“No Instance of Paper Leakage Or Malpractice”: Railway Ministry In Parliament
The Ministry of Railways has confirmed in Parliament that there has been no instance of paper leakage or malpractice in recent recruitment examinations conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB). Addressing concerns raised in the Lok Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining transparency and fairness in the recruitment process.
“The RRB examinations are quite technical in nature entailing large scale mobilization of men and resources and training of manpower. Railway overcame all these challenges and successfully conducted the recruitment in a transparent manner following all laid down guidelines. No instance of paper leakage or similar malpractice has occurred during the entire process,” the minister said.
Responding to a question about the cancellation of pending departmental selections for Group ‘C’ posts, the Ministry clarified: “Most of the promotions are done through skill test & through Seniority cum-Suitability. A small percentage of the overall promotion is done through Departmental Examination. In the recent past, some irregularities in existing system of departmental examination has been noticed. Investigative agency has arrested some officials against whom necessary legal action is underway. This Government is committed to probity and transparency in public service. Therefore, it was decided to revisit the system of departmental examination.”
Despite recent reports of malpractice, the government assured that no paper leaks had occurred in centrally conducted examinations. The Ministry highlighted that between 2020 and 2022, two major examinations were conducted successfully, involving over 2.37 crore candidates across multiple cities and centres. The RRB has played a crucial role in conducting these exams in a secure, technology-driven manner, ensuring strict adherence to guidelines.
To eliminate discrepancies, the government has decided to centralise all departmental promotion examinations under the RRB. This shift ensures that future selections will be conducted through computer-based tests, reducing the possibility of corruption and malpractice. The Ministry underscored that the RRB’s expertise in conducting large-scale examinations will enhance the transparency and efficiency of the recruitment process.
On the issue of filling vacant Group ‘C’ posts, the government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring timely recruitment. Vacancies are being filled based on operational and technological requirements, with recruitment agencies receiving placement indents accordingly.
Between 2004 and 2014, a total of 4.11 lakh individuals were recruited in Indian Railways. However, in the subsequent decade from 2014 to 2024, this figure increased to 5.02 lakh, reflecting the government’s focus on strengthening manpower in the sector.
The introduction of an annual recruitment calendar from 2024 is expected to bring greater predictability and efficiency to the process. Candidates will benefit from increased opportunities, certainty regarding examination schedules, and a faster selection process. Under this new system, ten Centralised Employment Notifications (CENs) have been issued in 2024, covering 92,116 vacancies across multiple categories, including Assistant Loco Pilots, Technicians, Sub-Inspectors, Constables in the Railway Protection Force (RPF), and Junior Engineers.
The Ministry detailed the successful completion of several large-scale recruitment exams in recent months. For instance, the first-stage Computer-Based Test (CBT) for Assistant Loco Pilot positions saw over 18.4 lakh candidates appearing across 156 cities. Similarly, the CBT for RPF Sub-Inspector roles had 15.3 lakh candidates, while over 45 lakh applicants participated in the RPF Constable examination. These large-scale tests were conducted efficiently, further demonstrating the effectiveness of the RRB’s recruitment mechanisms.
To ensure career progression within the railways, multiple promotion mechanisms are in place, including seniority-based promotions, skill tests, and departmental examinations. While a majority of promotions occur through skill tests and seniority-cum-suitability assessments, departmental examinations have historically played a limited role. The decision to transition these examinations to the RRB’s computer-based model is expected to enhance credibility and fairness.
The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring probity in public service and addressing any irregularities in recruitment. By entrusting the RRB with the responsibility of conducting departmental promotions, authorities aim to eliminate past malpractices and establish a system that is both reliable and efficient.
The Ministry assured Parliament that its efforts to maintain fairness in recruitment would continue, with all necessary reforms being implemented to safeguard the integrity of examinations. With the new measures in place, railway recruitment is set to become more transparent, predictable, and efficient, ultimately benefiting both aspirants and the railways at large.
