Railway Board Reminds PSUs to Maintain Uniform Post-Based Reservation Rosters

The Railway Board has issued a fresh reminder to all Railway Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and autonomous bodies to maintain uniform post-based reservation rosters in both direct recruitment and promotion categories, following concerns that several units were not adhering to the prescribed model rosters.

The communication, addressed to the Chairmen and Managing Directors of 15 PSUs including IRCTC, IRCON, RITES, RVNL, KRCL, DFCCIL, NHSRCL, and CRIS, reiterates the need for strict compliance with existing guidelines issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) and earlier circulars of the Railway Board.

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Background: Earlier Instructions Already in Force

The Board recalled that detailed guidelines on preparation and maintenance of post-based reservation rosters—particularly for Group C and D posts—had already been circulated over the years. These included:

• Modal rosters for 200-point categories
• Modal rosters for small cadres (up to 14 points)
• Instructions issued through Board’s letters dated 21.08.1997, 16.11.2005, and subsequent updates

Additionally, after DoPT introduced EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) reservation via OMs dated 19.01.2019 and 31.01.2019, the Railway Board issued updated circulars incorporating EWS guidelines in March and April 2025.

Despite this, discrepancies in implementation were observed across PSUs.

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Concern Over Non-Uniform Adoption by PSUs

According to the latest letter, feedback received from PSUs indicated that several units were still not following the model rosters issued by the Board. This inconsistency triggered the need for a fresh advisory.

The Railway Board has now instructed all PSUs/Autonomous Bodies to:

● Recast and maintain post-based reservation rosters uniformly

● Follow the Board’s instructions strictly going forward

● Treat the directions as prospective (no reopening of past cases)

Units have been told that the guidelines must be followed without deviation to ensure compliance with the reservation policy mandated by the Government of India.

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Copies of Relevant Circulars Reissued

To facilitate easy reference and compliance, the Board has again annexed all relevant earlier circulars along with the latest reminder.

View original letter: