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, and Departmental candidates are exempted from the application fee. Others pay the prescribed fee online.
When will the POWERGRID application open after GATE?
POWERGRID applications are expected to open in February/March 2026 after the GATE 2026 exam is completed. For updates, keep checking the official career portal.
Are the marks requirements or relaxations different for SC/ST/PwBD?
Yes. SC, ST, and PwBD candidates must only pass their qualifying degree; no minimum 60% is required.
Can previous years’ GATE scores be used for POWERGRID ET 2026?
No. Only valid GATE 2026 scores are accepted for this recruitment; older scores are not considered.
What is the weightage of each stage in selection?
GATE 2026 normalized score: 85%
Group Discussion: 3%
Personal Interview: 12%
Final selection uses the cumulative weighted score.
