Post reversal of old scheme for induction in Indian Railways Management Service (IRMS), Railway Board has finalised a new set of norms for appointments to the post of Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs), wherein quota of eight Group A service officers has now been fixed. A total of 68 posts of DRM exists over Indian Railway and they will be operated in Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) category, and posting to DRM would not constitute promotion, says the circular by Board. As per the circular issued by Railway Board's Secretary, Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE), Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) and Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) have got lions share in DRM posts, 14 slots each. These officers primarily work in Engineering, Commercial and Mechanical branches in their initial days, and are considered crucial to working of Indian Railways. Thereafter, Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) have been allocated 10 posts, Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE) 6, Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) and Indian Railway Stores Service (IRSS) each gets 4 posts while Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) gets 2 posts.

 

Electrical Branch is divided into three categories at division level, General, TRS and TRD forming base level at ground-level and Signalling sector that is now considered quite crucial in train operations and thus the allocation of quota for respective services. As to IRAS and IRSS, the officers are normally not very much involved in daily operations and same is with IRPS, and also their non technical background also got considered while allocation of posts to these groups. Though the 68 posts bifurcation is notified, in case need arise, readjustment of posts amongst different services can be altered by Chairman & CEO, Railway Board, with the approval of Minister of Railways, the circular further stated. Similarly, age criteria can be relaxed for posting as DRM within the period of currency of the short listed year. As of now, officer shortlisted in selection panel for DRMs should be less than 52 years of age as on January 1 of the vacancy year. Short listed officers will be posted to vacancies against earmarked Service in that particular year strictly in the order of their seniority.

 

The criteria that went into fixing the quota for each of the services was based on experience and direct involvement of officers in train operations, which is quite complex. Hence, Railway services that are considered back bone of complex train operations have got more slots in DRMs post. The circular, however, further capped number of officers from one Service that would occupy DRM posts at one time, to just two, and not more than fourteen, the maximum cap. As to formation of officers panel, it is stated that same be done service-wise in order of seniority in the ratio of 1.5 times the number of vacancies The short listing committee would compromise of Chairman & CEO, Railway Board, concerned Railway Board Member (or a Member of Railway Board when Chairman, Railway Board, is also the functional Member) and Additional Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, nominated by Secretary, DoP&T. In case any officers refuse posting as DRMs then they will not be considered for that post for a period of two years from the date of refusal.

 

The rule is also laid down that once the short list is prepared and approved, no officer shall be considered posting as DRM even if he happens to fulfill the eligibility conditions at a later point of time. Although. tenure of DRMs will be two to three years, a situation may arise if a officer shortlisted is due for promotion to Higher Administrative Grade (HAG), in such cases, it individual officer can chose to work as DRM or move over to HAG. The officer's seniority will however be protected in case they continue to work as DRM. However in no circumstances DRM post would be operated in HAG. New guidelines for DRMs positions come into force from the short-list year 2024, but shortlist year (July 1 to June 30) is being shifted to calendar year (January 1 to December 31). The year 2024 being the transitional year, vacancies of 2023-24 shall be reckoned as vacancies for the shortlist year 2024. Owing to mid-year revision of rule, Board has given one-time measure for officers eligible age-wise as on 01.07.2023 but have become over age as on 01.01.2024. It said they shall also be eligible to be considered for the shortlist year 2024.