Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has released the syllabus and exam pattern for the MDL Trade Apprentice Batch 2026 online examination under notification MDL ATS/01/2026 for the selection of 495 Trade Apprentices. The Apprentice Training School (ATS) of MDL conducts this exam, and knowing the syllabus and exam pattern together helps candidates plan their preparation, understand the marks distribution, and target the right topics for their specific trade group.
MDL Trade Apprentice Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 - Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Apprentice Training School |
| Notification No. | MDL ATS/01/2026 |
| Post | Trade Apprentice, Batch 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 495 |
| Selection Stage | Online Written Examination (MCQ) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Question Paper Medium | Trilingual - Marathi, Hindi and English (English version prevails in case of discrepancy) |
| Exam Date | 8 August 2026 (Saturday) |
| Exam Cities | Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Pune, Kolhapur, Latur, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Nagpur |
| Admit Card Release | On or after 28 July 2026, via the Apprentice Portal login |
MDL Trade Apprentice Selection Process 2026
As per the official notification, selection for the MDL Trade Apprentice Batch 2026 is based on the following stage:
- Online Written Examination: A single-stage objective type (MCQ) test of 100 questions carrying 100 marks, to be completed in 120 minutes.
MDL Trade Apprentice Syllabus 2026 - Download Link
The MDL Trade Apprentice Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern have been released for the 495 Trade Apprentice vacancies under Notification MDL ATS/01/2026. Candidates appearing for the 8 August 2026 online exam can check the latest group-wise syllabus, exam pattern, marking scheme, and download the official syllabus PDF to prepare effectively.
Download MDL Trade Apprentice Syllabus 2026
MDL Trade Apprentice Exam Pattern 2026
Online Examination Pattern (All Groups)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Medium of Paper | Marathi, Hindi and English (trilingual); English version is final in case of doubt or discrepancy |
Group A - Non-ITI Group (10th / SSC Level)
Applicable trades: Draftsman (Mechanical), Fitter, Electrician, Pipe Fitter and Fitter Structural.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Level / Syllabus Reference |
|---|---|---|
| English & G.K. | 25 | SSC Maharashtra State Board Level |
| Physics | 25 | SSC Maharashtra State Board Level |
| Chemistry | 25 | SSC Maharashtra State Board Level |
| Mathematics | 25 | SSC Maharashtra State Board Level |
| Total | 100 | 100 Marks |
Group B1 - ITI Passed Group
Applicable trades: Draftsman (Mechanical), Fitter - EX ITI, Electrician, Electronic Mechanic, Painter General, ICTSM (Information & Communication Technology System Maintenance) and RAC (Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic).
| Subject | No. of Questions | Level / Syllabus Reference |
|---|---|---|
| English & G.K. | 25 | SSC Maharashtra State Board Level |
| Trade Theory | 25 | Prescribed Maharashtra ITI Trade Syllabus |
| Workshop Calculation & Science | 25 | Prescribed Maharashtra ITI Trade Syllabus |
| Engineering Drawing | 25 | Trade-specific syllabus |
| Total | 100 | 100 Marks |
Group B2 - ITI Passed Group
Applicable trades: Plumber (Pipe Fitter), Welder, COPA (Computer Operator & Programming Assistant), Carpenter / Wood Work Technician - EX ITI.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Level / Syllabus Reference |
|---|---|---|
| English & G.K. | 25 | 8th Standard of 10+2 System |
| Trade Theory | 25 | Prescribed Maharashtra ITI Trade Syllabus |
| Workshop Calculation & Science | 25 | Prescribed Maharashtra ITI Trade Syllabus |
| Engineering Drawing | 25 | Trade-specific syllabus |
| Total | 100 | 100 Marks |
Note for COPA Trade: Candidates applying under the COPA trade will get 75 questions from Trade Theory and 25 questions from English & G.K., instead of the standard four-subject split shown above.
Group C - Non-ITI Group (8th Standard of 10+2 System)
Applicable trades: Rigger and Welder (Gas and Electric).
| Subject | No. of Questions | Level / Syllabus Reference |
|---|---|---|
| English & G.K. | 25 | 8th Standard of 10+2 System, Maharashtra State Board Level |
| Physics | 25 | 8th Standard of 10+2 System |
| Chemistry | 25 | 8th Standard of 10+2 System |
| Mathematics | 25 | 8th Standard of 10+2 System |
| Total | 100 | 100 Marks |
MDL Trade Apprentice Syllabus 2026
The syllabus for the MDL Trade Apprentice online exam is grouped by trade category rather than a single common syllabus. The subjects for each group are detailed below, based directly on the official notification.
1. Group A Syllabus (Non-ITI)
- (A) English & General Knowledge - SSC Maharashtra State Board Level
- (B) Physics - SSC Maharashtra State Board Level
- (C) Chemistry - SSC Maharashtra State Board Level
- (D) Mathematics - SSC Maharashtra State Board Level
2. Group B1 Syllabus (ITI Passed - Draftsman, Fitter, Electrician, Electronic Mechanic, Painter General, ICTSM, RAC)
- (A) English & General Knowledge - SSC Maharashtra State Board Level
- (B) Trade Theory - as per the prescribed Maharashtra ITI syllabus of the respective trade
- (C) Workshop Calculation & Science - as per the prescribed Maharashtra ITI syllabus of the respective trade
- (D) Engineering Drawing - as per the syllabus of the respective trade
3. Group B2 Syllabus (ITI Passed - Plumber, Welder, COPA, Carpenter/Wood Work Technician)
- (A) English & General Knowledge - 8th Standard of 10+2 system
- (B) Trade Theory - as per the prescribed Maharashtra ITI syllabus of the respective trade
- (C) Workshop Calculation & Science - as per the prescribed Maharashtra ITI syllabus of the respective trade
- (D) Engineering Drawing - as per the syllabus of the respective trade
- Note: COPA trade candidates are tested on 75 Trade Theory questions and 25 English & G.K. questions only.
4. Group C Syllabus (Non-ITI - Rigger and Welder)
- (A) English & General Knowledge - 8th Standard of 10+2 system, Maharashtra State Board Level
- (B) Physics - 8th Standard of 10+2 system
- (C) Chemistry - 8th Standard of 10+2 system
- (D) Mathematics - 8th Standard of 10+2 system
The notification does not indicate which topics within these subjects carry higher weightage, so no topic is prioritised over another here beyond what is stated above.
How to Prepare for the MDL Trade Apprentice Exam 2026
- Identify your exact trade group (A, B1, B2 or C) first, since each group has a different subject combination and difficulty level.
- For Group A and Group C candidates, revise SSC/8th standard level Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics from your Maharashtra State Board textbooks rather than higher-level material.
- For Group B1 and B2 candidates, focus on your specific ITI trade's Trade Theory, Workshop Calculation & Science and Engineering Drawing syllabus, as these carry 75 of the 100 marks.
- Since there is no negative marking, attempt all 100 questions within the 120-minute limit rather than leaving any unanswered.
- Practice with a timer to build speed, as you have roughly 1.2 minutes per question on average.
- Read the question paper in whichever of the three languages (Marathi, Hindi, English) you are most comfortable with, but keep the English version in mind for clarifying any doubt.