UPSC to conduct separate exam for Railway Service

Syllabus subtopic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies

Prelims and Mains focus: about the recent reform in the railway service and its advantages; UPSC: structure and functions

News: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct an exclusive examination for recruitment of officers to handle specialized services in the newly created Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) following unification of eight different Railway services. The exam is expected to be held in the next recruitment circle of 2021

What will be the recruitment procedure?

• The UPSC will be given information about the requirement of cadre in various wings for the services, engineering etc. and the number of posts will be notified accordingly.
• Candidates from engineering will have to take the main examination on their specialised domain course and not any other subject.

Reasons behind move

• The objective behind the “historic” massive restructuring of the management of the Indian Railways is to remove the “departmentalism” culture which has seeped all the way up to the Railway Board and ensure there is “one service and officers from one batch should get promotion in on go” and not as has been happening thus far.
• The 350­odd officers joining the Railway service annually will all have an equal opportunity of reaching the top posts of Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) and above, including General Managers, as well as to the Railway Board.

What was the practice till now?

Till now, only those chosen to become 34 DRMs each year based on their UPSC marks and date of birth had opportunity to reach higher posts, with the rest not even evaluated.

Changed procedure

• For the IRMS, there would be benchmark performance and personal integrity for all those joining service based on their 15­year tenure by a group of three senior officers.
• The CRB has already clarified that existing officers would not be discriminated against in terms of promotions or posts as a Group of Ministers would be looking into the issue to make necessary adjustments even in creating new posts to accommodate performers.

About UPSC

Article 315 provides there will be one UPSC and State public service commission for every state, however two or more states may agree to have joint PSC and in that case the President shall be law provides for appointment of joint PSC.

Appointments

• Chairman and members of union public service commission are appointed by the President.
• Chairman and members of joint public service commission are appointed by the President.
• Chairman and members of state public service commission are appointed by the Governor.

As far as possible one half of the members of every public service commission should be those members which have held office for at least 10 years under the government of India or under the government of a state.

Functions

Under Article 320 of the Constitution of India, the Commission is, inter-alia, required to be consulted on all matters relating to recruitment to civil services and posts. The functions of the Commission under Article 320 of the Constitution are:

1. Conduct examinations for appointment to the services of the Union.
2. Direct recruitment by selection through interviews.
3. Appointment of officers on promotion / deputation / absorption.
4. Framing and amendment of Recruitment Rules for various services and posts under the Government.
5. Disciplinary cases relating to different Civil Services.
6. Advising the Government on any matter referred to the Commission by the President of India.

Tenure: All chairman and members are appointed for 6 years of until in case of UPSC they attain the age of 65 years and in case of joint and state commission is 62 years whichever is earlier.

Re-Appointment: No member of chairman of any public service commission will be eligible for reappointment to the same office. A member of a state commission may become chairman of that state commission or member of chairman of any commission including union public service commission. Members of UPSC may become chairman of state public service commission or of union public service commission. However, after the cease to hold the office they will not hold any office under the government of state or union government.

Removal:

Grounds:

1. Members and chairman can be removed on the ground of misbehaviour after the supreme court on reference being made to it by president after holding enquiry it is reported that any member or chairman should be removed.
2. When he is adjudged as insolvent.
3. When he accepts any paid employment outside the duty of his office.
4. When he is infirmity of mind of body.

All members of chairman of any commission (UPSC or State PSC) can be removed only by the President.

Article 317(1) - President in case of UPSC and Joint PSC and governor in case of State PSC may suspend chairman or any other member until the president has passed the order for removal on reference being made to the Supreme Court.