Future of GATE Exam for PSU Jobs: PSUs Conducting Their Own Exams?

The future of the GATE exam for PSU jobs has become a major concern among engineering aspirants. For years, GATE served as the primary gateway for recruitment in top Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). However, in recent times, many PSUs have started conducting their own recruitment exams instead of relying solely on GATE scores.

This shift has created confusion among students about whether GATE is losing its importance or still holds value in PSU recruitment. While the recruitment process is changing, the core relevance of GATE remains intact because it continues to act as the foundation for most technical exams conducted by PSUs.

Understanding why PSUs are moving away from GATE, how it impacts students, and what strategy aspirants should follow is essential. 

PSUs And GATE

Historically, prior to 2012 or 2013, PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings) did not recruit through the GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) examination. Subsequently, many PSUs decided to recruit via GATE, recognizing it as a standard exam and an engineering benchmark. For a period, almost all PSUs embraced GATE for recruitment. However, over time, PSUs have gradually started leaving GATE and are now conducting their own exams again.

Reasons For PSUs Shifting Away From GATE

The most important reason for PSUs to shift away from GATE-based recruitment is the high attrition rate among top GATE rank holders. 

Many candidates with top GATE ranks join PSUs but often find the job to be monotonous after one or two years. Their GATE score card remains valid for three years, providing them with other opportunities. 

As a result, many leave PSUs to pursue M.Tech programs through GATE or other competitive exams like UPSC Civil Services or UPSC Engineering Services. PSUs observed that relying on GATE for recruitment led to a very high attrition rate among top candidates, prompting them to start shifting back to their own exams to find candidates more dedicated to specific PSU roles.

Impact on GATE's Significance

The question arises whether GATE's power is diminishing or its significance changing due to PSUs conducting their own CBTs. The main reason for PSUs shifting is attrition, not a lack of talent or a reduced value of GATE itself. Top talent still joins PSUs, but they often leave for other opportunities. Therefore, understanding the reason for attrition is crucial before concluding that GATE is losing its importance.

PSUs Conducting Independent CBTs

A significant number of PSUs have resumed conducting their Computer Based Tests (CBTs) for selection. These include:

• Maha Ratna PSUs:

• BHEL

• Coal India

• HPCL (Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited)

• IOC (Indian Oil Corporation)

• ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation)

• Oil India

• HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited)

• Nav Ratna PSUs:

• BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited)

• SCI (Shipping Corporation of India)

• RFCL (Ramagundam Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited)

• NFL (National Fertilizers Limited)

• SJVN (Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam)

• Mini Ratna PSUs:

• BDL (Bharat Dynamics Limited)

• Cochin Shipyard

While approximately 22-23 top PSUs (Maha Ratna and Nav Ratna) once recruited through GATE, they are now gradually moving away.

Purpose of Independent PSU Exams

The move by PSUs to conduct their own exams is to recruit candidates who are dedicated to working in a specific PSU. This strategy aims to find individuals whose main career goal is to join a particular PSU (e.g., Cochin Shipyard, IOC, HPCL, ONGC) rather than someone who scored well in GATE and is open to any PSU opportunity, thereby fostering long-term commitment.

GATE's Relevance 

Despite PSUs conducting separate exams, GATE cannot be replaced, and its power is not diminishing. The comparison of PSU CBTs with GATE shows significant similarities:

• Exam Pattern: Generally similar to GATE.

• Syllabus: Typically the same as GATE.

• Question Level: Often at the GATE Previous Year Questions (PYQ) level, or even easier, frequently featuring one-mark questions.

Given these similarities, dedicated preparation for individual PSUs is often unnecessary, as comprehensive GATE preparation covers the required knowledge. Many successful candidates, including a GATE All India Rank 1 holder in 2013, have cleared multiple PSU exams (NTPC, SAIL, IOC) and even ISRO (AIR 3) by relying on their GATE preparation. 

PSUs typically combine one-mark numerical questions from GATE with theory questions from ESE Prelims to curate their exam content.

GATE Vs. PSU-Specific Preparation

Candidates aiming for PSUs should primarily focus on GATE preparation. This is because the engineering syllabus is common across these exams. Individual PSUs might make minor tweaks to their papers. Additionally, some PSU CBTs may include:

• A higher weightage for Aptitude and Reasoning.

• A General Studies (GS) or General Knowledge section.

Preparation For PSU Technical Exams

For comprehensive preparation for PSU technical exams, it is important to study GATE PYQs. Additionally, candidates must also practice ESE PYQs, as the quality and level of ESE Prelims questions (both theory plus numerical) have significantly improved. Approximately 50% of PSU technical questions are derived from GATE PYQs and 50% from ESE PYQs.

Specific PSU Exam Pattern

The general CBT pattern for most PSUs (especially Maha Ratnas) typically involves:

• 75-80% Technical content.

• 20-25% Aptitude, Reasoning, General Awareness, and English.

• The question level is generally aligned with GATE plus ESE.

Individual PSU patterns include:

• Coal India Limited (CIL): Sections are Technical, Reasoning, General Awareness (GS). GS accounts for 10-15 marks, focusing on Environmental Issues and Current Affairs. The paper is relatively easier than GATE.

• HPCL (Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited): Sections are Technical (70-80%), Aptitude, English. The syllabus is entirely GATE syllabus, featuring GATE-oriented conceptual questions.

• Indian Oil (IOC): Primarily Technical, with sections for Aptitude and Reasoning. Follows the GATE pattern.

• ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation): Has a moderate difficulty level, with sections for Technical and GS.

• Oil India Limited: Features heavy Technical content, Aptitude, and English. Generally slightly easier than ONGC.

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): The difficulty and pattern are almost the same as other PSUs.

Interview Preparation For Specific PSUs

Interview preparation for PSUs is very specific and should be tailored to the company's core business or projects.

• Oil PSUs (e.g., HPCL, IOC, ONGC, Oil India):

• Core Work: Refining and selling petroleum products.

• Key Interview Subjects: Fluid Mechanics & Pumps, Thermal Engineering & Applications of Thermodynamics (compressors, turbines, refrigeration), Pressure Vessels, and occasionally Strength of Materials or Materials.

• NTPC (Thermal Power Plant based):

• Key Interview Subjects: Thermal Power Plant fundamentals, Basic Thermodynamics, Applications of Thermodynamics, and Strength of Materials.

• Engineers India Limited (EIL):

• Core Work: Project Execution (e.g., pipeline construction).

• Key Interview Subjects: Topics related to Industrial Engineering, often asking candidates about their three favorite subjects (e.g., Thermodynamics, Strength of Materials, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer).

• BARC / NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation):

• Core Work: Nuclear power plants.

• Key Interview Subjects (often favored): Thermal Engineering + Applications of Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer (very important), and Strength of Materials. Machine Design or questions based on the candidate's profile/experience may also come up.