We all know that the Indian Railways has always been the backbone of the Indian government as well as the Indian economy and considered as one of the largest employers with 1.4 million people as a workforce in the world. Indian Railways is the second-largest network operated in the world and the largest rail network in Asia as it connects all states with each other. It runs 12,617 trains connecting more than 7,172 stations and carries over 23 million passengers daily.
Q1: What is the minimum qualification for getting a railway job?
A: The services in the Indian railway are divided into two cadres which are technical and non-technical. The two cadres are again divided into four groups- A, B, C and D.
- Group A: These are the official cadre posts wherein the exams for group A are conducted by Union Service Public Commission(UPSC) for a post like medical staff, engineering staff, etc. One has to have a bachelor's degree in Engineering, medical (MBBS) or any other relevant stream to apply for the said post through UPSC.
- One can even apply directly after HSC or +2 science or PCM by taking the Special Class Railway Apprenticeship Examination (SCRA). The age limit for the said position is 32 years with some relaxation for OBC/SC/ST candidates.
- Group B: Group B cannot be applied from external exams as it is reserved for promotion from Group C. After a good service period and track record in Group C, the person is promoted internally to Group B.
- Group C: Group C is the subordinate staff positions like the supervisors, clerks, and skilled labor selected by conducting exams by the Railway Recruitment Control(RRC) Board. It requires graduation or equivalent for goods guard or Assistant Station Master, HSC (+2) or equivalent for ticket collector post and SSC or equivalent for the technician post. The age limit for Group C varies from 30-33 years with some relaxation for OBC/SC/ST candidates.
i) Group D: The said group is for unskilled laborers selected by conducting exams by the Railway Recruitment Control(RRC) Board and the vacancies are advertised on the website of RRB and all the main national newspapers for posts like porters, gatemen, trackmen, etc along with the age limit and relaxation for the reserved category.
Q2: What kinds of jobs are available in the railways?
A: Some of the jobs available according to the group mentioned above are as follows:
i) For Group A: There are two categories;
- Engineering graduates - Executive Engineers, Assistant Executive Engineers, Junior Engineer, Superintendent Mechanical Engineers, Central Engineering Service, Indian Railway Service of Engineers, Sr. Section Engineer, Indian Railways Electrical engineer, Telecommunication Engineer, Indian Railways Traffic service, Senior P- way supervisor, Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Station Master, Station Controller, Assistant Station Master (ASM), Deputy General Manager, Additional General Manager, Database Administrator, Junior computer operator, Customer Relations Assistant, Chief Depot Material Superintendent, Depot Material Superintendent, Indian Railways Personnel service, Indian Railways store service, Assistant Executive, etc.
- MBBS graduates - Medical Service after clearing Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE) conducted by UPSC.
- HSC or +2 science or PCM through Special Class Railway Apprenticeship Examination (SCRA) - Railway Information Department, Ticket Checker or Ticket Examiner or Ticket Collector, Railway Recruitment Board(RRB) Loco Pilot, Railway Driver, Railway Constable, Railway Clerk, etc.
ii) For Group B: Reserved for promotion from Group B
iii) For Group C: Assistant Station Master, ticket collector, technician, supervisors, clerks, and skilled labor.
iv) For Group D: unskilled labors like flagman, porters, gatemen, trackmen, etc.
Q3: Which entrance exams must be passed to get a job?
A: The following are the exams that one can appear according to their education qualification, age, and percentage.
- Indian Services Examination (IES) for BE or B.Tech graduates conducted by UPSC
- Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE) for medical graduates conducted by UPSC
- Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
- Special Class Railway Apprenticeship Examination (SCRA)
- Railway Recruitment Board(RRB) ALP
- Railway Recruitment Board(RRB) NTPC
- Railway Recruitment Board(RRB) JE SSE
- RRC Group D Exam
Q4: What benefits do the railways offer to employees?
A: There are many benefits which railway offers depending upon the Group and class to its employees and they are as follows:
a) A stable and secure job.
b) Provides free medical care in Railway hospitals to its employees and their family members.
c) Provides free travel passes for the whole family once a year and for everyday travel.
d) Provides seats to employees children in railway owned schools and colleges.
e) Provides residential quarters to its employees and their family.
f) It offers Sports Quota to gain entry into the Indian Railways.
g) It offers subsidized meals and refreshments to its employees at any of the Railway canteens.
h) It provides pension to its retired employees.
Q5: What is the minimum salary?
A: The salary structure may vary according to the Group and class they are working. The minimum salary package along with other perks like HRA, medical, transport, etc are as follows:
- Group A Class 1 officer will have a salary range between Rs. 80,000 – 90,000 per month.
- Group B Class will have a salary range between Rs. 50,000 – 60,000 per month.
- Group C will have a salary range between Rs. 20,000 – 30,000 per month.
- Group D will have a salary range between Rs. 10,000 – 18,000 per month.
