Lok Sabha Question No. 2572 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Recruitment in Southern Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Eswarasamy K

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2572 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## RECRUITMENT IN SOUTHERN RAILWAYS

2572 SHRI ESWARASAMY K:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  overall  recruitment  for  Southern  Railways  over  the last  five  years  along  with  the  total  number  of  new  hires  during  said period;
- (b) the details of the number of employees currently working in the same State  along  with  the  information  about  the  States  they  were  hired from,  State-wise  including  their  current  working  locations  within  the Southern Railways system;
- (c) any assessment conducted to find trends or changes in the geographic origins of Southern Railways recruits during the last five years, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the  States  that  have  seen  significant  increases  or  decreases  in  the number of successful applicants, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2572 BY SHRI ESWARASAMY K TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK

SABHA ON 07.08.2024 REGARDING RECRUITMENT IN SOUTHERN RAILWAYS (a) to (d): Occurrence and filling up of vacancies is a continuous process 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. Computer Based Test (CBT) exam for more than 1.26 crore candidates was conducted in 7 phases from 28.12.2020 to 31.07.2021 in 133 shifts in 68 days across 211 cities and 726 centers. Similarly, CBT was conducted for more than 1.1 crore candidates in 5 phases from 17.08.2022 to 11.10.2022 in 99 shifts in 33 days across 191 cities and 551 centers. Based on these exams, 1,30,581 candidates have been recruited in Railways.

The  RRB  examinations  are  quite  technical  in  nature  entailing  large  scale mobilization  of  men  and  resources  and  training  of  manpower.  Railway overcame all these challenges and successfully conducted the recruitment in  a  transparent  manner  following  all  laid  down  guidelines.  No  instance  of paper leakage or similar malpractice has occurred during the entire process.

…… contd. 2 /-

Recruitment done in Indian Railways during 2004-2014 vis-à-vis during 20142024 is given as under:

| Period    | Recruitments   |
|-----------|----------------|
| 2004-2014 | 4.11 lakh      |
| 2014-2024 | 5.02 lakh      |

Further, as system improvement, the Ministry of Railways has introduced a system  of  publishing  annual  calendar  this  year  for  recruitment  to  various categories  of  Group  'C'  post.  Accordingly,  five  Centralized  Notifications (CENs)  for  40,554  vacancies  (UR-  17600,  SC-  5823,  ST-  3238,  OBC-  9769, EWS- 4113 & Specially for PwBD- 11) have been notified during January to July 2024 for filling up of posts of Assistant Loco Pilots, Technicians, SubInspectors, Constables in Railway Protection Force (RPF) & Junior Engineers (JEs)/ Depot Material Superintendent (DMS)/ Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant  (CMA)  Category.  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

During  last  ten  years  i.e.  from  2014-2015  to  2023-2024,  45441  candidates have been empanelled for Southern Railways against various Group 'C' posts (including Level 1 & Security related posts).

Indian Railways  is  an  organization  having  pan  India  character. Direct Recruitment  to  various  Group  'C'  posts  on  Indian  Railways  is  made  by  21 Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) located all over the country. Candidates are free to apply to any one of the 21 RRBs in response to their Centralized Employment Notifications (CENs).

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