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Indian Railways Hiring Boom: How 5 Lakh Jobs Boosted Workforce by 23.6%

Indian Railways has significantly ramped up its hiring over the last ten years. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament about this 23.6% growth in recruitment. The process is ongoing, with a massive push to fill over 120,000 current vacancies. The ministry highlights a transparent and tech-driven recruitment system to manage this large-scale operation.

Key Points: Railways Recruited 5.08 Lakh People in 10 Years Says Minister

  • Recruitment increased by 23.6% compared to the previous decade, adding 5.08 lakh employees
  • Over 1.2 lakh vacancies are being filled as per the 2024-25 annual calendar
  • Exams for 32,438 Level-1 posts commenced in November 2025 across 140 cities
  • A new annual calendar system for Group ‘C’ posts was introduced from 2024
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Indian Railways recruited 5.08 lakh people in last 10 years, up 23.6 pc: Minister

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reports a 23.6% increase in recruitment over the last decade, with over 1.2 lakh vacancies being processed for 2024-25.

"Adequate and suitable manpower is provided to cater to the regular operations, changes in technology, mechanisations, and innovative practices. - Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw"

New Delhi, Dec 5

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday told the Parliament that in the last 10 years (2014-2015 to 2024-2025), Indian Railways recruited 5.08 lakh people, compared to 4.11 lakh in the earlier 2004-2005 to 2013-2014 period, which is an increase of 23.6 per cent.

The recruitment of 1,20,579 vacancies has been taken up on Indian Railways as per the annual calendar 2024 and 2025.

"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,” said the minister in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

During January to December 2024, 10 Centralised Employment Notifications (CENs) for 92,116 vacancies were notified for filling up of several posts like Assistant Loco Pilots (ALPs), Technicians, Sub-Inspectors, Constables in Railway Protection Force (RPF), and Junior Engineers (JEs), among others.

The minister said that "computer-based test (CBT) for 32,438 vacancies for level-1 categories has commenced from 27.11.2025 in 140 cities in 15 languages and Physical efficiency Test (PET) for 4,208 vacancies of Constable (RPF) has commenced from 13.11.2025".

"Panels for more than 23,000 candidates for various posts, including the posts of Technicians, Junior Engineers, Paramedical Categories, Sub-Inspectors (RPF) and Assistant Loco Pilots, have been finalised. Majority of them are in safety categories,” he mentioned.

In addition, as per the annual calendar for the year 2025, seven Centralised Employment Notifications (CENs) for 28,463 vacancies have also been issued.

"The RRB examinations are quite technical in nature, entailing large-scale mobilisation of men and resources and training of manpower. Railways 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.

Further, as a system improvement, the Ministry of Railways has introduced a system of publishing an annual calendar from 2024 for recruitment to various categories of Group ‘C’ posts.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While the numbers look good, I hope the quality of recruitment matches the quantity. The article mentions "transparent manner" which is essential. Past paper leaks in other govt exams have been a big concern. If Railways has managed a clean process, that's commendable.
P
Priya S
Conducting exams in 15 languages is a great step for inclusivity! It allows candidates from different states to compete fairly. My brother is preparing for an RRB exam and the annual calendar system has reduced a lot of uncertainty about exam dates. Good move.
R
Rohit P
Bahut badhiya! More jobs mean more families secured. Railways is the lifeline of India and needs skilled manpower. Hope they keep recruiting at this pace to fill all vacancies and improve services. The PET for RPF is tough but necessary for the force.
K
Karthik V
A 23.6% increase sounds impressive, but we must see it in context. The railway network has expanded, more trains are running, and technology has changed. This recruitment is likely just catching up with actual need, not necessarily a massive *extra* boost. Still, a step in the right direction.
M
Meera T
The mention of "innovative practices" and "technology" is key. We need railway staff who are tech-savvy to handle modern systems like Kavach, new locomotives, and digital ticketing. Hope the training for these new recruits is robust and ongoing.

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