Railways to hire over 5,000 ex-servicemen as pointsmen; Army-Railways pact boosts second careers for veterans

In a major push to fast-track employment for armed forces veterans, Indian Railways will recruit more than 5,000 ex-servicemen as Pointsmen on a contractual basis, even as it rolls out a broader cooperation framework with the Indian Army to strengthen post-retirement career pathways.

The move comes under a newly formalised “Framework of Cooperation” between the Ministry of Railways and the Indian Army, aimed at creating structured second-career opportunities for Agniveers and retiring Army personnel transitioning into civilian roles.

Bridging Uniformed Service and Civilian Careers

The initiative, driven by senior leadership from both institutions, is designed to ease the transition of soldiers into civilian employment. Beyond job creation, it seeks to build awareness about railway career prospects and establish a support mechanism to guide retiring personnel through recruitment processes.

Officials described the framework as a long-term institutional partnership that recognises the discipline, leadership and operational expertise veterans bring to public service sectors like the Railways.

Strong Reservation Backing in Railway Jobs

Indian Railways already maintains a substantial reservation structure for ex-servicemen:

10% horizontal reservation in Level-2 and above posts

20% reservation in Level-1 posts

For ex-Agniveers:

5% reservation in Level-2 and above posts

10% reservation in Level-1 posts

In vacancy notifications issued during 2024–25, a total of 14,788 posts were earmarked for ex-servicemen, including:

6,485 posts in Level-1 (erstwhile Group D)

8,303 posts in Level-2 and above

Recruitment for Level-1 positions is conducted through Railway Recruitment Centres (RRCs), while Level-2 and higher posts are filled through Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) via competitive examinations.

Immediate Relief Through Contract Hiring

To address immediate vacancies and accelerate onboarding, the Railways has decided to engage ex-servicemen as Pointsmen on contract until regular recruitment cycles are completed.

Currently, over 5,000 Level-1 posts are being processed across Zonal and Divisional offices. Nine Railway Divisions have already signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Army organisations to facilitate the hiring process.

Army recruitment units have also been encouraged to proactively coordinate with Railway Divisions to speed up placements.

Strategic Significance Beyond Employment

Beyond job creation, the collaboration reflects the deep operational synergy between the Railways and the Army. The two institutions play a crucial role in logistics coordination, troop movement and strategic mobility.

Infrastructure projects such as the Dedicated Freight Corridors and the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link have significantly enhanced rapid deployment capabilities for personnel and equipment in sensitive regions.

Skill-sharing initiatives are also being strengthened through partnerships with institutions such as Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, further institutionalising knowledge exchange.

Leveraging Veteran Strength for Nation Building

A substantial number of Army personnel retire at a relatively young age, carrying valuable technical skills, managerial experience and strong discipline. The government views this talent pool as a national asset that can contribute meaningfully to infrastructure, safety and operational efficiency within Indian Railways.

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The new cooperation framework formalises this engagement, ensuring that veterans and ex-Agniveers are not only absorbed into the system but are integrated in a structured and sustained manner.

With thousands of posts already reserved and fresh contractual appointments underway, the initiative signals a clear policy direction — aligning veteran welfare with national infrastructure development while reinforcing civil-military coordination in nation-building efforts.