Indian Railway Service of Engineers

The Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) is a cadre of the Government of India. The officers of this service are responsible for managing the Civil Engineering Organisation of the Indian Railways

The recruitment to the cadre is done through the Indian Engineering Services exam. The top position holders of civil engineering joins IRSE and is finally inducted in Railways after one and a half years of training to maintain the civil engineering assets of Indian Railways.

The selection exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) of India. The UPSC is responsible for recruiting middle and top-level bureaucrats for the Government of India.

The Civil Engineering department of Indian Railways is managed by engineers of IRSE. These engineers are responsible for maintenance of all fixed assets of Indian Railways, i.e. Track, Bridges, Buildings, Roads, Water supply etc. These fixed assets are 45% of total assets of Indian Railway.[citation needed] In addition to maintenance of existing assets, IRSE engineers are responsible for construction of new assets such as New lines, Gauge conversion, doubling and other expansion and developmental works in Railways.

Recruitment to service is done on the basis of an all India "Engineering Services" examination conducted by UPSC every year in June. Number of new recruits varies over year. Presently, intake is about 25 to 30 probationers per year. Normally top position holders in Engineering service Exams opt for IRSE.

An aspirant should be a civil Engineering graduate from any recognized university of India.

After Recruitment, the probationer is given 18 months' intensive training in various Railways establishments under the guidance of Indian Railway Institute of Civil Engineers, Pune. The training includes 3 months capsule course at IIMS.

A young probationer is posted as assistant divisional engineer after 18 months of training and can rise up to Chairman Railway Board, a post equivalent to principal secretary of Govt of India. In normal course, all the IRSE officers rise up to minimum level of Additional General Manager or Principal chief engineer or Chief Administrative officer (construction) rank in railways which is in higher administrative grade.

Railway service is very demanding and it needs sincerity, dedication and hard work. Railway Engineer is on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.