Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL)
Last Date: July 6, 2026

Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has released Advertisement No. CRA 317/26 for 3,289 Assistant Lineman (ALM) posts. Online applications open on June 15, 2026. The last date to submit the application is July 6, 2026, and the fee deposit window closes four days later on July 10, 2026.

PSPCL Assistant Lineman Recruitment: Quick Overview

PSPCL Assistant Lineman Recruitment: Quick Introduction 

PSPCL is the state-owned power generation and distribution utility and is serving the entire state of Punjab. It was formed in 2010 after the restructuring of the former Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), and currently operates across all districts. The Assistant Lineman is a frontline technical role directly involved in the maintenance of the distribution network. it is an entry level of PSPCL's technical cadre and is recruited through a competitive exam process.

In this recruitment out of the total 3289 posts, 1,456 are backlog vacancies carried over from earlier recruitment cycles which is roughly 44 percent of the total figure. Most of the backlogs are in SC categories, and this recruitment is being used to clear a significant portion of it in one drive. The general category has no backlog at all and all 715 GM posts are fresh. 

The National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) in Lineman Trade requirement makes this a narrower competition than most Matriculation-level government job openings. Candidates must specifically hold a National Apprenticeship Certificate in this trade. 

Vacancy Details

The 3,289 posts are spread across 14 categories. Here is the complete breakup:

Two things important to note: First, the PwD category has 274 backlog posts out of 347 total, which is unusually high backlog proportion. The functional requirements of this ALM post i.e., standing, walking, lifting, bending, kneeling, pulling, pushing, finger manipulation can be the reason why the eligible PwD categories are narrow. Only candidates with partial deafness/hearing disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder (mild), Specific Learning Disability, or Mental Illness qualify under PwD. Locomotor disability and visual impairment are not listed, which is why this category has seen consistent difficulty filling seats.

Second, a total of 616 posts are reserved for women across categories. If any women-reserved seat remains vacant due to insufficient eligible women candidates, it gets filled from the same category's eligible male/other candidates. All reservation benefits, including women's reservation, apply only to candidates with Punjab Domicile.

Important Note: category once selected in the online application cannot be changed, and applying under the wrong category leads to rejection without notice. Read this table carefully before filling the form.

Application Fee

Fee structure is shown below:

Payment is online only through the SBI Payment Gateway on the PSPCL website. Internet Banking, Credit Card, and Debit Card are accepted. The fee is non-refundable under all circumstances and cannot be adjusted against any other recruitment.

Important Note: if the fee is deducted from your bank account but later refunded automatically after the portal closes, PSPCL will treat your application as not submitted and no roll number will be issued. 

The application deadline and fee deadline are different dates (July 6 and July 10), but the application is only considered complete when the fee status shows "Paid" in your online form. 

Age Limit

Age is calculated as of January 1, 2026, not the application deadline. The minimum is 18 years and the maximum is 37 years for General category direct applicants. Relaxations apply as follows:

SC and Backward Class candidates get 5 additional years, making upper age limit 42 years. PwD candidates get 10 additional years, making it 47 years. Widows, women who are legally separated or divorced, women deserted for over two years, wives of serving military personnel, and wives of disabled military personnel all have an upper limit of 40 years.

For Ex-Servicemen (Self), the calculation of age works differently, period of military service is deducted from the candidate's actual age and if the resulting age does not exceed 37 by more than 3 years, the candidate is eligible. Serving PSPCL, PSTCL, or Punjab Government employees get relaxation equal to the total service already rendered in those organizations.

Candidates should also check January 1, 2026 reference date carefully. Candidates born before January 1, 1989 (General) and before January 1, 1984 (SC/BC) are over the age limit. 

Educational Qualification

Three conditions must be met, all by July 6, 2026:

Matriculation (Class 10) or equivalent. Any recognized board pass is accepted. 

National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) in Lineman Trade. This is the professional qualification required for this recruitment. NAC is issued by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) to candidates who complete apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This training is typically done on-the-job at designated establishments and It is not the same as an ITI trade certificate in Electrician or any other electrical trade. Candidates with regular ITI Electrician certificates do not qualify. 

Punjabi Language at Matriculation level. This is a separate academic eligibility condition, different from the Punjabi test in the exam. Candidates must have passed Punjabi as a subject at Class 10 level or equivalent.

If your result was declared recently but the certificate has not yet been physically issued, the date of result declaration is treated as the date of qualification completion. You must bring proof of this at document checking.

Selection Process

Selection is entirely through a Computer-Based Online Test (CBT). There is no interview, no physical test, no skill test beyond what the written exam covers. The exam has two parts:

Part I: Punjabi Language Qualifying Test

This part consists of 50 objective-type (MCQ) questions on Punjabi Language. The questions are in Punjabi only. Candidates must score a minimum of 50 percent, which means 25 out of 50 marks. Failing this disqualifies you from the entire process regardless of how you perform in Part II. Your Part II marks will not be counted if Part I is not cleared.

Part II: Merit-Based Exam

Part II is bilingual in English and Punjabi, except the Punjabi language questions which are in Punjabi only. Each question carries 1 mark. There is no negative marking. Total duration for both parts combined is 3 hours (180 minutes).

Minimum qualifying marks in Part II to appear in the merit list are 25 percent (25 marks) for General category candidates and 20 percent (20 marks) for all reserved category candidates including SC, BC, EWS, Ex-Servicemen, Freedom Fighters, Sports Persons, and PwD.

If two candidates score identical marks in Part II, the candidate with higher age gets the higher merit rank. This tiebreaker rule is slightlt different compared to other recruitments where date of birth or other criteria are used.

If the exam is conducted in multiple shifts, normalization will be applied. Your final merit ranking will be based on normalized marks, not raw marks. 

After the test, candidates on the merit list are called for document checking and this Document checking only confirms eligibility but only those who clear document checking are placed on the selection panel. The selection panel is valid for one year from the date of its first approval by the competent authority. Candidates on the waiting list are not considered after that one-year expiry.

For Sports Person category candidates, the merit list is prepared not by PSPCL but by the Office of Director/Sports, Punjab, based on Sports Gradation policy and Punjab Recruitment of Sportsman Rules. Only a Sports Gradation Certificate issued by the Director Sports Department, Punjab is valid. Certificates from any other authority are rejected.

Salary, Job Location, and Service Conditions

The basic pay is Rs. 19,900 per month, as the minimum admissible pay under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix per PSPCL Financial Circular No. 21/2022.

The probation period is 3 years. During probation, pay is specifically limited: only basic pay, travel allowance, and medical reimbursement are payable. No Dearness Allowance, no annual increment, and no other allowances are paid during the entire 3-year probation, as per circular from the Department of Finance, Government of Punjab. The effective monthly income during probation will therefore be significantly lower than post-probation earnings, since DA alone typically adds a substantial amount to gross salary.

For candidates already serving in PSPCL who are selected through this recruitment, their current pay will be protected if it is higher than Rs. 19,900. However, the same probation pay freeze applies to them as well.

Posting is within Punjab. The Assistant Lineman role is outdoor and field-based therefore, daily duties involve maintaining and erecting power distribution lines, attending to line faults, supporting transformer maintenance, and working across the assigned sub-division. Candidates who have completed Lineman trade apprenticeship will already have practical exposure to the kind of work involved.

PSPCL may also send selected candidates for on-the-job training as per prevailing rules.

How to Apply

1. Go to www.pspcl.in and click on the "Recruitment" tab
2. Find and click on "Recruitment for the post of Assistant Lineman against CRA 317/26"
3. Click "NEW REGISTRATION" if applying for the first time
4. Enter all details in Registration Part 1: post applied for, name, date of birth, father's name, mobile number, and email ID
5. Verify the OTP sent to your registered email ID and mobile number
6. Complete the application form with all personal, educational, and category details
7. Upload your photograph in JPG/JPEG format: dimensions 150x200 pixels, file size 20 KB to 50 KB, recent passport-size color photo
8. Upload your signature in JPG/JPEG format: dimensions 140x60 pixels, file size 10 KB to 20 KB, signed in black ink on white paper only
9. Use "Save Draft" to save progress; use "Save and Preview" to confirm the full form before final submission
10. Once you click "SUBMIT," no edits can be made to any information
11. After submission, proceed to the fee payment section, click "Pay Fee," and complete payment through SBI Payment Gateway
12. Confirm that fee status shows "Paid" in your application form
13. Download and save the application form printout for your records

Do not register multiple times for the same post. If multiple registrations exist, only the latest application number will be considered and fees paid against earlier numbers are forfeited. For queries, write to helpdesk-recruitment@pspcl.in with your registration number.

Required Documents and Important Instructions

Documents are not required to be submitted online and are required only when shortlisted candidates are called for document checking. Keep originals and one self-attested photocopy each ready:

• Matriculation certificate and mark sheet
• NAC (National Apprenticeship Certificate) in Lineman Trade
• Punjabi language qualification certificate if not from Matriculation
• Punjab Domicile certificate
• Reservation certificates in the format prescribed by Punjab Government (SC/BC/EWS/XSM/PwD/FF/SP as applicable)
• EWS candidates specifically need the Income and Asset Certificate for FY 2025-26, valid for FY 2026-27. If not yet issued, apply to the concerned Punjab Government authority immediately
• Government/semi-government/PSU employees: NOC from employer at the time of joining, not at application stage
• Valid photo ID (Aadhaar Card is mandatory; one additional photo ID also needed at the exam)

Key instructions:

Category cannot be changed after submission. If you fill the wrong category, your application is rejected without any notice. Vimukt Jati and Bazigars candidates can apply under the SC/OT category.

Sports Person candidates have a physical submission requirement. Sports Gradation Certificates must be physically submitted to the Recruitment Section, Head Office, PSPCL, Patiala, before or by July 6, 2026. Online submission alone is not enough for this category.

Two chances for document checking. If you miss the first scheduled date, you will be given one final chance. Missing both dates results in cancellation of candidature without any further notice. No proxy attendance is allowed; you must appear in person.

At the exam, carry the admit card printout and Aadhaar Card along with one additional valid photo ID. Mobile phones, electronic devices, bags, and ornaments are prohibited inside the exam hall. PSPCL will not be responsible for keeping custody of prohibited items.

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Before proceeding with the application process, candidates should carefully understand these important practical points and key observations:

What the Backlog Numbers Actually Tell You

The 1,456 backlog posts in this recruitment are not inflated figures. SC (MZB) carries 359 backlog posts, SC (OT) carries 358, BC carries 257, and PwD carries 274. General category carries none. This pattern shows that PSPCL has consistently been able to fill its General category seats in past recruitments but has struggled with reserved categories, either due to insufficient qualified candidates meeting the NAC Lineman condition or administrative delays in previous cycles.  

The NAC Lineman Certificate Is Not the Same as ITI

The NAC (National Apprenticeship Certificate) in Lineman trade is issued only after completing structured apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961, typically at a power distribution company or approved industrial establishment. Regular ITI course completers receive an NCVT trade certificate from their ITI, which is a different document from an NAC. Candidates who trained as Electricians at ITI, even under NCVT affiliation, do not automatically hold an NAC in Lineman trade. Before applying, check your certificate specifically: it must say "National Apprenticeship Certificate" and identify the trade as "Lineman." If it says anything else, verify with the issuing authority.

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Also Check:

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Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) Apprentice Recruitment 2026-27: Complete Details for 1,607 Posts

Andaman & Nicobar Police Recruitment 2026: 495 Vacancies for Sub-Inspector, Constable and Other Posts - Application deadline extended to 10 June, 2026

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❓Frequently Asked Questions 

How many posts are available in PSPCL ALM Recruitment 2026?

The total is 3,289 posts for Assistant Lineman across 14 categories. Of these, 1,456 are backlog vacancies from earlier recruitment cycles and 1,833 are fresh posts. General category has 715 posts, SC (MZB) has 544, SC (OT) has 541, BC has 440, and PwD has 347 among the larger groups.

What is the last date to apply?

July 6, 2026, is the deadline for submitting the online application. The fee deposit window closes on July 10, 2026. However, an application is only treated as complete when the fee shows "Paid" in the form. Submitting both together on or before July 6 is strongly recommended.

Who is eligible to apply for this post?

Candidates who have passed Matriculation (Class 10) or equivalent, hold a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) specifically in Lineman Trade, and have passed Punjabi at Matriculation standard or equivalent are eligible. Age must be between 18 and 37 years as on January 1, 2026. Reservation benefits apply only to Punjab Domicile candidates.

What is the age limit including relaxations?

The minimum is 18 years and maximum is 37 years as on January 1, 2026. SC and BC candidates get 5 years extra (maximum 42). PwD candidates get 10 years extra (maximum 47). Certain women categories including widows and wives of military personnel have an upper limit of 40 years. Ex-Servicemen follow a service-period deduction method with up to 3 years of excess allowed.

What qualification is required for PSPCL Assistant Lineman?

Matriculation pass and an NAC (National Apprenticeship Certificate) in Lineman Trade are both mandatory, along with Punjabi at Matriculation level. An ITI certificate in Electrician or other electrical trades does not fulfill the NAC Lineman requirement. Both qualifications must be complete by July 6, 2026.

What is the selection process for this recruitment?

A Computer-Based Online Test in two parts, followed by document verification. Part I is a Punjabi Language qualifying test (50 questions, minimum 25 marks required to clear). Part II is merit-based (100 questions on technical, Punjabi, GK, reasoning, and arithmetic topics). There is no interview, no physical test. Final merit is based on Part II scores only among those who qualify Part I.

What is the salary for PSPCL ALM?

The basic pay is Rs. 19,900 per month as per the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. During the 3-year probation period, only basic pay plus travel allowance and medical reimbursement are paid. Dearness Allowance and annual increments begin only after probation is completed.

What is the application fee?

General and other candidates (excluding SC and PwD) pay Rs. 1,416 including 18% GST. SC and PwD candidates pay Rs. 885 including 18% GST. Bank charges may apply additionally. Fee is paid online only through SBI Payment Gateway and is non-refundable.

How to apply online for PSPCL ALM 2026?

Visit www.pspcl.in, click "Recruitment," and find the CRA 317/26 link. Register, complete the form, upload photo (JPG, 150x200 pixels, 20-50 KB) and signature (JPG, 140x60 pixels, 10-20 KB, black ink on white paper), submit, and pay fee through the payment gateway. Confirm "Paid" status and download the application form printout.

What is the official website for PSPCL ALM 2026?

The official website is www.pspcl.in. All updates including admit card release, exam dates, result, and document checking schedules will be posted here. For application-related queries, contact helpdesk-recruitment@pspcl.in with your registration number.

Is there negative marking in the PSPCL ALM exam?

There is no negative marking in either part of the exam. Each correct answer carries 1 mark. The only minimum threshold is the 25-mark qualifying cut in Part I (Punjabi) and the 25 percent/20 percent qualifying minimum in Part II for General/Reserved category candidates respectively.

What types of disability are eligible under PwD category for this post?

Only these four disability types qualify: partially deaf or hard of hearing, Autism Spectrum Disorder (mild), Specific Learning Disability, and Mental Illness. Locomotor disability and visual impairment are not included, as the physical functional requirements of the ALM post make those candidates ineligible for this specific reservation. The benchmark disability must be at least 40 percent as certified by the Civil Surgeon of a Punjab Government hospital.

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Conclusion (check your eligibility first, then apply)

Applications open on June 15 and the portal stays live for 21 days until July 6 therefore, most important thing is to confirm that your certificate specifically says "National Apprenticeship Certificate" in Lineman trade. If there is any ambiguity about the certificate type, resolve it before June 15, because once you apply, there is no correction or appeal mechanism if a wrong certificate type gets you rejected at document checking, even after clearing the exam.

For candidates who confirm their eligibility, the category selection in the online form is the next critical step. Read the category breakup table in the official notification provided in the Important Links section and match your certificates to the exact sub-category, and only then fill the form. That selection is permanent.

For admit card release, exam scheduling, and document checking dates, the only reliable sources are www.pspcl.in and the email ID you register with. The official notification confirms that admit cards with candidate details (but without test center) will be uploaded at least 7 days before the exam date, and the final admit card with the test center will be available at least 3 days before. Keep checking both your registered email and the PSPCL website regularly.

This article is based on the official notification and simplified for easy understanding. For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official website.