The Indian Railways is facing difficulties in recruiting sufficient technical manpower under the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS), a scheme approved by the government in 2019. Although efforts have been made to integrate multiple railway services into IRMS, the influx of fresh officers under this regime remains low, as the first batch of recruits is still in training.
Dipak K Dash, the Indian Railways had requested the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit 150 personnel for IRMS in 2022. However, only 130 candidates were selected, and of those, approximately 40 reported for training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie. The rest opted for extraordinary leave (EOL), a common practice allowing candidates to prepare for other exams without receiving a salary. Those who reported are now in the final phase of training at a railway institute in Lucknow.
The 2023 recruitment round also saw a weak response. Despite requesting 150 personnel again, only 84 candidates were selected, further worsening the manpower shortage in various railway zones.
To mitigate this shortage, the Railways have begun re-engaging retired junior officers as consultants on an "exigency basis" until December 2026. A letter from the Railway Board emphasized that these consultants would assist in addressing challenges caused by vacant posts and ensure uninterrupted operations and services. Their responsibilities will include inspections, supervision, and drawing, and they will be discharged once new recruits from UPSC or other departmental selections join.
There have also been reports of some IRMS recruits voicing concerns to the Railway Board, particularly due to rumours that the national transporter may consider splitting the services back into technical and non-technical branches. This uncertainty, along with the recruitment challenges, has added to the staffing difficulties within the Indian Railways.
