Railway Protection Force (RPF) - A Comprehensive Guide
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is a unique security force under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, tasked with protecting railway passengers, passenger areas, and railway property. Established in 1957, the RPF is one of the oldest security forces in the country, playing a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of the Indian Railways, which is often referred to as the lifeline of the nation. With over 65,000 personnel, the RPF is one of the largest security forces in India, contributing significantly to the smooth functioning of the railway network.
Roles & Responsibilities
The RPF, along with the Government Railway Police(GRP) ensure the security of passengers and property of the Indian Railways. The following are the functions of the force:
- Arrest and prosecute people who steal, damage or unlawfully possess railway property.
- Providing security cover to passenger trains in vulnerable areas.
- Providing services such as control of access to railway premises, general security and regulation of premises used by passengers.
- To ensure smooth movement of railway traffic by removing obstructions to train and passenger movement.
- Maintenance and enhancement of the RPF Security Management System.
- Preventing trafficking of women and children and help in the rehabilitation of destitute people who are found inside railway premises.
Career Path
- Director General of Railway Protection Force (DG RPF): The pinnacle of railway security
- Inspector General of Railway Protection Force (IG RPF): Oversees regional security
- Deputy Inspector General of Railway Protection Force (DIG RPF): Manages divisional security
- Senior Divisional Security Commissioner (SDSC): Implements divisional security
- Divisional Security Commissioner (DSC): Oversees ground-level security
Syllabus & Exam Pattern
The RPF recruitment exam is conducted in several phases, including a Computer-Based Test (CBT), Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Physical Measurement Test (PMT), and Document Verification (DV).
Computer-Based Test (CBT) Syllabus:
- General Awareness: Questions related to Indian History, Geography, Economy, Indian Railways, General Science, and Current Affairs.
- Arithmetic: Topics include Number System, Simplification, Fractions, Decimals, Percentage, Ratio and Proportion, Averages, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Time and Distance, Time and Work, etc.
- General Intelligence & Reasoning: Topics include Analogies, Coding-Decoding, Mathematical Operations, Relationships, Syllogism, Statements & Conclusions, Decision Making, Visual Memory, and more.
Exam Pattern:
- The CBT consists of 120 questions, each carrying one mark.
- The duration of the exam is 90 minutes.
- The subjects covered include General Awareness (50 questions), Arithmetic (35 questions), and General Intelligence & Reasoning (35 questions).
- There is a negative marking of 1/3rd for each incorrect answer.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET):
- For Male Candidates:
- 1600 meters run in 5 minutes 45 seconds.
- High Jump: 4 feet.
- Long Jump: 14 feet.
- For Female Candidates:
- 800 meters run in 3 minutes 40 seconds.
- High Jump: 3 feet.
- Long Jump: 9 feet.
- For Male Candidates:
Physical Measurement Test (PMT):
- Height and chest measurements are taken as per the specified criteria for different categories.
Document Verification (DV):
- Candidates who pass the PET and PMT are called for document verification to confirm their eligibility.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Details |
|---|
| Age Limit | 18-25 years |
| Educational Qualification | Minimum 10th pass from a recognized board |
| Height (Male) | General: 165 cm; SC/ST: 160 cm; Hillman: 163 cm |
| Height (Female) | General: 157 cm; SC/ST: 152 cm; Hillman: 155 cm |
| Chest (Male) | General: 80-85 cm; SC/ST: 76.2-81.2 cm |
| Physical Fitness | Running, Long Jump, High Jump |
Pay Scale
| Rank | Designation | Pay Level (Basic Pay) |
| Director-General | Director-General | Rs.225000 |
| Additional Director General | Additional Director General | Rs.205400 |
| Inspector General | Principal Chief Security Commissioner | Rs.144200 |
| Deputy Inspector General | Director of RPF Academy/Chief Security Commissioner | Rs.131100 |
| Senior Commandant | Deputy Chief Security Commissioner/Senior Divisional Security Commissioner/Divisional Security Commissioner | Rs. 78800 |
| Commandant | Commanding Officer/Staff Officer/Security Commissioner | Rs. 67700 |
| Assistant Commandant | Assistant Security Commissioner | Rs. 56100 |