In a thumb-down for India Inc, a survey has found that jobs in public sector undertakings (PSUs) and central government are the first choice for many business school (B-school) graduates.

The survey, conducted by the associated chambers of commerce and industry of India (Assocham), found that a job in the corporate sector would be the last priority for these aspirants, primarily due to the tremendous increase in work pressure in these firms.

Over 88 percent of the students surveyed preferred to join PSUs and central government, given a choice between these and the corporate sector, because public sector or government jobs provide stability with less tension.

According to the survey, another 8 percent students said they are preparing for competitive examinations and are keen to take up government service through the union public service commission (UPSC).

Only 4 percent of the students surveyed in Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Ahemdabad said that leading corporate firms not only give them a challenging work culture and monetary benefits but also provide exposure, which is not available in any PSU.

The countrywide survey was conducted in February and March this year.

The B-school students said PSUs and central government jobs not only provide good salary, medical facilities and security factor but have also bring out the spirit of competition for challenging assignments — all in equal proportion. Among the top draw for the business school grads are jobs in ONGC, IOC, NTPC, HPCL, BPCL, SAIL and public sector banks.

According to the survey, Delhi ranks first for those preferring PSUs and central government jobs, followed by Mumbai, Ahemdabad, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai (in seventh position).

Another factor that entice students, the survey said, was the fact that many PSUs give “generous allowances”, apart from vehicle maintenance and insurance, which add up to about 20 percent of basic salary. It highlighted that the allowance rises in step with oil price hike even if they use public transport.

The survey points out that the highest salary packages offered in PSUs like Indane, Bharat Petroleum, HPCL and ONGC are much more than those offered in other sectors.

Four percent of the surveyed students who preferred corporate jobs reasoned that the boards and management are completely autonomous in the private sector, and that their decisions are not influenced by external factors most of the time.

The cities that covered by the survey include Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Ahemdabad, Kochi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Indore, Patna, Pune, Chandigarh and Dehradun.