South Eastern Railway (SER) Recruitment 2026: Career Guide & Vacancy Details

About South Eastern Railway Careers

🏛️ Organization Overview

South Eastern Railway (SER) is one of the premier zones among the 19 railway zones of India. Originally part of the Bengal Nagpur Railway, it was formally established in 1955. Today, it operates through four key divisions: Adra, Chakradharpur, Kharagpur, and Ranchi. The zone is strategically critical, handling the lion's share of coal and iron ore traffic for the nation's steel plants and thermal power stations.

Beyond its economic might, SER is a massive community, maintaining extensive residential colonies, specialized railway hospitals, and world-class workshops like the one in Kharagpur. A career here means becoming part of a vertically integrated organization that manages everything from sophisticated signaling and telecommunications to the heavy maintenance of electric and diesel locomotives.

💼 Key Job Profiles (Evergreen Roles)

• Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) & Technicians: Critical safety roles responsible for the operation and maintenance of locomotives and rolling stock. These are usually Level-2 positions.
• Junior Engineer (JE) & SSE: Technical supervisors in Departments like Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and S&T. They ensure the fitness of tracks, bridges, and overhead equipment.
• Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC): Includes roles like Station Master, Goods Guard, Commercial Apprentice, and Ticket Clerk, focusing on station operations and revenue.
• Level-1 (Trackman/Helper/Pointsman): Essential ground staff recruited via RRC for maintenance and operational assistance across various departments.

💰 Salary & Employee Benefits

Railways offer one of the most structured and lucrative compensation packages in the public sector under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix.

• Pay Levels: Entry-level Group C (Level-1) starts at ₹18,000 basic, while Junior Engineers (Level-6) start at ₹35,400.
• Allowances: Includes Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance (TPTA).
• Railway-Specific Perks:
  • Running Allowance: For Loco Pilots and Guards based on mileage.
  • Pass/PTO: Free or subsidized travel for employees and their families across India.
  • Medical Facility: Comprehensive health coverage at Railway Hospitals for self and dependents.
  • Quarter Allotment: Eligibility for Government residential quarters in Railway colonies.

🎯 Selection Process

The recruitment process for SER is strictly merit-based and follows a standardized national pattern:

1. Computer Based Test (CBT): Single or multi-stage objective exams covering General Awareness, Mathematics, and Reasoning. Technical posts include a domain-specific section.
2. Aptitude/Skill Test: Computer-Based Aptitude Tests (CBAT) for ALPs/Station Masters or Typing Tests for Clerical roles.
3. Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Mandatory for Level-1 (Group D) and RPF posts to assess physical fitness.
4. Document Verification (DV) & Medical Examination: Final check of eligibility followed by a rigorous medical test to ensure the candidate meets the specific medical standard (A1, B1, etc.) of the post.

💡 Expert Tips: How to Crack South Eastern Railway Exams

• Focus on Speed and Accuracy: RRB exams often have 90-120 questions to be solved in a short duration. Practice with sectional mock tests to improve your "per-question" speed.
• Master the General Science Section: For technical and Level-1 roles, Science (Physics/Chemistry/Life Sciences) at the 10th-12th standard level carries significant weightage.
• Understand Medical Standards: Before applying, check the medical vision requirements. For instance, ALPs require 6/6 vision without glasses—ensure you meet these criteria to avoid rejection at the final stage.