Missed GATE cut-off 2025? PSUs with alternative selection process

NEW DELHI: The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2025 results have been declared on March 19. The GATE 2025 scores will be used for MTech admissions and Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) recruitment. However, candidates who did not meet the GATE cut-off 2025 still have opportunities to secure a job in PSUs through alternative selection processes.

Several PSUs, including Airport Authority of India (AAI), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), also conduct their own recruitment exams for selecting candidates. The GATE scorecards 2025 will be available for downloading from March 28 to May 31.

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru has announced the Common Offer Acceptance Portal (COAP) 2025 schedule for admission to MTech programmes and PSU recruitment. COAP 2025 is scheduled from May 13 to 15.

PSU Recruitment Without GATE 2025: Eligibility criteria

While the PSU recruitment eligibility criteria vary across different organisation, some common requirements include:

Educational qualification: A BE, BTech degree in relevant engineering disciplines from a recognised university.

Minimum percentage: Many PSUs require candidates to have at least 60% aggregate marks in their qualifying degree.

Age limit: The upper age limit typically ranges from 25 to 30 years, depending on the PSU. Age relaxations are provided for reserved category candidates as per government norms.

Work experience (if required): Some PSUs, such as BEL and BARC, prefer candidates with prior work experience in a relevant field.

PSUs hiring without GATE 2025 scores

Several PSUs recruit candidates through their own selection processes. Some of them include:

• Airport Authority of India (AAI)
• Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
• Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
• Border Security Force (BSF)
• Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL)
• Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC)
• National Fertilizers Limited (NFL)
• State-wise Electricity Boards (UPPCL, BSPHCL, MAHAGENCO, etc.)
• SSC JE, RRB JE, and IBPS SO recruitments

PSU Recruitment Without GATE 2025: Selection process

For candidates applying to PSUs without GATE score 2025, the selection process generally includes:

Written exam: Many PSUs conduct their own competitive written tests that assess technical knowledge, quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and general awareness.

Group Discussion (GD): Shortlisted candidates are invited for a GD round, where they are assessed on communication skills, analytical thinking, teamwork, and leadership qualities. Topics for GD may include:

Current affairs: Recent developments in the economy, technology, or government policies.

Industry-related topics: Renewable energy policies, advancements in AI and automation, or engineering innovations.

Situational and case-based discussions: How to handle a workplace crisis, ethical dilemmas in engineering, or effective project management.

Personal Interview (PI): The final round is a personal interview, which typically includes:

Technical questions: Based on the candidate’s engineering discipline and practical applications.

HR questions: Strengths, weaknesses, career goals, and willingness to relocate.

Situational questions: How to manage conflicts in a team, handling deadlines, and decision-making in a professional setting.

GATE 2025 PSU recruitment

PSUs including GAIL (India) Limited, GRID-INDIA, and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), will be recruiting based on GATE 2025 scores. GAIL India has announced over 100 vacancies across disciplines such as chemical, computer science, electrical, instrumentation, and mechanical engineering. GRID-INDIA will hire candidates specifically from the electrical engineering stream. NPCIL, with 200 vacancies, will consider candidates from civil, chemical, electronics and communication, electrical, instrumentation, and mechanical engineering.