Coal India Interview Questions, Process, and Tips for Freshers

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: First round of selection process was GD. Total 35 B.Tech candidates appeared from all the branches (Civil + Mech. + Elec.) and 12 students from MSc Geotech. appeared for the post of Management Trainee. The GD was done branch wise, for ex. 12 candidates from civil engg. (including me) made one group of GD and likewise total four groups gave GD. As you can notice that the topic of GD is quite simple and civil grads. can easily speak upon it.
Tips: Speak relevant points only. It does not matter how much you spoke, but the points you raised. Try to cover all the aspects regarding topic i.e., Technical, Economical and Social. Speak clearly and politely in an audible tone.
Duration: 20 mins minutes

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: Interview was mainly technical. There were expert technical recruiters who were testing the basic knowledge of students about their respective branches. If you are a civil grad. , revise all the courses you have gone through since your 2nd year. Atleast make your fundamentals clear. They asked me questions about Strength of materials and Structural Analysis for ex. how to analysis of beams subjected to some loading conditions (you have to explain the process, no need to do exact calculations ) , shear force and bending moment diagrams, reinforcement detailing of beams and slabs. Then they asked me what are my topics of interest. This is a critical question, tell only those topics in which you can answer maximum questions. My topic of interest was Concrete technology, so they asked me about Tests for fresh state concrete and hardened state concrete, some basic questions about construction practices, gradation of aggregates, what is design mix and explain its procedure, initial and final setting time of concrete etc. etc. The point is be thorough with your basics. Answer precisely, do not give vague answer, say no if you really don't know the answer.

Skills:
College Name: IIT Bhubaneshwar

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: Everyone was given two minutes of time to speak. It was more of an extempore rather than a group discussion. We were given the freedom to choose a topic among ourselves, failing to do so a topic was given by the Chair. The group strength was of 15 students each.
Tips: It is better to outperform in group discussion and get noticed. It makes you half selected. Try to touch technical, social and economical aspects of the given topic. A prior preparation on current trending topics will help you push further.
Duration: 10 Min minutes

Round: Behavioural Interview
Experience: Questions relating to your interest in the field were asked. The theme was based on why you want to join con India. Basic Tech Questions on Projects and Internship. The panel consisted of 10 Members.

Skills: 1)communication
College Name: IIT Kharagpur

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: Initially there was a GD. Civil had two groups. Everybody got a chance to speak once. In the end anyone could volunteer to summarize the discussion. Topic of my GD was: 'While planning the township for Coal India employees at a mine site what all information is required?' Few students got shortlisted for the personal Interview which was the next round.

Round: Other Interview
Experience: We also had a document verification where they checked our X, XII and semester mark sheets. The only extracurricular certificate they accepted was of NCC. Personal Interview was for approximately 20 mins. In the interview they would ask you your favorite subject and question you about that. So it is best to prepare that subject well and go. For e.g. if you say concrete technology then they will ask questions like what are the tests for fresh concrete, hardened concrete, tests for aggregates etc. They will also ask for specifics like slump value of pumpable concrete.

General Tips: It was a challenging experience. I didn't expect to get selected. Keeping calm is the key. I had given many interviews for different companies. Giving sensible/intelligent answers is critical. Giving haphazard answers gives a wrong impression. Do not have expectations from any company.
Skill Tips: If you are going for a company prepare the question 'Why this company?' well. Coal India employers want to make sure that you will stay with them. They had asked me this question along with a lot information about the company such as What are Coal India's subsidiaries? Where are they located? In how many years does one get promoted from E1 grade to higher grades? Find out more about the company well before going and if possible speak to alumni working there well in advance.
College Name: NIT SURATHKAL

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: GD for students with more than 6 CG, 22 students sat for GD, 19 shortlisted for interview, 12 were finally selected.GD topics are general for any mining student , GD is category wise.

Round: Other Interview
Experience: For interview you should know whatever you did in your training.

General Tips: Easy selection process, they are strict about CGPAs.
Skill Tips: Take the interview in Hindi and be chilled.
Skills: Industrial training /Coal Camp.
College Name: NIT SURATHKAL

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: They shortlisted some 40 students based on their CGPA in the respective categories, after coming to campus there was a GD out of which some 17 people got selected.

Round: Other Interview
Experience: Then there was a Personal interview and 10 got selected at the end.

General Tips: It was a wonderful experience knowing half of the things not knowing quite some of them and finally getting selected. One thing I knew I did not fake around with any of the question. Guys Never feel bad if not selected, because it is not destined for you. there is something better waiting for you.
Skill Tips: No extra preparation required just the normal notes of class and wherever doubt existed got it cleared from NPTEL videos they were really helpful.Be confident in whatever you know. Don't take any tension about whatever you don't know as you cannot change anything regarding that. Never beat around the bush. Be straight forward. Always go with a smile come back with a smile and be Confident. Confidence matters a lot.
College Name: NIT SURATHKAL

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: i spoken in hindi.I only spoken selected topic related to the topic.i totally concentrated to interviewer and fellows.
Tips: Be cooll,speak frankly

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: 1.I told about me and my graduation and hobbies.Also about my achievements.2.I asked about minerals in rajasthan.       I  answered very well like lignite,cu,zn,pb,marbels.3.I answered it is generally gradient is 1in14 and stability is very important and its  floor is hard.4. i answered that it it used in detection of O2 and CH4. then they said OK.you can leave.
Tips: Be confident

College Name: IIT DHANBAD

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: Most of the questions were related to coal geology and structural geology like coal grades, deposits in India, their main use, i.e. whether coking or non-coking grade and sedimentology.
Tips: Don’t hesitate to speak anything. Be brief and to the point. Good analytical ability and of course oratory ability is required

Round: Interview
Experience: Geological as well as some HR related questions can be asked.
Tips: Be confident and if you don’t know an answer do not beat around the bush.

General Tips: For written test R S Agarwaal aptitude and reasoning is sufficient. For Technical, whatever is studied in curriculum is sufficient. Also project and internship parts should be well known. At last One thing one should keep in mind that one has to sell oneself so do whatever you think can describe yourself and that will be beneficial for your customer(company). All the best for all the participants from my heart and soul.
Skill Tips: CGPA as well as results in secondary and senior secondary levels matter. Government companies do not prefer candidates who have gaps in their academic career. Not necessary for students in Geology but good field knowledge and intepretation capability of structural maps do play an important role in the selection process. A bit of knowledge about the industrial scenario is required. Many of the students could not even define ‘dip’ and ‘strike’. So I think a solid base in structural geology is required to join a mining company.
College Name: IIT KHARAGPUR