Letter of Indian Railway Employees Federation (IREF) to the Railway Board
When Indian Railways already faces a severe staff shortage, there’s no justification for setting a target for surrendering positions. It is essential to fill vacant positions quickly, create new positions for new roles, and halt privatization and outsourcing policies. This should be the unified demand of all railway employees.
(Translation of Hindi letter)
Indian Railway Employees Federation
Letter No.: IREF/010
Date: 27/04/2026
Chairman and CEO,
Railway Board, Ministry of Railways,
Government of India, Rail Bhavan, New Delhi
Subject: Regarding opposition to the surrendering of 2% (29,608) posts under the name of manpower rationalization and re-engagement policies and demand for new recruitment in Indian Railways
Reference:
1. Letter No. E(MPP)2025/1/9 dated 24.04.2026
2. Letter No. E(NG)II/2024/RC-4/9 dated 15.10.2024
Sir,
The above referenced letter dated 24.04.2026 has set a target of surrendering 2% (29,608) posts in Indian Railways for the year 2026-27 under the Manpower Rationalization Policy. The Indian Railway Employees Federation strongly and vehemently opposes this decision. It is well known that Indian Railways is already dealing with a significant shortage of staff, with lakhs of posts remaining unfilled since a long time. This is adversely affecting production, maintenance, and operations. The Railway Administration is well aware of this situation, as evident in the ongoing re-engagement process of retired employees (reference 2).
On the one hand, the burden of workload on existing employees is increasing. On the other hand, the youth of the country is grappling with the problem of unemployment. The lack of employment opportunities for the youth—who are full of energy, skills and potential—will not only waste their capabilities but also result in social unrest and instability, which is not in the interest of the nation. In this situation, surrendering posts is neither practical nor just. On the contrary, this is the time to strengthen the Indian Railways by starting recruitment on a large scale.
Therefore, the Indian Railway Employees Federation demands the following:
The process of surrendering 2% posts under the name of manpower rationalization should be immediately canceled
The process of re-engaging retired employees should be immediately stopped
The policies of privatisation and outsourcing should be reconsidered and stopped
Regular recruitment process to fill vacancies in the Indian Railways should be started immediately
New posts should be created for new work
So that the quality of production and maintenance in Indian Railways can be maintained; safe, smooth, and fast operation can be promoted; and the youth of the country can get an opportunity for active participation in nation building.
The Indian Railway Employees Federation expects that you will consider the abovementioned points seriously and take a positive and prompt decision.
Sarvajit Singh
National General Secretary
Indian Railway Employees Federation (IREF)
Copy: General Secretary, All India Central Council of Trade Unions