The Indian Railways has announced one of the largest recruitment drives for various posts in Level-1 under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. With a total of 32,438 vacancies across all zones, this recruitment presents a fantastic opportunity for individuals seeking a stable and prestigious career. Below are the comprehensive details of the recruitment, including important dates, pay scale, eligibility criteria, nationality and citizenship requirements, application fee, selection process, and physical efficiency test (PET).
Important Dates
- Indicative Notice Date: December 28, 2024
- Publication of Notification: January 22, 2025
- Start Date for Online Registration: January 23, 2025 (00:00 hrs)
- Last Date to Submit Applications: February 22, 2025 (23:59 hrs)
- Last Date for Fee Payment: February 24, 2025 (23:59 hrs)
- Modification Window for Application Corrections: February 25, 2025, to March 6, 2025 (23:59 hrs)
Candidates are advised to adhere to these deadlines strictly to ensure their application is considered.
Total Vacancies
The recruitment drive offers a total of 32,438 vacancies for posts in Level-1 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, distributed across various zones and departments of Indian Railways.
Pay Scale
The initial pay for Level-1 posts is Rs. 18,000/- per month, as per the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, along with additional benefits such as allowances and perks as per government rules.
Application Fee
- General Category Candidates: Rs. 500/-
- Refundable Amount: Rs. 400/- (upon appearing for the CBT).
- Reserved Categories (SC/ST/PwBD/Minorities/Transgender/Economically Backward): Rs. 250/-
- Fully refundable upon appearing for the CBT.
Modes of Payment:
The fee can only be paid through online modes, such as internet banking, debit/credit cards, or UPI. No other methods of payment will be accepted.
Nationality and Citizenship
To apply for this recruitment, candidates must meet the following nationality and citizenship requirements:
- Indian Citizenship:
- The candidate must be a citizen of India.
- Subjects of Neighboring Countries (Eligible):
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan can apply.
- Migrants with Eligibility:
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India is also eligible.
- Persons of Indian Origin (PIO):
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India may also apply.
Important Note:
Candidates who fall under categories other than Indian citizens must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Age Limit:
- General Age Limit: 18 to 33 years (as of January 1, 2025).
- Extended Age Limit: 18 to 36 years (with a one-time relaxation due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
Category-Specific Age Relaxations:
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
- SC/ST: 5 years
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD):
- General: 10 years
- OBC: 13 years
- SC/ST: 15 years
- Ex-Servicemen: Relaxation based on the length of service rendered.
2. Educational Qualifications:
- Minimum Requirement:
- Candidates must have passed Class 10 or hold an ITI certification as of February 22, 2025.
- Important Notes:
- Candidates awaiting the results of their final examinations are not eligible to apply.
- Diploma/Degree holders in Engineering cannot apply for posts requiring ITI unless explicitly mentioned.
- Special Relaxation: Canteen staff under Northern Railways require only a Class VII pass as per Supreme Court directives.
3. Medical Standards:
To ensure candidates are physically capable of performing the duties of the post, the recruitment process includes stringent medical fitness standards. These standards are categorized as follows:
- A-2 (Highest Medical Standard):
- Distant Vision: 6/9 without glasses.
- Near Vision: 0.6 without glasses.
- Must pass tests for color vision, binocular vision, and night vision.
- A-3, B-1, B-2 (Moderate Standards):
- Distant Vision: 6/9 or 6/12 (with or without glasses, lens power restrictions apply).
- Near Vision: 0.6 (with or without glasses).
- C-1, C-2 (Relaxed Standards):
- Distant Vision: 6/12 or 6/18 (with or without glasses).
Medical fitness tests will be conducted during the document verification stage.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
The Physical Efficiency Test (PET) is a qualifying stage, and passing it is mandatory for all candidates. Based on the merit in the Computer-Based Test (CBT), candidates will be called for PET in a ratio of three times the total community-wise vacancies.
PET Requirements:
- Male Candidates:
- Should be able to lift and carry 35 kg of weight for a distance of 100 meters in 2 minutes, without putting the weight down.
- Should be able to run a distance of 1000 meters in 4 minutes and 15 seconds in one attempt.
- Female Candidates:
- Should be able to lift and carry 20 kg of weight for a distance of 100 meters in 2 minutes, without putting the weight down.
- Should be able to run a distance of 1000 meters in 5 minutes and 40 seconds in one attempt.
Selection Process
The recruitment process consists of the following stages:
- Computer-Based Test (CBT):
- Objective-type test with questions on General Awareness, Mathematics, and Logical Reasoning.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET):
- Qualifying in nature, as detailed above.
- Document Verification and Medical Examination:
- Candidates who qualify in CBT and PET will undergo document verification followed by medical fitness tests.