Is IOCL’s Recruitment through 2018 GATE Expected to Surpass This Year’s Numbers?

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) is a significant player in the public sector undertakings (PSUs) in India. Each year, it recruits a large number of candidates. However, this year's 2018 Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) witnessed a reduction in vacancies for Officers and Graduate Apprentice Engineers (GAEs) in various disciplines/branches. This reduction has raised concerns among those preparing for GATE, especially those hoping to secure positions at prestigious organizations like IOCL.

The Current Scenario and Impact

This year, IOCL reduced the number of vacancies for Instrumentation branch from around 100 in GATE 2017 to around 25 for GATE 2018. This significant decrease raises questions about the prospects and efforts of candidates who have been dedicated to preparing for the GATE exam for a full year. As of now, there are only 28 officer and GAE general category seats in IOCL Civil, and selections will be made only from the top 205 ranks.

Despite these reductions, it's important to note that IOCL is a massive organization with ongoing expansion into new areas such as the Ratnagiri Refinery project. Therefore, they will require a large number of officers and engineers. Last year, IOCL recruited around 1000 officers across all streams, and it is reasonable to expect similar numbers this year. The new projects and expansion plans could lead to an increase in the number of seats available.

Factors Influencing Recruitment Numbers

The exact number of vacancies created in various PSUs, including IOCL, is influenced by several key factors:

Employee Retirements: A large number of retirements are still in progress, leading to a need for replacements. Expansion Plans: The organization has expansion plans that require new engineers and technical personnel. Retention of Top Talent: There is a struggle to retain high-quality employees, as many joinees leave within 0-3 years.

In the case of IOCL, all these factors strongly suggest a high recruitment demand in 2018. Additionally, the Department of Legal Affairs has requested the government to stop PSUs from campus-based recruitment. This directive could result in more opportunities for candidates through GATE instead.

Anticipating this change, IOCL may opt to increase the number of seats for the 2018 GATE, especially if there are a large number of retirements expected in the organization.

Conclusion

While it is challenging to predict the exact number of vacancies, the current situation and the various factors influencing the recruitment process suggest that there is a strong possibility that IOCL’s recruitment through GATE 2018 may surpass the numbers of this year. Candidates should keep a watchful eye on updates from IOCL and GATE to stay informed about any changes in the recruitment process.

In summary, while the immediate outlook suggests a reduction in vacancies, the broader context of organizational expansion and the need to replace retiring employees, combined with the government directive to reduce campus-based recruitment, points towards a proactive approach from IOCL in terms of GATE recruitment. Candidates can prepare with renewed hope and confidence.