Indian Railways faces talent challenges under new IRMS regime
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Indian Railways faces talent challenges under new IRMS regime

The Indian Railways is facing difficulties in recruiting sufficient technical manpower under the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS), a scheme approved by the government in 2019. Although efforts have been made to integrate multiple railway services into IRMS, the influx of fresh officers under this regime remains low, as the first batch of recruits is still in training.

Dipak K Dash, the Indian Railways had requested the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit 150 personnel for IRMS in 2022. However, only 130 candidates were selected, and of those, approximately 40 reported for training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie. The rest opted for extraordinary leave (EOL), a common practice allowing candidates to prepare for other exams without receiving a salary. Those who reported are now in the final phase of training at a railway institute in Lucknow.

The 2023 recruitment round also saw a weak response. Despite requesting 150 personnel again, only 84 candidates were selected, further worsening the manpower shortage in various railway zones.

To mitigate this shortage, the Railways have begun re-engaging retired junior officers as consultants on an "exigency basis" until December 2026. A letter from the Railway Board emphasized that these consultants would assist in addressing challenges caused by vacant posts and ensure uninterrupted operations and services. Their responsibilities will include inspections, supervision, and drawing, and they will be discharged once new recruits from UPSC or other departmental selections join.

There have also been reports of some IRMS recruits voicing concerns to the Railway Board, particularly due to rumours that the national transporter may consider splitting the services back into technical and non-technical branches. This uncertainty, along with the recruitment challenges, has added to the staffing difficulties within the Indian Railways.

The Indian Railways is facing difficulties in recruiting sufficient technical manpower under the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS), a scheme approved by the government in 2019. Although efforts have been made to integrate multiple railway services into IRMS, the influx of fresh officers under this regime remains low, as the first batch of recruits is still in training. Dipak K Dash, the Indian Railways had requested the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit 150 personnel for IRMS in 2022. However, only 130 candidates were selected, and of those, approximately 40 reported for training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie. The rest opted for extraordinary leave (EOL), a common practice allowing candidates to prepare for other exams without receiving a salary. Those who reported are now in the final phase of training at a railway institute in Lucknow. The 2023 recruitment round also saw a weak response. Despite requesting 150 personnel again, only 84 candidates were selected, further worsening the manpower shortage in various railway zones. To mitigate this shortage, the Railways have begun re-engaging retired junior officers as consultants on an exigency basis until December 2026. A letter from the Railway Board emphasized that these consultants would assist in addressing challenges caused by vacant posts and ensure uninterrupted operations and services. Their responsibilities will include inspections, supervision, and drawing, and they will be discharged once new recruits from UPSC or other departmental selections join. There have also been reports of some IRMS recruits voicing concerns to the Railway Board, particularly due to rumours that the national transporter may consider splitting the services back into technical and non-technical branches. This uncertainty, along with the recruitment challenges, has added to the staffing difficulties within the Indian Railways.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Reliance, Diehl Advance Pact for Precision-Guided Munitions

Diehl Defence CEO Helmut Rauch and Reliance Group’s Founder Chairman Anil D. Ambani have held discussions to advance their ongoing strategic partnership focused on Guided and Terminally Guided Munitions (TGM), under a cooperation agreement originally signed in 2019.This collaboration underscores Diehl Defence’s long-term commitment to the Indian market and its support for the Indian Government’s Make in India initiative. The partnership’s current emphasis is on the urgent supply of the Vulcano 155mm Precision Guided Munition system to the Indian Armed Forces.Simultaneously, the “Vulc..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Modis Navnirman to Migrate to Main Board, Merge Subsidiary

Modis Navnirman Limited has announced that its Board of Directors has approved a key strategic initiative involving migration from the BSE SME platform to the Main Board of both BSE and NSE, alongside a merger with its wholly owned subsidiary, Shree Modis Navnirman Private Limited.The move to the main boards marks a major milestone in the company’s growth trajectory, reflecting its consistent financial performance, robust corporate governance, and long-term commitment to value creation. This transition will grant the company access to a broader investor base, improve market participation, en..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Global Capital Flows Remain Subdued, EMEA Leads in Q1 2025

The Bharat InvITs Association’s industry update for Q1 2025 shows subdued global capital flows, with investment volumes remaining at the lower end of the five-year range despite a late 2024 recovery. According to data from Colliers and MSCI Real Capital Analytics, activity in North America declined slightly, while EMEA maintained steady levels and emerged as the top region for investment in standing assets.The EMEA region now hosts seven of the top ten cross-border capital destinations for standing assets, pushing the United States’ share of global activity below 15 per cent. Meanwhile, in..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?