FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON IRMS Q41. At what level the unification of 8 Organized Services into IRMS will take place? Ans. Unification will be done at all levels i.e. from Junior Scale to HAG+. However, modalities for unification and assignment of inter se seniority will be decided by Alternative Mechanism. For this MOR and DOPT will together workout the necessary formula before going to Alternative Mechanism. It will be ensured that no one will be at a disadvantage. Q2. Will unification result in loss of seniority? What will be the basis of fixation Ans. Modalities will be finalised in consultation with DOPT with the approval of Alternative Mechanism. Due care will be taken that it does not become disadvantageous to any service or person. Q3. Unification may lead to delayed promotion of some services which are ahead of others ? Ans. Care will be taken to bring all services at par without putting any service, which is already ahead of others, at a disadvantage. Mechanism will be developed to pull up the services lagging behind in terms of promotion instead of pulling down the services which are ahead. Q4. Apex grade will not be available to officers of some services? Ans. 27 posts of GMs have been upgraded to apex grade. It will be ensured that all the erstwhile services get at least one apex grade post of GM. Q5. IAS may become CEO of Railways? Ans. In the Cabinet note approved, it has been mentioned that officers of IRMS (constituted by 8 services) only will be eligible to become the Functional Member and Chairman/CEO of Railway Board.Q6. Identity of officers recruited through Civil Services will get lost? Ans. Presently all the officers belong to Indian Railway Service and will remain so after unification. Future recruits to IRMS will be made through UPSC (Civil Services) in consultation with UPSC and DOPT. Q7. Consent of officers not taken for unification? Ans. The decision for unification was taken based on the bottom-up sentiments and suggestions of officers during ‘Parivartan Sangoshthi’ held on 7” & 8” December,2019 at New Delhi. Same was also suggested by all groups constituted under GMs during Parivartan Sangoshthi. The suggestions were unanimously agreed to by Board. Q8. Time frame for implementation of unification of services? Ans. Efforts will be made to complete the unification at the earliest. Recruitment to IRMS will be made from next cycle through UPSC (Civil Services) Exam. Q9. Blocking of higher grades by Engineers, their average age being less than people recruited through Civil Services. Ans. Care will be taken that no service is put to disadvantage due to unification of services. Q10. Officer recruited through Civil services may be posted to technical services. Ans. Officers will continue doing the work which they are doing at present. Domain knowledge will be taken into consideration while deciding a posting. Q11. What will be the number and role of Independent Members? Ans. The number of Independent Members will be decided by the Government. They will be non-Executive Members and will attend the Board meetings. Their experience of market and field will help in strategic planning of Indian Railways.