A career in Indian Railways – Trains are objects of fascination for most of us right from childhood. Everyone loves to travel in Trains.
Rather than being a mere means of transportation, Indian Railways are known to be one of the world’s largest railway networks.
Indian Railways made history by being the largest rail network in Asia and the second largest rail network in the world.
Every Year thousands of individuals having zeal and caliber to pursue their passion in traveling and serving our nation seek a career with Indian Railways.
In this article we are going to discuss various aspects of railway jobs comprehensively.
Benefits of Railway Jobs
Job Security
Railway jobs are one of the most sought-after jobs in India for it provides job security.
There will not be any insecurities regarding the career prospects once a candidate joins hands with Indian railways.
Stable Income
The remuneration scale is always fixed for employees in Indian Railways.
Fluctuations in the case of payments will not happen as the monthly salary of each employee is fixed as per their designation.
Attractive accommodation facilities
Once you join as a railway employee, you will be provided with quarters or cottages to cater to accommodation purposes.
The majority of employees will be utilizing this facility of residential quarters which will be set inside a framework of Railway colonies.
Railway Canteens
Railway employees will get access to meals and other types of refreshments at a discounted rate from Railway canteens which are established across the nation.
Railway Schools and Colleges
Employees of Indian Railways will be able to provide best of the class education to their children by taking admission in Railway schools and colleges.
Travelling Passes
Free traveling passes will be provided for the entire family if one of the family members is working for Indian Railways.
This will make the transportation of all the family members hassle less.
Railway Hospitals
Medical services provided by Railway hospitals are always accessible for employees of Indian Railways.
Railway hospitals are always blessed with the best services and experienced medical practitioners
Attractive Salary Structure
The salary structure of railway employees is considered to be in good range while comparing with other similar job roles.
In hand salary combined with other perks and incentives proves to be a decent amount one could dream of while thinking about a secure job.
Sports Quota for the sportsperson
People who are good at sports can try their luck in railways for there is a scope for them to join as employees in Indian railway utilizing sports Quota.
Disadvantages of Railways Jobs
Priority for seniority
An employee having seniority is given priority over people who have academic excellence in career progression. The promotion of employees is mostly dependent upon seniority.
Frequent Transfers
Job in Indian railways demands traveling from one place to another and hence employees find themselves in a situation where they have to undergo transfers to other places.
This affects the stability of the family and the education of students.
Official Procedures or Bureaucracy
Official procedures and paperwork often interfere with even the simple official tasks of Railway employees.
Progress of work may get affected due to longer approval time.
Unconventional Work shifts
Work shifts vary with the designation and nature of jobs performed by employees of Indian railways.
High competition
Nowadays it is really difficult to get into a railway job due to the increased number of competent applicants and fewer job vacancies
Types of railway jobs in Indian Railways
Indian railway services can be broadly divided into two divisions such as Technical Cadre and Non-Technical Cadre. These divisions are further bifurcated i to four groups.
| Group | Nature of Post | Recruitment Mode | Job Roles |
| Group A | Official Cadre Post | Civil Services and Engineering Services Exam (ESE) conducted by Union Public Service Commission Promotion of Group B Officers in IRTS | Indian Railway Accounts Service Indian Railway Personnel Service Indian Railway Traffic Service Assistant Security Commissioner General Duty Medical Officer, Civil Engineers Electrical Engineers Mechanical Engineers Stores Service Signal Engineers |
| Group B | Official Cadre Post | Promotion of Group C Officers in IRTS | Junior Engineer Senior Section Engineer Chemical Metallurgical Assistant Depot Material Superindent |
| Group C | Subordinate Staff Post | Examination conducted by Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) | Traffic apprentice, commercial apprentice, Enquiry clerk, Booking clerk, junior account assistant, Senior clerk, Assistant Station Master, Goods Guard, Loco Pilot, |
| Group D | Unskilled Labor Post | Examination conducted by Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) | Helpers, Porters, Trackman, Gateman, Points-man, Hospital Assistant |
Eligibility Criteria for applying to railway jobs in India
| Group | Eligibility Criteria |
| Group A | A Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Master of Science), Medical (MBBS), or any other similar stream For Special Class Railway Apprentice (SCRA) Plus two with Physics-Chemistry-Mathematics Subject Combination. |
| Group B | Vacancies filled through promotion from Group C employees |
| Group C | 10th or equivalent for ALP or technician Plus Two or equivalent for Ticket Collector Graduation or equivalent for Goods Guard and Assistant Station Master |
Important Exams related to Indian Railway Jobs
| Sl No. | Name of the Examination |
| 1 | RRB Junior Engineer Examination (RRB JE) |
| 2 | Railway Recruitment Board Non-Technical Popular Categories (RRB NTPC) Examination |
| 3 | Railway Protection Force Sub Inspector (RPF SI) Examination |
| 4 | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Group D Examination |
| 5 | Railway Recruitment Board Assistance Loco Pilot (RRB ALP) Examination |
Important Examinations, Exam Pattern, Eligibility and Salary Structure of Indian Railway jobs
| Name of the Examination | Posts | Examination details | Educational Qualification | Salary Structure |
| RRB JE | Junior Engineer, Depot Material Superintendent, Chemical and metallurgical Assistance, Chief Depot Material Superintendent, and Senior Selection Engineer. | Multiple choice questions from technical aptitude, arithmetic, general awareness, general intelligence, and logical reasoning. | Engineering diploma from a recognized University or technical institute OR B.Sc. degree in Civil Engineering | INR 9300 to INR 34500 and Grade pay of INR 4200. |
| RRB NTPC | Traffic Assistant, Traffic Apprentice, Goods guard, Commercial Apprentice, Assistant Station Master | Compute- Based Test having preliminary and Main Exam pattern | Graduate degree or equivalent from a recognized board or university. Certificate in typing proficiency for clerical posts | INR 5200 to INR 9300 |
| RPF SI | Constable/RSPF Sub Inspector | Objective type examination | Graduation from a recognized college or university Physical fitness | INR 21000 (for constable) INR 35000 (for sub-inspector) |
| RRB Group D | Helper, Porters, Hospital attendant, Points-man, Attendant, Gatemen | Computer-Based Test (CBT) Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Document Verification Medical Fitness Test | SSLC from any recognized Board or NCVT or SCVT | INR 21000 to INR 159000 |
| RRB ALP | Assistant Loco Pilot | Computer Based Test (CBT) and topics include general science, logical reasoning, mathematics, and GK/current affairs. | SSLC and Certificate of Act Apprenticeship in the Trades OR Engineering Degree OR SSLC with ITI from a recognized institution of NCVT/SCVT | INR 19,900 |
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Best Books for Railway Exams
Here are some best books to refer while you prepare for Indian Railway recruitment related examinations.
| Name of the book | Author/ Publisher |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R S Aggarwal |
| 20 Practice Sets for RRB NTPC Stage I Exam | Disha Experts |
| Magical Book on Quicker Maths | M Tyra |
| Complete Guide for RRB Group D Level 1 Exam | Disha Experts |
| RRB General Awareness 3000+ Previous Years Questions for Junior Engineer, NTPC, ALP & Group D Exams | Disha Experts |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | Abhijith Guha and R.S. Aggarwal |
so here we discuss A career in Indian Railways.