SC/ST Promotion: Guidelines regarding applicability of relaxation in qualifying marks – Railway Board RBE No.69/2026
RBE No. 69/2026
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (भारत सरकार)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (रेल मंत्रालय)
RAILWAY BOARD (रेलवे बोर्ड)
No.2022-E(SCT)1/25/14
New Delhi, dated:31.08.2026
The General Managers (P)
All Indian Zonal Railways
& Production Units
The Director General/RDSO/Lucknow
Sub: Guidelines regarding applicability of relaxation in the qualifying standard/marks & Best Amongst the Failed Scheme for promoting SC/ST employees against reserved vacancies in case of non-safety categories-reg.
Ref.: Various Board’s Circulars bearing No. E(SCT)68CM15/10 dated 27.08.68, No. E(SCT)74- CM15/34 dated 31.8.1974, No. 82-E(SCT)41/6 dated 15.11.1983, No.1992-E(SCT)1/25/2 dated 13.11.1992 (RBE 189/92), No.89-E(SCT)I/49/5(Pt) dated-16.6.1992, No. 88- E(SCT)1/23/1 dated 28.06.1995, No. E(GP)2018/2/31 dated 19.03.2019, No. 2018-E(SCT)1/25/16 dated 17.08.2020 & 24.08.2020.
Policy circulars/guidelines & clarifications regarding the provision of providing relaxation in the qualifying standard/marks & applicability of the Scheme of Best Amongst the Failed policy have been issued by the Board’s office from time to time vide letters under reference, for promoting SC/ST employees against reserved vacancies. However, it has come to the notice that confusion and doubts are persisting in the Railways/PUs etc. on the above policies.
2. In view of the above, the following guidelines are hereby issued/re-iterated on the subject, after due consideration in Board’s office:
| Promotions within Group-‘C’ in Non-Safety categories | |
| In case of selection where the panel is formed as per seniority | (i) There is a 10% relaxation in qualifying marks prescribed for general community candidates for SCs/STs in professional ability and in aggregate total marks in a non-safety category post. (ii) If during selection proceedings, the requisite number of SCs/STs employees are not available for being placed on the panel inspite of various relaxations and concessions already granted to them, the ‘Best Among the Failed’ SC/ST employees who have secured a minimum of 20% marks separately under each heading i.e. in the written test, viva voce, record of service, etc. and also in the aggregate, should be earmarked for being placed on the panel in the order of total marks obtained to the extent the vacancies have been reserved for them. The promotion on Best amongst the failed scheme would be on ad-hoc basis and a review of performance shall be made after a period of six months and the promotion be regularized on finding the performance up to the mark by the panel approving authority. |
| In case of LDCEs and where the panel is formed based on merit. | Same as above except that the scheme of ‘Best Amongst the Failed’ is not applicable as it has been withdrawn in such cases. |
| Promotions from Group -‘C’ to Group ‘B’ in non-safety categories | |
| 70% Selection | (i) A relaxation of 10% in the qualifying marks i.e. 50% in place of 60%, prescribed for general community candidates shall be granted for filling up the vacancies reserved for SC/ST categories in both (a) Written Examination and (b) ‘Viva voce’ and ‘Record of Service’ subject to a minimum of 15 marks in the Record ‘of Service’. (ii) If during selection proceedings, the requisite number of SC/ST employees are not available for being placed on the panel inspite of various relaxations and concessions already granted to them, the ‘Best Amongst the Failed’ SC/ST employees who secure a minimum 20% marks separately under each heading i.e., written test, viva voce, record of service and also in the aggregate, should be earmarked for being placed on the panel to the extent the vacancies have been reserved in their favour. The promotion through ‘Best Amongst the failed Scheme’ to be ad-hoc and reviewed after 6 months. |
| 30% LDCE | (i) The qualifying marks for SC/ST candidates will continue to be 3/5th of the qualifying marks prescribed for general community candidates in the Written Examination. (ii) The qualifying marks in ‘Viva-voce’ & ‘Record of Service’ are to be reckoned together and the SC/ST candidates are required to secure at least 18 marks therein as against 30 marks prescribed for general community candidates subject to minimum of 15 marks in ‘Record of Service’. |
Note: There is no provision of relaxation in qualifying standard for SCs/STs, in case of Safety categories posts.
3. Further, it is clarified that as per the extant instructions/guidelines, the SC/ST candidates qualifying with general qualifying standards without availing any available relaxation will be adjusted against UR vacancy.
4. Past cases already decided are not to be re-opened. Also, the ongoing Selections, if any, need not be disturbed.
The above may please be brought to the notice of all concerned for information, guidance and necessary action, if any.
(Thangjam Rakesh Kumar)
Joint Director, Estt.(Res.)
Railway Board
Ph. No. 011-47845583
(email:esct1rlyboard[@]gmail.com)
Room No. 359 B, Rail Bhawan, New Delhi-110001
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