GAIL hires fresh engineers as Executive Trainees in E2 grade using GATE marks: candidates apply on gailonline.com with their GATE registration number, are shortlisted on GATE marks, then face a group discussion and/or interview and a medical. The 2026 cycle took Chemical, Instrumentation, Electrical and Mechanical graduates with 65% marks.
Who can apply
- BE/BTech/BSc (Engg) in a branch listed for the post, with 65% marks (60% for SC/ST/PwBD against reserved posts)
- Fresh graduates only: the 2026 cycle took 2025 pass-outs and 2025-26 final-year students; 2024 or earlier graduates were not eligible
- Upper age 26 (2026 cycle), relaxed by 3 years for OBC (NCL), 5 for SC/ST and 10 to 15 for PwBD
- Must have taken the GATE paper that matches the post: CH, IN, EE or ME
Through GATE (CH, IN, EE, ME)
Only current-year GATE marks shortlist candidates for GD/interview; GAIL publishes no weight split. Reported GATE-2021 UR cutoffs (Careers360): Chemical 62, Mechanical 76.26, Electrical 57.35, Instrumentation 52.67. [source]
Key facts
- Pay
- E2 scale ₹60,000–1,80,000; basic ₹60,000 during one-year training cum probation, plus VDA, cafeteria perks and PRP (official) [source]
- Vacancies, 2026 cycle
- 70: Instrumentation 21, Chemical 17, Electrical 16, Mechanical 16 [source]
- Application fee
- None for Executive Trainee posts (2026 advert) [source]
- Past GATE cutoffs (reported)
- GATE-2021 cycle, UR: Chemical 62, Mechanical 76.26, Electrical 57.35, Instrumentation 52.67 marks [source]
What GAIL (India) Limited asks — practise by section
Biggest topics to practise
Chemical engineering: interview questions · core companies that hire · jobs through GATE
Interview process
- 1GATE and online applicationTake the matching GATE paper, then apply on gailonline.com with your GATE registration number. One post per candidate; only the current year's GATE marks count.
- 2Shortlisting on GATE marksCandidates are shortlisted for the selection process on the basis of their GATE marks in the relevant paper.
- 3Group discussionQualify with 40% (UR/OBC/EWS) or 35% (SC/ST/PwBD). Some PwBD categories take a case study or writing exercise instead.
- 4Personal interviewBefore a selection committee; qualify with 60% (UR/OBC/EWS), 55% (SC/ST) or 50% (PwBD). GAIL says the process may vary.
- 5Pre-employment medicalAt a government hospital (district level or above) or a GAIL-empanelled hospital, accepted by GAIL's designated CMO.
About GAIL hiring
Which GATE paper do I need for GAIL Executive Trainee?
The paper that matches the post: CH for Chemical, IN for Instrumentation, EE for Electrical and ME for Mechanical. You must enter your GATE registration number when applying on gailonline.com, and only the current year's GATE marks are valid (the 2026 cycle accepted GATE-2026 marks only).
What is the salary of a GAIL Executive Trainee?
Executive Trainees are placed in the E2 scale of ₹60,000–1,80,000 at a basic of ₹60,000 during one year of training cum probation, and absorbed in the same scale afterwards. Pay adds VDA, cafeteria-style perks, performance-related pay, HRA or accommodation and medical cover. The advert does not state a CTC figure.
Can ECE students apply to GAIL through GATE?
The 2026 advert lists Electronics and Electrical & Electronics among the branches accepted for Executive Trainee (Instrumentation) through the GATE IN paper. It does not name Electronics & Communication separately, so check the equivalence table in the current advert before applying.
Sources
- GAIL: Career Opportunities as Executive Trainee through GATE-2026 (Advt. GAIL/OPEN/ET/2A/2025, official)
- Careers360: GAIL Recruitment through GATE (previous-year cutoffs)
- Physics Wallah: GAIL Recruitment Through GATE 2026
Checked on 25 Sep 2026. Recruitment rules change each cycle — confirm dates and eligibility in the official notification.