Railways offer diverse opportunities for individuals with diverse career backgrounds. It is a rapidly expanding sector with never a period of recession. Grab an exciting job in the railways and accelerate your career.
We all have journeyed through trains and found them fascinating. The long tail running through the forests, mountains, over the bridges and under the tunnels and moves endlessly from one corner to another is nothing less than a wonder. If there is a quest to know more, to discover railways from deeper dimensions, accelerate your skills and join such a dynamic system. It is not just hundreds of trains running daily, but a dense system of mechanical, technical organizations and vast infrastructure with precision in management and a community of thousands of employees.
The lifeline and the pride of the country, “The Indian Railways” is 150 years long and is the largest network of connectivity as well as huge personnel. It offers job opportunities to thousands of employees with different academic backgrounds and qualifications. Being the second-largest commercial employer in the world, the Indian Railway is a golden opportunity for all young aspirants. What is remarkable about the system is that there is never a recession and it is continuously progressing. Join the Indian Railways for opportunities and a glorified career.
Eligibility
There are jobs available in railways after tenth and twelfth standards Through the Railway Recruitment Board, the selection procedure is done for several vacancies in different departments. Diploma courses are done by people to enhance their skills and get promotions and pay hikes. The IT wing of the Indian Railways is the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and it is Headquartered at New Delhi. It is an autonomous organization and has Regional offices in Kolkata, Secunderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi.
CRIS is related to the technical operations in the railway system and it provides multiple opportunities for IT graduates. Students skilled in developing software such as C#, C, C++, Java can apply for these jobs. B-Tech in Computer Science and Electronics can apply for job opportunities in the technical wing involved in the development, maintenance and implementation of the Reservation System, Ticketing System, e-Procurement System, Freight Operations Information System (FOIS) and other IT related wings.
Mechanical and Civil Branch graduates can work the engine design and railway track development wings. Engineering Services Examination, as well as Civil Services Examination, is required to clear for getting jobs at higher posts in the Railways. Graduates in commerce and mathematics can apply for the audit and finance department of the railways.
Indian Institutes offering courses in Railway Institutes
| Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management (IRITM) | Professional Training of IRTS Probationary officers, Appreciation Courses for Probationary Officers (Mid Career Training Programmes, Special Courses) | Lucknow | http://www.iritm.indianrailways.gov.in/ |
| The Institution of Permanent Way Engineers | Diploma Courses (IT) | Pune | https://www.ipweindia.org.in/ |
| Indian Railways Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IRIMEE) | Training courses for Mechanical & M&C courses | Jamalpur (Patna) | http://www.irimee.indianrailways.gov.in/ |
| Institute of Rail Transport | Rail Transport and Management, Transport, Economics and Management, Multi-modal Transport Courses | New Delhi | http://www.irt-india.com/ |
| The Indian Railways Institute of Logistics & Materials Management (IRILMM) | Diploma Courses | New Delhi | http://www.irilmm.com/ |
Entrance Exams to pursue a career in Railways
| Service | Examination | Qualification | Age Limit |
| Indian Railway Service of Engineers ( IRSE ), | Indian Engineering Services | Engineering as graduation | 21 to 30 years on 1st August |
| Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IREE | Combined Engineering Service Examination | Engineering as graduation | 21 to 30 years on 1st August |
| Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers(IRSME) | Combined Engineering Service Examination | Engineering as graduation | 21 to 30 years on 1st August |
| Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers(IRSEE) | Combined Engineering Service Examination | Engineering as graduation | 21 to 30 years on 1st August |
| Indian Railway Stores Service (IRSS) | Combined Engineering Service Examination | Engineering as graduation | 21 to 30 years on 1st August |
| Indian Railway Traffic Service(IRTS) | Civil Services Examination | Graduation | 21 to 30 years on 1st August |
| Railway Protection Force | Civil Services Examination | Graduation | 21 to 30 years on 1st August |
| Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) | Civil Services Examination | Graduation | 21 to 30 years on 1st August |
| Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) | Civil Services Examination | Graduation | 21 to 30 years on 1st August |
| Indian Railway Medical Service(IRMS) | Combined Medical Services Examination | Medical Degree | 21 to 30 years on 1st August |
| Commercial Apprentice, Assistant Station Master, Traffic Apprentice, Clerk | Railway Non-Technical Cadre Exam | Graduation for Grace B, C jobs | 18 to 27 years on 1st August |
| Railway Recruitment Service | Railway Non-Technical Cadre Exam | Engineering Degree | 18 to 27 years on 1st August |
| Sub Inspectors/ Constables | RPF Sub Inspectors/ Constables Exam | Intermediate/ 10+2 Science background | 20-25 years Sub Inspectors18-25 years Constables |
| Assistants, Clerk (LDC), Attendant, Driver, Constable, Village Administrative Officer (VAO), Stenographer, Data Entry Operator, Junior Assistants, Peon | Railway Recruitment Examination | Intermediate/ 10+2 | 18 to 25 years |
Opportunities in railways
To pursue a career in railways, there are ample opportunities available in the government sector. A number of govt jobs in railways offer opportunities to students looking for a career in this field. The movements of the trains are operated by the operations department and it includes several jobs of inspectors and supervisors at control offices and stations. The qualified candidates are trained for two years at Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy of Administration in Mussouri.
During the third year, job training followed by clearance of departmental examinations gives a confirmed post as officers Assistant Operations Superintendent (AOS) or as Assistant Commercial Superintendent (ACS) at the Divisional Headquarters. Promotions and experience can lead to the post of Operations Manager or Senior Divisional Commercial Managers and the topmost position as Operations or Commercial Chief Managers at the Zonal Level.
Engineers or technical graduates are appointed at the post of railway officers and have work in fields such as planning, construction, maintenance and installation of railway tracks, buildings and bridges. Individuals can also clear the Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE), Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE) and Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME).
The finances and accounts of the railways are handled by large personnel that is appointed through Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS). This service provides opportunities for students with mathematics and accounts background. Finance managers, management students, and Chartered Accountants can avail of prestigious job opportunities.
Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) provides job opportunities for thousands of officers that are employed in work related to staff welfare activities, recruitment, training, promotion, informing and transfer of staff and other departments’ related activities. Individuals interested in police personnel can work as a paramilitary force through Railway Protection Service. Railways are the largest operating public sector industry in the country and require proper planning for it to flourish. Indian Railway Stores Services deals with the activities related to the five-year plan of the railways.
Other job opportunities include clerical jobs as that at the ticket counter or Ticket Inspectors. Railways also recruit students after twelfth class and diploma holders at grade C and D posts.
Salary Structure
The diversity of jobs available in the Railways has different posts and pay scales. Education and experience add to the salary hike. There are four groups D, C, B, A of the railway staff with a different salary structure. After the 6th Pay Commission, the salaries hiked to a great extent. For the D level, the staffs are cleaners, guards and they get 7000 INR at entry-level grade pay per month, while for the C group employees, the salaries range from Rs. 7,730 – Rs. 18,150 per month.
For B group officers (technicians, ticket collectors, junior engineers), the salaries range from 21000-30000 INR per month and for the group A officers (IRAS, IRPS, IRSSE) the pay scale range from 46000- 53000 INR per month. Apart from the salaries, the employees are also given perks and bonuses. After the seventh pay commission, predicted to be implemented since January 2016, the salaries are estimated to hike by 23.55 percent.
Conclusion
Railways are stretched all across with job openings available everywhere in the country. Professionals are also sent abroad for training and skill enhancement programs. A career in railways is accompanied by handsome salaries, job security, and good professional status. Come and become a part of such a dynamic system let your career travel new heights.
The iDC Editorial Team brings in a collective work experience of more than 25 years in diverse fields spanning from career counselling, management consulting, engineering, and technology to science, finance, and humanities. The team’s key competencies are in research and analysis of careers, jobs, and industries. The team boasts a few best-in-class writers on careers and education.
