5.08 lakh recruitment in Indian Railways between 2014-15 and 2024-25: Ashwini Vaishnaw
New Delhi: Indian Railways has recruited more than 5.08 lakh personnel over the last decade, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Rajya Sabha on Friday, outlining an extensive hiring drive that continues through the 2024–25 cycle. The minister detailed the scale, progress and transparency measures of ongoing recruitment, which covers a range of non-gazetted posts across technical, safety and support categories.
Responding to a written question, Vaishnaw said the ministry has followed a structured annual calendar to streamline examinations and ensure predictable timelines for applicants.
Large-scale hiring under 2024 calendar
According to the minister, recruitment for 1,43,086 non-gazetted posts is under way as per the 2024 and 2025 annual calendars. Between January and December 2024 alone, the Railway Recruitment Boards issued 10 Centralised Employment Notifications (CENs) covering 92,116 vacancies.
These openings span Assistant Loco Pilot, Technician roles, Railway Protection Force (RPF) Sub-Inspector and Constable positions, Junior Engineers, Depot Material Superintendent, Chemical and Metallurgical Assistant, various paramedical posts, Non-Technical Popular Categories (graduate and undergraduate levels), Ministerial & Isolated categories, and Level-1 roles such as Track Maintainer, Pointsman and Assistant.
Exams and tests across multiple stages completed
The minister said first-stage or single-stage computer-based tests (CBTs) have already been held for 59,678 posts. Second-stage CBTs for Assistant Loco Pilot, Junior Engineer/DMS/CMA and both levels of NTPC categories have also been completed.
Computer-Based Aptitude Tests for ALP and NTPC (graduate) candidates, along with skill tests for NTPC (graduate-level) and Ministerial & Isolated categories, have been finished as well.
A separate CBT for 32,438 Level-1 vacancies began on 27 November across 140 cities in 15 languages. The Physical Efficiency Test for 4,208 RPF Constable posts concluded on 6 December.
Over 34,000 panels finalised so far
Panels recommending more than 34,000 candidates have now been finalised for a range of posts including Technician, Junior Engineer, Paramedical, RPF Sub-Inspector and Assistant Loco Pilot positions. Vaishnaw said most of these selections fall under safety-critical categories.
In addition to the 2024 cycle, the minister confirmed that nine CENs have been published for 2025, covering 50,970 posts. The staggered notifications across two annual cycles are designed to provide steady opportunities for aspirants.
No paper leaks or malpractices, says minister
Vaishnaw emphasised that railway recruitment exams are technologically complex and require mobilising substantial manpower and logistics nationwide. Despite these challenges, he said the Railways conducted the process “transparently” and strictly in line with guidelines, with no incidents of paper leaks or similar irregularities reported during the entire recruitment cycle.
Annual calendar improves fairness and predictability
The introduction of an annual recruitment calendar from 2024 has helped standardise timelines, the minister told Parliament. According to him, the system benefits candidates by ensuring:
- More frequent opportunities
- Openings for newly eligible aspirants each year
- Predictable exam schedules
- Faster recruitment, training and deployment
The minister said the structured approach has strengthened transparency and reduced uncertainty for millions of railway job seekers. (ANI)