Lok Sabha Question No. 2198 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Railways Boost Recruitment
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. K Sudhakar, Shri Godam Nagesh, Dr. Hemant Vishnu Savara, Shri Naba Charan Majhi, Smt. Smita Uday Wagh, Shri Dineshbhai Makwana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2198

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2025

## RAILWAYS BOOST RECRUITMENT

2198. SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH:

DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA:

SHRI GODAM NAGESH:

DR. K SUDHAKAR:

SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA:

SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of total vacancies along with their current status in Indian Railways in the country including Maharashtra undertakings zone-wise and the timeline for filling these vacancies;
- (b) the manner in which the introduction of the annual recruitment calendar is to address delays and uncertainties in the recruitment process;
- (c)  the  steps  being  taken  to  ensure  fair  regional  representation  in railway  recruitment  particularly  for  States  like  Maharashtra  with lower selection rates;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  specialized training  programmes  for  new  recruits  to  enhance  their  technical competencies before deployment and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken to enhance passenger safety in Railways?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (e):  Occurrence  and  filling  up  of  vacancies  are  continuous processes on Indian Railways considering its size, spatial distribution and  criticality of operation. Adequate and  suitable manpower is provided to cater to the regular operations, changes in technology, mechanisations and innovative practices. The vacancies  are  filled up  primarily  by  placement  of  indents  by Railways with Recruitment agencies as per operational and technological requirements.

After  easing  of  restrictions  imposed  on  account  of  COVID  19,  two major examinations involving more than 2.37 crore candidates have been conducted successfully.

| Exam    | Candidates   |   Cities |   Centres |   Days |   Shifts |
|---------|--------------|----------|-----------|--------|----------|
| L2 - L6 | 1.26 cr      |      211 |       726 |     68 |      133 |
| L1      | 1.1 cr       |      191 |       551 |     33 |       99 |

Based on these exams, 1,30,581 candidates have been recruited in Railways.

Recruitment done in Indian Railways during 2004-2005 to 2013-2014 vis-à-vis during 2014-2015 to 2023-2024 is given as under: -

| Period                 | Recruitments   |
|------------------------|----------------|
| 2004-2005 to 2013-2014 | 4.11 lakhs     |
| 2014-2015 to 2023-2024 | 5.02 lakhs     |

Further,  as  a  system  improvement,  the  Ministry  of  Railways  has introduced  a  system  of  publishing  annual  calendar  from  2024  for recruitment to various categories of Group 'C' posts. The introduction  of  annual  calendar  will  benefit  the  aspirants  in  the following manner:

-        More opportunities for candidates;
-        Opportunities to those becoming eligible every year;
-        Certainty of exams;
-        Faster Recruitment process, Training and Appointments

Accordingly,  ten  Centralized  Employment  Notifications  (CENs)  for 92,116  vacancies have been notified during January to December 2024  for  filling  up  of  posts  of  Assistant  Loco  Pilots,  Technicians, Sub-Inspectors, Constables  in  Railway Protection Force (RPF), Junior Engineers (JEs)/ Depot Material Superintendent (DMS)/ Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA), Paramedical Categories, Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate), Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under-Graduate), Ministerial & Isolated Categories and Level-1 posts. First stage Computer Based Test for 41,500 posts has been completed from 25.11.2024 to 30.12.2024.

## Details are as under:-

| Exam                                          | Candidates   |   Cities |   Centres |   Days |   Shifts |
|-----------------------------------------------|--------------|----------|-----------|--------|----------|
| ALP CEN No. 01/2024 (18,799 vacancies)        | 18,40,347    |      156 |       346 |      5 |       15 |
| Technician CEN No. 02/2024 (14,298 vacancies) | 26,99,892    |      139 |       312 |      9 |       27 |
| JE/DMS/CMA CEN No. 03/2024 (7,951 vacancies)  | 11,01,266    |      146 |       323 |      3 |        9 |
| RPF (SI) CEN No. 01/2024 (452 vacancies)      | 15,35,635    |      143 |       306 |      5 |       15 |

In  addition,  Computer  Based  Test  for  RPF  CEN  No.  02/2024  (4208 vacancies)  for  the  post  of  Constable  has  started  from  02.03.2025 onwards.  2nd  Stage  Computer  Based  Test  (CBT-II)  for  CEN  No. 01/2024,  for  the  post  of  Assistant  Loco  Pilot  is  scheduled  on 19.03.2025 and 20.03.2025.

Railways, being a Central Government organization conduct recruitment  on  all  India  basis.  This  is  in  line  with  Constitutional provision of right to equality in matters of public employment and as per the guidelines of DOPT, the nodal department of Government of India  in  such  matters.  Every  candidate  irrespective  of  gender, language, place of birth/region etc. fulfilling eligibility criteria is free to apply. All those who apply in response to Centralised Employment Notifications (CENS), including local candidates are considered for recruitment  on  the  Railways,  on  equal  footing.  No  preference  is given  to  candidates  belonging  to  any  State  or  Region  nor  is  the recruitment restricted to any State or Region.

As safe train operation is the top most priority of Indian Railways, special emphasis is laid on the training of safety category employees. Detailed training modules including on Kavach system as  per  prescribed  periodicity  are  available  for  respective categories  at  initial  and  promotional  stages  along  with  refresher courses as well as specialized training courses, laying emphasis on practical aspects which help them in skill upgradation and assimilation with related advanced technology, keeping a focus on overall  safety  and  passenger  experience.  These  modules  are  also updated  keeping  in  view  the  technological  changes  in  working practice. Training  Centres  located  all  over  Indian  Railways  impart  various type of trainings i.e. Initial, Promotional, Refresher & Specialized: · Initial Training - for the purpose of introducing the new entrants to the various facets of Railway operations and management. · Promotional Training - for the purpose of preparing serving staff in advance for jobs of higher responsibilities. · Refresher  Training  -  for  the  purpose  of  refreshing  the  serving employees periodically with new ideas and principles for improving efficiency in their jobs. · Specialized Training - for the purpose of updating the knowledge of  technological  developments,  quantitative  techniques,  etc.  e.g. PRS, new locomotives, signalling system, Track Technology etc.

Besides these training, some other / special courses are also run by the Training Institutes for non-gazetted staff on Indian Railways i.e. Training  for  Frontline  Staff  in  Soft  Skills,  Customer  Care  Training,

Disaster  Management  Training,  Accident  Investigation  Programme for  all  Supervisors,  Investigation  of  derailment  for  JE/SSE  (P.Way), Train Parting Programme for Drivers, Threat Perception and Emergency  Response,  Fire  Fighting  and  First  Aid  Skills,   Gender sensitization, Yoga and Meditation and other training etc. Safety  is  accorded  the  highest  priority  on  Indian  Railways.  As  a consequence of various safety measures taken over the years, there has been a steep decline in the number of accidents. Consequential Train Accidents have reduced from 135 in 2014-15 to 40 in 2023-24 as  shown  in  the  graph  below.    The  causes  of  these  accidents broadly include track defects, loco/coach defects, equipment failures, human errors etc. It  may  be  noted  that  the  consequential  train  accidents  during  the period  2004-14  was  1711  (average  171  per  annum),  which  has declined to 678 during the period 2014-24 (average 68 per annum) i.e. a reduction of 60%. Another important index showing improved safety in train operations is Accidents Per Million Train Kilometer (APMTKM) which has reduced from 0.11 in 2014-15 to 0.03 in 2023-24, indicating an improvement of approx. 73% during the said period.

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The  various  safety  measures  taken  to  enhance  safety  in  train operations are as under:-

## 1. On Indian Railways, the expenditure on Safety related activities has increased over the years as under:

| Expenditure on Safety related activities      | Expenditure on Safety related activities   | Expenditure on Safety related activities   | Expenditure on Safety related activities   | (Rs. in Cr.)   | (Rs. in Cr.)   |
|-----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|----------------|----------------|
|                                               | 2013-14 (Act)                              | 2022-23 (Act)                              | 2023-24 (Act)                              | 2024-25 (RE)   | 2025-26 (BE)   |
| Maintenance of Permanent Way & Works          | 9172                                       | 18,115                                     | 20,322                                     | 21,800         | 23,316         |
| Maintenance of Motive Power and Rolling Stock | 14,796                                     | 27,086                                     | 30,864                                     | 31,540         | 30,666         |
| Maintenance of Machines                       | 5406                                       | 9,828                                      | 10,772                                     | 12,112         | 12,880         |
| Road Safety LCs and ROBs/ RUBs                | 1986                                       | 5,347                                      | 6,662                                      | 8,184          | 7,706          |

| Track Renewals                                      | 4985   | 16,326   | 17,850   | 22,669   | 22,800   |
|-----------------------------------------------------|--------|----------|----------|----------|----------|
| Bridge Works                                        | 390    | 1,050    | 1,907    | 2,130    | 2,169    |
| Signal & Telecom Works                              | 905    | 2,456    | 3,751    | 6,006    | 6,800    |
| Workshops Incl. PUs and Misc. expenditure on Safety | 1823   | 7,119    | 9,523    | 9,581    | 10,134   |
| Total                                               | 39,463 | 87,327   | 1,01,651 | 1,14,022 | 1,16,470 |

2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation  of  points  and  signals  have  been  provided  at  6,617 stations  up  to  31.01.2025  to  eliminate  accident  due  to  human failure.
3. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 11,083  level  Crossing  Gates  up  to  31.01.2025  for  enhancing safety at LC gates.
4. Complete  Track  Circuiting  of  stations  to  enhance  safety  by verification  of  track  occupancy  by  electrical  means  has  been provided at 6,625 stations up to 31.01.2025.
5. Kavach is a highly technology intensive system, which requires safety certification of highest order. Kavach was adopted as a National ATP system in July 2020. Kavach is provided progressively  in  phased  manner.  Kavach  has  already  been deployed  on  1548  RKm  on  South  Central  Railway  and  North Central  Railway.  Presently,  the  work  is  in  progress  on  DelhiMumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors (approximately 3000 Route Km). Track side works on these routes have been completed on
5. about  1969  RKm.  Regular  trials  are  being  done  on  these sections.
6. Detailed instructions on issues related with safety of Signalling e.g. mandatory correspondence check, alteration work protocol,  preparation  of  completion  drawing,  etc.  have  been issued.
7. System of disconnection and reconnection for S&T equipment as per protocol has been re-emphasized.
8. All  locomotives  are  equipped  with  Vigilance  Control  Devices (VCD) to improve alertness of Loco Pilots.
9. Retro-reflective sigma boards are provided on the mast which is located  two  OHE  masts  prior  to  the  signals  in  electrified territories  to  alert  the  crew  about  the  signal  ahead  when visibility is low due to foggy weather.
10. A GPS based Fog Safety Device (FSD) is provided to loco pilots in  fog  affected  areas  which  enables  loco  pilots  to  know  the distance of the approaching  landmarks  like signals, level crossing gates etc.
11. Modern track structure consisting of 60kg, 90 Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) rails, Prestressed Concrete Sleeper (PSC) Normal/Wide  base  sleepers  with  elastic  fastening,  fanshaped layout turnout on PSC sleepers, Steel Channel/H-beam Sleepers on  girder  bridges  is  used  while  carrying  out  primary  track renewals.
12. Mechanisation  of  track  laying  activity  through  use  of  track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc to reduce human errors.
13. Maximizing supply of 130m/260m long rail panels for increasing progress of rail renewal and avoiding welding of joints, thereby improving safety.
14. Ultrasonic  Flaw  Detection  (USFD)  testing  of  rails  to  detect flaws and timely removal of defective rails.
15. Laying  of  longer  rails,  minimizing  the  use  of  Alumino  Thermic Welding and adoption of better welding technology for rails i.e. Flash Butt Welding.
16. Monitoring  of  track  geometry  by  OMS  (Oscillation  Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).
17. 17.
18. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
18. The use of Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing in turnout renewal works.
19. Inspections at regular intervals are carried out to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices.
20. Web based online monitoring system of track assets viz. Track database  and  decision  support  system  has  been  adopted  to decide rationalized maintenance  requirement  and optimize inputs.
21. Detailed instructions on issues related with safety of Track e.g. integrated  block,  corridor  block,  worksite  safety,  monsoon precautions etc. have been issued.
22. Preventive maintenance of railway assets (Coaches & Wagons)
24. is undertaken to ensure safe train operations.
23. Replacement  of  conventional  ICF  design  coaches  with  LHB design coaches is being done.
24. All  unmanned  level  crossings  (UMLCs)  on  Broad  Gauge  (BG) route have been eliminated by January 2019.
25. Safety of Railway Bridges is ensured through regular inspection of Bridges. The requirement of repair/rehabilitation of Bridges is taken  up  based  upon  the  conditions  assessed  during  these inspections.
26. Indian  Railways  has  displayed  Statutory  'Fire  Notices'  for widespread passenger information in all coaches. Fire posters are  provided  in  every  coach  so  as  to  educate  and  alert passengers  regarding  various  Do's  and  Don'ts  to  prevent  fire. These include messages regarding not carrying any inflammable material, explosives, prohibition of smoking inside the coaches, penalties etc.
27. Production  Units  are  providing  Fire  detection  and  suppression system in newly manufactured Power Cars and Pantry Cars, Fire and Smoke detection system in newly manufactured coaches. Progressive  fitment  of  the  same  in  existing  coaches  is  also underway by Zonal Railways in a phased manner.
30. 28.
31. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken.
29. Concept  of  Rolling  Block  introduced  in  Indian  Railways  (Open Lines) General Rules vide Gazette notification dated 30.11.2023, wherein work of integrated maintenance/ repair/replacement  of  assets  is  planned  up  to  52  weeks  in advance on rolling basis and executed as per plan.

The details of the Safety related works undertaken by Railways are tabulated below:-

| SN   | Item                                                          | 2004-05 to 2013-14              | 2014-15 to 2023-24              | 2014-24 Vs. 2004- 14            |                                 |
|------|---------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
|      | Track Maintenance                                             | Track Maintenance               | Track Maintenance               | Track Maintenance               | Track Maintenance               |
| 1.   | Expenditure on Track Renewal (Rs. in Cr.)                     | 47,038                          | 1,09,577                        | 2.33 times                      |                                 |
| 2.   | Rail Renewal Primary (Track Km)                               | 32,260                          | 43,335                          | 1.34 times                      |                                 |
| 3.   | Use of high-quality rails (60 Kg) (Km)                        | 57,450                          | 1,23,717                        | 2.15 times                      |                                 |
| 4.   | Longer Rail Panels (260m) (Km)                                | 9,917                           | 68,233                          | 6.88 times                      |                                 |
| 5.   | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Rails (Track km) | 20,19,630                       | 26,52,291                       | 1.31 times                      |                                 |
| 6.   | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Welds (Nos.)     | 79,43,940                       | 1,73,06,046                     | 2.17 times                      |                                 |
| 7.   | New Track KM added (Track km)                                 | 14,985                          | 31,180                          | 2.08 times                      |                                 |
| 8.   | Weld failures (Nos.)                                          | In 2013- 14: 3699               | In 2023-24: 481                 | 87% reduction                   |                                 |
| 9.   | Rail fractures (Nos.)                                         | In 2013- 14: 2548               | In 2023-24: 383                 | 85% reduction                   |                                 |
| 10   | Thick Web Switches (Nos.)                                     | Nil                             | 21,127                          |                                 |                                 |
| 11   | Track Machines (Nos.)                                         | As on 31.03.14 = 748            | As on 31.03.24 = 1,661          | 122% increase                   |                                 |
|      | Level Crossing Gate Elimination                               | Level Crossing Gate Elimination | Level Crossing Gate Elimination | Level Crossing Gate Elimination | Level Crossing Gate Elimination |
| 1.   | Elimination of Unmanned Level                                 | As on 31.03.14:                 | As on 31.03.24: Nil             | 100% reduction                  |                                 |

|    | Crossing Gates (Nos.)                                                        | 8948                  | (All eliminated by 31.01.19)   |                       |
|----|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------|
| 2. | Elimination of Manned Level Crossing Gates (Nos.)                            | 1,137                 | 7,075                          | 6.21 Times            |
| 3. | Road over Bridges (RoBs)/ Road under Bridges (RUBs) (Nos.)                   | 4,148                 | 11,945                         | 2.88 Times            |
| 4. | Expenditure on LC Elimination (LC+ROB+RUB)                                   | 8,825                 | 41,957                         | 4.75 Times            |
|    | Bridge Rehabilitation                                                        | Bridge Rehabilitation | Bridge Rehabilitation          | Bridge Rehabilitation |
| 1. | Expenditure on Bridge Rehabilitation (Rs. in Cr.)                            | 3,924                 | 8,255                          | 2.10 Times            |
|    | Signalling Works                                                             | Signalling Works      | Signalling Works               | Signalling Works      |
| 1. | Electronic Interlocking (Stations)                                           | 837                   | 2,964                          | 3.52 times            |
| 2. | Automatic Block Signaling (Km)                                               | 1,486                 | 2,497                          | 1.67 times            |
| 3. | Fog Pass Safety Devices (Nos.)                                               | As on 31.03.14: 90    | As on 31.03.24: 19,742         | 219 times             |
|    | Rolling Stock                                                                | Rolling Stock         | Rolling Stock                  | Rolling Stock         |
| 1. | Manufacture of LHB Coaches (Nos.)                                            | 2,337                 | 36,933                         | 15.80 times           |
| 2. | Provision of Fire and Smoke Detection System in AC coaches (Nos. of Coaches) | 0                     | 19,271                         |                       |

|   3. | Provision of Fire Detection and Suppression System in Pantry and Power Cars (Nos. of Coaches)   |   0 | 2,991   |
|------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----|---------|
|    4 | Provision of Fire Extinguishers in Non -AC coaches (Nos. of Coaches)                            |   0 | 66,840  |

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