21 RRBs likely to integrate under NTA, railway exams likely to be conducted by NTA

National Testing Agency (NTA) is likely to take over the responsibility of conducting the various railway exams. The Cabinet Secretariat has asked the Ministry of Railways to work upon a series of recommendations, which include integration of 21 Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) with the National Testing Agency (NTA).

This is mentioned on report published by the Cabinet Secretariat on the ‘Rationalistion of Government Bodies proposal for Ministry of Railways’, prepared by Sanjeev Sanyal, Principal Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance. The report states, “Railway Recruitment Control Board (RRCB) was established in 1998 to coordinate and streamline the working of various Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) under IR. At present there are 21 functioning RRBs. Given that, the government has set up a National Testing Agency (NTA), which would conduct a common preliminary examination for various recruitments in the Central Government. There is no need of separate RRBs.”

Check here the official notice

The notice further states, “It is, therefore, recommended to integrate the 21 RRBs existing infrastructure under NTA’s apex authority. The railways may conduct its exams via NTA. There may be a small digital office in Railways to coordinate with NTA.”

From 2022 onwards, NTA will conduct various railway exams such as RRB NTPC, RRB ALP, RRB JE, and many more, except RRB Group D or Level-1 exam. This exam will be conducted by Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC). The report does not mention anything regarding the integration of RRCs.