Compassionate Ground Appointment: RBE No.08/2026 – Children Born to Second Wife

No.E(NG)II/2023/RC-1/1/CR, dated 21.01.2026

Sub: Compassionate Ground Appointment (CGA) – cases of chirdren born to second wife of deceased railway employee.

1. Attention is invited to Board’s letter No.E(NG)II/2016/RC-1/CR/12(Pt), dated 30.12.2019 (RBE No.218/2019) in terms of which appointment on compassionate ground of children born to second wife of deceased employee could be considered, subject to the conditions stipulated therein. As further clarified vide Board’s letter of even number and 02.11.2023 (RBE No.120/2023), above instructions were effective from 11.12.2018 i.e. the date of judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of V.R. Tripathi v. Union of India.

2. It has come to the notice of the Board that some of the Railways have not interpreted the directions in true spirits of instructions vide RBE 218/2019 read with RBE 120/2023, particularly about the date of effect of eligibility of children born to second wife, and the powers of the competent authorities available to condone delay for consideration of an application in compassionate appointment cases. This has resulted in many avoidable adverse legal decision.

3. In order to align the understanding of concerned Railways, it is clarified that all applications of children born to second wives claiming compassionate appointment in Railway received after 11.12.2018 are to be considered and decided on merits of each case and should not be rejected merely on the grounds that the cause of action arose before 11.12.2018. Also, instructions exist to decide delayed applications in compassionate appointment claims depending on merits of an individual case. The Railways are therefore, advised to take necessary action accordingly in the matter of deciding such claims.

Download Railway Board Circular RBE No.08/2026

Forward reference ⇒RBE No.