The Indian Railways has kicked off the recruitment process for 1,20,579 vacancies notified across 2024 and 2025, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told Parliament during the Winter session. Over the past 11 years, Railways has provided 5.08 lakh jobs, a big jump from 4.11 lakh appointments in the previous decade.
The Ministry said recruitment is an ongoing process because of Railways’ huge network, operational needs and geographic spread. Jobs are filled based on departmental requirements while keeping in mind technology updates, mechanisation and safety standards.
Vacancies, exams and recruitment calendar
In 2024, Railways issued ten Centralised Employment Notifications (CENs) for over 92,000 posts. These included roles like Assistant Loco Pilots (ALPs), Technicians, RPF Sub-Inspectors and Constables, Junior Engineers, Depot Material Superintendents, Chemical and Metallurgical Assistants, Paramedical staff, NTPC posts and Level-1 positions such as Track Maintainers and Pointsmen.
The first Computer Based Test (CBT) for 59,678 posts is already complete across multiple cities and languages. Second-stage CBTs for ALP, JE/DMS/CMA and NTPC (Graduate) categories, as well as the Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) for ALPs, are also done. Recruitment for Level-1 posts with over 32000 vacancies began in November 2025 in 140 cities, while the Physical Efficiency Test for 4208 RPF Constables has started. So far, panels for over 23,000 candidates in key safety-related departments have been finalised.
For 2025, Railways has already released seven notifications covering 28,463 posts. The Ministry stressed that all exams are conducted fairly and transparently, with no reports of paper leaks or malpractice. To make the process smoother, an annual recruitment calendar was introduced from 2024, giving aspirants clear timelines for exams, training and appointments. Temporary contractual jobs are only for urgent operational needs and do not lead to regular employment.
This detailed update was shared by Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
