HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited)
PSU · core branches incl. ME, ECE, EE, CE· Updated
HAL hires fresh engineers as Design Trainees (for its R&D centres) and Management Trainees (for production, overhaul and service divisions) through its own online test and an interview at Bengaluru; GATE was not used in the 2026 cycle. That cycle had 120 posts, and final merit was 85% online test and 15% interview.
Who can apply
- Full-time BE/B.Tech in an eligible branch with 70% aggregate (60% for SC/ST/PwBD); final-year students may apply
- Upper age 28 for UR/EWS in the 2026 cycle; relaxed by 3 years (OBC-NCL), 5 years (SC/ST) and 10 years (PwBD)
- Apply for one post only: applying for both MT and DT in a cycle leads to rejection
Key facts
- Training stipend
- Basic pay ₹50,000 plus variable DA and canteen allowance, for 52 weeks [source]
- Pay after training
- Engineer in Grade-II scale ₹50,000–1,60,000 basic [source]
- 2026 posts
- 120: 60 Design Trainees (Mechanical 22, Electronics 20, Electrical 7, others 11) and 60 Management Trainees (Mechanical 27, Electronics 12, Electrical 11, others 10) [source]
- Service bond
- 5 years after training; breach repayable up to ₹15,00,000 [source]
- CTC after training (reported)
- ₹14–16 LPA approx. [source]
What HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) asks — practise by section
Biggest topics to practise
Mechanical engineering: interview questions · core companies that hire · jobs through GATE
Interview process
- 1Online applicationApply on hal-india.co.in (Careers); ₹500 fee, SC/ST/PwBD exempt; choose either Design Trainee or Management Trainee.
- 2Online computer-based test2.5 hours, 160 MCQs: 20 general awareness, 40 English and reasoning, 100 on your engineering discipline; Hindi or English.
- 3Interview at BengaluruShortlisted 1:5 per discipline and category on test marks; at least 50% needed in both the test and the interview.
- 4Final merit and medical85% test + 15% interview; pre-employment medical examination; 52 weeks of training, then a 5-year service bond.
About HAL hiring
Does HAL recruit freshers through GATE?
Not in the 2026 Design Trainee / Management Trainee cycle. HAL ran its own 160-question online test followed by an interview at Bengaluru, weighted 85:15. HAL says recruitment details are published only on hal-india.co.in.
What is the difference between HAL Design Trainee and Management Trainee?
Design Trainee posts serve HAL's Research & Design Centres; Management Trainee posts serve its production, overhaul and service divisions. Eligibility, test and pay are the same, but you can apply for only one of the two in a cycle.
What is the salary of a HAL Management Trainee?
During 52 weeks of training, trainees get basic pay of ₹50,000 plus variable DA and canteen allowance. After training they become Engineers in the Grade-II scale of ₹50,000–1,60,000 with allowances, performance-related pay and HRA or company housing.
Sources
- HAL - Selection of Design Trainees / Management Trainees 2026 (Advt HAL/CHRC-TM/RECT-02/2026, copy hosted by MADE EASY)
- MADE EASY - HAL Recruitment 2026: MT & DT
- Testbook - HAL Management Trainee Recruitment 2026
Checked on 25 Sep 2026. Recruitment rules change each cycle — confirm dates and eligibility in the official notification.