Indian Railway Service of Engineers - Role and Function

Role and Function

The Civil Engineering department of Indian Railways is managed by engineers of IRSE. These engineers are responsible for maintenance of all fixed assets of Indian Railways, i.e. Track, Bridges, Buildings, Roads, Water supply etc. These fixed assets are 45% of total assets of Indian Railway. In addition to maintenance of existing assets, IRSE engineers are responsible for construction of new assets such as New lines, Gauge conversion, doubling and other expansion and developmental works in Railways.

Recruitment to service is done on the basis of an all India "Engineering Services" examination conducted by UPSC every year in June. Number of new recruits varies over year. Presently, intake is about 25 to 30 probationers per year. Normally top position holders in Engineering service Exams opt for IRSE.

An aspirant is not necessarily a civil Engineering graduate indeed he need to appear for Civil Engineering stream in Engineering services exam and get qualified.

After Recruitment, the probationer is given 18 months' intensive training in various Railways establishments under the guidance of Indian Railway Institute of Civil Engineers, Pune. The training includes 3 months capsule course at IIMS.

A young probationer is posted as assistant divisional engineer after 18 months of training and can rise up to Addl. Member (Special Secretary to Govt. of India )/Member(Secretary to Govt. of India)/Chairman Railway Board, a post equivalent to Secretary of Govt of India. In normal course, all the IRSE officers rise up to minimum level of Additional General Manager or Principal Chief Engineer or Chief Administrative officer (construction) rank in railways which is equivalent to Add. Secretary to the Govt. of India.

Railway service is very demanding and it needs sincerity, dedication and hard work. Railway Engineer is on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.