Indian Railways Recruitment CEN No. 08/2024 : 32438 Vacancies

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has issued the Centralized Employment Notification (CEN) No. 08/2024, inviting online applications for filling 32,438 Level 1 posts under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. This recruitment is a golden opportunity for candidates aspiring to join Indian Railways. Let’s explore the key details.

Key Dates to Remember

• Indicative Notice Date: December 28, 2024
• Publication Date: January 22, 2025
• Online Application Starts: January 23, 2025 (00:00 hrs)
• Application Deadline: February 22, 2025 (23:59 hrs)
• Fee Payment Cut-off: February 24, 2025 (23:59 hrs)
• Application Correction Window: February 25 to March 6, 2025

Vacancy Overview

This recruitment drive offers 32,438 vacancies in various zones of Indian Railways for different Level 1 posts. Here’s a summary:

• Pay Scale: ₹18,000 initial pay as per the 7th CPC Pay Matrix.
• Posts Included: Track Maintainer Grade-IV, Helper/Assistant (in departments like Electrical, Mechanical, and S&T), Assistant Pointsman, Level-1 positions in various railway departments, and more.
• Railway Zone-wise Vacancies: Detailed distribution is provided in Annexure B of the notification.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Educational Qualification:

• Minimum qualification: Class 10th pass or ITI (Industrial Training Institute) certificate.
• For specific posts, Course Completed Act Apprenticeship (CCAA) certification is required.
• Higher qualifications like Diploma/Degree in Engineering will not be accepted in lieu of ITI for Level 1 posts.

2. Age Limit (as of January 1, 2025):

• General: 18 to 36 years (including 3 years of one-time relaxation for COVID-19 impact).
• OBC-NCL: 18 to 39 years.
• SC/ST: 18 to 41 years.
• PwBD: 10 to 15 years of additional relaxation based on the category.

3. Medical Standards:
Candidates must meet medical standards specified for the post, including visual acuity requirements, physical fitness, and specific conditions for those who have undergone Lasik surgery.

4. Nationality:
Applicants must be:

• Citizens of India, Nepal, or Bhutan.
• Refugees from Tibet (before January 1, 1962) or individuals of Indian origin from select countries with proper certification.

Post Details

The following posts are part of this recruitment drive:

1. Track Maintainer -IV (13,187 Vacancies)
2. Pointsman B (5058 Vacancies)
3. Asst. : Stent-Workshop (3077 Vacancies)
4. Asst. Carriage & Wagon (2587 Vacancies)
5. Asst. : S & T (2012 Vacancies)
6. Asst. TRD : (1381 Vacancies)
7. Asst. TL & AC (1048 Vacancies)
8. Asst. Loco Shed-Electrical (950 Vacancies)
9. Asst. Track Machine (805 Vacancies)
10. Asst. Operations-Electrical (741 Vacancies)
11. Asst. TL & AC Workshop (613 Vacancies)
12. Asst. Loco Shed Diesel (420 Vacancies)
13. Asst. Bridge (301 Vacancies)
14. Asst. P Way (Vacancies)

Detailed qualifications and suitability for these posts are outlined in Annexure A of the notification.

Application Process

1. Mode of Application:
   Applications can only be submitted online through official RRB websites.
2. Application Fee:
   • General: ₹500 (₹400 refunded after appearing in CBT).
   • Reserved Categories (SC/ST/PwBD/EBC/Women/Transgender): ₹250 (fully refunded after CBT).
3. How to Apply:
   • Create an account using a valid email ID and mobile number.
   • Fill out the application form and upload required documents (photo, signature, certificates).
   • Submit the fee via online payment methods (debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI).
4. Modification Charges: ₹250 for corrections (except mobile/email or Chosen Railway).

Selection Process

The recruitment process includes the following stages:

1. Computer-Based Test (CBT):
   • Single-stage online examination with objective questions.
   • Negative Marking: 1/3rd marks deducted for every wrong answer.
   • Scores will be normalized for fairness.
2. Physical Efficiency Test (PET):
   • Candidates shortlisted from CBT (3x vacancies) must qualify PET.
   • Example: Male candidates may need to run 1,000 meters within a specified time.
3. Document Verification (DV) and Medical Examination:
   • Post-PET, shortlisted candidates must verify their documents and clear a medical test.

Reservation Details

1. Vertical Reservation:
   • Includes SC, ST, OBC-NCL, and EWS as per government norms.
2. Horizontal Reservation:
   • Includes PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, and CCAA-trained apprentices.

Special Features

• One-Time Age Relaxation: Extra 3 years granted for those impacted by the pandemic.
• Free Travel for SC/ST Candidates: Sleeper-class passes included in e-call letters for eligible candidates.
• Scribe Assistance: Provided for PwBD candidates requiring help during exams.

Important Instructions

• Ensure accuracy in details like name, date of birth, and educational qualifications.
• Submit your application well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.
• Stay updated through the official RRB websites to avoid falling prey to fake job scams.

Helpline Details

• Email: rrb.help@csc.gov.in
• Phone: 0172-565-3333, 9592001188
• Timing: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (working days)