Power Grid (PGCIL)

PSU · core branches incl. EE, ECE, CE· Updated 25 Sep 2026

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POWERGRID hires fresh engineers as Engineer Trainees through GATE. Candidates who qualify in the matching GATE paper (EE, EC, CE or CS) are shortlisted on normalized GATE marks for document verification, a group discussion and a personal interview. In the ET-2026 cycle GATE carried 85%, GD 3% and interview 12%.

Engineer Trainee via GATE (EE, EC, CE, CS)

Electrical / EEE practice questions on placd

Who can apply

Full-time BE/BTech/BSc (Engg.) in Electrical, Electronics, Civil or Computer Science (or a listed allied branch) with at least 60% marks or equivalent CGPA
Final-year students can apply with 60% up to the pre-final year; for ET-2027 final results are due by 31.08.2027
Upper age limit 28 years as on 31.03.2027 for ET-2027 (OBC-NCL +3, SC/ST +5, PwBD +10 to 15 years)
Must appear and qualify in the corresponding GATE paper of the same year; older GATE scores are not valid

Through GATE (EE, EC, CE, CS)

Shortlisting uses normalized GATE marks out of 100, not the 1000-point GATE score. ET-2026 weights: GATE 85%, GD 3%, interview 12%; ET-2027 weights will be notified later. [source]

Key facts

Pay (official): Training: ₹40,000 basic, approx CTC ₹11 lakh a year. After training: Engineer, E2 scale ₹50,000–1,60,000 (IDA), approx CTC ₹22.5 lakh a year [source]
GATE 2025 shortlist cut-off for DV/GD/interview, Electrical (UR): 51 normalized marks out of 100 (official) [source]
GATE 2025 shortlist cut-off for DV/GD/interview, Electronics (UR): 62.33 normalized marks out of 100 (official) [source]
GATE 2025 shortlist cut-off for DV/GD/interview, Civil (UR): 71.07 normalized marks out of 100 (official) [source]
GATE 2025 shortlist cut-off for DV/GD/interview, Computer Science (UR): 80.26 normalized marks out of 100 (official) [source]

What Power Grid (PGCIL) asks — practise by section

Electrical Core

Circuits, machines, power systems, control

Electrical Design

Protection, substation, cables, PLC/SCADA, standards

Plant & Utility Ops

Testing, maintenance, energy, grid, EV, safety

Biggest topics to practise

Protection & Switchgear (33)Substation Design (33)Cable & Busbar Sizing (33)Transformer & Motor Specification (33)Power Quality & Harmonics (33)Power System Software (33)Drives & Motor Control (33)PLC, SCADA & Instrumentation (33)LV Design & Panels (33)Renewable & Storage Design (33)Earthing, Lightning & Safety Design (33)Electrical Standards & Regulations (30)Testing & Commissioning (30)Grid & Utility Operations (30)Circuit Theory & Networks (27)Electromagnetic Fields (27)Electrical Machines (27)Power Systems (27)

Electrical / EEE engineering: interview questions · core companies that hire · jobs through GATE

Interview process

1GATETake the GATE paper for your post: EE, EC, CE or CS. Only that year's normalized GATE marks out of 100 count.

2POWERGRID applicationApply in POWERGRID's career portal with your GATE registration number when the window opens (March/April 2027, tentative, for ET-2027).

3ShortlistCategory-wise shortlist on normalized GATE marks. Official GATE 2025 UR cut-offs: EE 51, EC 62.33, CE 71.07, CS 80.26.

4DV + group discussion + psychometricDocument verification and a group discussion (no qualifying mark). A psychometric assessment may be used as input to the interview.

5Personal interviewIn Hindi or English. ET-2026 rule: score at least 40% (UR/EWS) or 30% (OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwBD reserved posts) to be empanelled.

6Merit, medical, trainingMerit (ET-2026): GATE 85%, GD 3%, interview 12%. Then pre-employment medical and one-year training before absorption as Engineer.

About Power Grid hiring

Which branches does POWERGRID recruit through GATE?

Engineer Trainee posts are advertised in Electrical (GATE paper EE), Electronics (EC), Civil (CE) and Computer Science (CS). Allied branches listed in the advert, such as Electrical and Electronics or Information Technology, also qualify.

What GATE marks do I need for POWERGRID?

POWERGRID publishes cut-offs in normalized GATE marks out of 100. For GATE 2025 the unreserved cut-offs to be called for DV, GD and interview were 51 (EE), 62.33 (EC), 71.07 (CE) and 80.26 (CS). They change every year with vacancies and applicants.

When should I register for POWERGRID ET-2027?

Register for GATE 2027 first: POWERGRID's ET-2027 advert says GATE 2027 regular registration closes on 27 September 2026. POWERGRID's own application window is expected in March/April 2027 (tentative); watch the Career section of powergrid.in.

Sources

Checked on 25 Sep 2026. Recruitment rules change each cycle — confirm dates and eligibility in the official notification.