Railway Board Cancels All Pending Group C Selections Amid Irregularities in Process

The Railway Board has decided to cancel all pending departmental selections for Group C posts that were not finalised and approved by March 4. This decision was made due to irregularities in the selection process, as stated by officials on Wednesday. A circular was sent to General Managers of all railway zones, instructing them to treat these pending selections as cancelled.

In the circular, the board mentioned that no new selections should be initiated until further notice. The board plans to revisit the departmental selection framework and will issue new instructions for regulating selections in due course. This move aims to address concerns about the integrity of the selection process.

Centralised Testing for Departmental Promotions

On the same day, the Railway Ministry took a significant step by involving the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) to conduct all departmental promotion exams through a centralised computer-based test. This change is intended to ensure a more transparent and fair examination process for promotions within the railway department.

Previously, these exams were conducted internally by railway divisions and zones. However, there have been numerous allegations of corruption and unfair practices in these exams, prompting the ministry to centralise the testing process under RRB's supervision.

CBI Arrests and Cash Seizure

The decisions followed a major development where the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested 26 railway officials from East Central Railway in Uttar Pradesh's Mughal Sarai. These officials were allegedly involved in leaking papers of a departmental examination. During raids, the CBI seized Rs 1.17 crore in cash, highlighting serious issues within the examination system.

The arrests and cash seizure underscore the need for reform in how departmental exams are conducted. By centralising exams under RRB, the ministry aims to curb such malpractices and restore trust in the promotion process.

The Railway Board's actions reflect a commitment to addressing irregularities and ensuring fairness in departmental selections. As new guidelines are awaited, these steps mark a shift towards more transparent processes within Indian Railways.