Railway Instructor Post Selection Procedure: Clarification Issued by Railway Board (OM dated 27.11.2025)
The Railway Board has issued a fresh clarification regarding the procedure for filling up the posts of Instructors in recognized Railway Training Institutes, particularly in light of the changes introduced through RBE 155/2022. The clarification aims to address confusion related to eligibility criteria—especially concerning Pay Levels—while selecting staff for Instructor posts.
This article explains the key points from the latest Office Memorandum, its implications for staff eligibility, and how Railways should manage the impact of cadre restructuring.
Background: Existing Rules for Instructor Post Selection
As per the earlier instructions issued under RBE 79/2019, the selection process for Instructor posts in recognized Railway Training Institutes follows these rules:
- Selection is conducted for an ex-cadre post.
- Staff from the same or allied department in Pay Level-7 are eligible.
- In case of insufficient eligible candidates, staff in one grade lower (Pay Level-6) may also be considered.
- Such candidates must meet all suitability criteria prescribed for Instructor posts.
Issue Arising After RBE 155/2022
RBE 155/2022 introduced an important structural change:
25% of posts in Pay Level-7 were upgraded to Pay Level-8.
Following this, several Railway units reported that senior-most eligible staff now fall in Pay Level-8, not in Pay Level-7 or 6. This led to a demand to revise eligibility criteria so that Pay Level-8 staff could also be considered for Instructor post selection.
Railway Board’s Clarification: Pay Level-8 Not Eligible for Selection Posts
After examining earlier circulars including RBE 79/2019, RBE 04/2020, RBE 39/2020, RBE 04/2021, RBE 104/2023, RBE 155/2022, and the instructions issued on 01.12.2022, the Railway Board has made the following clear:
1. Pay Level-8 posts are Non-Selection posts
As per the Board’s instructions dated 01.12.2022, Pay Level-8 positions are categorized as Non-Selection posts.
2. Instructor posts are Selection posts
Instructor posts in Training Institutes fall under the Selection category.
3. Therefore, Pay Level-8 staff cannot be considered
Since Level-8 is non-selection and Instructor posts require selection, Pay Level-8 employees cannot be included in the eligibility pool for Instructor posts.
This point completely rules out the proposed revision that sought to include Level-8 employees in the selection process.
What Railways Can Do: Utilize Delegated Powers
To avoid staffing disruptions or shortages caused by restructuring under RBE 155/2022, the Board has advised Railways to:
- Use their delegated powers for redistribution or transfer of posts within their jurisdiction.
- Ensure that such internal adjustments help maintain smooth functioning of Training Institutes.
- Apply these measures specifically for filling Instructor posts without violating selection rules.
This clarification also disposes of the issue raised through NWR letter dated 10.05.2024 on deputation policy and related concerns.
Conclusion
The latest Railway Board clarification reinforces that the Railway Instructor Post Selection Procedure continues to rely on Pay Level-7 and Pay Level-6 staff as eligible pools for selection. Despite structural upgrades in the cadre, Pay Level-8 employees remain outside the selection process, as per existing policy guidelines.
Railways have been encouraged to use their administrative flexibility to manage staffing needs while fully complying with selection norms. This ensures transparency, fairness, and policy consistency across all Training Institutes.