RRB Group D 2020 Recruitment: Railways reserve 20% vacancies for apprentices

Indian Railways has reserved 20% vacancies for apprentices in 1,03,769 notified vacancies for the RRB Group D 2020 recruitment. This means, out of the total vacancies, 20,734 are for apprentices. This comes after reports that the trained apprentices at Railway establishments were demanding regular appointments.

The press release issued by Indian Railways states, “As per Apprentice Act in 2016, Indian Railways has reserved 20% vacancies (i.e. 20,734 vacancies) for apprentices in 1,03,769 notified vacancies for level-1 recruitment currently under process.”

The release further reads, “Recently there have been news reports that the trained apprentices at Railway establishments are demanding regular appointment. Apprentices are demanding this by asking for the restoration of the earlier powers given to GMs which was discontinued in Mar 2017.”

“It may be noted that regular appointments without any open competition as being demanded by the some will be against the constitutional provisions and GOI rules about regular recruitment. All eligible citizens of the country are entitled to compete and apply for regular jobs. Direct recruitment without any open competition is against the rules,” the notice reads.

“Further, as per the amendment made in the Apprentice Act in 2016, every employer has to make a policy of appointment of Act Apprentices trained in their establishment. Keeping this in view, Railways has kept 20 percent vacancies in Level 1 recruitment for such apprentices and give a fair opportunity to all,” the release stated.

The notice further reads, “Position of engagement of Act Apprentices as per extant rule, Railways engages apprentices for providing training in their establishments.”

As per Section 22 (i) of Act Apprentices Act, 1961 amended on Dec 22, 2014, provides that every employer shall formulate its own policy for recruiting any apprentice who has completed the period of apprenticeship training in his establishment. In compliance with the order dated June 21, 2016, 20% of the vacancies in case of direct recruitment to posts/categories in Level-1 shall be filled by giving preference to Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) trained in Railway establishments. 

During 2018, RRBs have recruited 1,288 apprentices in Level-1 posts. RRBs are conducting RRB NTPC, RRB Group D and Isolated and Ministerial Categories. Notifications have been issued for a total of about 1.4 lakh vacancies for various categories of staff by Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs).

Against these vacancies, more than 2.40 crore candidates have applied. The exams will be conducted from December 15, 2020. The complete schedule will be uploaded soon.