All Departmental Examinations Now Conducted Through CBT; Railways to Expand Tablet-Based Testing: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Vinod Bhat

New Delhi: Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw today held a high-level review meeting with senior officials of Indian Railways on the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) recruitment process. He underlined the need for a more transparent, accurate and technology-driven system.

Indian Railways has recruited 43,781 candidates in FY 2025-26 through completed recruitment cycles covering 47,084 vacancies across six major categories, reflecting the ongoing acceleration of its recruitment process. These include 18,799 vacancies for Assistant Loco Pilots, 14,298 for Technicians, 452 for Sub-Inspectors, 4,208 for Constables, 7,951 for Junior Engineers (JE)/DMS/CMA, and 1,376 for Paramedical categories.

Indian Railways remains firmly committed to strengthening its workforce through continuous and timely recruitment initiatives. With a clear focus on enhancing transparency, efficiency, and the use of advanced technology in the recruitment process, the organization aims to attract and onboard talented individuals across various categories.

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The recruitment process of the Railway Recruitment Boards is inherently complex and large-scale, with examinations conducted across multiple cities and centres nationwide. These Computer Based Tests are held in multiple shifts to accommodate the large volume of candidates and are conducted in as many as 15 languages to ensure accessibility for aspirants from diverse linguistic backgrounds. This multi-city, multi-shift and multilingual framework requires extensive coordination and robust technological systems to ensure fairness, standardisation and transparency across the entire recruitment process.

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The Railway Minister noted that the annual recruitment calendar, coupled with quarterly notifications of vacancies, has been well received by candidates. He said the calendar-based recruitment framework has enabled aspirants to plan their preparation more effectively. It brings greater predictability to the recruitment process. Emphasizing the need for continuous improvement, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the Railway recruitment system must keep evolving through the use of technology, faster processes and greater accountability.

Shri Vaishnaw further reviewed the progress made in shifting departmental examinations to Computer Based Test (CBT) mode and stressed that more and more tablet-based examinations should be introduced wherever feasible, so that recruitment becomes faster, more efficient and user-friendly.

Multi-language support in examinations was also highlighted, with the examinations already being conducted in multiple languages across various cities and multiple shifts, ensuring wider accessibility for candidates from diverse linguistic backgrounds across the country and enabling fair and equal participation in the recruitment process without language becoming a barrier.

The Union Minister also directed Railway Recruitment Boards to strengthen communication with candidates and stakeholders. He further underlined that misinformation must be countered promptly with correct information, so that candidates receive accurate updates and confidence in the recruitment process remains strong.

KD Desk