Indian Railways has received a huge no of 1, 26, 30,885 (i.e. more than 1.26 Crore) online applications for filling up of about 35,208 combined vacancies of Non-Technical Popular Category (NTPC – Graduate & under Graduate-level) posts. Online applications for the same were invited by various RRBs (Railway Recruitment Board) spreading throughout the country. These posts are over and above the 64,371 combined vacancies of Assistant Loco Pilots (ALPs) & Technicians for which the recruitment process has already successfully concluded.

The examination process preparation for filling up the 35,208 combined vacancies was at an advanced stage during the pre-COVID scenario. However, the process was interrupted due to an outbreak of COVID – 19 pandemic. Indian Railways is planning to expedite the recruitment process as soon as the situation eases out.

In the present circumstances, new kinds of challenges need to be overcome which were previously unexpected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges are like candidates may have to wear face masks, which again pose challenges of tackling impersonation; mass gathering at exam centres may occur; complete sanitation of all exam centres after each shift of examination; the number of candidates to be booked in an examination centre may have to be cut down to enable more social distance between two candidates while enforcing the norms required for fair and smooth conduct of examination of this magnitude.

Indian Railways is presently formulating a viable strategy to conduct such a massive examination of more than 1.26 crore applicants and scheduling of all the processes etc while observing all norms and guidelines in the COVID-19 pandemic scenario.

Indian Railways would like to advise all applicants to not fall prey to fake advertisements, SMS, or phone calls. All RRBs follow the practice of direct and instantaneous communication with applicants through regular updates on web-sites and individual SMSs and emails, whenever such need arises. Candidates are advised to refer to these official communications only and not be misguided by false propaganda and rumours being circulated on various social media platforms. Many of such false propaganda is aimed at misleading the genuine candidates and thereby adversely affecting their preparation for the examination.