SECR Recruitment 2026: Career Guide & Vacancy Details

About SECR Careers

🏛️ Organization Overview

South East Central Railway (SECR) was carved out of the erstwhile South Eastern Railway in 2003. It comprises three key divisions: Bilaspur, Raipur, and Nagpur.² The zone is strategically vital as it passes through the heart of India's mineral-rich belt. SECR is known for its operational efficiency and has been a pioneer in running "Long Haul" trains (like the Super Vasuki) to increase transport capacity.

For job seekers, SECR represents a massive departmental ecosystem. Employees work across various departments including Civil Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, Signal & Telecommunication (S&T), and Traffic (Operations). The work culture is disciplined and safety-oriented, offering employees various on-campus facilities like railway colonies, dedicated hospitals, and welfare centers in major hubs like Bilaspur and Raipur.

💼 Key Job Profiles (Evergreen Roles)

• Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP): The entry-level role for piloting locomotives. Candidates usually require a Matriculation pass plus an ITI/Diploma in specified engineering trades.³ This is a highly responsible safety-category post.
• Junior Engineer (JE): Found in departments like P-Way, Works, and Bridges. JEs supervise the maintenance of tracks and railway infrastructure.⁴ Requires a Diploma or Degree in Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical engineering.
• Track Maintainer (Group D): The literal "ground force" of the railways. Responsibilities include the manual maintenance of tracks and ensuring the safety of the line. This role is a major gateway for 10th-pass candidates.⁵
• Station Master / Goods Train Manager: Part of the Operating department, these roles manage the safe passage of trains through stations and sections. These are typically recruited through the RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories) gateway.

💰 Salary & Employee Benefits

Railways follow the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) levels, with high-tier allowances for safety and running categories.

• Group C (Technical/NTPC): Level-2 to Level-6 (e.g., ALP starts at Level-2, Station Masters at Level-6).
• Group D (Level-1): Starting basic pay of ₹18,000 (Level-1).
• Running Allowance: Loco Pilots and Train Managers receive extra "Running Allowance" based on the kilometers traveled, significantly increasing their take-home pay.

Standard Perks:

• Allowances: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance.
• Privilege Passes: Free or subsidized train travel for self and family across India.
• Medical & Housing: Access to Railway Hospitals (like the Central Hospital in Bilaspur) and allotment of Railway Quarters in SECR colonies.

🎯 Selection Process

SECR recruitment is primarily centralized through the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) for Group C and the Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) for Group D:

1. Computer Based Test (CBT): The first hurdle, testing General Awareness, Maths, and Reasoning. Technical posts have an additional "Trade" paper.
2. Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Specifically for Level-1 (Group D) posts, involving running and weight-carrying tasks.
3. Aptitude Test (CBAT): Only for ALP and Station Master roles to check psychological and reaction fitness.⁶
4. Document Verification (DV) & Medical: Rigorous medical checks, especially for vision (A-1 category for pilots), ensure candidates meet the high safety standards of the Indian Railways.⁷

💡 Expert Tips: How to Crack SECR Exams

• Master General Science: For ALP and Group D roles, NCERT Science (Class 9-10) is the most critical subject area in the CBT.
• Speed & Accuracy: Railway exams are high-speed. Practice previous year RRB papers to manage 100 questions within the 90-minute limit.
• Medical Fitness First: Before applying for technical/safety roles, check your eyesight.⁸ Railways are uncompromising on vision standards (Color Blindness is a disqualification for many roles).