With more than 2 million employees and with a wide and diverse range of operations,
Indian railway system is one of the world's largest commercial employers. Vacancies in Indian railways are advertised by the Railways Recruitment
Boards through the Employment News/ Rozgar Samachar as well as in prominent
national dailies.
Some of the Group A services available within the department of Indian
Railways are :
Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) - Group A Divided into two divisions namely commercial and operations divisions,
IRTS controls the transportation and commercial matters related to transportation.
Ticket checking, catering, administration and management of stations,
reservation, announcements on the platforms etc. are handled in the
commercial division. Whereas operations division deals with controlling
movement of trains, detachment or attachment of wagons etc.
The posts and promotions differ slightly as per the selection grade.
When an officer reaches the senior administrative grade, he or she is
given the post of Chief Commercial/Operations Superintendent.
Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) - Group A IRAS are responsible for the accounting and finance operations
of the Indian Railways. Since this branch deals mainly with the financial
transactions, an account service officer should have a thorough knowledge
of accounting procedures and related practices.
Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) - Group A
Officers of IRPS are the responsible personal dealings with the matters
related to the personal sections like selection, promotions, training,
welfare activities, transfers, increments etc.
Railway Engineering Services - Group A
This technical side of Indian railway, allied with the activities like
construction and planning of railway tracks, bridges and buildings,
is further sub divided into branches namely :
-- Indian Railway Service of (Civil) Engineers (IRSE) : Employees
of this branch are responsible for managing the civil engineering organisation
of the Indian railways. Their duties involves planning the track routes,
constructing railway station, bridges, tunnels, etc.
-- Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) :
Railway Service of Electrical Engineers are responsible to maintain
the assets of the electrical department in Indian railways. Their major
responsibilities includes power distribution networks, power generation,
electrical distribution systems, monitoring continuity of supply etc.
-- Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) :
The maintenance of the locomotives, wagons, carriages etc are carried
out by the mechanical engineers branch.
-- Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE) :
The vast signaling and telecommunication infrastructure of the Indian
railways is controlled by the IRSSE branch.
Indian Railway Stores Service (IRSS) - Group A
The IRSS cadre is responsible for forecasting, planning, procurement
logistic support & management, warehousing of very expensive and
sophisticated assets meant for the national lifeline i.e Indian Railways.
It is also responsible for giving material support to production of
coaches, locomotives and other rolling stock. This service is also responsible
for mopping up scrap scattered all over Indian Railways, and to sell
it through tender/public auction. The important function of vendor approval
/development and registration of firms is also one of the main functions
of IRSS
Indian Railway Medical Service (IRMS) - Group A
Railways have full-fledged hospitals at the divisional level and at
zonal headquarters. Selection to the posts in the Railway Medical
Services are made through
Combined Medical Examination conducted by the Union Public Service
Commission (UPSC)
Railway Protection Service/ Force (RPF)
RPF is the branch entrusted with the task of maintenance and security
of law and order in the Indian Railways. The ranks in the RPF varies
from Constable to Director General.
Other Services in the railways includes stations masters, assistant
station masters, engine drivers, assistant drivers, yardmaster, motormen,
guards, signal and mechanical inspectors etc. which falls under Group
C. One can also join in Indian railways as ticket collectors, clerks,
stenographers, depot store keeper, rail maintenance workers etc.
