ONGC hires fresh engineers as E1-level Assistant Executive Engineers through its own computer-based test, not GATE: an 85-question, 2-hour CBT, then a personal interview (CBT 85 + interview 15 marks) and a medical. The 2026 advertisement (Advt. 2/2026) sought Petroleum, Mechanical, Chemical and Instrumentation graduates with 60% marks.
Who can apply
- Graduate degree in the advertised engineering discipline with at least 60% marks; recognised distance or part-time degrees are accepted, AMIE is not
- The degree must already be held by the last date of application, so final-year students could not apply in the 2026 cycle
- Upper age for engineering streams (2026 cycle): 26 UR/EWS, 29 OBC (NCL), 31 SC/ST, with further PwBD relaxation
- Branches recruited: Petroleum, Mechanical, Chemical, Instrumentation in 2026; the 2025 cycle also took Electrical for AEE (Electrical)
Key facts
- Pay scale
- E1 ₹60,000–1,80,000 basic, 3% annual increment, plus allowances at 35% of basic (official) [source]
- Fresher CTC
- Approx. ₹26 lakh a year (2026 advert) [source]
- Selection weightage
- CBT 85 marks + interview 15 marks = 100 [source]
- Vacancies, 2026 cycle
- 52 at E1: Mechanical 27, Chemical 10, Petroleum 9, Instrumentation 2, Geology 4 [source]
- Vacancies, 2025 cycle
- 108 at E1, including 98 AEE posts (Production, Drilling, Mechanical, Electrical) [source]
What ONGC asks — practise by section
Biggest topics to practise
Mechanical engineering: interview questions · core companies that hire · jobs through GATE
Interview process
- 1Computer-based test85 MCQs in 2 hours, no negative marking: 40 domain, 10 general awareness, 25 aptitude, 10 English. Pass mark 45% (UR/EWS/OBC), 40% (SC/ST/PwBD).
- 2ShortlistingCBT scores shortlist candidates category-wise in a 1:5 ratio for interview. A group discussion may be held but is not qualifying.
- 3Personal interview15 marks; qualify with 9/15 (UR/EWS/OBC) or 6/15 (SC/ST/PwBD). Final merit = CBT (85) + interview (15); ties go to higher CBT score.
- 4Medical examinationCalled in merit order; offers go only to candidates declared fit under ONGC medical rules. Postings can be anywhere in India or abroad.
About ONGC hiring
Does ONGC recruit through GATE?
Not in its latest cycles. Both the 2025 (Advt. 1/2025) and 2026 (Advt. 2/2026) E1 advertisements selected engineers through ONGC's own computer-based test followed by an interview. Some prep sites still describe a GATE route, so always check the current advertisement on ongcindia.com.
What is the salary of an ONGC AEE?
AEEs join at E1 level on a basic pay scale of ₹60,000–1,80,000 with a 3% annual increment, allowances at 35% of basic under a cafeteria approach, DA, HRA or accommodation, PRP and medical cover. ONGC's 2026 advertisement puts the package at approximately ₹26 lakh CTC.
What is the age limit for ONGC AEE?
For the engineering streams in the 2026 cycle, the upper age limit was 26 for UR/EWS, 29 for OBC (NCL) and 31 for SC/ST, counted on the last date of application. PwBD candidates get more (36 to 41), and ex-servicemen and departmental candidates get relaxation as per rules.
Sources
- ONGC Advt. No. 2/2026 (R&P): Recruitment of Geologists and Engineers at E1 level through CBT (official, via IBPS portal)
- ONGC Advt. No. 1/2025 (R&P): Engineering and Geoscience disciplines at E1 level through CBT (copy hosted by MADE EASY)
- GeeksforGeeks: ONGC Recruitment 2025 for Engineering and Geoscience Disciplines
- Career Power: ONGC AEE Recruitment 2025
Checked on 25 Sep 2026. Recruitment rules change each cycle — confirm dates and eligibility in the official notification.