Government Reverses Railway Recruitment Policy: ESE Exams Restored
The Indian government has made a significant policy reversal regarding the recruitment of railway officers, announcing the reinstatement of Engineering Services Exams (ESE) alongside the Civil Services Exam (CSE). This decision, highlighted in a recent official circular from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), is set to reshape the recruitment process for the Indian Railway Management System (IRMS).
Restoration of Engineering Services Exams
On October 5, 2024, the DoPT issued an office memorandum approving the Ministry of Railways’ proposal to conduct recruitment through both UPSC-ESE and UPSC-CSE. This marks a notable shift from the 2019 decision to rely solely on the CSE for IRMS appointments.
The memorandum emphasizes that this new recruitment scheme will align with the unique demands for both technical and non-technical personnel within the Ministry of Railways. The decision was taken after careful consideration of the Ministry’s proposal submitted on October 3, 2024.
Background on Recruitment Changes
For the past few years, the Railway Ministry has been exclusively hiring officers for the IRMS via the CSE. The restoration of the ESE is seen as a necessary step to address the challenges faced in recruiting qualified candidates for technical positions, as the previous approach had led to difficulties in filling such roles effectively.
Tentative Vacancies for ESE 2025
According to the DoPT circular, the tentative number of vacancies to be filled through the ESE 2025 is set at 225. These positions will be distributed among various disciplines within the IRMS as follows:
- IRMS (Civil): 75 vacancies
- IRMS (Mechanical): 40 vacancies
- IRMS (Electrical): 50 vacancies
- IRMS (S&T): 40 vacancies
- IRMS (Stores): 20 vacancies
The ministry is expected to provide a detailed breakdown of vacancies by category, including SC/ST/OBC/EWS and PwBD, in coordination with the designated liaison officer.
Next Steps for Implementation
In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications, the Railway Board’s Chairman, Satish Kumar, requested that the Ministry of Railways be included in the ongoing ESE recruitment process. The letter proposed extending the application deadline for ESE 2025, which currently closes on October 8, 2024, to ensure that potential candidates have ample opportunity to apply.
The Railway Ministry has also confirmed that the syllabus for the ESE will remain consistent with what has already been notified, ensuring that candidates are adequately prepared for the upcoming exams.
Conclusion
The government’s decision to reinstate the ESE reflects a commitment to addressing the recruitment challenges within the Indian Railways, ultimately aiming to bolster the workforce with qualified technical personnel. As the new recruitment process unfolds, candidates eagerly await further details regarding application procedures and timelines.