Reservation Rules for Isolated Posts in Railways: Updated Guidelines Explained
The Railway Board has issued a new communication dated 12 November 2025 to all major Railway Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and Autonomous Bodies regarding the grouping of isolated posts and small cadres for applying reservation rules. This update connects the discussions held on 16 September 2025 and brings clarity by re-circulating relevant DoPT and Railway Board instructions.
For employees, HR officials, and recruitment teams in Railway PSUs, understanding these rules is essential to ensure correct implementation of reservation for SC/ST candidates in direct recruitment.
Why This Circular Was Issued
The Board’s letter refers back to the meeting held with PSUs/Autonomous Bodies, where concerns were raised about how to correctly apply reservation when:
- Posts are isolated (only one post exists), or
- Cadres are very small, making it difficult to maintain separate rosters.
To address these challenges, the Railway Board has attached DoPT’s 1985 OM, which clearly defines how isolated posts should be grouped and how the combined reservation roster must be maintained.
What Are Isolated Posts and Why Are They Grouped?
Isolated posts are individual posts that do not belong to a larger cadre. Examples include:
- Caretaker
- Record Keeper
- Single-position clerical jobs
- Unique support roles
Since maintaining a separate reservation roster for each isolated post is not practical, the DoPT allows such posts to be grouped together based on:
- Job class
- Pay scale
- Qualifications required
This enables the application of reservation rules in a uniform and fair manner.
Key DoPT Guidelines on Grouping of Posts for Reservation
The DoPT OM dated 23 July 1985 provides the foundation of the reservation rules for isolated posts in Railways. The latest communication simply reaffirms these principles.
Here are the most important points:
1. Vacancies Must Be Plotted in Chronological Order
When isolated posts are grouped, all vacancies must be arranged strictly based on the date of occurrence.
Example from the OM:
| Post | Vacancy Date |
|---|---|
| LDC | 02-03-1984 |
| Record Keeper | 04-03-1984 |
| Stenographer | 07-08-1984 |
| Stenographer | 09-10-1984 |
| Caretaker | 11-11-1984 |
These are then placed sequentially on the combined roster starting from roster point 1.
This approach ensures transparency, consistency, and correct reservation allocation.
2. A Single Combined Roster Must Be Maintained
All posts grouped together will share one roster.
This roster is used for:
- Direct recruitment
- Confirmation against permanent vacancies
This prevents mistakes caused by maintaining multiple mini-rosters.
3. Liaison Officer Must Certify the Roster
Before recruitment begins:
- The Liaison Officer must verify the roster.
- They must certify in the Remarks Column that all vacancies have been plotted chronologically.
This step ensures compliance and prevents disputes at later stages.
4. Instructions Apply Prospectively
The OM states that the rules apply from the date of issue, except where recruitment has already started.
So, ongoing recruitments remain unaffected.
Impact on Railway PSUs and Autonomous Bodies
The following organisations have been instructed to follow these rules:
- IRCTC
- IRCON
- RITES
- RVNL
- KRCL
- DFCCIL
- CRIS
- NHSRCL
- RLDA
… and several others listed in the circular.
This ensures uniform application of reservation policies across all Railway-related bodies.
Why These Rules Are Important
Proper application of reservation rules for isolated posts helps:
- Maintain fairness in recruitment
- Avoid discrepancies in reservation percentages
- Ensure constitutional safeguards for SC/ST candidates
- Improve transparency and accountability in staffing
For HR departments and recruitment boards, following these instructions is not optional—it is essential for compliance.
Conclusion
The Railway Board’s 2025 circular reinforces the long-standing reservation rules for isolated posts in Railways by re-sharing the DoPT’s 1985 OM. With clear procedures on grouping, roster maintenance, and chronological plotting of vacancies, Railway PSUs can now apply reservation more accurately and consistently.
This ensures a fair recruitment system and strengthens the commitment to social justice within the Indian Railways ecosystem.