Promotions: Introduction of Centralized Computer Based Objective Type Examination (CBT)
No.E(GP)2022/2/4, dated 28.06.2022
Sub: Promotions to Group ‘B’ posts on Indian Railways – Introduction of Centralized Computer Based Objective type examination (CBT) in all departments having Organised Services.
1. The Selections and Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations (LDCEs) for promotion to Group ‘B’ posts are presently conducted by the respective Zonal Railways/ Production Units independently in terms of Recruitment Rules, provisions contained in the IREM Vol.l and instructions issued by the Board from time to time. As part of measures taken by the Board for bringing in reforms in the Selection process for promotion to Group ‘B’ posts on the Railways, instructions were issued vide Board’s letter no.E(GP)2018/2/31, dated 19.03.2019 (RBE No.53/2019) for including 100% objective type Multiple Choice Questions in the written examinations held as part of Selections and objective type pre-qualifying examination for LDCEs was also introduced.
2. Now, furthering these efforts, Board has decided to introduce Centralized Computer Based Objective Type examination for conducting 70% Selections and 30% LDCEs in all Department having Organised Services from the vacancy cycle beginning from w.e.f. 01.01.2023.
3. To begin with LDCEs of current vacancy cycle, where Selections have since been conducted/ or are being conducted and where LDCES are yet to be notified or have been notified but written examination (Pre-qualifying) has not been held, will be conducted through Centralised CBT in all Organised departments as per modalities detailed as under:-
(i) The CBT shall be conducted by DG/NAIR who shall coordinate with the concerned Zones/ PUs for its smooth conduct. All the Railways should advise the Department-wise, community-wise vacancies of their LDCE quotient of on-going vacancy cycle to DG/NAIR latest by 11th July. Herein, it is also clarified that the increase in the percentage of dispensation given to the Zones/ PUs for inclusion of JTS/ Gr.A vacancies in the vacancies assessed for Group ‘B’ selections in terms of instructions contained in Board’s letter No.E(GP)2005/2/61 dated 20.06.2022 is applicable for assessment of Group ‘B’ vacancies to be made for fresh vacancy cycle and the vacancies already notified are not to be amended.
(ii) LDCE will be one stage only and will comprise of only 1 Paper with the following set up:-
(a) Single paper of 150 marks comprising 100% Objective type Multiple Choice Questions with following distribution of marks:-
| (a)(i) | Technical (Professional) subject. | 80 marks |
| (a)(ii) | General Knowledge including optional Questions of 15 marks on Official language Policy & Rules. | 40 marks |
| (a)(iii) | Establishment & Financial Rules | 30 marks |
| (b) | Qualifying Marks | 90 |
| (c) | Duration | 3 Hours |
(iii) Question Paper wil have 175 questions out of which 150 questions are to be attempted.
(iv) 1 mark will be allotted for every correct answer. There shall be negative marking for incorrect answers and 1/3rd of Marks allotted for each question will be deducted for every Wrong answer.
(v) Syllabus – Syllabus for LDCEs for Organised services has already been prescribed by Boárd. However, as it is based on old pattern when there were two Papers – Paper-l and Paper-ll in the LDCEs, the Centralised CBT shall be held from the said syllabus after amalgamating the topics prescribed in Paper-l and Paper-ll of respective syllabi.
(vi) Optional Questions on Official Language policy and Official Language Rules in the LDCEs shall be included in terms of provision contained in Para 204.3 of IREM Vol.I.
(vii) Examination for 30% LDCEs will be held on a single day only. On the same day exam for the post of APO will be held in the second shift so that candidates who have appeared in exam for AMM/ ACM/ AOM in the first shift and also want to appear for APO can do so in second shift. Similarly, exam for AME and AEE will also be held in different shifts with a gap of 3 hours between both the shifts.
(viii) Railway-wise list of candidates along with marks scored by them in the written examination will be prepared by DG/NAIR assigned the task of conducting the exams and will be furnished to respective Zones/PUs.
(ix) Medical & Viva-voce of successful candidates will be conducted by the respective zones and thereafter final panel will be issued by them according to the vacancies on the basis of merit positively within one month from the date of receipt of result from NAIR.
(x) CBT for 30% LDCEs for a particular department for Zones/ PUs will be held on the same day across Indian Railways. Thereafter no request for a supplementary exam shall be entertained in any condition.
4. The tentative schedule for finalizing the various stages in LDCEs of current vacancy cycle through CBT is given as under:-
| (a) | All notifications may be issued, if not issued by | 15th July |
| (b) | Cut-off date for submission of options | 31st July |
| (c) | Finalization of eligibility list and its notification | 15th August |
| (d) | Pre Selection training to be completed by | 31st August |
| (e) | Examination | mid September |
| (f) | Finalization of the panel (medical & viva including assessment of APAR) | mid October |
4.1 As the Railways are well aware, the need for sticking to the schedule stipulated for finalization of various stages of the LDCEs is the essence for successful conduct of Centralised CBT. Therefore, all the Railways/ PUs should stick to the aforementioned schedule and no request for deviation in any case shall be entertained.
5. Modalities for introduction of Centralised CBT in Selections/ LDCEs to be introduced from the fresh vacancy cycle beginning from 01.01.2023 shall be circulated separately.
6. There is no change other than the changes narrated above in the extant instructions issued from time to time in respect of other aspects of LDCEs held for promotion to Group ‘B’ posts.
Download Railway Board Circular Dated 28.06.2022
Forward reference ⇒ Dated 22.07.2022, 06.09.2022, 04.10.2022, 07.10.2022, 28.10.2022, 10.11.2022,
What about the rule book say about Group -C LDCE posts?
Whether it will be conducted as CBT or OMR?
Reply plz