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The largest Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company recruits an average 40-50 students after visiting the top 10-12 B-schools across the country. "Our number of recruitments from campuses will be constant at 40-50. The company will also continue with its practice of visiting all the 10-12 B-schools and make placement offers, which range in the Rs 10-15 lakh bracket," says Nair.

During the booming economy period of 2002 to 2007, the FMCG companies lagged behind investment banking, IT/BPO, and other services sectors became preferred recruiters among B-school students.

Now, with the current financial downturn, while most other sectors are staying away or are cutting back on campus recruitments, FMCG companies will recruit the same number of people as in previous years. That's music to the ears of B-schools, which are watching the placement season with their fingers crossed.

"FMCG is doing well even in these turbulent times. So we would expect these companies to recruit in the same numbers, if not more students from the campus," said Sourav Mukherji, chairperson, placement, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM-B). Every year, the FMCG companies pick up around five students on an average from the IIM-B campus.

This year, for the first time, marketing and FMCG majors like Hindustan Unilever, Cadbury and Coca Cola visited IIM-B with foreign roles on offer for the summer internship, says the institute's website.

In sector-wise recruitment, marketing and general management stood at 28 per cent while investment banking including financial services stood at 35 per cent in 2008. Thirty-seven per cent of the batch chooses consulting career at IIM Bangalore final placements.

On the other hand, IIM Calcutta, which is a favourite recruiting ground for finance and consulting companies, FMCG this year could be one of the top recruiters.