Indian Railways: Railway Board launches Operations & Traffic Control – an integrated command centre for all departments/branches involved in Train Operations
New Delhi: Railway Board has issued a new order to transform the existing Traffic Control structure into an integrated command centre named Operations & Traffic Control.
This decision was announced vide no: No. 2025/I & Trans. Cell/TTF /TCC/P. dated June 25, 2025, aims to align Indian railway operations with best practices by improving coordination, modernizing systems, and ensuring standardized working conditions for all personnel involved in train operations.
Indian Railways New Operations & Traffic Control
It has been decided by the Railway Board, Indian Railways to rename the Traffic Control as Operations & Traffic Control to serve as an Integrated Command Centre of all departments and branches involved in Train Operations.
Railway Board has approved a new Traffic Controllers cadre to make recruitment and promotions across various pay levels, incorporating direct recruitment, departmental selection, and limited departmental competitive examinations.
All personnel selected under the new cadre structure will have to complete a comprehensive one-year training program on technical, safety, IT, and operational modules. Controllers will also be subject to psychometric and aptitude testing as part of their selection process, with the initial medical category set at A-2.
Advanced IT support systems will also be installed to enhance decision-making and real-time control features. This new initiative is approved by the Railway Board and DG/HR to make India’s railway control operations more efficient and technologically sound.
Annexure-I
Key policy outline of the Traffic Controller Cadre Structure
- Sanctioned Posts shall be in the prescribed percentage, viz. 10% in L-6 and 90% in (L-7 + L-8), in terms of RBE 102/2013 and RBE 155/2022 read with clarification issued vide RB letter No. PC-VII/2019/RSRP/3 dt 01.12.2022.
- Vacant posts in respective Pay Level would be filled in the given proportion by the prescribed streams, as under:
| Pay Matrix | posts to be filled up in the given proportion | ||
| I. | Pay Matrix Level-6 | ||
| a. | Direct Recruitment (DR) through RRB (Graduate Level) | 60% | |
| b. | LDCE/Promotional Quota (General Selection) merit based from amongst eligible candidates in L-2 to L-6 | 40% | |
| II. | Pay Matrix Level-7 | ||
| a. | Promotion from L-6 on seniority-cum-suitability | 50% | |
| b. | LDCE / Departmental Selection from eligible SM / Section Controllers in L-6 and Train Managers in L-5/L-6 | 50% | |
| III. | Pay Matrix Level-8 | ||
| Promotion from L-7 on seniority-cum-suitability | 100% | ||
| IV. | Pay Matrix Level-9: Financial upgradation on completion of 4 years in L-8 in terms of RBE 155/2022 read with clarification issued vide RB letter No. PC-VII/2019/RSRP/3 dated 01.12.2022 | ||
- Residual *vacancy in feeder category (viz. LDCE at L-6 or Departmental Selection at L-7) may be added to the DR quota. Indents may include prospective vacancies over the next one year. [*revolving vacancy as on 31st December of the previous year and not taking into account the recruitment /selection under process.]. Indent for DR, LDCE and Departmental Selection may be based on cadre vacancy in L-6/ L-7/L-8. Higher pay level vacancies may be downgraded and operated at lower pay levels. [special note: As a one-time exception for 2025-26, vacancies as on 01.08.2025 and anticipated vacancies over next one year would be the basis for indenting/filling up vacancies.]
- Departmental Selection (LDCE / Promotional Quota -General Selection) and Direct Recruitment shall include an Aptitude & Psychometric Test as per RDSO specifications. Medical Category on first /initial appointment or selection would be A-2. Candidates may be tested on quantitative ability, data interpretation, analytical skills, maths, logic and mental reasoning.
- All candidates on their first/ initial appointment or selection in Traffic Controller Cadre would be imparted a 1-year training on components/bits as per Annexure-IB. On successful completion of 1-year training and 2-year probation, Controllers in L-6 may be eligible for L-7 and may be posted based on vacancy in higher grade.
- Standard working environment would be provided to all staff working in the Control Office and shall include following hygiene motivational factors / facilities:
| SN | Item | SN | Item |
| i | Large Screen Control Board Monitor | v | Sleep/Rest pods with a common washroom – 3 per control room. Separate washroom for women staff. |
| ii | Sound-proof enclosure with ergonomic furniture | vi | Light Gym-cum-meditation room |
| Iii | IT based Visitor Management System – for restricted access to control office. | vii | Control Room Canteen arrangement. |
| iv | Locker for keeping the mobile and personal items. | viii | Appropriate facilities for women traffic controllers / women staff in Control Office. |
| ix | Dedicated vehicle in Control Office and drop-off service to Controllers. particularly Women Controllers / Women Staff, during night hours. |
Annexure-IB
Training components on first/ initial recruitment /selection in Traffic Control Cadre:
| Component/ Bit | Duration in weeks | Component/ Bit | Duration in weeks |
| ZRTI – phase-1 | 8 | Track Infra / Track Machines / LC Gate Working | 1 |
| Loco Pilot Simulation Training | 1 | TRD | 1 |
| Train Manager | 2 | C& W | 1 |
| ASM/SM/Dy SS/SS | 3 | Safety including ART and Traffic Restoration | 1 |
| IT Systems -CoA/FOIS/ICMS/ TMS etc. at CRIS/ZRTI | 2 | ZRTI-phase 2 (phase-2 may also include basic proficiency in prescribed language tests, network congestion, optimisation, transport planning and passing simulation tests on control/station working) | 4 |
| Ports/ DFCCIL/ NHSRCL/ SPVs/ ATC/ Gati Shakti Terminals | 2 | On-job Training (OJT) in the Division allotted to the candidates. | 23 |
| Yard Master/Shunting | 1 | Final assessment and awarding a certificate of competency. | 01 |
| S&T Systems | 1 | ||
| Note:Successful completion of training would require passing with a prescribed level of proficiency in identified components.For candidates from selection from feeder categories, the duration of training would be duly adjusted factoring in for their respective field of experience in feeder category and adding suitable additional components, so that total duration remains one year.Module-wise content of Training, including refresher training at various stages / levels, would be issued by the Training Directorate /RB, covering all aspects of control working and complexity of tasks / planning /coordination with all departments / branches involved in Train Operations. | |||
