Lok Sabha Question No. 1979 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Career Progression of Train Managers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Brijmohan Agrawal

§

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1979 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026

## CAREER PROGRESSION OF TRAIN MANAGERS

## 1979. SHRI BRIJMOHAN AGRAWAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  current  status  of  representations  received  from  train  Managers (formerly Guards) regarding pay anomalies arising from the 6th and 7th Central Pay Commission recommendations;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  measures  being  taken  to  recognize  the  functional importance and operational accountability of the "Guard" category as a safety-critical role distinct from security personnel;
- (c) the details of the steps taken to ensure vertical career progression for Train  Managers  in  alignment  with  Rule  211  of  the  Indian  Railway Establishment Manual and Para 5.1.23 of the 7th CPC report; and
- (d) the details of the timelines and plans for addressing these long-standing grievances  including  the  feasibility  of  upgrading  entry-level  pay  and promotional  scales  for  Goods,  Passenger  and  Mail/Express  Guards  in the upcoming 8th Central Pay Commission?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c)  To address the career progression of Train Managers (Erstwhile Guards) Indian Railways, recognizes the importance of  Train Managers as an    important  safety  category  and  performing  duties  directly  connected with  the  safe  and  efficient  operations  of  trains.  Their  responsibilities include ensuring train integrity, compliance with break power and operational  requirements,  coordination  with  loco  pilots  and  station  staff, safe dispatch and reception of trains and handling abnormal and emergency situations related to Trains and Passengers.

These functions are integral to train operations and are distinct from the duties  of  security  personnel  such  as  Railway  Protection  Force  (RPF) /Government  Railway  Police  (GRP)  who  are  responsible  for  protection  of law and order.

Ministry  of  Railways  has  taken  up  measures  inter  alia  addressing  the various representations received from Train Managers through administrative orders mentioned below:

1. The  pay  scales  recommended  by  7 th   Central  Pay  Commission  in respect  of  Train  Managers  have  been  notified  by  Ministry  of Railways.
2. Category  of  Train  Manager  (Mail/Express)  and  Sr  Train  Manager (Passenger) have been granted DA indexed additional allowance at the rate of Rs 1125/ P .M. and Rs 750/P .M.
3. Grant of increment on promotion from Sr Goods Train Manager to Sr  Passenger  Train  Manager  has  been  given  vide  Ministry  of Railways order dated 02.02.2026.
4. Provisions  relating  to  filling  up  of  vacancies  and  promotional quotas  in  the  category  of  Train  Manager  (Goods)  have  been rationalised  vide  Ministry  of  Railways  order  dated  19.01.2026 thereby ensuring optimum utilisation of promotional opportunities and minimising stagnation.
5. Amendment to designations from Guards to Train Managers have been issued vide Ministry of Railways orders dated 13.01.2022.

Existing career progression of Train Managers is as follows:

Train  Managers (Goods)  Senior  Train  Manager  (Goods)  Senior  Train Manager  (Passenger)  Train  Manager  (Mail  Express).  In  addition,  Train Managers  are  eligible  for  promotion  to  the  post  of  Station  Master  and Section Controllers through selection. They are also eligible to appear for selection to the Group 'B' post of Assistant Operations Manager (AOM) and Assistant Commercial Manager(ACM). (d)  Matters  related  to  pay  structure,  pay  scales  and  other  associated issues, including those raised for consideration before future Central Pay Commissions,  fall  within  the  purview  of  the  Central  Pay  Commission constituted by the Government from time to time. Such matters are dealt with in accordance with the terms of reference and procedures prescribed for  the  Pay  Commission  concerned.  As  regards  to  8 th   CPC,  the  Terms  of Reference of the 8 th  Central Pay Commission have already been notified by the Government vide gazette notification dated 03.11.2025.

*****