RBE No.90/2023 GDCE – General Departmental Competitive Examination – 25% DR Quota
No.E(NG)I/2023/PM1/12, dated 14.07.2023
Sub: General Departmental Competitive Examination (GDCE) for filling up 25% of the Direct Recruitment Quota vacancies – reg.
Ref: Board’s letter of even number dated 20.06.2023 (RBE No.80/2023).
Attention is invited to Board’s letter of even number dated 20.06.2023 (RBE No.80/2023) on the above mentioned subject vide which instructions have been issued that applications may be invited from eligible serving regular employees, including from the related PUs, as per extant norms, for the critical safety categories of Zonal Railways (other than Workshops) viz.
Assistant Loco Pilots, Technicians, Junior Engineers and Train Managers for filling up 25% of the Direct Recruitment Quota vacancies through GDCE.
In this connection, the followings further instructions for conducting the GDCE are advised as under:
(I) Template for examination process is enclosed herewith for suitable incorporation in the single GDCE notification to be issued by RRCs of each Railway Zone regarding GDCE examination in the specified categories. This is only indicative m respect of the exam process.
(II) The exam is likely to be held any time after September, 2023. Railways should plan their schedule accordingly and list of eligible candidates should be made available before September end.
(III) RRC may ensure to collect the data such as
(i) Railway/ PU; (ii) Division/ Workshop/ Unit; (iii) Candidate’s Name; (iv) Father’s Name of candidate; (v) Designation; (vi) Date of Birth; (vii) I-PAS no; (viii) HRMS ID; (ix) Aadhaar number; (x) place of posting; (xi) Controlling Officer; (xii) Mobile no; (xiii) Email ID; (xiv) Community (UR/ SC/ ST); (xv) PwBD or not; (xvi) If yes, PwBD category; (xvii) If a PwBD whether entitled to a scribe; (xviii) Post applied for; (xix) Exam group/ Trade in which they will be taking the exam etc.; (xx) Permanent and correspondence Address; (xxi) Proposed exam city. The same would be required to send to nodal RRB for issuance of E-Call letter.
(IV) Nodal RRB will assist in holding the GDCE CBT and Computer Based Aptitude Test as per laid down procedures. RRB will, thereafter, only be responsible to provide the list of candidates with their score to the Zonal Railways for their further necessary action.
Necessary action may please be taken accordingly.
Hindi version will follow.
Please acknowledge receipt.
TEMPLATE
1. GDCE for ALP/ Technicians:
Only single online application (common to all the notified posts – ALP & Technicians) has to be submitted by the candidate through the link provided on the official website of RRCs. The entire recruitment process shall involve CBT, Computer Based Aptitude Test and Document Verification as applicable.
The CBT shall have two parts viz. Part ‘A’ and Part ‘B’ as detailed below.
PART-A
Duration: 90 Min. (120 Minutes for eligible PwBD candidates accompanied with Scribe)
No of Questions: 100
The marks scored in Part ‘A’ alone shall be used for short listing of candidates for further stages of recruitment process subject to the condition that the candidate is securing qualifying mark in Part ‘B’.
The syllabus for Part ‘A’ shall be as below:
(a) Mathematics: Number system, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM, HCF, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Mensuration, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics, Square Root, Age Calculations, Calendar & Clock, Pipes & Cistern etc.
(b) General Intelligence and Reasoning: Analogies, Alphabetical and Number Series, Coding and Decoding, Mathematical operations, Relationships, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagram, Data Interpretation and Sufficiency, Conclusions and decision making, Similarities and differences, Analytical reasoning, Classification, Directions, Statement – Arguments and Assumptions etc.
(c) Basic Science and Engineering: The broad topics that are covered under this shall be Engineering Drawing (Projections, Views, Drawing Instruments, Lines, Geometric figures, Symbolic Representation), Units, Measurements, Mass Weight and Density, Work Power and Energy, Speed and Velocity, Heat and Temperature, Basic Electricity, Levers and Simple Machines, Occupational Safety and Health, Environment Education, IT Literacy etc.
(d) General Awareness on Current Affairs in Science & Technology, Sports, Culture, Personalities, Economics, Politics and any other subjects of importance.
PART-B
Duration: 60 Min. (80 Minutes for eligible PwBD candidates accompanied with Scribe)
No of Questions: 75
Qualifying Mark: 35 (This is applicable to all candidates and no relaxation is permissible)
This part is qualifying in nature and shall have questions from the trade syllabus prescribed by Director General of Employment & Training (DGET). Candidates with ITI/ Trade Apprenticeship qualification will be required to appear in the section having questions from the relevant trade. Candidates holding Degree, Diploma having eligibility for the posts of ALP have to select relevant trade from the list of trades listed against their engineering discipline.
Candidates who do not have ITI/ Act Apprentice/ Diplomo qualifications and have qualified 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics will be eligible for the posts of Tech-III/Tele and Tech-III/Sig only. They should choose a special trade “Physics & Maths”. If, they choose any other trade, they will not be considered for any of the posts. The Physics & Maths trade shall have questions on Physics and Mathematics of 10+2 standard.
Candidates who do not have ITI/ Act Apprentice qualifications but have Diploma/ Degree in various specified streams will be considered for the post of ALP only. Such candidates should choose their trades for Part-B of the CBT.
The trade syllabus can be obtained from the DGET website. The relevant trades for various 10+2/ diploma/ engineering discipline for appearing in the qualifying test is as below:
| Sl. No. | Engineering Discipline (Diploma/ Degree) | Relevant trade for PART ‘B’ Qualifying Test to be selected from |
| 1 | Electrical Engineering and combination of various streams of Electrical Engineering | Electrician/ Instrument Mechanic/ Wiremen/ Winder (Armature)/ Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic |
| 2 | Electronics Engineering and combination of various streams of Electronics Engineering | Electronics Mechanic/ Mechanic Radio & TV |
| 3 | Mechanical Engineering and combination of various streams of Mechanical Engineering | Fitter/ Mechanic Motor Vehicle/ Tractor Mechanic/ Mechanic Diesel/ Turner/ Machinist/ Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic/ Heat Engine/ Millwright Maintenance Mechanic |
| 4 | Automobile Engineering and combination of various streams of Automobile Engineering | Mechanic Motor Vehicle/ Tractor Mechanic/ Mechanic Diesel/ Heat Engine/ Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic |
| 5 | HSC (10+2) with Physics and Maths | Physics and Mathematics |
Computer Based Aptitude Test (Only for candidates who have opted for ALP)
Qualifying marks: The candidate needs to secure a minimum score of 42 marks in each of the test batteries to qualify. This is applicable to all candidates and no relaxation is permissible.
Candidates equal to 8 times number of ALP vacancies for each of the communities i.e. UR, OBC-NCL, SC and ST (including Ex. SM) shall be short listed for Computer Based AT (based on their performance in Part ‘A’ of the Second Stage CBT subject to their qualifying the Part ‘B’ of Second Stage CBT) from among the candidates who have opted for the post of ALP.
Candidates will have to qualify in each of the test battery of Computer Based AT for considering them for the post of ALP. The Computer Based Aptitude Test shall have questions and answer options only in English and Hindi. There shall be no negative marking in Computer Based AT.
The ALP merit list will be drawn only from amongst the candidates qualifying in the Aptitude Test, with 70% weightage for the marks obtained in the Part ‘A’ of Second Stage CBT and 30% weightage for the marks obtained in Computer Based AT.
Candidates are advised to visit websites of RDSO (www.rdso.indianrailways.gov.in → Directorates → Psycho Technical Directorate → Candidates Corner) for question patterns and other details of AT.
Based on the options and performance of candidates in part-A of the CBT subject to their qualifying the part-B of CBT (for Technician posts) and based on the performance of candidates in both part ‘A’ of the CBT and Computer Based AT subject to their qualifying the part-B of CBT (for ALP), candidates equal to the number of vacancies will be called for Document verification.
Candidates to be asked for their category preference, and exam group in which they will appear in the following format:-
1. Post Preference Details:
| Category No. | Designation | Department | Priority |
2. Trade Details (Technicians/ Act Appr./ Diploma Engg. to specify the trade in which they are appearing)
| Exam Group |
2. GDCE PROCESS for Junior Engineer of various departments:
Only single online application {common to all the notified posts in opted RRC – Junior Engineer (JE)} has to be submitted by the candidate through the link provided on the official website of RRCs. The entire recruitment process shall involve Computer Based Test (CBT), and Document Verification/ Medical Examination as applicable. Selection is made strictly as per merit, on the basis of CBT.
CBT:
Duration: 120 minutes (160 Minutes for eligible PwBD candidates accompanied with Scribe)
No of Questions: 150
Syllabus: The Questions will be of objective type with multiple choices and are likely to include questions pertaining to General Awareness, Physics and Chemistry, Basics of Computers and Applications, Basics of Environment and Pollution Control and Technical abilities for the post. The syllabus for General Awareness, Physics and Chemistry, Basics of Computers and Applications, Basics of Environment and Pollution Control is common for all notified posts under this CEN as detailed below:
(a) General Awareness: Knowledge of Current affairs, Indian geography, culture and history of India including freedom struggle, Indian Polity and constitution, Indian Economy, Environmental issues concerning India and the World, Sports, General scientific and technological developments etc.
(b) Physics and Chemistry: Up to 10th standard CBSE syllabus.
(c) Basics of Computers and Applications: Architecture of Computers; input and Output devices; Storage devices, Networking, Operating System like Windows, Unix, Linux; MS Office; Various data representation; Internet and Email; Websites & Web Browsers; Computer Virus.
(d) Basics of Environment and Pollution Control: Basics of Environment; Adverse effect of environmental pollution and control strategies; Air, water and Noise pollution, their effect and control; Waste Management, Global warming; Acid rain; Ozone depletion.
(e) Technical Abilities: For technical abilities, refer to Annexure-VII – A to G of CEN No.03/2018.
The section wise Number of questions and marks are as below:
| Subjects | No. of Questions | Marks for each Section |
| Stage-II | Stage-II | |
| General Awareness | 15 | 15 |
| Physics and Chemistry | 15 | 15 |
| Basics of Computers and Applications | 10 | 10 |
| Basics of Environment and Pollution Control | 10 | 10 |
| Technical Abilities | 100 | 100 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
| Time in Minutes | 120 |
The section wise distribution given in the above table is only indicative and there may be some variations in the actual question papers. Virtual calculator will be made available on the Computer Monitor during 2nd Stage CBT, if held.
Discipline Mapping Tables:
| Sl. No. | Three years Diploma in Engineering or Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/ Technology | Exam Group |
| 1 | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical and Allied Engineering |
| Production Engineering | ||
| Automobile Engineering | ||
| Manufacturing Engineering | ||
| Mechatronics Engineering | ||
| Industrial Engineering | ||
| Machining Engineering | ||
| Tools and Machining Engineering | ||
| Tools and Die Making Engineering | ||
| Combination of any sub stream of basic streams of above disciplines | ||
| 2 | Electrical Engineering | Electrical and Allied Engineering |
| Combination of any sub stream of basic streams of Electrical Engineering | ||
| 3 | Electronic Engineering | Electronics and Allied Engineering |
| Instrumentation and Control Engineering | ||
| Communication Engineering | ||
| Computer Science and Engineering | ||
| Computer Engineering | ||
| Computer Science | ||
| Information Technology | ||
| Combination of sub streams of basic streams of above disciplines | ||
| 4 | Civil Engineering | Civil and Allied Engineering |
| Combination of any sub streams of basic streams of Civil Engineering | ||
| B.Sc. in Civil Engineering of 3 years duration |
All the candidates with the above qualification shall be tested in the Exam. Group mapped as per the above chart.
A candidate possessing more than one minimum educational qualification, mapped to different Exam Groups, can choose any one Exam Group. These candidates would be eligible for all the posts for which they possess minimum educational qualifications.
NORMALISATION OF THE MARKS:
The raw marks for single session paper and normalized marks for multi session paper will be used for computing Merit Index, which is a common benchmark for generating merit for candidates from different Exam Groups.
CALCULATION OF MERIT INDEX FOR ALL PAPERS:
In order to generate a common merit list comprising of candidates who gave examination from different exam groups. but eligible for a common post, merit index will be computed. For all papers for which there is only one session, actual marks obtained by the candidates will be used for calculating merit index, while for papers in multi-sessions; normalized marks will be calculated corresponding to the raw marks obtained by a candidate and the merit index will be calculated based on the normalized marks.
The Merit Index will be computed using the formula given below:
Merit Index: Sq+(St -Sq) {(M – Mq)/ (Mt – Mq)}
(Index is the relative score of a candidate within the discipline.)
M: Marks obtained by the candidate (actual/ raw marks for single session exam and normalized marks for multi session exam)
Mq: The qualifying marks for general category candidate in the paper (40).
Mt: The mean marks of top 0.1% or top 10 whichever is larger of the candidates who appeared in the paper (in case of multi session exam including all sessions)
Sq: 350 is the score assigned to Mq.
St: 900 is the score assigned to Mt.
The qualifying marks (Mq) for general category candidate is 40.
The Merit Index will be calculated for UR, OBC, SC, ST candidates whose actual marks for single session exam and normalized marks for multi session exam are equal or above the community qualifying marks prescribed in Para 13.2. Based on the Merit Index generated, a combined merit list of the candidates of different disciplines/ Exam Group will be prepared in the descending order of merit and the allotment of the preference will be done on the basis of this merit list.
Candidates to be asked for their category preference, and exam group in which they will appear in the following format:
1. Post Preference Details:
| Category No. | Designation | Department | Priority |
2. Exam Group Details:
| Exam Group |
3. GDCE PROCESS for Guards/ Train Manager:
Only single online application has to be submitted by the candidate through the link provided on the official websites of RRCs. The recruitment process shall involve Computer Based Test (CBT) and Document Verification/ Medical Examination. Selection is made strictly as per merit, on the basis of above mentioned recruitment stages.
Computer Based Test (CBT):
| Exam Duration in Minutes | No. of Questions (each of 1 mark) from | Total No. of Questions | ||
| General Awareness | Mathematics | General Intelligence and Reasoning | ||
| 90 | 40 | 30 | 30 | 100 |
The examination duration will be 120 Minutes for eligible PwBD candidates accompanied with Scribe.
The section wise distribution given in the above table is only indicative and there may be some variations in the actual question papers.
The standard of questions for the CBT will be generally in conformity with the educational standards prescribed for the posts.
The Questions will be of objective type with multiple choices and are likely to include questions pertaining to:
(a) Mathematics: Number System, Decimals, Fractions, LCM, HCF, Ratio and Proportions, Percentage, Mensuration, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Elementary Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics etc.
(b) General Intelligence and Reasoning: Analogies, Completion of Number and Alphabetical Series, Coding and Decoding, Mathematical Operations, Similarities and Differences, Relationships, Analytical Reasoning, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagrams, Puzzle, Data Sufficiency, Statement – Conclusion, Statement – Courses of Action, Decision Making, Maps, Interpretation of Graphs etc.
(c) General Awareness: Current Events of National and International Importance, Games and Sports, Art and Culture of India, Indian Literature, Monuments and Places of India, General Science and Life Science (up to 10th CBSE), History of India and Freedom Struggle, Physical, Social and Economic Geography of India and World, Indian Polity and Governance – constitution and political system, General Scientific and Technological Developments including Space and Nuclear Program of India, UN and Other important World Organizations, Environmental Issues Concerning India and World at Large, Basics of Computers and Computer Applications, Common Abbreviations, Transport Systems in India, Indian Economy, Famous Personalities of India and World, Flagship Government Programs, Flora and Fauna of India, Important Government and Public Sector Organizations of India etc.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
(I) The trade/ exam group is to be specified by employees having ITI/ Act Apprentice/ Diploma Engg. qualification.
(II) Preference of all posts as applied and for which employee is eligible may also be called for.
(III) Minimum percentage of marks for eligibility in various categories: UR-40%, EWS-40%, OBC (Non creamy layer)-30%, SC-30%, ST-25%. These percentages of marks for eligibility may be relaxed by 2% for PwBD candidates in case of shortage of PwBD candidates against vacancies reserved for them.
(IV) There will be negative marking and 1/3 mark shall be deducted for each wrong answer.
(V) The PwBD candidates should be provided the Scribe wherever applicable.
(VI) In case of two or more candidates securing same marks, their merit position shall be determined by age criteria i.e., older person shall be placed at higher merit and in case age being same, then alphabetical order (a to z) of the name shall be taken into account to break the tie.
(VII) Candidates equal to the number of vacancies will be called for DV based on their merit in CBT and options.
(VIII) Appointment of selected candidates is subject to their passing requisite Medical Fitness Test to be conducted by the Railway Administration, final verification of educational and community certificates and verification of antecedents/ character of the candidates.
(IX) Admission to all stages of recruitment process shall be purely provisional, subject to the candidate satisfying the prescribed eligibility conditions.
(X) Mere issue of e-Call letter to the candidates will NOT imply that their candidature has been finally accepted by the RRC.
(XI) RRC conducts Documents Verification of eligibility conditions with reference to original documents only after the candidates have qualified in all the stages of examinations and are shortlisted for Document Verification. RRC may reject the candidature of any applicant at any stage of recruitment process. In case the candidate is found not fulfilling the requisite criteria and if appointed, such a candidate is liable to be removed from service summarily.
(XII) Before applying for the post(s) against this notification, candidates should satisfy themselves that they fulfill all the eligibility norms including age, educational qualification(s) and medical standard(s). Candidates should ensure that they have requisite educational/ technical qualifications from recognized Board/ University/ Institute as on the closing date for online application submission.
(XIII) Candidates should enter their Name, Father’s Name and Date of Birth as recorded in the SSLC/ Matriculation/ High School Examination Certificate or an equivalent Certificate as well as in their service record. No subsequent request for its change will be considered.
(XIV) In cases of name change, candidates should indicate their changed name only in the ONLINE application. However, the details should match with the Matriculation or Equivalent certificate as well as Service Record. Date of such change should be prior to the date of submission of ONLINE application.
(XV) Gazette Notification or any other legal document as applicable for such cases should be submitted at the time of Document Verification (DV) along with the acceptance letter of employer.
(XVI) Signatures of the candidates on all documents should be identical in all stages of recruitment process and must be in running hand and not in block/ capital or disjointed letters. Signatures in different style at the time of CBT, CBAT, Document Verification; Medical examination etc. may result in cancellation of candidature.
(XVII) Dates of examinations will be published on the website. The e-call letters for CBT, CBAT should be downloaded only from website. No call letter will be sent by post. The CBT Centre, date and shift indicated in the e-call letter shall be final. RRC reserve the right to conduct additional CBT/ CBAT, and/or additional document verification etc., without assigning any reason. Request for postponement of any of the above activity or for change of venue, date and shift will not be entertained under any circumstances.
(XVIII) Vacancies indicated in this Notification are provisional and may undergo any change (increase/ decrease) or even become NIL in total or in specific Units/ Communities Posts at a later stage depending upon the actual needs of the Railway Administration. Also, additional posts if required by the Railway may also be included at later stage.
(XIX) The Railway Administration also reserves the right to cancel the notified vacancies at any stage at its discretion and such decision will be final and binding on all.
(XX) The function of the RRC is to recommend names of suitable candidates to the concerned authorities of the Railway Division who in turn will issue the offer of appointment letter subject to availability of vacancies and candidates satisfying all eligibility criteria.
(XXI) Selected candidates will have to undergo training, wherever prescribed, and during training period payment will be regulated as per extant rules.
(XXII) RRC reserves the right to incorporate any subsequent change/ modifications/ additions in the terms & conditions of recruitment under this Notification as necessitated and applicable.
Download Railway Board Circular RBE No.90/2023