Railways recruitment is competitive, transparent: Goyal after students block Mumbai trains for jobs

The agitators in Mumbai were seeking change in the railways’ recruitment process, put in place two years ago.

After students demanding jobs blocked movement of local trains in Mumbai, railway minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said the recruitment policy of the Indian Railways was “competitive and transparent” in line with Supreme Court guidelines.

Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal said the government had already reserved 20% posts for those who have completed the apprentice exams and were engaged in railway establishments. (Sonu Mehta/HT Photo)

The protesting students who have passed the Railway Act Apprentice exam were demanding removal of 20% upper limit in the hiring of candidates. They later called off their rail-blockade agitation.

Goyal said the government had already reserved 20% posts for those who have completed the apprentice exams and were engaged in railway establishments.

“This has been done as per ... the various judgements by the Supreme Court from time to time. Applicants who completed the apprenticeship course have also been given an age relaxation equal to the period of apprenticeship,” the minister said.

He said the Indian Railways were currently in the midst of a massive recruitment exercise and had “come out with a policy to ensure a fair, transparent and competitive recruitment process that follows the law and the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court”.