**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4557, the Ministry of Railways addressed the matter of conducting Railway recruitment examinations in Kannada and other regional languages. The Ministry, represented by Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, affirmed that Computer Based Tests (CBTs) for direct recruitment by Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) are already conducted in 15 languages, including Kannada.
The Ministry emphasized that Railway recruitment is conducted on an all-India basis, adhering to the constitutional provision of equality in public employment, ensuring every eligible candidate can apply irrespective of gender, language, place of birth or region. All applicants responding to Centralized Employment Notifications (CENs) are considered equally, with no preference given to candidates from any specific state or region.
To facilitate candidates, RRBs conduct CBTs in English, Hindi, and 13 regional Indian languages: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. Candidates can select their preferred examination medium from this list within the online application form. CBT questions are displayed in the chosen language and English.
Centralized Employment Notices are published in Employment News/Rozgar Samachar and on the official websites of the 21 Railway Recruitment Boards. Participating RRBs also issue indicative notices in at least two local newspapers, including regional languages, covering the RRB's entire jurisdiction.
Key Entities Referenced
Kannada: A Dravidian language spoken predominantly by the people of Karnataka, India. It is one of the languages in which Railway recruitment examinations are being considered or conducted.
Railway Recruitment Board RRB: An organization responsible for conducting recruitment examinations for various posts in the Indian Railways. The policy discusses the use of Kannada in these exams.
Karnataka: A state in India, specifically mentioned in relation to candidates who may benefit from the availability of exam materials in Kannada.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, responsible for answering the questions related to railway recruitment examinations.
Computer Based Tests CBTs: The method of examination used by Railway Recruitment Boards for direct recruitment. These tests are conducted in multiple languages, including Kannada.
Centralised Employment Notifications CENs: Official notifications for employment opportunities in the Railways. Candidates apply in response to these notifications.
English: One of the languages in which the Computer Based Tests (CBTs) for Railway recruitment examinations are conducted, in addition to regional languages.
Hindi: One of the languages in which the Computer Based Tests (CBTs) for Railway recruitment examinations are conducted, in addition to regional languages and English.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4557
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
RAILWAY RECRUITMENT EXAMINATIONS IN KANNADA LANGUAGE
4557. DR. PRABHA MALLIKARJUN:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the steps taken/progress made on allowing
candidates to write Railway recruitment examinations in Kannada;
(b) the details of the specific actions taken by the Government to
implement Kannada as a medium of examination in upcoming
Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) exams;
(c) whether notifications, application forms and exam syllabi have
been made available in Kannada to support candidates from
Karnataka and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of the timeline for fully institutionalising Kannada and
other regional languages as official options in Railway recruitment
examinations to promote linguistic inclusivity?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d): The Computer Based Tests (CBTs) for direct recruitment
examinations by Railway Recruitment Boards are conducted in 15
languages including Kannada.
..Contd./2-Railways, being a Central Government organization conduct
recruitment on all India basis. This is in line with Constitutional
provision of right to equality in matters of public employment. Every
candidate irrespective of gender, language, place of birth, region etc.
fulfilling eligibility criteria is free to apply. All those who apply in
response to Centralised Employment Notifications (CENs), including
local candidates are considered for recruitment on the Railways, on
equal footing. No preference is given to candidates belonging to any
State or Region nor is the recruitment restricted to any State or
Region.
In order to facilitate candidates in direct recruitment examinations,
Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) conduct Computer Based Tests
(CBTs) in English, Hindi and 13 regional Indian languages viz.,
Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri,
Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Accordingly,
candidates must choose their medium of examination from any one
amongst those listed in the ONLINE application form. CBT questions
are displayed in the language opted and in English.
Centralized Employment Notice is issued/published in the Employment
News/Rozgar Samachar and also on official websites of 21 Railway
Recruitment Boards. Participating RRBs issue indicative notice in at
least two local newspapers including regional languages covering the
entire jurisdiction of RRB.
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