Occurrence and filling up of vacancies is a continuous process on Indian Railways considering its size, spatial distribution and criticality of operation. Adequate and suitable manpower is provided to cater to the regular operations, changes in technology, mechanisations and innovative practices. The vacancies are filled up primarily by placement of indents by Railways with Recruitment agencies as per operational and technological requirements.
Two major competitive Computer Based Tests (CBT) involving more than 2.37 crore candidates have been conducted recently for filling up of 1.39 lakh vacancies for non-gazetted posts. 1st Stage CBT for CEN 01/2019 (NTPC) for more than 1.26 crore candidates was conducted in 7 phases from 28.12.2020 to 31.07.2021 in 133 shifts in 68 days across 211 cities and 726 centres in 15 languages. Similarly, CBT for CEN RRC 01/2019 (Level 1) was conducted for more than 1.11 crore candidates in 5 phases from 17.08.2022 to 11.10.2022 in 99 shifts in 33 days across 191 cities and 551 centres in 15 languages.
2,94,115 vacancies have been filled up in the last five years and up to 30th September 2023. More than 90% of the candidates recruited are in safety and operational categories.
Periodical review of Running Staff is done through crew review exercises by Zonal Railways as per delegations of power. This crew review is done on annual/six monthly basis by Zonal Railways, which means virtually every year crew review is done.
During the period from 2014-15 to 2023-24 (upto Sep 23), 4,89,696 no. of candidates have been recruited by the Railway Recruitment agencies against various group C posts (including level-1 and security related posts).