Railway Board has changed the promotion rules of SC/ST employees on non-security posts. 'Best among the failed' system will be applicable to fill vacant reserved posts with 10 percent relaxation in qualifying marks.
Prayagraj: Indian Railways, while changing the rules related to promotion of SC/ST employees, has given 10 percent relaxation in qualifying marks for non-security category posts. If reserved posts remain vacant, under the 'Best among the Failed' system, the best performing employees among the unsuccessful employees who have secured the minimum prescribed marks will be given the opportunity of promotion.
10% relief in qualifying marks for SC/ST employees
Railway Board has issued new guidelines to all zonal general managers and production units. Under this, the eligibility standards have been relaxed for promotion of SC/ST employees to non-security category posts. The objective of the Railway Board is to prevent reserved posts from remaining vacant and to make the promotion process uniform in different zones.
SC/ST employees will get 10 percent relaxation in professional ability and total aggregate marks in the selection based on seniority in Group 'C' posts. Whereas in the selection quota of 70 percent from Group 'C' to Group 'B', this limit will be 50 percent for SC/ST employees as against the written examination for general category and 60 percent cutoff in total marks.
However, it will be mandatory to score at least 15 marks in service record.
'Best among the failed' policy will be applicable on vacant reserved posts
In the new rules of the Railway Board, the 'best among the failed' system for filling reserved posts has also been clarified. If, even after giving the prescribed relaxation of 10 per cent, sufficient SC/ST employees do not qualify for promotion and the reserved seats remain vacant, then under this system the merit of the better performing candidates from among the unsuccessful candidates will be prepared.
For this, the candidate will be required to score at least 20 percent marks in written examination, interview and service record separately and overall. Among the unsuccessful employees who fulfill the prescribed conditions, those who get more marks will be given the opportunity of promotion on the available reserved posts.
The Railway Board has clarified this arrangement because there was confusion for a long time regarding SC/ST promotion rules in different railway divisions. Due to non-availability of eligible candidates, many reserved posts remained vacant.
Promotion will be on ad-hoc basis for first 6 months
Employees promoted under the 'Best among the Failed' system will be given promotion on an ad-hoc basis initially for 6 months. During this period, their work, efficiency and conduct will be evaluated.
After completion of six months the competent authority will review the performance. If the work of the concerned employee is found satisfactory, only then the promotion will be made regular i.e. permanent.
New system will not apply to safety category and LDCE
Railways has clarified that no relaxation will be given in qualifying marks or other standards for safety category posts related to operation of trains and safety of passengers. The existing eligibility standards will remain applicable for security related posts.
Apart from this, the 'best among the failed' system will also not be applicable in Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) under Group 'C', where the panel is prepared on the basis of merit.
Railways has also clarified that SC/ST employees, if selected on the basis of general eligibility standards without availing any relaxation, will be accommodated on unreserved (UR) seats. With this, reserved quota seats will be available for other eligible SC/ST employees. Selection processes already completed will not be reopened under the new rules.