UPSC Reschedules Engineering Services Exam 2025 Amid Major Changes in Indian Railways Recruitment Process
October 23, 2024
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the postponement of the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) for 2025 in response to significant changes in the recruitment process for Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) officers. This move comes after the government introduced a new recruitment scheme, which will select IRMS officers through both the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and the ESE. The UPSC has delayed the exam to give candidates ample time to adjust to the new system and prepare effectively for the upcoming exams.
Initially, the ESE Preliminary Examination was scheduled for February 9, 2025, as part of UPSC’s annual examination calendar. However, with the revised recruitment plan in place, the Preliminary Examination will now be held on June 8, 2025, followed by the ESE Mains on August 10, 2025. The additional time is intended to allow aspirants to familiarize themselves with the new scheme and to prepare more comprehensively for the examination.
Changes in Recruitment for IRMS Officers
One of the key changes in the recruitment process is that IRMS officers will now be recruited through two distinct examinations. Candidates from various engineering sub-cadres, such as Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Signal & Telecommunication, and Stores, will be selected via the ESE. In contrast, the Traffic, Accounts, and Personnel sub-cadres will be filled through the CSE. This shift in recruitment procedures is formalized through the Indian Railway Management Service (Amendment) Rules, 2024, which were officially notified on October 9, 2024.
The decision to merge the recruitment of different Group A services under a unified Indian Railway Management Service was first approved by the Union Cabinet in 2019. The goal was to streamline the recruitment process for eight separate Group A services under Indian Railways, including the Indian Railway Traffic Service, Indian Railway Accounts Service, Indian Railway Personnel Service, and several engineering services like the Indian Railway Service of Engineers and the Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers. By consolidating these services into a single IRMS cadre, the government aims to improve efficiency and promote cohesion within the Indian Railways.
Revised Application Process and Deadlines
Given the postponement of the ESE 2025, the UPSC has opened a new application window, running from October 18 to November 22, 2024. This will allow new applicants to register for the examination. Candidates who had already applied during the initial application window, which closed on October 8, 2024, can also update or modify their application details during this new period. Furthermore, a correction window will be available from November 23 to November 29, 2024, enabling candidates to make any necessary adjustments to their submissions.
UPSC’s Advice to Candidates
The UPSC has advised all aspirants to carefully review the updated recruitment guidelines and deadlines to ensure their applications comply with the new requirements. The additional time provided is intended to facilitate a smoother transition to the new recruitment framework and allow candidates to prepare adequately for the exam.
As the new IRMS recruitment scheme represents a significant shift in the way officers are selected for Indian Railways, candidates are encouraged to adapt to these changes promptly and take advantage of the extra time provided to prepare thoroughly for the revised ESE 2025.
