Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), the leading steel producer of the nation and a Maharatna Company, regularly inducts young, qualified and professional talents in frontline managerial cadre. The recruitments have been to the tune of over 600 engineering graduates every year keeping in view the on-going massive expansion and modernization programme involving investment of Rs. 72,000 crores approx.
The requirements are assessed on annual basis and are notified in the SAIL website as well as published in leading national newspapers. The process has been attracting high number of applicants from leading institutes across the country, with an overwhelming response of over 180,000 applicants in the year 2013. Selection for the same is based on an extensive written examination followed by group discussion and interview.
During the current year, the test was scheduled in 29 cities covering 20 states at 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 7500 invigilators and other support staff were deputed across the test centres for ensuring effective conduct of the test. In addition to the above, to ensure a fair and free test, the law and order authorities were informed about the centres, timings etc. and requested for due deployment.
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. The irregularities, as reported, related to usage of high tech gadgets by some unscrupulous elements for resorting to unfair practices during the examination. These elements have been apprehended by the alert law and order authorities.
SAIL, in consideration of the seriousness of the incident has ordered a retest in these two centres only, which will be conducted within the next two/ three weeks.