Railway Board Clarifies Rules for Conducting Disciplinary Inquiries Through Video Conferencing
Railway Board, in its latest clarification dated August 12, 2026, has confirmed that disciplinary inquiries against Railway servants may be conducted through Video Conferencing (VC) in specified circumstances, including when the Disciplinary Authority records reasons in writing for adopting the digital mode.
The clarification has been issued under the Railway Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1968, following the amendment to Rule 9(2) notified in May 2024.
The Railway Board has specifically clarified that conducting a disciplinary inquiry through Video Conferencing is not restricted only to situations involving a pandemic or natural calamity. The amended provision also permits the use of VC where the Disciplinary Authority (DA) is satisfied, for reasons to be recorded in writing, that the inquiry should be conducted through the digital mode.
Railway Board’s clarification on disciplinary inquiry through VC
In its letter No. E(D&A) 2020 RG6-6 dated 12.08.2026, issued as RBE No. 65/2026, the Railway Board drew the attention of Zonal Railways and Production Units to its earlier communication dated May 29, 2024.
The earlier communication had referred to the amendment of Rule 9(2) of the Railway Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1968, through Notification G.S.R. 286(E) dated May 22, 2024, along with the regulations subsequently notified through G.S.R. 287(E) dated May 22, 2024.
The latest communication provides an important clarification on how the amended provision is to be understood and applied.
What does the amended Rule 9(2) provide?
The proviso inserted into Rule 9(2) enables a disciplinary inquiry to be conducted through the digital mode of Video Conferencing.
The provision covers cases where:
- There is an exceptional circumstance such as a pandemic or natural calamity; or
- The Disciplinary Authority is satisfied that there are reasons to conduct the inquiry through Video Conferencing, with such reasons being recorded in writing.
Thus, the provision creates two separate circumstances in which VC-based disciplinary proceedings may be undertaken.
VC inquiry is not limited to pandemics or natural calamities
One of the most significant points in the Railway Board’s clarification is that the amended provision should not be interpreted as permitting Video Conferencing only during a pandemic or natural calamity.
The Board has expressly stated that the provision is an enabling provision for the Disciplinary Authority to conduct an inquiry through digital mode.
Accordingly, a disciplinary inquiry may be held through VC in either of the following situations:
- During a pandemic or natural calamity, or
- Where the Disciplinary Authority is satisfied, for reasons to be recorded in writing, that the inquiry should be conducted through VC.
This means that the occurrence of a pandemic or natural calamity is not a mandatory prerequisite in every case where a VC-based inquiry is proposed.
Disciplinary Authority can conduct the inquiry itself or authorize an Inquiry Officer
The Railway Board has further clarified the role of the Disciplinary Authority.
The DA may take a conscious decision to conduct the disciplinary inquiry through Video Conferencing. The DA may either:
- Conduct the inquiry itself through VC, or
- Authorize an Inquiry Officer to conduct the inquiry through VC, with the necessary approval and reasons being recorded as required.
The clarification therefore provides flexibility in deciding who will conduct the proceedings while retaining the requirement that the decision to use the digital mode must be properly taken under the applicable rules.
Inquiry can be conducted wholly or partly through Video Conferencing
Another important clarification is that the use of Video Conferencing is not necessarily restricted to the entire disciplinary inquiry.
The Railway Board has clarified that an inquiry may be conducted through VC either wholly or in part.
Therefore, depending on the circumstances and the requirements of the proceedings, the disciplinary inquiry can be conducted entirely through Video Conferencing or only for particular portions of the proceedings.
The decision may be taken by the Disciplinary Authority itself or, where applicable, by an Inquiry Officer with the prior approval of the Disciplinary Authority and with the reasons duly recorded.
Natural justice must be maintained
While providing flexibility for digital disciplinary proceedings, the Railway Board has emphasized that the prescribed procedure must be strictly followed.
Where an inquiry is proposed to be conducted through Video Conferencing, the proceedings must comply with the regulations notified through G.S.R. 287(E) dated May 22, 2024.
The objective is to ensure that the principles of natural justice are not compromised during digital proceedings.
This requirement is particularly significant because a disciplinary inquiry can have serious consequences for a Railway servant. The adoption of Video Conferencing as the mode of inquiry does not dispense with the procedural safeguards applicable to disciplinary proceedings.
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