New Delhi: In a major move on Thursday, the Government of India announced the extension of lifetime complimentary rail travel to recipients of the Sena, Nau Sena and Vayu Sena gallantry medals.

Under the new directive, awardees—along with their spouses (or widows/widowers until remarriage) and parents of unmarried posthumous recipients—are eligible for free lifelong travel. This benefit applies to First Class, 2 AC and AC Chair Car coaches across the Indian Railways network, including the provision for one companion.

New career pathways for veterans and Agniveers

Beyond travel concessions, the Ministry of Railways and the Indian Army have formalised a "Framework of Cooperation" designed to integrate retiring personnel and Agniveers into the civilian workforce. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between military service and railway careers through structured support and increased awareness of job prospects.

According to the Ministry of Railways, this collaborative effort is a "major step towards deepening institutional collaboration" and ensures that veterans can access meaningful second-career pathways.

Key recruitment highlights and reservations

The Railways has established a robust reservation system to facilitate the transition of ex-servicemen and ex-Agniveers:

  • Ex-servicemen: 10% horizontal reservation in Level-2 posts and above; 20% in Level-1 posts.
  • Ex-Agniveers: 5% reservation in Level-2 posts and above; 10% in Level-1 posts.
  • Recent vacancies: In 2024 and 2025, a total of 14,788 posts were specifically earmarked for ex-servicemen.

To address immediate operational needs, the Ministry has also sanctioned the contractual recruitment of ex-servicemen as 'Pointsmen' until regular recruitment cycles are finalised. Currently, over 5,000 Level-1 positions are being processed, with nine Railway Divisions already signing MoUs with Army organisations to expedite the hiring.

Strategic synergy: Logistics and infrastructure

The partnership extends beyond employment. The Indian Army and Railways continue to collaborate on critical infrastructure, including the Dedicated Freight Corridors and the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), which are vital for rapid troop deployment. The skill-sharing programmes are also being scaled up through partnerships with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya.

ANI