Regarding Special Class Railway Apprentice Exam

Special Class Railway Apprentice (SCRA) was a entrance exam which was conducted by UPSC to provide four year training to selected candidates in railways department. Selected candidates were trained in the undergraduate program in mechanical engineering at the Indian Railways Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering(IRMEE), Jamalpur. This programme was started in 1927 and is one of the oldest in India. Eligibility of this exam wad 10+2 and only PCM group candidates can appear in this exam. Age limit was 17-21 years. After training candidates got guaranteed Group A officer service in Indian Railway Services of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME). During training they received Rs.9100 and Deafness allowance plus other benefits. After completion of this training candidates received handsome salary. In short it is a royal job.

But in 2015, Railways decided to close down this examination after UPSC communicated that it was not inclined to continue conducting the examination. The main reason behind this was problem of trading, promotion and seniority etc. This exam has not been conducted in last few years hence, chances of holding exam in 2020 are also very less. But you never know anything about government policies.

After stopping SCRA, all vacancies are added under Engineering Service Exam from 2019 . Following posts are added:
1. Indian Railway Services of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) for mechanical engineering. First posting as Assistant Divisional Mechanical Engineer (ADME)
2. Indian Railway Services of Engineers (IRSE) for civil engineering. First posting as Assistant Divisional Engineer(ADEN)
3. Indian Railway Services of Signal Engineers(IRSSE) for Electronics and Telecom. First posting as Assistant Divisional Signal &Telecom Engineer (ADSTE).
4. Indian Railway Services of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) for electrical engineering. First posting as Assistant Divisional Electrical Engineer (ADEE).
5. Indian Railway Store Services (IRSS). For all above streams. First posting as Assistant Materials Manager (AMM).

You can appear in ESE exam and start preparation for it. But you should have degree or diploma in engineering.

Still, if you have some queries you can communicate to UPSC on the address given below:
Under Secretary, Examination I(B)
Union Public Service Commission,
Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road,
New Delhi

So far there is no official communication about conducting the examination in 2020. From 2015, as mentioned by you, the examination was not conducted. So I feel there is no chance for conducting this test next year also. But still, there is a long way to go and so keep watching for the UPSC announcement regarding this.

Earlier they are recruiting the intermediate students and giving them training and posting them as Engineers. But now they are taking a degree or diploma holders in engineering. They are included in the Engineering Service Examination with effect from 2019.

You can verify the information on the official website of UPSC or contact them. (www. UPSC. gov.in )

Special Class Railway Apprentice Examination conducted through UPSC was a prestigious examination to select the candidates for their further persuance of studies in Mechanical Engineering of four year duration at their designated workshop in Jamalpur known as Indian Railways Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
Since no examination of such pattern has taken place after 2015 onwards and hence nothing can be predicted regarding its commencement in 2020. However. to ensure that it would revive again, it would be better to visit the website of UPSC.
Earlier the eligibility criteria for this test was as follows -
Minimum Qualification-
Intermediate Passed candidates with the science - stream including Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and within the age - bracket of 17 - 21 on the 1st January of the year when they are likely to appear for the said examination. There is some age concession for SC/ ST candidates to the tune of 5 years and for OBC the same is three years.
The pattern of examination is Physical Science containing Physics and Chemistry each carrying 100 marks and Mathematics carrying 200 marks and General Knowledge and Current Affairs carrying 200 marks and hence total marks comprise 600. Apart from this there is allocation of 200 marks for the final interview.
This examination is stiff in the sense that the selection of the candidates does not exceed beyond 42 despite appearing 25 lakhs of eligible candidates.
After the completion of the four year course, they are certified as having completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering and are inducted in the Railways Service with a starting basic salary of Rs 9100 followed with the current DA.
However, the aspirants may opt for IES after having passed the Mechanical Engineering with the prescribed marks to be eligible for IES test. This includes the quotas for Railway Board as well.