The first batch of students selected from the largest online exam held by the Railways are expected to join service after June. The Railways are close to completing the exam for physical efficiency, after which document verification will take place.
On April 6, the physical efficiency test for last batch of shortlisted candidates will be held in Hajipur.
1.17 crore examinees
For every 100 candidates that took the exam, less than two have been selected for the physical efficiency test. After the physical test, the chances of selection further drops – to one candidate for every 158 candidates who sat the exam, according to the average for the Indian Railways.
The Railways shortlisted 1.89 lakh people to go through physical tests, which is three times the number of 62,907 posts. These candidates were selected from 1.17 crore applicants who took the exam and 1.89 crore candidates who applied.
The exam, which will post people at Level-1 as trackmen, helpers in various departments including mechanical, electrical, signalling and telecommunication and hospitals. After the physical fitness, candidates will be posted based on their marks.
Physical tests
The physical efficiency tests (PET) are being held in 16 railway zones. The zones will send the names of shortlisted candidates to various railway recruitment boards (RRBs), who have been nominated to conduct the exam for different zones.
The physical efficiency exam requires the males to carry 35 kg weight and run for 100 metres in two minutes and 1000 metres in four minutes 15 seconds. Women have to carry 20 kg weight and sprint 100 metre in two minutes and 1000 metres in five minutes and forty seconds.
RRBs will verify the documents — for age, qualification, caste (for the reserved category) — for those that make the cut in physical efficiency test. “The verification process will take two months as several railway officials will be busy in the election process. The results are expected in June-end,” said an official.
Meanwhile, the Railways has also invited applications for another round of exams for Level-1 exams – much in advance, to appoint over one crore people.