🚆 Indian Railway Operating Departmental Exams – Detailed Syllabus
The Operating Department in Indian Railways plays a crucial role in managing the movement of trains, safety, coordination, station working, and operational efficiency. Departmental exams in the Operating Department are conducted primarily for internal promotions such as from Pointsman to Guard, Guard to Station Master, or Assistant Station Master to Station Master, and even to Group ‘B’ posts.
🔹 1. Common Posts Covered Under Operating Departmental Exams
| Current Post | Promotion To | Mode of Selection |
|---|---|---|
| Pointsman / Porter | Goods Guard / ASM | LDCE / 70% quota |
| Goods Guard / Passenger Guard | Station Master / Section Controller | LDCE / Seniority |
| Assistant Station Master (ASM) | Station Master / TI | LDCE / Seniority |
| Station Master | Section Controller / Group B Officer | LDCE / Seniority-cum-suitability |
📚 2. Operating Departmental Exam Syllabus (General Pattern)
Below is the detailed syllabus for most Operating Departmental promotional exams (like LDCE for ASM to SM, Guard to SM, etc.):
✅ A. General Railway Knowledge
- Structure of Indian Railways
- Zones, Divisions, and their headquarters
- Types of trains (passenger, goods, express, superfast, MEMU, DEMU)
- Important trains and routes
- Railway Budget and major railway initiatives
- Roles of various departments (Mechanical, Operating, Electrical, Commercial, etc.)
✅ B. Operating Rules and Manuals
- General & Subsidiary Rules (G&SR)
- Working of trains
- Types of signals
- Responsibilities of Station Master, Guards, Drivers
- Rules for shunting, crossing, precedence
- Accident prevention rules
- Block Working Rules
- Absolute block system
- Automatic block system
- Token and Tokenless working
- Single and double line working
- Station Working Rules (SWR)
- Duties of Station Master
- Opening/Closing of stations
- Train handling procedures
- Coordination with control office
- Train Working Manual (TWM)
- Types of train services
- Train orders and signals
- Documentation like train message books, caution orders
✅ C. Commercial Knowledge (Basic)
- Booking of passengers and goods
- Parcel and luggage handling
- Ticketing and refund rules
- Demurrage and wharfage
Series- 1 ( Total 5 Question Paper with Answer )
Test- 1. Examination for the selection to the post of Goods Train manager in pay matrix level-5 against 60% DPQ in Operating Department of Raipur Division in held Exam Date :- 27.09.23
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Teast-2. Examination for the selection to the post of Section Controller in pay matrix level-6 against 25% LDCE in Operating Department of Raipur Division in held Exam Date :- 30.09.24
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Test-3 Examination for the selection to the post of Station Master in pay matrix level-6 against 15% LDCE of Operating & Commercial Department of Raipur Division (SECR) in held Exam Date :- 23.03.22
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Test-4 Examination for the selection to the post of Shunting Master in Operating Department of Raipur Division (SECR) in held Exam Date :- 20.11.2024
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Test-5 Examination for the selection to the post of StationMaster in pay matrix level-6 against 25% DPQ in Operating Department of Raipur Division (SECR) in held Exam Date :- 27.09.2023
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✅ D. Safety and Accidents
- Accident Manual
- Types of accidents and preventive measures
- First information reports
- On-site response procedures
- Accident investigation and joint reports
✅ E. Interlocking and Signaling
- Basic principles of signaling
- Mechanical and electrical interlocking
- Panel interlocking
- Route Relay Interlocking (RRI)
- Centralized Traffic Control (CTC)
✅ F. Control Organization
- Role of Divisional/Sectional Control
- Types of Control: Power, Traffic, Commercial, etc.
- Reporting and communication with control office
✅ G. Staff Duties and Responsibilities
- Duties of Station Master, Guard, Pointsman, Cabinman
- Coordination during abnormal working
- Communication during block failures
- Crew management and logbook maintenance
✅ H. Abnormal Working Rules
- Working in case of signal failure
- Working of trains during line block
- Temporary Single Line Working (TSL)
- Manual token system
✅ I. Railway Establishment Rules (Basic)
- Leave rules
- Conduct rules
- Disciplinary rules
- Duty hours and rest rules
- Welfare measures
✅ J. General Knowledge & Current Affairs (Optional Section in Some LDCEs)
- Basic knowledge of current events (Railways, Government, Infrastructure)
- Important railway schemes
- Awards and recognitions
📝 3. Exam Pattern (Sample – may vary zone-wise)
| Subject | Type | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Rules (G&SR, SWR) | Objective/Descriptive | 50 |
| Safety, Accidents, & Manuals | Objective | 20 |
| Signaling & Control Systems | Objective | 20 |
| Establishment Rules & Duties | Objective | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
In some cases, there may also be Typing Test, Medical Exam, or Viva/Interview for final selection.
📘 4. Recommended Books for Preparation
- Indian Railway General & Subsidiary Rules Book
- Operating Manual (Part-I & II)
- Station Working Rules (Zone-specific)
- Train Working Manual
- Accident Manual
- Railway Establishment Manual (IREM)
- LDCE Preparation Guide (by RRB coaching institutes or private publishers)
📅 5. Preparation Tips
- Read and revise G&SR thoroughly.
- Practice old departmental exam question papers.
- Stay updated with railway circulars and amendments.
- Discuss with seniors and refer to real-world examples.
- Attend departmental coaching or internal sessions (if available).
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https://railwaydepartmentalexam.in/railway-signal-telecommunication/
https://www.youtube.com/live/b-8U4w6gsWU?si=8MT5nmdJhn4P5XuJ
https://railwaydepartmentalexam.in/railway-personnel-departmental-exams-2/
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Other Department Previous Years questions
Railway Commercial Department Question Paper
Railway Personnel Department Question Paper
Railway Signal & Telecom Department Question Paper
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- 1. Railway Electrical Department
- 2. Railway Mechanical Department
- 3. Railway Engineering Department
- 4. Railway Signal & Telecom Department
- 5. Railway Personnel Department
- 6. Railway Accounts Department
- 7. Railway Medical Department
- 8. Railway Security Department (RPF/RPSF)
- 9. Railway Commercial Department
- 10. Railway Operating Departmental Exams
- Railway Operating Departmental Exams Railway Operating Departmental Exams Railway Operating Departmental Exams Railway Operating Departmental Exams Railway Operating Departmental Exams Railway Operating Departmental Exams
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