🚂 Indian Railways GDCE Scheme Extended Upto 2028
📢 Official Notification: 25% Group ‘C’ Quota Departmental Exams
Organization: Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) & SECR
📅 Scheme Validity Now Extended Till: 31.03.2028
🚀 Official Circular Overview
| 📂 Issuing Authority | Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) & SECR Bilaspur |
| 🆔 Subject | Extension of GDCE Scheme for 25% Quota in Group ‘C’ Categories |
| 📜 RBE Number | RBE No. 12/2026 (Dated: 10.02.2026) |
| 📝 SECR Estt. Rule No. | 29 / 2026 (Dated: 20.02.2026) |
| ⏳ New Validity of Scheme | Up to 31.03.2028 |
📅 GDCE Scheme Extension Details & References
| Particulars | Important Dates & Details | Official Reference Letter |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Introduction of GDCE | 20.08.1993 | Board’s Letter No. E(NG)I/92/PM2/16 |
| Previous Extension Validity | Upto 31.03.2026 | E(NG)I/2020/PM1/9 Dt. 04.03.2024 (RBE No. 21/2024) |
| 🆕 NEW EXTENDED VALIDITY | UPTO 31.03.2028 | E(NG)I/2020/PM1/9 Dt. 10.02.2026 (RBE No. 12/2026) |
Note: The matter regarding the continuity of the GDCE scheme has been under consideration by the Board. It has now been approved to extend it for another period of two years. All other instructions and clarifications issued previously shall continue to remain valid.
ℹ️ What is GDCE (General Departmental Competitive Examination)?
- 🔹 Purpose: GDCE is an internal competitive examination conducted by the Railway Recruitment Cells (RRC) strictly for regular serving railway employees.
- 🔹 Quota: Under this scheme, 25% of the net Direct Recruitment quota vacancies in critical Group ‘C’ categories (like Assistant Loco Pilot, Station Master, Ticket Examiner, Technicians, Junior Engineers) are filled.
- 🔹 Opportunity: It provides a fast-track promotion opportunity for highly qualified employees working in lower grades (like Group D / Level 1) to jump to Group C posts based purely on merit and written examination.
🎓 Standard Eligibility Criteria for Upcoming GDCE Exams
| Criteria | Standard Guidelines (As per RRC Rules) |
|---|---|
| Who Can Apply? | All regular serving Railway employees (except RPF/RPSF personnel) working in Zonal Railways/PUs. |
| Educational Qualification | Must possess the minimum educational qualification prescribed for Direct Recruitment to the post being applied for (e.g., 10th+ITI for ALP, Graduation for Station Master). |
| Maximum Age Limit |
Generally, the upper age limit for appearing in GDCE is: 🔸 UR: 42 Years 🔸 OBC: 45 Years 🔸 SC/ST: 47 Years |
| Minimum Service Condition | There is usually NO minimum service requirement (probation period completion is not mandatory) unless specifically altered by zonal circulars. |
✍️ Official Signatories
- For Railway Board: Ajay Goyal, Deputy Director-III/E(NG)I, Railway Board, New Delhi. (Dated: 10.02.2026).
- For SECR Headquarter: Raghavendra Singh, Assistant Personnel Officer (HQ), For Principal Chief Personnel Officer, SECR, Bilaspur. (Dated: 20.02.2026).
⚠️ This notice has been copied and forwarded to all General Managers, General Secretaries of AIRF, NFIR, FROA, IRPOF, and other major Railway Associations across India.
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Till what date is the Railway GDCE scheme extended?
Ans: As per RBE No. 12/2026, the GDCE scheme has been extended for two more years and is now valid up to 31st March 2028.
Q2. What percentage of vacancies are filled through GDCE?
Ans: The scheme is utilized for filling up 25% of the net direct recruitment quota vacancies in Group ‘C’ categories.
Q3. Can an open market candidate apply for GDCE?
Ans: No, the General Departmental Competitive Examination (GDCE) is strictly an internal promotional exam for regular serving railway employees only.
Q4. What is the maximum age limit for GDCE?
Ans: Generally, the maximum age limit is 42 years for UR, 45 years for OBC, and 47 years for SC/ST candidates.
Q5. Does this notification announce any specific job vacancies?
Ans: This notification is a policy extension order directing all Zonal Railways/RRCs that they can continue conducting GDCE exams till March 2028. Specific vacancy notices will be issued separately by respective RRCs.
Shekhar Chauhan is a contributing Author at GovtRank.com, specializing in government job updates, recruitment notifications, and exam-related information. He focuses on researching official notices and presenting accurate, easy-to-understand content for aspirants. With a strong interest in public sector opportunities, he supports the editorial team in delivering timely and reliable updates to readers.
