Alternative appointment to medically unfit RRB candidates

Ref: [1] Railway Board’s letter No. 99/E[RRB]/25/12 dated  20.08.1999 

[2] Railway Board’s letter No. 99/E[RRB]/25/12 dated 07.08.2000 [RRCB No. 06/2000] 

[3]  Railway Board’s letter No. E[RRB]/2001/25/21 dated   04.09.2001 [RRCB No. 05/2001].

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 1.The matter regarding provision of alternative appointment in the same grade to candidates selected for Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’  posts by RRBs and RRCs who fail in the prescribed medical examination has been engaging the attention of the Board for quite some time. In terms of Board’s letters under reference, General Managers of the Zonal Railways/PUs are  presently authorized to consider requests from such candidates for appointment in alternative categories provided there is an acute shortage of staff in the alternative posts of the same grade and on fulfillment by the candidate of the prescribed medical standard, educational qualifications and other eligibility criteria prescribed for the post. This provision is not to be taken as a matter of right by the candidates.

2.         The genesis of the provision for considering alternative appointment primarily lies in the high cost of recruitment, short panels and filling up of vacancies where there is acute shortage of staff. However, the experience of the Railways over the years indicates that this provision is being misused. A large number of candidates empanelled for the post of ASM/Assistant Loco Pilot/Motorman had been failing in the prescribed medical examination thereby resulting in short panels. Board had, therefore, decided not to provide appointment in alternative posts to the medically failed empanelled candidates for these categories. These orders were issued in 2001 vide reference No.3 above.

3.         Some of the Railways have brought to the notice of the Board that due to a large number of surplus/medically decategorized staff awaiting re-deployment, it is not feasible to consider cases of alternative appointment to medically unfit RRB/RRC empanelled candidates. Moreover, some candidates take this provision as a matter of right and misuse it for securing alternative appointment in Non  Technical Popular Categories posts where the level of competition is much tougher. This matter was also discussed in the Conference of Chief Personnel Officers held in Board’s office on 01.05.2009 wherein the general consensus was that the policy of providing alternative appointment to the medically failed empanelled candidates both for Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ posts should be dispensed with.

4.         Considering all these aspects, Board have decided to discontinue the policy of providing alternative appointment to the medically failed empanelled candidates selected through RRBs/RRCs for any Group ‘C’ or Group ‘D’ post.

5.         These orders supersede all earlier orders issued on the subject and will take effect from the date of issue.

6.         Please ensure compliance.