IOCL
PSU · core branches incl. CH, ME, EE, ECE, CE· Updated
IndianOil no longer uses GATE for fresh engineers. Since its 2025 drive it recruits Graduate Engineers (Grade A) through its own computer-based test, followed by a group discussion, group task and personal interview. Final merit weighs the CBT 85%, GD/GT 5% and interview 10%. Starting basic pay is ₹50,000.
Who can apply
- Full-time regular BE/BTech in Chemical, Civil, Computer Science/IT, Electrical, Electronics & Communication, Instrumentation or Mechanical, or a listed allied branch
- At least 65% marks (55% for SC/ST/PwBD)
- Upper age limit 26 years as on 01.07.2026 for General/EWS Graduate Engineers, with category relaxations
Key facts
- Grade A pay (official)
- ₹50,000 starting basic in ₹50,000–1,60,000; approx CTC ₹18.4 lakh a year [source]
- 2026 Grade A engineering vacancies
- Mechanical 118, Electrical 75, Civil 62, Instrumentation 35, Electronics & Communication 32, CS/IT 22, Chemical 16 [source]
- Service bond (Grade A)
- 3 years; ₹3 lakh for General, ₹50,000 for EWS/OBC/SC/ST/PwBD [source]
- 2025 drive
- Advt. IOCL/CO-HR/RECTT/2025/01 (5 Sep 2025) also used a CBT, not GATE, with the same 85/5/10 weights [source]
What IOCL asks — practise by section
Biggest topics to practise
Chemical engineering: interview questions · core companies that hire · jobs through GATE
Interview process
- 1Computer-based test100 MCQs, 150 minutes: Section A general aptitude (20 quant, 15 reasoning, 15 English; 60 min), then Section B 50 domain questions (90 min). Minus 0.25 per wrong answer.
- 2CBT qualifying and shortlistGeneral/EWS/OBC need 40% in each section and 45% overall (SC/ST 35%/40%, PwBD 25%/30%). Shortlist by CBT marks within each discipline.
- 3Document verificationOriginal documents are checked before GD, GT and interview; candidates who cannot produce them may be dropped.
- 4Group discussion + group task5% of final merit, with a 40% minimum to qualify.
- 5Personal interview10% of final merit, 40% minimum. The composite score must reach 45% (General/EWS/OBC), 40% (SC/ST) or 30% (PwBD).
About IOCL hiring
Does IOCL still recruit engineers through GATE?
No. The 2025 and 2026 Grade A engineer drives (Advt. IOCL/CO-HR/RECTT/2025/01 and 2026/01) use IndianOil's own computer-based test, and a GATE score is not part of selection. Older advice about GATE cut-offs for IOCL no longer applies.
What is in the IOCL CBT for engineers?
100 multiple-choice questions in 150 minutes: 50 general aptitude (20 quantitative, 15 logical reasoning, 15 English) and 50 on your engineering discipline. Each question is one mark and a wrong answer costs 0.25.
What is the IOCL Grade A engineer salary?
₹50,000 starting basic in the ₹50,000–1,60,000 scale. The 2026 advert puts the approximate CTC at ₹18.4 lakh a year, including performance-related pay; it varies with posting. Selected engineers sign a 3-year bond (₹3 lakh for General).
Sources
- IndianOil: Recruitment of Executives through CBT-2026, Advt. No. IOCL/CO-HR/RECTT/2026/01 (detailed advertisement)
- IndianOil: Vacancies for Executives, CBT-2026
- IndianOil: Recruitment of Engineers/Officers (Grade A) through CBT-2025, Advt. No. IOCL/CO-HR/RECTT/2025/01
- IndianOil: Latest job openings
Checked on 25 Sep 2026. Recruitment rules change each cycle — confirm dates and eligibility in the official notification.
Related guides: Chemical engineering interview questions 2026 · Placement preparation for core engineering students (2026)