Parliament Question: Skilling for Railway Freight and Logistics Ecosystem

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2856 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2026 SKILLING FOR RAILWAY FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS ECOSYSTEM 2856. SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has formulated any strategy to develop a skilled workforce to support the expanding railway freight and logistics ecosystem and, if so, details thereof; (b) the number of personnel trained during the last three years in freight operations, multimodal logistics, container handling, warehousing and digital logistics systems, year and zone-wise; (c) the details of dedicated training and certification programmes for private logistics operators, terminal operators and container train operators including industry partners, institutions engaged and number of persons trained thereunder; (d) whether a formal assessment of manpower demand in the railway freight and logistics sector has been conducted, if so, the skill gaps identified and steps proposed to address them; (e) whether a dedicated skill qualification framework aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) has been developed for railway freight and logistics and if so, the details of occupational roles covered and number of persons certified; and (f) steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to address future skill requirements arising from railway freight expansion? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW) (a) to (f): Training § Page 1 of 8Indian Railways have taken several measures to enhance work productivity, motivation and professional competencies of railway employees through structured capacity building and advanced training. Capacity building and skill upgradation are continuous and institutionalised processes supported by a well-established training framework across Indian Railways. Indian Railways have developed a comprehensive training ecosystem providing training interventions at various stages of the career to ensure skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling of employees. For this purpose, extensive training infrastructure has been created in the form of Centralised Training Institutes (CTIs), Multi-disciplinary Zonal Training Institutes (MDZTIs), Multi-disciplinary Divisional Training Institutes (MDDTIs) and specialised training centres, which conduct induction, refresher, promotional and technical training programmes at different stages of service along with those engaged in freight-related functions. Indian Railways always aimed at providing a modern, efficient and integrated railway freight and logistics ecosystem enhancing competencies of workforce through structured training programmes, multimodal logistics and emerging technologies thereby ensuring efficient, safe and sustainable transportation services. Training modules are designed to strengthen employees’ competencies and equip railway personnel with the skills required for modern, technology-intensive railway operations digitalization of freight operations, multimodal logistics concepts, customer-centric freight services and other operational requirements. These modules are also periodically updated to incorporate new technologies in railway operations and maintenance. In addition, Indian Railways employees undergo induction, promotional, refresher, specialised and technical training programmes at various stages of their career. The curriculum for the concerned categories of staff covers freight operation, logistics, and other operational and safety-related aspects relevant to their functions. Approximately six lakh railway employees are trained every year under these programmes, facilitating continuous capacity building and enhancement of professional competencies. Indian Railways, through its premier Centralized Training Institutes (CTIs) and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), offers dedicated training and certification programmes in Rail Operations, Commercial Management, and Familiarisation with Railway Operations., for logistic operators, terminal operators and container train operator wherein various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and allied organizations engaged, including Coal India Limited (CIL), National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd. (NTPC), Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL), Dedicated Freight Corridors Corporation of India Ltd. (DFCCIL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL), Food Page 2 of 8Corporation of India (FCI) and Central Warehousing Corporation(CWC) by promoting greater efficiency in rail-based freight transportation and logistics. Besides this, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) has also conducted a Specialized Management Development Programme for officers of Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR), a Capacity Building Workshop on Port-Led Development, and various executive training programmes on logistics for organisations such as the Defence Forces, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), and Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB), among others. These programmes are aimed at enhancing leadership capabilities, managerial skills, and domain expertise in logistics, supply chain management, and modern transportation systems through structured executive capacity-building initiatives. Indian Railways periodically reviews its requirements in line with evolving operational needs, technological advancements and organizational priorities. Emerging competency requirements are identified through continuous interaction with field units, training institutions and technical Directorates. Based on such assessments, training curricula and competency development programmes are revised and strengthened to equip railway personnel with the skills required for efficient freight and logistics operations. Training programmes in Indian Railways are designed to meet the functional and competency requirements of various categories of railway employees and are periodically reviewed and updated in line with evolving technologies, operational needs and contemporary skill requirements. Besides this, continuous efforts are being made towards standardization of training modules across Indian Railways to ensure uniformity, competency- based learning and improved training outcomes. Further, Indian Railways also actively engages with the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) on various skill development initiatives to strengthen capacity building and promote alignment with national skill development efforts. Indian Railways is continuously strengthening its training ecosystem to meet the future skill requirements including freight expansion. The measures include periodic revision and standardization of training modules, integration of digital learning platforms, competency-based training, exposure to emerging technologies, modernization of training infrastructure, enhancement of faculty capabilities and continuous capacity building through Centralized Training Institutes (CTIs), Multi- disciplinary Zonal Training Institutes (MDZTIs), Multi-disciplinary Divisional Training Institutes (MDDTIs). These initiatives aim to equip railway personnel with the knowledge and skills required to support efficient, technology-driven and customer-oriented freight and logistics operations. Page 3 of 8Manpower Recruitment done in Indian Railways during 2004-05 to 2013-14 vis-à-vis during 2014-15 to 2025-26 is given as under: - Period Recruitments 2004-2005 to 2013-2014 4.11 lakh 2014-2015 to 2026-2027 (upto 5.56 lakh 30.06.2026) Occurrence and filling up of vacancies are continuous processes on Indian Railways considering its size, spatial distribution and criticality of operation. Adequate and suitable manpower is provided to cater to the regular operations, changes in technology, mechanisations and innovative practices. The vacancies are filled up primarily by placement of indents by Railways with Recruitment agencies as per operational and technological requirements. The RRB examinations are quite technical in nature entailing large scale mobilization of men and resources and training of manpower. Railway overcame all these challenges and successfully conducted the recruitment in a transparent manner following all laid down guidelines. No instance of paper leakage or similar malpractice has occurred during the entire process. Further, as system improvement, the Ministry of Railways has introduced a system of publishing the Annual Calendar from 2024 for recruitment to various categories of Group ‘C’ posts. The introduction of the Annual Calendar is benefitting the aspirants in the following manner:  More opportunities for candidates;  Opportunities to those becoming eligible every year;  Certainty of exams;  Faster Recruitment process, Training and Appointments Presently, recruitment against 1,61,889 vacancies of non-gazetted personnel has been taken up on Indian Railways as per Annual Calendar 2024, 2025 and 2026. During January to December 2024, ten Centralized Employment Notifications (CENs) for 92,116 vacancies were notified for filling up of posts of Assistant Loco Pilots (ALPs), Technicians, Sub-Inspectors, Constables in Railway Protection Force (RPF), Junior Engineers (JEs)/ Depot Material Superintendent (DMS)/ Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant Page 4 of 8(CMA), Paramedical Categories, Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate), Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under-Graduate), Ministerial & Isolated Categories and Level-1 categories such as Assistants, Track Maintainers and Pointsman. First stage/Single stage Computer Based Tests (CBTs) for 92116 posts have been completed. Details are as under:- Exam Candidates Cities Languages 1st Stage CBT for the post of 18,40,347 156 15 ALP (18,799 vacancies) CBT for the post of Technician 26,99,892 139 15 (14,298 vacancies) 1st Stage CBT for the post of 11,01,266 146 15 JE/DMS/CMA (7,951 vacancies) CBT for the post of RPF-SI (452 15,35,635 143 15 vacancies) CBT for the post of RPF- 45,30,288 147 15 Constable (4,208 vacancies) CBT for Paramedical 7,08,321 143 15 Categories (1,376 vacancies) 1st Stage CBT for Non- 58,41,774 141 15 Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) (8,113 vacancies) 1st Stage CBT for Non- 63,27,473 157 15 Technical Popular Categories (Under Graduate) (3,445 vacancies) CBT for Ministerial & Isolated 4,46,013 139 15 categories (1,036 vacancies) CBT for Level-1 posts (32438 1,08,28,261 152 15 vacancies) Total Candidates 3,58,59,270 2nd stage CBTs for the posts of ALP, JE/DMS/CMA and Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate & Under-Graduate) have also been completed. Details are as under: Exam Candidates Cities Languages 2nd Stage CBT for the post of ALP 2,66,363 112 15 (18,799 vacancies) 2nd Stage CBT for the post of 1,17,339 118 15 JE/DMS/CMA (7,951 vacancies) Page 5 of 82nd Stage CBT for Non-Technical 1,21,931 129 15 Popular Categories (Graduate) (8,113 vacancies) 2nd Stage CBT for Non-Technical 51,978 79 15 Popular Categories (Under- Graduate) (3445 vacancies) Total Candidates 5,57,611 Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) for the posts of ALP and Non- Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) and Computer Based Skill Tests for the posts of Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate and Under Graduate) and Ministerial & Isolated Categories have also been completed. Details are as under: Exam Candidates Cities Languages CBAT for the post of ALP 1,32,044 84 2 Translation Test for Ministerial and 1,233 8 2 Isolated Categories CBAT for the post of Non-Technical 13,616 38 2 Popular Categories (Graduate) Computer Based Typing Skill 30,341 58 2 Test(CBTST) for the posts of Non- Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) CBTST for the post of Non-Technical 13,145 44 2 Popular Categories(Under Graduate) Total Candidates 1,90,379 During 2026-2027 (upto 30.06.2026) panels for more than 3,300 candidates for various posts including the posts of Technicians, Junior Engineers, Paramedical Categories, Ministerial & Isolated categories and Assistant Loco Pilots have been finalised. Majority of them are in safety categories. In addition, as per Annual Calendar for the year 2025, nine Centralized Employment Notifications (CENs) for 51970 vacancies have also been issued. Details are as under:- CEN No. Post Name No. of Vacancies notified Month of Notification Assistant Loco March-2025 01/2025 10,970 Pilots 02/2025 Technician 6,238 June-2025 Page 6 of 8Paramedical July-2025 03/2025 434 Categories August- 04/2025 Section Controller 368 2025 Junior Engineers 2,585 October- (JEs)/ Depot 2025 Material Superintendent (DMS)/ Chemical & Metallurgical 05/2025 Assistant (CMA) Non-Technical 5,810 October- Popular Categories 2025 06/2025 (Graduate) Non-Technical 3,058 October- Popular Categories 2025 07/2025 (Under-Graduate) December- 08/2025 Isolated Categories 312 2025 December- 09/2025 Level-1 posts 22,195 2025 Total 51,970 First stage/Single stage Computer Based Tests (CBTs) for 29,775 posts have been completed. Details are as under:- Exam Candidates Cities Languages 1st Stage CBT for the post of Section 4,33,748 131 15 Controller Categories (368 vacancies) 1st Stage CBT for the post of ALP (10970 10,03,719 141 15 vacancies) 1st Stage CBT for the post of JE/DMS/CMA 5,74,351 133 15 (2585 vacancies) CBT for the post of Technician (6238 8,41,525 117 15 vacancies) CBT for Paramedical Categories (434 3,19,396 106 15 vacancies) 1st Stage CBT for Non-Technical Popular 25,89,851 142 15 Categories (Graduate) (5810 vacancies) 1st Stage CBT for Non-Technical Popular 32,95,980 142 15 Categories (Under Graduate) (3058 vacancies) Page 7 of 8CBT for Isolated categories (312 37,774 34 15 vacancies) Total Candidates 90,96,344 2nd stage CBTs for the posts of JE/DMS/CMA have also been completed. Details are as under: Exam Candidates Cities Languages 2nd Stage CBT for the post of 39,034 90 15 JE/DMS/CMA (2585 vacancies) 2nd Stage CBT for Non-Technical 87,317 98 15 Popular Categories (Graduate) (5810 vacancies) Total Candidates 1,26,351 Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) for the posts of Section Controller has also been completed. Details are as under: Exam Candidates Cities Languages CBAT for the post of 2,989 24 2 Section Controller ( 368 vacancies) Further, as per Annual Calendar for the year 2026, three Centralized Employment Notifications (CENs) for 17,803 vacancies have been issued. Details are as under: CEN No. Post Name No. of Vacancies notified Month of Notification Assistant Loco March-2026 01/2026 11,127 Pilots May-2026 02/2026 Technician 6,557 Section June-2026 03/2026 119 Controller ***** Page 8 of 8