STATION CONTROLLER

The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) are governmental bodies in India responsible for recruiting eligible candidates for various Group 'C' (and previously Group 'D' before the establishment of Railway Recruitment Cells - RRCs for Group 'D') posts in the Indian Railways. They function under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India.

Here's a detailed look at the RRBs:

1. Purpose and Role:

• Recruitment for Indian Railways: The primary function of RRBs is to conduct recruitment for a vast range of working and supervisory staff (non-gazetted posts) across various departments of Indian Railways. This includes technical and non-technical positions.

• Ensuring Transparency and Fairness: RRBs are designed to ensure a transparent, efficient, and fair selection process based purely on merit, adhering to the rules and regulations laid down by the Ministry of Railways. They aim to eliminate scope for corruption or favoritism.

• Decentralized Recruitment: While the Railway Recruitment Control Board (RRCB) in New Delhi sets overall policy guidelines and monitors activities, there are 21 individual RRBs located across different cities in India. Each RRB is responsible for recruitment within its specified railway zones or divisions, bringing the recruitment process closer to candidates in various regions.

2. Key Responsibilities of RRBs:

• Issuing Recruitment Notifications: Publishing detailed employment notifications in "Employment News" and on their official websites, outlining vacancies, eligibility criteria, exam patterns, syllabus, important dates, and application procedures.

• Receiving and Scrutinizing Applications: Accepting online applications and scrutinizing them to ensure candidates meet the specified eligibility criteria.

• Conducting Examinations: Organizing and conducting various stages of recruitment examinations, predominantly Computer-Based Tests (CBTs). These can be multi-stage (CBT-1, CBT-2) depending on the post.

• Conducting Skill/Aptitude Tests: For certain posts, conducting additional tests like Typing Skill Tests (TST) or Computer-Based Aptitude Tests (CBAT).

• Document Verification (DV): Verifying the authenticity of educational, community (caste/category), identity, and other relevant documents submitted by shortlisted candidates.

• Medical Examination: Ensuring selected candidates meet the prescribed medical fitness standards for the respective posts as determined by the Railway Administration.

• Preparing Merit Lists and Panels: Based on performance in all stages of the selection process and adherence to reservation policies (SC, ST, OBC, EWS, Ex-servicemen, PwBD), preparing merit-based panels of recommended candidates for appointment.

• Addressing Grievances: Handling queries and grievances from candidates regarding the recruitment process.

3. Posts Recruited by RRBs:

RRBs primarily recruit for Group 'C' posts, which include a wide array of roles. Some popular categories and examples of posts are:

• Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC):

  • Junior Clerk cum Typist

  • Accounts Clerk cum Typist

  • Junior Time Keeper

  • Trains Clerk

  • Commercial cum Ticket Clerk

  • Goods Guard

  • Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk

  • Senior Clerk cum Typist

  • Junior Account Assistant cum Typist

  • Senior Time Keeper

  • Commercial Apprentice

  • Station Master

• Junior Engineer (JE):

  • Junior Engineer (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Signal & Telecom, etc.)

  • Junior Engineer (Information Technology)

  • Depot Material Superintendent (DMS)

  • Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA)

• Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) & Technicians:

  • Assistant Loco Pilot (drivers of trains)

  • Various Technician posts (e.g., Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Machinist, etc.)

• Paramedical Staff:

  • Staff Nurse

  • Health & Malaria Inspector

  • Pharmacist

  • ECG Technician, etc.

4. Recruitment Process (General Stages):

The typical recruitment process followed by RRBs involves several stages, which may vary slightly depending on the specific post:

• Notification Release: RRBs release a Centralized Employment Notification (CEN) for available vacancies.

• Online Application: Candidates apply online through the respective RRB websites.

• Computer-Based Test (CBT - Stage 1): This is usually a screening test, often with negative marking. It typically covers General Science, Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, and General Awareness/Current Affairs.

• Computer-Based Test (CBT - Stage 2): Candidates shortlisted from CBT-1 appear for a second stage CBT, which is often more detailed and can have different levels depending on the post.

• Skill/Aptitude Tests (if applicable):

  • Typing Skill Test (TST): For posts requiring typing proficiency.

  • Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT): For operational safety-related posts like Station Master and Traffic Assistant, to assess psychological attributes.

• Document Verification (DV): Shortlisted candidates are called for verification of their original documents.

• Medical Examination: Candidates undergo a medical examination by railway medical authorities to ensure they meet the prescribed physical and medical standards.

• Final Panel & Appointment: Based on merit and successful completion of all stages, a final panel of selected candidates is prepared and recommended for appointment to the respective railway zones/divisions.

The Railway Recruitment Boards are thus the gatekeepers for a significant portion of the Indian Railways' workforce, ensuring that qualified individuals are selected through a standardized and merit-based process.

*source: google gemini