With over 43,000 recruitments already made this financial year, Indian Railways is accelerating the recruitment process across key categories, including co-pilots, technicians and junior engineers. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw directed officials to enhance transparency, adopt more technology-based tests and ensure candidates get accurate and timely recruitment updates.
Indian Railways has recruited 43,781 candidates against 47,084 vacancies reported during the financial year 2025-26, Indian Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while reviewing the recruitment process of the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) on Saturday.During a high-level meeting with senior railway officials, the minister stressed the need for a more transparent, accurate and technology-driven recruitment system. He said the hiring process must continue to evolve through the use of technology, faster procedures, and increased accountability.
More than 43,000 candidates were recruited
According to railway officials, recruitment has been completed across six major categories. The largest recruitment exercise was conducted for the posts of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP), where 17,193 candidates were hired against 18,799 vacancies.Likewise, 13,416 candidates were recruited for technician positions against 14,298 vacant positions. Recruitment of 450 sub-inspectors, 4,205 policemen, 7,333 junior engineers and 1,184 candidates in various allied medical categories has also been completed. The Railways said these appointments reflect its efforts to quickly fill vacant positions and strengthen its workforce.
Several recruitment examinations are underway
The Ministry also reviewed the status of ongoing recruitment drives, including NTPC postgraduate level, NTPC undergraduate level, ministerial and segregated categories, technicians, and allied medical categories.
Document verification for several categories has already begun, while results for some writing and teaching jobs are expected soon.Railway Recruitment Boards are currently processing recruitment for thousands of vacancies and final selection in several categories is expected in the next six months to one year.
More than 32,000 First level vacancies In the pipeline
Among the ongoing recruitment campaigns, Level 1 recruitment under CEN 08/2024 remains the largest, with 32,438 vacancies.The Railways is also recruiting for 10,970 Assistant Loco Pilot posts, 5,810 NTPC graduate level posts, 3,058 NTPC undergraduate level posts, 2,585 Junior Engineer posts and 368 Section Controller posts. The NTPC undergraduate exam alone is expected to be taken by about 25 lakh candidates.
Recruitment calendar helps aspirants
The annual recruitment calendar and quarterly vacancy notifications provided by the Railways have received positive response from the candidates, Vaishnaw said.According to the minister, the system gives aspirants greater clarity about upcoming vacancies and helps them prepare for the exams in a planned manner.
Pay to take computer and tablet based tests
The Railway Minister also reviewed the progress made in converting departmental examinations to Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. He directed officials to introduce more tablet-based tests wherever possible to make the recruitment process faster and more efficient.He also highlighted the importance of conducting exams in multiple languages to ensure that candidates from different parts of the country are able to participate without facing language barriers.
Railways asked to counter misinformation
During the meeting, Vaishnaw instructed the railway recruitment boards to enhance communication with candidates and provide timely updates regarding exams and results.He said hiring misinformation must be quickly countered with accurate information so candidates stay informed and confident about the process.The Railways reiterated its commitment to a fair, transparent and merit-based recruitment system supported by technology and regular reforms aimed at improving the job experience of aspirants.