IOCL Recruitment 2025: Apply for Director (Research and Development) Post at Indian Oil – PESB Notification

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, has invited applications through the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) for the post of Director (Research & Development).

This Board-level position offers a pay scale of ₹1,80,000 – 3,40,000 (IDA) and requires candidates with significant R&D leadership experience, preferably in petroleum, lubrication, tribology, or petrochemicals.

Eligible applicants must be engineering postgraduates, ideally with a Ph.D., and meet specified experience and pay scale criteria. The last date to apply is August 11, 2025, via the PESB website.

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) Recruitment for Director (Research & Development)

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has officially released Advertisement No. 66/2025 dated July 15, 2025, inviting applications for the prestigious post of Director (Research & Development) at Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). AUBSP.com provides you with a detailed guide of the job, eligibility requirements, and application process in a professional and easy-to-understand manner.

About Indian Oil Corporation Limited

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), a Schedule ‘A’ Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, was established in 1964 through the merger of Indian Refineries Limited and Indian Oil Company under the Indian Companies Act, 1956. IOCL is a fully integrated oil & gas major involved in:

• Refining
• Pipeline transportation
• Marketing of petroleum products, petrochemicals, and natural gas
• Manufacturing of petrochemicals
• Exploration and production of crude petroleum and gas
• Alternative energy projects with a strong focus on R&D

Corporate Snapshot (as on June 30, 2024)

• Registered Office: Mumbai
• Corporate Office: New Delhi
• Employees: 29,936 (Executives: 18,390 | Non-executives: 11,546)
• Authorized Capital: ₹ 30,000 Crore
• Paid-up Capital: ₹ 14,121.24 Crore
• GOI Shareholding: 51.50%

Role & Responsibilities of Director

The Director (Research & Development) is a Board-level position reporting directly to the Chairman of IOCL. The incumbent will be responsible for effectively guiding the company’s Research & Development functions in alignment with IOCL’s corporate objectives and national priorities.

Eligibility Criteria

Age (as on April 1, 2026)

Employment Status

Candidates must be serving in a regular capacity (not ad-hoc/contractual) in:

• Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)
• Central Government Group ‘A’ Officers (including Armed Forces, All India Services)
• State Public Sector Enterprises (SPSEs) with turnover ≥ ₹ 10,000 crore
• Private Sector companies with turnover ≥ ₹ 10,000 crore (Preference to listed companies)

Educational Qualification

Mandatory: Engineering Postgraduate (preferably in Chemical / Mechanical / Fuel Technology / Tribology)

Desirable: Ph.D. in relevant field

Experience Requirement

• Adequate senior management R&D/Technical exposure.
• Minimum 5 years cumulative experience within the last 10 years in R&D linked to:
  • Petroleum Refinery
  • Lubrication & Tribology
  • Petrochemicals

Pay Scale Requirements

For CPSE Applicants (IDA Pay Scales)

• ₹ 72,50 – 8,250 (Pre-1992)
• ₹ 9,500 – 11,500 (Post-1992)
• ₹ 20,500 – 26,500 (Post-1997)
• ₹ 51,300 – 73,000 (Post-2007)
• ₹ 1,20,000 – 2,80,000 (Post-2017)

For CDA Applicants (Central Govt.)

• ₹ 18,400 – 22,400 (Pre-1996)
• ₹ 37,400 – 67,000 + GP 10,000 (Post-2006)
• ₹ 1,44,200 – 2,18,200 (Level 14)

Minimum tenure in the eligible scale:

• 1 year (Internal)
• 2 years (Others)

Other Equivalent Eligibility

Duration of Appointment

• 5 years from date of joining
• Up to superannuation (60 years)
• Or until further orders, whichever is earlier

How to Apply

Application Process

1. Online submission only through https://pesb.gov.in/
2. Submission through proper channels depending on the sector:

Documents Required (Private Sector)

• Annual Reports (Last 3 years)
• Proof of listing (if applicable)
• Evidence of board-level or immediate below-board level role
• Age and Qualification certificates (self-attested)
• Details of relevant job roles

Debarment Policy

If you are applying for the Director (R&D) position at IOCL and later refuse to join after selection, the following debarment rules apply to you based on your employment category:

For Central Government, Armed Forces, All India Services, PSBs, Financial Institutions, Autonomous Bodies:

• If you decline after the interview, you will be debarred for 2 years from consideration for any Board-level post in any CPSE.
• If you decline after the offer of appointment, you will be debarred for 2 years from consideration for any Board-level post in any CPSE.

For CPSE Candidates:

• If you decline after the interview, you will be debarred for 2 years from Board-level positions in any CPSE other than your own.
• If you decline after the offer of appointment, you will be debarred for 2 years from Board-level positions in any CPSE other than your own.

For State PSEs and Private Sector Candidates:

• If you decline after the interview, you will be debarred for 2 years from any Board-level post in any CPSE.
• If you decline after the offer of appointment, you will be debarred for 2 years from any Board-level post in any CPSE.

👉 No relaxation will be given under any circumstances.

Important Dates

Address for Correspondence

Secretary
Public Enterprises Selection Board
Public Enterprises Bhawan
Block No. 14, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road
New Delhi – 110003

FAQs on IOCL Recruitment 2025

What is the position available at IOCL as per this advertisement?
The available position is Director (Research & Development) at Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).

Who is the appointing authority for this position?
The appointment is conducted through the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB).

What is the pay scale for the Director (R&D) at IOCL?
The pay scale is ₹1,80,000 – ₹3,40,000 (IDA pattern).

What is the date of vacancy for this post?
The date of vacancy is April 1, 2026.

What is the last date to apply for this position?
The last date for submission of applications is August 11, 2025, by 3:00 PM.

What is the last date for nodal officers to forward applications?
The last date for nodal officers to forward applications to PESB is August 20, 2025, by 5:00 PM.

What is the minimum qualification required for this post?
Candidates must be engineering postgraduates, preferably in Chemical, Mechanical, Fuel Technology, or Tribology.

Is having a Ph.D. necessary for this post?
A Ph.D. is not mandatory but is considered an added advantage.

What kind of experience is required?
Candidates must have adequate senior-level R&D or technical experience, with at least 5 years of cumulative experience in petroleum, lubrication, tribology, or petrochemicals R&D in the last 10 years.

What are the age criteria for internal candidates?
Internal candidates must be at least 45 years old and should have 2 years of residual service as of the date of vacancy.

What are the age criteria for external candidates?
External candidates must be at least 45 years old and should have 3 years of residual service as of the date of vacancy.

What employment sectors are eligible to apply?
Eligible sectors include CPSEs, Central Government Group ‘A’ officers (including Armed Forces and All India Services), State PSEs with turnover of ₹10,000 crore or more, and private companies with turnover of ₹10,000 crore or more.

Is preference given to candidates from listed companies?
Yes, preference is given to candidates from listed companies.

What is the duration of the appointment?
The appointment is for 5 years from the date of joining, or until superannuation, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Where should applications be submitted?
Applications must be submitted online through the PESB website at https://pesb.gov.in/.

Are applications through offline mode accepted?
Applications must be submitted online, but applicants can take a printout and submit it through proper channel if required.

What documents are needed for private sector applicants?
Private sector applicants must submit annual reports of the last 3 years, proof of listing status, proof of Board level or below-Board level position, age and qualification documents, and job profiles.

Is there any debarment policy for selected candidates who refuse to join?
Yes, candidates refusing to join after interview or offer will be debarred from CPSE Board-level positions for 2 years.

What is the superannuation age for this position?
The age of superannuation is 60 years.

What is the employment status requirement for applicants?
Applicants must be employed on a regular basis (not contractual or ad-hoc) at the time of application and interview.

What level should Central Government officers be working at to apply?
They should be at the level of Joint Secretary or in an equivalent pay scale on a substantive basis.

What level should applicants from Public Sector Banks or Financial Institutions be holding?
They should be at Board level or at least one level below Board for at least one year.

What is the equivalent rank for Armed Forces officers to apply?
They must hold the rank of Major General in the Army or equivalent rank in the Navy or Air Force.

Can officers from State PSEs apply?
Yes, if they are working at Board level or at least one level below Board level.

How is turnover calculated for eligibility in private or state enterprises?
The turnover is calculated as the average audited turnover of the 3 financial years preceding the year of advertisement.

Is immediate absorption required for Government officers?
Yes, Government officers (including Armed Forces, All India Services, PSBs, FIs, and Autonomous Bodies) are eligible only on an immediate absorption basis.

Where should correspondence for this position be sent?
Correspondence must be addressed to the Secretary, Public Enterprises Selection Board, Public Enterprises Bhawan, Block No. 14, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003.

Can PESB shortlist candidates even if they meet eligibility?
Yes, PESB reserves the right to shortlist candidates as per their discretion.

What happens if an application is incomplete or late?
Incomplete or late applications will be summarily rejected.

Does IOCL have any specific R&D focus areas relevant to this post?
Yes, IOCL focuses on petroleum refining, petrochemicals, lubrication, tribology, and alternative energy through its R&D initiatives.

This is an exceptional opportunity for experienced R&D professionals in the petroleum, petrochemical, or lubrication sectors to lead from the front in India’s largest integrated oil and gas company. Follow the guidelines precisely and ensure your application reaches PESB within the stipulated timeline.

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