IREM Rule No.159: SKILLED ARTISANS – IREM Vol-I, Chapter-I, Section-B, Sub-section-III: Recruitment and Training

(IX)    SKILLED ARTISANS  

159.    (1)      The posts in the category of Technician Grade-III in Level-2 in various Engineering Departments and Diesel/ Electric Loco/ EMU Sheds will be filled as under:-

[Authority: Rly. Board’s letter No. E(NG)I/2014/PM 7/1, dated  12.07.2019 (RBE No. 113/2019) (ACS No.267), 

No.E(NG)I/2014/PM 7/1 dated  30.10.2019 (RBE No. 184/2019) (ACS No. 268)]

(i) 25% plus shortfall, if any, against LDCE quota as at (ii) below by selection from Course Completed Act Apprentices, and ITI passed candidates in relevant trades from the open  market; serving employees who are ‘Course Completed Act Apprentices’ or ITI qualified could be considered against this quota allowing age relaxation as applicable to serving  employees; and 

[Authority Board’s letter No.E(NG)I-99 /PM1/29, dated 20.04.2000 (RBE No. 69/2000) (ACS No.106)]

Note: Act Apprenticeship/ ITI in relevant trade is the only qualification and no other qualification including Diploma in Engineering should be accepted as an alternative qualification on the ground of being a higher qualification in the same line of training.

[Authority: Railway Board’s letter No.E(NG)II/2001/RR-1/6, dated 03.08.2001 (RBE No. 152/2001) (ACS No.123)]

(ii) 25% from serving semi-skilled and unskilled staff with educational qualification as laid down in Apprentices Act; and

[Track Maintainers may also be considered to the posts of Technician-III (Level-2) in P.Way/ Engineering Department. Authority: Railway Board’s letter No.E(NG)I-2019/PM7/3, dated 02.11.2020 (RBE No. 94/2020)]

(iii) 50% by promotion of staff in the lower grade as per prescribed procedure. 

[Authority: Rly. Board’s letter No. E(NG)I/2014/PM 7/1, dated  12.07.2019 (RBE No. 113/2019) (ACS No.267)] 

(2)  Age: For direct recruitment will be between 18 and 25 years. In the case of course completed ‘Act Apprentices’ the upper age limit of 25 years will be observed with reference to the age at the time of commencement of the apprenticeship subject to the condition that the maximum age will not exceed 35 years.

[Authority: No.E (NG)II/87/RC-2/25, dated 24.06.1988 (RBE No. 142/1988)]

(3)  The period of training for direct recruits will vary depending on the qualifications of recruits. The same will be as under:-  

(i) Course Completed Act Apprentices trained in Railway Establishments – Nil.

(ii) Course Completed Act Apprentices trained in non-Railway Establishments – 6 months.

(iii) ITI passed candidates – 6 months.  

(iv) Deleted 

[Authority: Railway Board’s letter No.E(NG)II/99/RR/1/66, dated 28.01.2000 (RBE No. 17/2000) (ACS No.93),

No.E(MPP)2004/3/8, dated 05.12.2006 (RBE No. 184/2006) (ACS No.190)]

(v)  Matriculate or any non-technical higher qualification.

[Authority: Board’s letter No.E(MPP)2004/3/8, dated 05.12.2006 (RBE No. 184/2006) (ACS No.1900, &

11.03.2008 (RBE No. 34/2008) (ACS No. 200),

No.E(MPP)2004/3/8, dated 30.04.2008 (RBE No. 61/2008) (ACS No.01/2008)]

(vi) Degree holders in their relevant field – 6 months.

[Authority: Railway Board’s letter No.E(MPP)  2004/3/8, dated 11.03.2008 (RBE No. 34/2008) (ACS No.200)]

NOTE: The Compassionate Ground Appointees (CGA) holding degree/ diploma/ ITI qualification in the relevant railway related trade, if he/she gets appointed as Skilled Artisan in the trade in which he/she has acquired his/her degree/ diploma/ ITI they will undergo training for 6 months. In case of CGA degree/ diploma/ ITI appointed as Skilled Artisan in a trade different than that acquired by them, will have to undergo 3 years training. Practical training should be undertaken in shop floor and not in classrooms.

[Authority: Railway Board’s letter No.E(MPP)2004/3/8, dated 24.11.2010 (RBE No. 166/2010) (ACS No.216)]

(4)  The rate of stipend during the period of training will be Rs.900-20-940.  

(5)  The following higher grade posts are available to Skilled Artisans Grade III in the normal channel of promotion:-  

SKILLED GRADE-II (1200-1800)

SKILLED GRADE-I (1320-2040)

NOTE:- Skilled Artisans Grade-I are further eligible for being considered for promotion as Mistries in scale Rs.1400-2300 as also for fitment in Senior Technician scale Rs.1400-2300 in accordance with rules/orders governing such promotion fitment. However, the grade of Master Craftsmen will be a terminal grade for those who opt for the same.

[Authority: Railway Board’s letter No.E(NGj-III/78/RC-1/9, dated 24.02.1979,

and 27.10.1979,

E(NG)-II/84/RC-2/16, dated 23.11.1984,

PC-III/82/PS-3/10, dated 14.02.1986 (RBE No. 34/1986),

E(NG)I/86/PM-7/8, dated 03.06.1987 (RBE No. 171/1987), and

PC-III/2015/Standardisation/2, dated 17.10.2016 (RBE No. 134/2016) (ACS No.233)]