Over 1.80 lakh job applications for 680 posts in SAIL

State-run steel maker SAIL has received job applications from over 1.80 lakh engineering graduates for 640 managerial posts.

"The process (of recruitment of engineering graduates) has been attracting high number of applicants from leading institutes across the country, with an overwhelming response of over 1,80,000 applicants in 2013," Steel Authority of India (SAIL) said in a statement.

The leading steel producer regularly inducts young, qualified and professional talents in frontline managerial cadre and has invited applications for 640 posts this year.

"The recruitments have been to the tune of over 600 engineering graduates every year keeping in view the on-going massive expansion and modernisation programme involving investment of Rs 72,000 crores approx," the company said.

"Selection for the same is based on an extensive written examination followed by a group discussion and interview," it said.

During the current year, the test was scheduled in 29 cities covering 20 states and 214 test centres. Each centre was headed by a Test Centre Incharge assisted by representatives from the agency and supervised by nominee officials of SAIL.

More than 7,500 invigilators and other support staff were deputed across the test centres for ensuring effective conduct of the test, the company said.

The written examination scheduled on 14th July 2013 was conducted smoothly across the country except for two centres at Patna where certain irregularities were reported, it said.

The irregularities, as reported, related to usage of high tech gadgets by some unscrupulous elements for resorting to unfair practices during the examination, it added. These elements have been apprehended by the alert law and order authorities.

The company said given the seriousness of the incident it has ordered a retest in these two centres only, which will be conducted within the next two/three weeks.

SAIL has embarked on a Rs 72,000-crore modernisation plan to increase its overall capacity from 13.82 million tonnes at present to 23.46 million tonnes.