Mumbai: The Indian Railways has recruited over 10,500 personnel in the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in one of its biggest enrollment drive. Almost 50 per cent vacancies of constables have been reserved for women, a top official said.
The recruitment process of total 10,537 jawans, including 1,120 sub-inspectors, 8,619 constables and 798 ancillary staffers, began in May last year and has recently been completed, he said.
Since the current strength of women constables in the RPF is only about 2.25 per cent, the railway ministry gave priority to hire women to ensure their empowerment and increased representation in the force, he said.
The Railways received over 82 lakh applications, including 14.25 lakh for the post of sub-inspectors against 1,120 vacancies, and 59 lakh for the posts of constables, Atul Pathak, chairman of the central recruitment committee and principal chief security commissioner of the RPF, told PTI on Saturday. For the ancillary posts, there were nine lakh applications.
The physical measurement test and physical efficiency test of all the successful candidates have been done and currently, their police verification is underway.
The RPF, set up for better protection and security of railway property, has the power to arrest, investigate and prosecute criminals. Recently, the power to search and seize narcotic substances has been entrusted to RPF.
A dedicated commando battalion "CORAS" (Commandos for railway security) has also been created in RPF for exclusively dealing with Naxals/extremists and other high-risk areas.
(With inputs from PTI)
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