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5.56 Lakh Recruitments Done Since 2014 (Up to June 2026), Including 50,485 in Southern Railway: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw -
Approximately 4.5 Crore Candidates Appeared in Computer-Based Test in 2024 and 2025 Exam Cycle -
Recruitment Exams Conducted Over 150 Cities in 15 Languages to Ensure Wider Access and Greater Convenience for Railway Aspirants
Indian Railways has significantly strengthened its workforce through mission-mode recruitment, appointing 5.56 lakh employees between 2014 and June 30, 2026, compared to 4.11 lakh recruitments during 2004-05 to 2013-14, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Replying to a question in Parliament, the Minister said the recruitment drive includes 50,485 appointments in Southern Railway. He added that recruitment is an ongoing process aimed at ensuring adequate manpower for railway operations, technological advancements, mechanisation, and improved passenger services.
Nearly 4.5 Crore Candidates Appeared in CBTs
The Minister revealed that approximately 4.5 crore candidates participated in various Computer-Based Tests (CBTs) conducted during the 2024 and 2025 recruitment cycles. The examinations were held across more than 150 cities in 15 Indian languages, making the recruitment process more accessible and convenient for aspirants nationwide.
Annual Recruitment Calendar Introduced
To streamline the hiring process, the Ministry of Railways introduced an Annual Recruitment Calendar from 2024 for Group ‘C’ posts. According to Vaishnaw, the initiative offers:
- Regular recruitment opportunities every year.
- Chances for newly eligible candidates to apply annually.
- Greater certainty regarding examination schedules.
- Faster recruitment, training, and appointment process.
Recruitment Underway for 1.61 Lakh Vacancies
The Minister stated that recruitment for 1,61,889 non-gazetted vacancies, including 11,387 posts in Southern Railway, is currently in progress under the Annual Calendars of 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Presently, recruitment against 1,61,889 vacancies (including 11,387 vacancies for Southern Railway) of non-gazetted personnel has been taken up on Indian Railways as per Annual Calendar 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Major Recruitment Drive in 2024
During 2024, the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) issued 10 Centralised Employment Notifications (CENs) for 92,116 vacancies covering posts such as:
- Assistant Loco Pilots (ALPs)
- Technicians
- Junior Engineers
- Depot Material Superintendents
- Chemical & Metallurgical Assistants
- Railway Protection Force (RPF) Sub-Inspectors and Constables
- Paramedical Staff
- Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate and Undergraduate)
- Ministerial & Isolated Categories
- Level-1 posts including Track Maintainers, Assistants, and Pointsmen
The first-stage and single-stage CBTs for these recruitments recorded participation from over 3.58 crore candidates, while second-stage CBTs attracted 5.57 lakh candidates. Computer-Based Aptitude Tests and Skill Tests were also completed successfully.
Over 3,300 Panels Finalised in 2026
Vaishnaw informed the House that by June 30, 2026, recruitment panels for more than 3,300 candidates had already been finalised for posts including Technicians, Junior Engineers, Assistant Loco Pilots, Paramedical Staff, and Ministerial categories. Most of these appointments are in safety-related positions.
Indian Railways : 2025 Recruitment Notifications
Under the 2025 Annual Recruitment Calendar, Railways notified 51,970 vacancies, including:
- 10,970 Assistant Loco Pilot posts
- 6,238 Technician posts
- 5,810 Graduate NTPC posts
- 3,058 Undergraduate NTPC posts
- 22,195 Level-1 posts
- Other vacancies in Section Controller, Junior Engineer, Paramedical, and Isolated Categories
CBTs for 29,775 vacancies have already been completed, with nearly 91 lakh candidates appearing. Second-stage CBTs and aptitude tests for several categories have also concluded.
2026 Recruitment Notifications
For the 2026 recruitment cycle, Indian Railways has already announced 17,803 vacancies, including:
- 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot posts
- 6,557 Technician posts
- 119 Section Controller posts
These vacancies include 1,048 posts for Southern Railway.
Transparent and Technology-Driven Recruitment
The Railway Minister emphasised that despite the enormous logistical challenges of conducting examinations across the country, the Railway Recruitment Boards successfully carried out the recruitment process in a transparent, technology-driven, and fair manner, adhering to all prescribed guidelines.
He reiterated that Indian Railways will continue to recruit personnel regularly to meet operational requirements and support the expansion and modernisation of one of the world’s largest railway networks.
This information was provided by the Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
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