Indian Railways has issued a statement confirming that the unification of eight existing services for the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) will be done at all levels. The ministry's statement came three days after the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the organisational restructuring of the Railways through the unification of the existing eight Group A services into one central service called the IRMS.

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Here are key details to know:-

-Unification of eight existing services of Indian Railways for Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) will be done at all levels i.e. from Junior Scale to HAG+.

- However, modalities for unification and assignment of inter se seniority will be decided by Alternative Mechanism. 

- For this, Ministry of Railways and DOPT will together to work out the necessary formula before it is taken up by Alternative Mechanism. 

- It will be ensured that no one will be at a disadvantage.

- 27 posts of GMs have been upgraded to apex grade. 

-It will be ensured that eligible officers of all the erstwhile services get apex grade post of GM. 

-In the cabinet note approved, it has been mentioned that officers of IRMS (constituted by 8 services) only will be eligible to become the Functional Members and Chairman/CEO of Railway Board. 

-The number of Independent members will be decided by the Government. 

- They will be non- Executive Members and will attend the Board meetings. 

-They will not be involved in day-to-day functioning of Railways. 

-Their experience of market and field will help in strategic planning of Indian Railways.

-Efforts will be made to complete the unification at the earliest. 

-Officers will continue doing the work which they were doing at present. 

-Domain knowledge will be taken into consideration while deciding a posting. 

-Future recruits to IRMS will be made through UPSC(Civil Services) in consultation with UPSC and DOPT.

-The reforms as suggested by various committees from time to time including Prakash Tandon Committee (1994) have been largely adopted. 

-The decision for unification was taken based on the sentiments and suggestions of all levels of officers during “Parivartan Sangosthi” held on 07th & 08th December, 2019 at New Delhi. 

-These were also suggested by all groups constituted under GMs during Parivartan Sangosthi. 

- The suggestions were unanimously agreed to by the Railway Board.