The new normal: How Indian Railways plans to conduct test for 1.26 cr, fill over 35,000 vacancies

In the new normal, newer methods are required to pull off the usual tasks – something Indian Railways plans to do for its recruitment process. The national transporter had invited applications to fill up 35,208 vacancies of NTPC (graduate and under graduate level) posts for which 1.26 crore people had applied for. The examination procedure was delayed due to coronavirus outbreak in the country. But, Railways plans to start the recruitment process as soon as the situation eases out, the ministry said.

The biggest challenge for the Indian Railways is to keep the number of candidates in each examination centre under control to maintain social distancing norms. It needs to ensure sanitation of examinations centre. While you expect all candidates to wear masks, it could lead to the problem of impersonation.

“The railways "is formulating a viable strategy to conduct massive examination for 1.25 crore applicants and scheduling of all the processes etc while observing all norms in COVID-19 scenario," the railways ministry said.

The examination dates for NTPC 2020 are yet to be announced. The candidates will get the latest updates and announcements via emails and SMSs, the railways said. It urged the applicants to refer to official announcements and "not to be misguided by false propaganda and rumors being circulated on social media".

The Railways had earlier completed one of the world's largest recruitment exercises when it tested 47.45 lakh candidates to fill up 64,371 vacancies on critical safety and operational posts. The railways released the recruitment notifications for 64,371 Assistant Loco Pilots and technician posts in 2018.

The railway panel has selected 56,378 candidates. Out of them 26,968 are for Assistant Loco Pilots and 28,410 candidate will be for the post of technicians. The Railway Recruitment Boards have issued appointment letters to 40,420 candidates, the ministry said.