Lok Sabha Question No. 3720 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Number of Vacant Positions in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Karti P Chidambaram, Shri Abhishek Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3720

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024

## NUMBER OF VACANT POSITIONS IN RAILWAYS

3720.

SHRI KARTI P CHIDAMBARAM: SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  total  number  of  vacant  positions  within  Indian  Railways, particularly  in  critical  areas  such  as  station  management,  safety operations and train security;
- (b)  the  specific  measures  being  taken  to  address  this  issue  along with  timeline  for  filling  these  vacancies,  especially  in  high-priority areas like major stations and on busy, high-traffic train routes; and
- (c)  the  total  number  of  vacancies  for  the  post  of  loco-pilots  and assistant loco-pilots in Indian Railways?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (c)  :  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, mechanizations 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 |
| L-1     | 1.1 cr       |      191 |       551 |     33 |       99 |

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.

Recruitment  done  in  Indian  Railways  during  2004-2014  vis-à-vis during 2014-2024 is given as under:

| Period   | Recruitments   |
|----------|----------------|
| 2004-14  | 4.11 lakh      |
| 2014-24  | 5.02 lakh      |

Further,  as  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, Eight Centralized Notifications (CENs) for 58,642 vacancies  have  been  notified  during  January  to  October  2024  for filling  up  of  posts  of  Assistant  Loco  Pilots,  Technicians,  SubInspectors & Constables in Railway Protection Force (RPF), Junior Engineers/Depot Material Superintendents/Chemical & Metallurgical Assistants, Paramedical Categories, Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduates) & Non-Technical Popular Categories (UnderGraduates). This includes 18,799 vacancies of Assistant Loco Pilots. The Computer Based Test has commenced from 25.11.2024 onwards.

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 equipment broadly include track defects, loco/coach defects, 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. 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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Consequential  Train  Accidents  on  Indian  Railways  and  casualties therein:

| Period             |   No. of Consequential Train Accidents |   No. of Deaths |   No. of Injuries |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------|-------------------|
| 2004-05 to 2013-14 |                                   1711 |             904 |              3155 |
| 2014-15 to 2023-24 |                                    678 |             748 |              2087 |

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 :
2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation  of  points  and  signals  have  been  provided  at  6,608 stations  up  to  31.10.2024  to  eliminate  accident  due  to  human failure.
3. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 11,053  level  Crossing  Gates  up  to  31.10.2024  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 6,619 stations up to 31.10.2024.
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

| Expenditure on Safety related activities            | Expenditure on Safety related activities   | (Rs. in Cr.)   | (Rs. in Cr.)   |
|-----------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|----------------|----------------|
|                                                     | 2022-23 (Act)                              | 2023- 24(Act)  | BE 2024- 25    |
| Maintenance of Permanent Way & Works                | 18,115                                     | 20,322         | 21,386         |
| Maintenance of Motive Power and Rolling Stock       | 27,086                                     | 30,864         | 31,494         |
| Maintenance of Machines                             | 9,828                                      | 10,772         | 11,864         |
| Road Safety LCs and ROBs/ RUBs                      | 5,347                                      | 6,662          | 9,980          |
| Track Renewals                                      | 16,326                                     | 17,850         | 17,652         |
| Bridge Works                                        | 1,050                                      | 1,907          | 2,137          |
| Signal & Telecom Works                              | 2,456                                      | 3,751          | 4,647          |
| Workshops Incl. PUs and Misc. expenditure on Safety | 7,119                                      | 9,523          | 9,615          |
| Total                                               | 87,327                                     | 1,01,651       | 1,08,776       |

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 about  1081  RKm  (705  RKm  on  Delhi-Mumbai  section  and  376 RKm on Delhi-Howrah section). 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,  fan  shaped

layout turnout on PSC sleepers, Steel Channel/H-beam Sleepers on  girder  bridges  is  used  while  carrying  out  primary  track renewals.

12. Mechanization  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).
6. 17.
7. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
8. The use of Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing in
18. 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) 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.
7. 28.
8. 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                                             |                      |                        |                       |
| 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.   | Weld failures (Nos.)                                          | In 2013-14: 3699     | In 2023-24: 481        | 87% reduction         |
| 8.   | Rail fractures (Nos.)                                         | In 2013-14: 2548     | In 2023-24: 383        | 85% reduction         |
| 9.   | Thick Web Switches (Nos.)                                     | Nil                  | 21,127                 |                       |
| 10.  | 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   |
|----|------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| 1. | Elimination of Unmanned Level Crossing Gates (Nos.)        | As on 31.03.14: 8948              | As on 31.03.24: Nil (All eliminated by 31.01.19) | 100% reduction                    |
| 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                         |

| SN   | Item                              | 2004-05 to 2013-14   | 2014-15 to 2023-24   | 2014-24 Vs. 2004-14   |
|------|-----------------------------------|----------------------|----------------------|-----------------------|
|      | 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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