Indian Railways To Rehire Retired Officers For Key Roles
The initiative, termed the 're-arrangement scheme,' is set to be in effect until December 2026
Indian Railways (IR) has announced plans to rehire retired officers to fill vacant positions across its zones, according to officials familiar with the development. The initiative, termed the "re-arrangement scheme," is set to be in effect until December 2026.
An IR official close to the matter stated, "This move is designed to maintain the seamless operation of rail services by leveraging the expertise of retired officers."
General managers in each zone have been directed to recruit retired officers based on their specific needs, with at least 100 hires expected under this scheme. The maximum age for re-engagement is capped at 65 years.
A Railway Board representative explained, "This strategy allows us to draw on the valuable experience of retired officers, ensuring the Indian Railways continues to operate smoothly while benefitting from seasoned expertise."
The board has outlined a clear framework for the re-engagement process, emphasising transparency and fairness. The recruitment will target officers who have retired from junior to mid-senior levels, with general managers authorized to make the selections.
Regarding remuneration, a zonal-level official clarified that re-engaged officers would receive a fixed monthly payment, calculated by subtracting their basic pension from their last drawn salary at the time of retirement. This amount will remain constant throughout the contract, with no annual increments, percentage increases, or Dearness Allowance (DA) provided.
When asked if the scheme would appeal to retired officers, a former IR official remarked, "While the offer may not be particularly enticing for everyone, it could still attract some interest."
The responsibilities assigned to re-engaged officers will be determined by the general managers and advertised during the application process. These roles will include tasks such as inspections, supervision, and drafting. However, they will not be appointed as branch officers in divisions, given independent charge in construction units, or granted financial, disciplinary, or safety certification powers.
