Coal India Management Trainee Interview Questions, Process, and Tips

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: First 2 minutes time to speak then counter arguments or any add-on
Tips: Just be confident
Duration: 10 hours

Round: Technical + HR Interview
Tips: Just be energetic through out the interview

Skills: Communication And Confidence

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: Everyone was given two minutes initially to speak on the topic and then a general discussion was allowed.
Tips: Try to give new points which anyone else has not pointed out.
Don't repeat the points of others.

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: There was only one HR question, ''Tell me about yourself?''. Else the interview was completely technical.
Tips: Be confident with your answers.

General Tips: Be prepared about the company.
And should have a good knowledge of the machines used in mining.
Skills: Practical Application Of Concepts, Technical Skills
College Name: NIT Durgapur

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: GD- Mainly they divided trical candidates in two groups. 1st containing sc and st candidates, 2nd had general and OBC and around 35 people in 2 groups. 14-14 candidates each turned up for GD. They gave engineering related topics- for first group engineer as politician and for 2nd energy audit and engineers role in it were the topics. every candidate is given 2 chances to speak. 1st everybody is asked to pitch their own ideas and thoughts. again the invigilator will ask you to add any relevant points if you want. Finally they will ask one of you to summarize wholediscussion.
Tips: Just speak relevant things, don't try to sell fake facts, they will catch you. and whilesummarizing don't add new points,stick to whatever the group has already discussed, theywere adamant about it. one of our group mate got scolded in spite of speaking very goodbecause he brought incorrect fact and while summarizing tried to add new point.

Round: Other Interview
Experience: For me it was kind of stress interview. One of the panel member asked me the question even before asking me to sit. After greeting them I tried to answer the first question, but he was ready with second question. both the questions were regarding transformer protection. I explained buchholz relay for transformer protection with diagram, they asked about other ways of transformer protection, I could only explain one more method of over current protection.They said explain two more, but I couldn't. Afterwards, they asked me about types of circuit breakers and working I answered them 50-50. advantage of HVAC transmission I told. After that they asked me random questions like material used in transmission, material density, comparison between different material for transmission based on resistivity, cost and density(I was not able to answer most of them, and I was stressed out), suddenly everybodystarted asking questions (4-panel members), I took my time, and most of the time after taking considerable time for answering difficult question I  would tell I don't know. When questions got exhausted they asked me which subject is my favorite, and whether I have any knowledge of management,  I told mathematics is my favorite and for management I had taken 3 optional EE, MTP, MM. they asked about basic definition of management, bernoulliequation for liquid,and Archimedes principle of floating body (I don't know why).
Tips: Keep calm and take your time, even if the ask too many questions at a time, and say no if you really don't know the answer. Finally HR asked me to briefly explain all the projects I have done(15 minutes)

General Tips: Nothing specific, don't give up even if you don't know A single answer. I couldn't answer more than half the questions. Try to use pen and pencil to illustrate the things which you can't explain with words and please never sell fake facts in core job interview, if you don't know, say so.
College Name: NIT SURATHKAL

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: Selections are based on pointer, there is a GD.

Round: Other Interview
Experience: Interview Round (technical and HR both). People who are interviewing want to see whether you understand them or have just mugged up. Projects which might have done is also important. Contrary to the popular belief, pointer matters period. Don’t try to fake, interviewers are good at catching them and then screwing you over because of it, just be honest.
Tips: Know your abilities and when asked about something which you know nothing of, answer truthfully. Please have a shave before coming. Remember you are selling yourself. Everyone's extra nervous on their first interview, it gets better with experience. If you have messed up one too many interviews take a time out and think about it, talk with your friends, get honest feed back and build on it.

General Tips: I'll stop now with a quote. "Do not disturb yourself by picturing life as whole; do not assemble in your mind the many and varied troubles which have come to you in the past and will come again in the future, but ask yourself with regard to every present difficulty: 'what is there in this that is unbearable and beyond endurance?'
Skill Tips: Be through with the basics, I cannot emphasize the importance of this. Placements are full of stress, anxiety, rejection. So in those times don't start any "habits" which you might regret later.Try meditation it helps.
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