Indian Railways is the fourth largest railway network in the world and largest employer in the country which numbers around 14 lakhs. Entire network of Indian Railways is divided into 16 zones, where each zone is headed by a General Manager. Every zone is divided into many divisions and each division is headed by a Divisional Railway Manager.
Railway Recruitment Board conducts recruitment through ‘Employment News’ (Government of India). Besides, employment notifications are also published on the Internet at regular intervals. Officials of the board scrutinize the applications for eligibility. After the process, candidates are invited for a written examination through exam letters. These call letters are sent a month in advance of the date of the examination.
In many categories, no interviews are conducted after written examination. In few categories, there will be a second stage written examination. Sometimes, psychological test is conducted in case the categories are related to operational safety.
First part of the scrutinising starts with verification of the details mentioned in the application. Candidates are called for counselling and scrutiny of original documents. A set of candidates are forwarded to Railway Department for the vacancies. In the second part, medical examinations are conducted and the candidates will be required to pass the examination for an appointment.
The selection process is based solely on merit. Recruitment processes are subject to the rules and regulations issued by the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board), Government of India. As per rules, reservation of jobs for certain castes/communities such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), etc. Ex-servicemen are followed.
The entire recruiting system is computerized and the processes are impersonal. Candidates can participate in the exams without fear or favour. There is no scope for corruption, influence or discretion in this process. Those who are indulging in malpractices and unfair means are dealt with strictly.
Recruitments are followed in four categories, Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D.
Recruitment for Group A category is made through civil service examination and combined engineering service examination. These examinations are conducted every year through Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The candidates recruited under the category start their respective careers at the level of Assistant Commercial Manager or Assistant Engineer. Later, they get promoted to the ranks of the Divisional Commercial Manager, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Chief Commercial Manager, Divisional Railway Manager, Additional General Manager, General Manager, Member (Commercial) of Railway Board and Chairman of Railway Board.
For more details, candidates can visit www.civilserviceindia.com
Candidates recruited under the category work at the level of Section Officer, Junior Engineers and Depot Material Superintendent. While for some posts, the recruitment is done through the Civil Service examination, while others, posts in the group are filled with the staff from the Group C through promotion.
The recruitment for this category is made through the 17 Railway Recruitment Boards spread across the country. Posts in the group are Ticket Examiner, Trains Clerk, Junior Clerk cum Typist, Senior Clerk, Ticket Collector Junior Accounts Assistant, Commercial Clerk, Account Clerk cum Typist, Assistant Loco Pilot, Junior Stenographer, Technician, Senior Permanent Way Supervisor, Signal Interlocking Maintainer, Staff Nurse, Radiographer, Pharmacist, Health and Malaria Inspector, Depot Material Superintendent, Telecommunication Maintainer, Enquiry-cum- Reservation Clerk, Assistant Station Master, Goods Guard, Traffic Apprentice, Commercial Apprentice, Senior Permanent Way Supervisor, Junior Engineer and Section Engineer.
The recruitment for this category is made through the divisional level, which include Trackman, Helper, Assistant Points Man, Safaiwala, Gunman and Peon. Most of the posts are recruited through Railway Recruitment Cell.
Railway Exam Pattern
Railway Exam Preparatory Books
Railway Recruitment Rules
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Railway Recruitment Board
Railway Exam Notifications
Railway Exam Sample Question Papers
For more details on contact: Email: edrrb@rb.railnet.gov.in