The contractual appointment of ex-soldiers as gatekeepers at crossings angers many

Indian Railways’ policy of hiring ex-servicemen as level crossing porters on contractual basis without conducting competitive examinations has irked railway job aspirants as well as permanent railway employees. In its latest move, the Railway Board has approved the appointment of around 7,220 ex-servicemen on contractual basis to the post of porter in the Engineering department.

The appointments will be made by the Zonal Railways directly through the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Boards under the Central and State Governments. In the Southern Railway alone, approximately 918 jobs will be filled on the basis of contractual agreements.

Less demanding

Although porters technically fall under the category of “track maintainers”, the role is considered relatively less strenuous than that of maintenance workers, who must walk 10 to 14 kilometers along railway lines each day to inspect tracks and other engineering infrastructure, ensure safe train movement and prevent accidents.

As a result, most porters at level crossings are female employees hired as track maintenance workers. Under the new policy, these female employees along with other permanent employees in this category will be transferred to maintenance duties. Instead, the crossings will be staffed by ex-servicemen appointed on contract.

Fewer vacancies

According to railway employees, this policy will not only limit job opportunities for aspiring candidates but may also adversely affect ex-servicemen as the number of permanent vacancies available under the ex-serviceman quota could decrease due to these contractual agreements.

S. Gopikrishnan, general secretary of the Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (SRMU), Thiruvananthapuram division, said the union strongly opposed the move and submitted a statement to the Railway Board urging it to withdraw the decision. “This is part of a wider move by the Railways to promote contractual appointments in key sectors. It will deny young job seekers their rightful share of railway employment opportunities,” Mr Gopikrishnan said.

Under this policy, ex-servicemen who have been discharged after completing 15 years of military service and have a valid discharge certificate are eligible to apply. Retired personnel from Central Armed Police Forces including BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB who have completed at least 15 years of service are also eligible.

Selected candidates will be employed as Gatekeepers at Road Crossings on contract basis at a salary ranging from ₹ 30,537 to ₹ 34,963 for a maximum period of three years. Technically called keymen, track managers form a significant proportion of the 13 lakh-odd Group C employees of the Indian Railways.

Published – 14 Jul 2026 18:03 IST