Amid the violence in Bihar over recruitment into Railways, the Ministry of Railways has issued responses to the frequently asked questions by candidates regarding the recruitment process. The ministry has issued a press release which is published by the press information bureau on 27th January 2022 in the evening. This response has come after the railway recruitment board’s exams (RRB exams) were canceled as the aspirants had torched the trains in Arrah and Gaya in Bihar on 25th and 26th January 2022.
Railways issue responses to Frequently Asked Questions by Candidates regarding Recruitment process.https://t.co/OZ5D0Z9lzE pic.twitter.com/TdeyOoaIjt
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) January 27, 2022
The press information bureau has published the response by the ministry of railways which addresses every question in detail and clarity. Among others, the ministry clarified that the recruitment process was delayed due to COVID 19 pandemic since March 2020, and subsequent restrictions and lockdowns imposed by the central govt and various state govts. The FAQs published by the ministry are reproduced below:
What is RRB? What is its role and function?
Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) functions under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India. It is primarily responsible for recruiting the group ‘C’ staff. There are 21 RRBs in the country. Each RRB has a Chairman, a Member Secretary, and an Assistant Secretary, and supporting non-gazetted staff.
Recruitments done earlier by RRBs
RRBs have notified 2,83,747 vacancies since 2018 and have given appointments to more than 1.32 lakh candidates. Recruitment of remaining vacancies is under process. RRRs have conducted CBTs for about 4 crore candidates in the last three and half years despite COVID-19 pandemic.
Why recruitment is conducted with two stages Computer Based Test (CBT)?
In case the number of candidates who have applied against the notification are large in number and are more than one crore, then, it is advisable to conduct CBT in two stages with 1st Stage being used to screen the candidates for 2nd Stage and 2nd Stage CBT conducted with limited candidates so that extensive normalization is not involved and the final merit is more just and fair.
What is the basis of shortlisting candidates for 2nd Stage CBT?
As per the Railway Recruitment Board manual of 2015, candidates 10 times the notified vacancies are to be called for 2nd Stage CBT for Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC). This is to ensure that the number is limited to the extent that the same can be managed in one or limited shifts to avoid extensive normalization as well as to ensure that adequate candidates are available for deciding the merit after initial screening is done through 1st Stage CBT. This same was followed in earlier Centralized Employment Notification (CEN) 02/2010 (for Graduates) and CEN 04/2010 (for 10+2) where candidates 10 times the vacancies were called for 2nd Stage CBT before increasing the same to 15 times for CEN 03/2015 (Graduates).
How many candidates are shortlisted for 2nd Stage CBT for NTPC Exam?
For CEN 01/2019, the 1st stage CBT has been made common for Graduates and 10+2 pass candidates, it has been prescribed in the CEN that candidates20 times the notified vacancies will be called for 2nd Stage CBT so that adequate candidates are given the opportunity to appear in 2nd Stage CBT after screening through 1st Stage CBT.
Short listing should be done for 7 lakh candidates not 7 lakh roll numbers?
Nowhere was it mentioned that 7 lakh distinct candidates will get shortlisted for 2nd stage CBT. Since a 2nd Stage consists of CBT of five different levels and a candidate can be shortlisted for more than one level as per eligibility, merit, and option, the lists of 7 lakh roll numbers will have some names appearing in more than one list.
RRBs have shortlisted candidates only 4-5 times of notified vacancies.
The shortlisting has been done level/post-wise at the rate of 20 times notified vacancies as elaborated in para 13 of notification. The lists contain 7,05,446 roll numbers which are 20 times notified vacancies of 35281.
Ten candidates used to fight for one post now one candidate will fight for 10 posts.
Finally, 35281 distinct candidates will be selected and one candidate will be appointed against only one post depending upon merit and preference. Hence no post will remain vacant.
About different notifications for graduate level candidates and 10+2 level candidates
It was asked that “Graduate candidates are getting the undue benefit of becoming eligible for both Graduate and 10+2 level posts. Had there been different notifications for Graduate and 10+2 level posts as used to be done earlier, they would have to succeed in two different exams.” The ministry has answered as follows.
The integration of recruitments for Graduate and 10+2 level posts have been done to save time, energy, and effort which has been proved useful during COVID 19 pandemic. Also, standards of CBT 1 have been kept of 10+2 level so as to not to put disadvantage to 10+2 level students and it is only in CBT 2 that standards will be different across levels.
What has Railways done for protesting candidates against NTPC Results?
RRBs have postponed the 2nd Stage CBT of NTPC and 1st Stage CBT of Level one. A high power committee comprising senior officials has been formed to look into the concerns and doubts raised by candidates in regard to the results of the 1st Stage Computer Based Test (CBT) of NTPC exam without affecting existing shortlisted candidates and Introduction of 2nd Stage CBT in CEN RRC 01/2019.
How can Students lodge their grievances to the committee?
The candidates can lodge their concerns and suggestions to the committee at the following email id: [email protected]
All Chairpersons of RRBs have also been directed to receive the grievances of candidates. Outreach Camps are being organized at various Zonal and Divisional HQs all over the country to facilitate lodging of concerns.
What is the last date for registering grievance to the committee?
Candidates are given three weeks’ time up to 16.02.2022 to submit their concerns.
What is the timeline for the committee to address the grievances?
The committee after examining these concerns will submit their recommendations by 04th March 2022.
Why has there been delay in recruitment process?
The recruitment process has got delayed due to COVID 19 pandemic since March 2020 and various restrictions imposed on that account by various states. The capacity that can be utilized for CBT has also got impacted because of social distancing norms leading to an increase in the number of shifts. 1st Stage CBT of CEN 01/2019 involved 133 shifts.
