Indian Railway is the fourth largest in the world, and with 1.4 million employees working in different capacities, it is one of the world’s largest employers as well. Job opportunities are varied in its different departments and job aspirants in the country consider it a privilege to have a career with Indian Railway. In this article we will discuss the top career opportunities, exams, eligibility, job profile, and salary in the Indian railways:
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Top positions
- Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS)
- Revenue Sector
- Engineering Sector
- Station Master
- Track Inspector
- Rail Navigator
- Conductor
- Fireman
- Guard
All the above job roles call for meeting the eligibility criteria decided by the Indian Railway and aspirants have to crack the entrance exams for each of it. Exams held every year to recruit candidates in different departments of the Indian railway are very popular in the country.
Top Railways Exams
- RRB JE Exam, RRB NTPC Exam, and RRB ALP
- RRB Group D RPF Constable Exam RPF SI Exam
- RITES Recruitment RRB Paramedical Recruitment
- Exams Conducted for Jobs in Railways
- Railway Recruitment Board Junior Engineer (RRB JE)
RRB JE
Positions like Junior Engineer with the Indian Railways continue to be extremely coveted amongst fresh engineering graduates. RRB JE exam is held by Railway Recruitment Board to recruit candidates for positions like Junior Engineer, Depot Material Superintendent, Chemical and metallurgical Assistance, Chief Depot Material Superintendent, and Senior Selection Engineer.
Exam Pattern
RRB JE exam includes 150 MCQ questions to be finished in two hours. The paper is based on technical aptitude, arithmetic, general awareness, general intelligence, and logical reasoning.
Eligibility
Candidates must be Indian citizens and have a three years engineering diploma from a recognised University/ Institute in Mechanical/ Production Engineering/ Electronics/ Electric /Manufacturing/ Tools & Die Making/ Industrial/ Machining/ Instrumentation/ Automobile & Machining/ Civil and Control/ Tools Engineering. Or the applicants will have to have a B.Sc. (three years) degree in Civil Engineering or a combination of any sub-stream of Civil Engineering basic streams from a recognised university. In addition, the candidates must be in the 18 to 25 years age bracket.
Salary
Salary of Junior Engineer in railway comes under the Pay Scale – 2. As per Pay Scale 2, the basic salary varies from 9300 to 34500 with grade pay of 4200. During training period, recruits are entitled to basic pay plus DA. Once training is over, DA, TA, and HRA are added to the basic salary. This takes the monthly salary to 42000 at the start of career.
Railway Recruitment Board Non-Technical Popular Categories (RRB NTPC)
Held by the Railway Recruitment Board for posts like traffic assistant, traffic apprentice, goods guard, commercial apprentice, and assistant station master, this is another very popular exam in the country. Those seeking a career in non-technical field with Indian Railway, will have to crack the RRB NTPC exam.
Exam Pattern
This is a computer-based test conducted in two phases – Prelims and Mains. Prelims have 100 questions of one mark each and Mains have 120 questions of one mark each. Preliminary exam is of 90 minutes and with questions on general science, arithmetic ability, general awareness, and logical reasoning. Main exam paper is on arithmetic ability, general science, general awareness, logical reasoning and general intelligence. Duration is also 90 minutes.
Eligibility
Applicants must have a graduate degree or equivalent from a recognised board/university. Certificate in typing proficiency is a must for applying to posts like Senior Clerk cum Typist or Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist. The age group is 18 to 32 years.
Salary
The salary varies according to the posts. The range is INR 5200 to 9300 (excluding allowances).
Railway Protection Force Sub Inspector (RPF SI)
Conducted y the Railway Protection Force board, this is a great opportunity to work as a cop i.e. Constable/RSPF Sub Inspector with the Indian Railways. The job is interesting and full of exciting challenges.
Exam Pattern
The exam is based on general intelligence and logical reasoning, numerical aptitude, general knowledge and general English. Duration is 3 hours and the paper is of 200 objective type questions having 1 mark each.
Eligibility
Age bracket is 20 to 25 years for the general category. Applicants must be graduates in a discipline from a recognised college or university and must meet physical eligibility (Height and Chest) criteria to appear for the exam.
Salary
The salary varies from 21000 (for constable) to 35000 (for sub-inspector). Many additional allowances are like provident fund, pension, medical facilities, education assistance, travelling and transfer allowance, gratuity etc.
Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Group D
The Railway Recruitment Board also holds the RRB Group D exam for posts like helper/porter/hospital, points-man, attendant, gatemen etc. These jobs are entryways to becoming government servants and part of Indian Railway.
Exam Pattern
The exam is held through four stages e.g. Computer Based Test (CBT), Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Document Verification and Medical Fitness Test. The exam duration is 90 minutes for general category and 120 minutes for eligible PwD candidates accompanied with scribes. Topics include mathematics, general science, general awareness on current affairs, and general intelligence and logical reasoning. 100 questions are set in the paper. Qualifying the test, candidates need to go for Physical Efficiency Test followed by document verification and medical fitness test.
Eligibility
Applicants must have passed class 10 from any recognised Board/NCVT/SCVT and the age bracket is 18 to 31 years for general category candidates.
Salary
The salary varies according to posts. The range is INR 21000 to 159000. There are allowances like Daily Allowance, Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance, Conveyance Allowance, Overtime Allowance etc.
Railway Recruitment Board Assistance Loco Pilot (RRB ALP)
Railway Recruitment Board conducts RRB ALP exam for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot. If driving or piloting a train fascinates you, then this is the exam you need to take up. Assistant Locomotive Pilot is one of the most interesting jobs that you could join in the Indian Railway both in terms of salary and responsibility.
Exam Pattern
This exam is a Computer Based Test (CBT) and topics include general science, logical reasoning, mathematics, and GK/current affairs. The exam is taken in 2 phases; duration of first stage is 1 Hour and the paper has 75 questions. The second phase is of two parts – Part A and Part B. While Part A is of 1 hour 30 minutes with 100 questions, Part B is of 1-hour with 75 questions.
Eligibility
The age bracket is 18 to 28 years. The write the test for Assistance Loco Pilot job one must complete Matriculation/SSLC plus course and complete Act Apprenticeship in the Trades OR Engineering Degree/ Matriculation/SSLC together with ITI from a recognised institution of NCVT/SCVT in the trades of Amature and Coil Winder/ Electronics/Electrician/Fitter/Mechanic/Machinist/Mechanic Diesel/Mechanic Motor Vehicle/Millwright Maintenance Mechanic/Tractor Mechanic/Wireman/Turner. Otherwise one must have a 3-year Diploma in Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics/Automobile Engineering OR combination of various streams of these Engineering Disciplines from recognised institutions.
Salary
The entitled salary is INR 19,900 together with different allowances like Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance, Running Allowance, New Pension Scheme etc.