India, Sept. 8 -- Seven candidates shortlisted for the top job at State-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) are likely to appear before a search-cum-selection committee this week, as the Government moves ahead with choosing a successor to Chairman and Managing Director Arun Kumar Singh, people familiar with the selection process said.

The second round of interviews comes after 18 applicants were screened on August 18, with the field subsequently narrowed to seven.

The selection process has drawn attention over a one-off relaxation in the age eligibility criterion, allowing candidates up to 59 years of age - a departure from the existing 58-year limit and the recent relaxation to 60 years in the case of State-run power producer NT...