Country's largest power generation company National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has expressed its 'dismay' over the use of its abbreviation -NTPC- in its recruitments by the largest employer of the nation Indian Railways that has led to a lot of confusion and in a way has brought bad name to a reputed organization like NTPC.

In a letter dated January 28,  2022 the NTPC has requested the railways to change the name of its NTPC exam which has caused great confusion among the aspiring candidates so far.

The NTPC in the name of the power generation company stands for National Thermal Power Corporation while that in the name of the NTPC exam of railways stands for Non-Technical Popular Categories.

NTPC Ltd has said that it has created a wrong impression about the company. Railways examinations are in the middle of controversies owing to the aspiring students’ violent outrage including burning of a train at several places in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh during the last week.

Pointing specifically to the similarity in names of the exam and the company, the NTPC in its letter said “This is with reference to the recent protest in some parts of the country with respect to Railway Recruitment Board Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC RRB) exam of Indian Railways.”

Expressing concern over the way this issue is being reported with the abbreviated names of the exams, NTPC Ltd has further said “While we are confident that the Railways is taking all necessary steps to address the situation, we just wish to bring to your notice that the NTPC Ltd has inadvertently been caught in the crossfire. The media has been using the abbreviated form NTPC, which gives the impression that the exams are linked to India’s largest power producer.”

“This, you would agree, is also hurting our reputation. You are requested to clarify and use the full form of the Railways Recruitment Scheme in your press releases or statements so that this misconception is not carried on creating the wrong impression amongst the users of social media and also the public at large. We would therefore urge you to kindly rename these exams so that no confusion is created in the future," said the letter by Executive Director (HR) of NTPC Ltd.

The letter further stated “This, you would agree, is also hurting our reputation. You are requested to clarify and use the full form of the Railways Recruitment Scheme in your press releases or statements so that this misconception is not carried on creating the wrong impression amongst the users of social media and also the public at large. We would therefore urge you to kindly rename these exams so that no confusion is created in the future.”

While there was no official response from railways over the  NTPC letter, sources said that the issue raised by the power generation company is being examined as what can be done.

"We will look into it as we also dont want unnecessary embarrassment for the NTPC. While we cannot change the acronym for the immediate recruitment that has led to multiple controversies, the name of recruitment examination could be rechristened from next announcement. There is a due process and it cannot be done overnight," remarked the official.