Indian Railway Stores Service (IRSS)
The Indian Railway Stores Service (IRSS) is a Group ‘A’ organised service of Indian Railways. The officers of IRSS cadre are responsible for Inventory and Logistics management. They have overall control over administrative, and managerial functions associated with the Stores department of the Indian Railways.
There are 8 Organised Group ‘A’ services in Indian Railways and IRSS is one of them. Other organised Group ‘A’ service in Railways are Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS), Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS), Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS), Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE), Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers(IRSME), Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE), Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE).
Role and Responsibilities of (IRSS)
The Indian Railway Stores Service (IRSS) is a part of the Indian Railways, and its primary role is to manage the procurement, storage, and distribution of stores (materials and equipment) essential for the smooth operation and maintenance of the railway system. Here are the main responsibilities:
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Procurement of Materials: IRSS officers are responsible for procuring goods like locomotives, spare parts, track materials, and other essential equipment required for the railway.
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Inventory Management: They maintain an efficient inventory system to track the availability, movement, and usage of materials.
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Quality Control: Ensuring that the materials and equipment procured meet the required quality standards for safety and efficiency.
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Supply Chain Management: Coordinating the timely and cost-effective distribution of materials across various railway zones.
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Budget Management: Managing the budget for procurement and maintaining a balance between cost control and quality.
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Strategic Planning: They are involved in forecasting and planning for future material requirements based on operational needs.
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Contract Management: IRSS officers manage contracts with suppliers and vendors, ensuring the best terms and timely delivery.
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Monitoring and Auditing: Conducting audits to ensure proper utilization of materials and adherence to rules and regulations.
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Policy Implementation: Implementing policies related to materials management and procurement processes in Indian Railways.
IRSS officers work closely with various other departments in Indian Railways to ensure seamless operations by managing and distributing the necessary materials and equipment.
Career Path of (IRSS)
The career path of an Indian Railway Stores Service (IRSS) officer is structured and offers significant growth opportunities. Here’s how the career progresses:
1. Entry Level (Junior Scale)
- Position: Assistant Executive Officer (AEO) or Junior Scale Officer.
- Eligibility: The selection is through the UPSC Civil Services Exam (usually for IRSS officers).
- Role: At this stage, you begin handling procurement, storage, and distribution of materials, along with inventory management, under senior officers.
2. Mid-Level (Senior Scale)
- Position: Senior Executive Officer (SEO), Divisional Stores Officer.
- Experience: 4-8 years of service.
- Role: More responsibilities are given at the division or zonal level. You manage a team, handle bigger projects, and may take on leadership roles in strategic planning, contract management, and financial monitoring.
3. Higher Level (Junior Administrative Grade – JAG)
- Position: Deputy Chief Stores Officer or Deputy Director in higher zones.
- Experience: 8-15 years.
- Role: You manage a large team and oversee the operation of materials management for multiple divisions or zones, ensuring policy implementation, auditing, and reporting to higher authorities.
4. Top-Level (Selection Grade)
- Position: Chief Stores Officer or Director.
- Experience: 15+ years.
- Role: You will be responsible for policy formulation, managing the overall procurement and stores management of the railway network. You may also represent the IRSS in various national and international forums.
5. Executive Director/Additional Member (Board Level)
- Position: Executive Director in the Railway Board.
- Role: At this level, you will be involved in high-level decision-making, advising the government on railway procurement policies, and leading strategic initiatives.
Promotions:
Promotions in IRSS are based on seniority, experience, performance, and successful completion of departmental exams and assessments. Officers typically move up the ranks through the Time Scale, Selection Grade, and Super Time Scale levels.
Other Opportunities:
- Foreign Assignments: IRSS officers may also have the opportunity to work in international projects related to railway infrastructure or material procurement.
- Inter-departmental Transfers: IRSS officers can also move into higher administrative roles within the Indian Railways or other central government departments.
The career path offers a clear growth trajectory with opportunities to work in diverse and challenging roles, eventually leading to senior administrative positions in the Indian Railways.
Syllabus of (IRSS)
Here’s a simplified syllabus for the Indian Railway Stores Service (IRSS), which is primarily based on the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The exam for IRSS is similar to the Civil Services Exam, with an additional focus on materials management, procurement, and railway-specific subjects.
IRSS Syllabus (UPSC Civil Services Exam)
| Stage | Subjects/Topics | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Exam | 1. General Studies Paper I | – Current Affairs, History, Geography, Indian Polity, Economy, Environmental Science, etc. |
| 2. Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) Paper II | – Basic Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, English Comprehension, Decision Making, etc. | |
| Mains Exam | General Studies Paper I | – Indian History: Ancient, Medieval, Modern |
| – Geography: Physical, Economic, Social | ||
| – Indian Polity: Constitution, Governance, Democracy | ||
| – Economics: Indian Economy, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics | ||
| – Environmental Science: Ecology, Biodiversity, Climate Change | ||
| General Studies Paper II | – Governance & Accountability: Role of public institutions, transparency, ethics in administration | |
| – International Relations: Bilateral, Multilateral, India’s role in the world | ||
| – Security Issues: National security, cyber security, etc. | ||
| General Studies Paper III | – Technology: Role of technology in development | |
| – Economic Development: Issues related to growth, poverty, employment, etc. | ||
| – Disaster Management: Preparedness, mitigation, and response | ||
| General Studies Paper IV | – Ethics: Integrity, accountability, and transparency in administration, ethical issues in governance, etc. | |
| Optional Paper I | – Material Management: Procurement, storage, logistics, inventory management, material control, supply chain management. | |
| – Railway Management: Operations of the railway system, infrastructure, safety measures, etc. | ||
| Optional Paper II | – Public Procurement and Contract Management: Procurement policies, procurement law, contract negotiations, etc. | |
| Personality Test | – Interview | – Focuses on assessing personality, general awareness, and subject knowledge, as well as the candidate’s ability to apply knowledge practically. |
Key Focus Areas for IRSS
- Materials Management: Understanding the procurement, storage, and distribution of materials.
- Railway Operations: Knowledge of how Indian Railways operates, its infrastructure, and policies related to stores management.
- Supply Chain Management: Skills in logistics, procurement, and inventory control.
- Public Procurement Laws: Familiarity with government procurement policies, rules, and regulations.
- Railway-Specific Knowledge: Focus on the Indian Railway structure, zones, and departmental workings.
This syllabus provides an overview of the subjects covered for the IRSS-related examination. The focus on materials management and railway operations in the optional subjects is key to understanding the role of an IRSS officer.
Exam Pattern of (IRES)
The Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) exam follows the same pattern as the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The process includes three main stages: Preliminary Examination, Mains Examination, and the Personality Test (Interview). Here’s an overview of the exam pattern for IRAS:
Exam Pattern for IRAS (UPSC Civil Services Examination)
| Stage | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Preliminary Exam | Objective Type | Consists of two papers: |
| – Paper I: General Studies (200 marks) | – Topics: Current Affairs, Indian History, Geography, Indian Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Technology, etc. | |
| – Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) (200 marks) | – Topics: Basic mathematics, reasoning, comprehension, decision-making, etc. Must score at least 33% to qualify. | |
| – Total Marks: 400 | – Both papers are objective type (multiple-choice questions). | |
| 2. Mains Exam | Descriptive Type | Candidates need to appear for 9 papers in total, including General Studies, Optional Subject, and Language papers. |
| – Paper I: General Studies I (200 marks) | – Topics: Indian Heritage, History, Culture, Geography, and Society | |
| – Paper II: General Studies II (200 marks) | – Topics: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, International Relations | |
| – Paper III: General Studies III (200 marks) | – Topics: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-Diversity, Environment, Security | |
| – Paper IV: General Studies IV (200 marks) | – Topics: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude | |
| – Paper V: Optional Paper I (250 marks) | – Related to the subject selected for the candidate’s optional subject (e.g., Economics, Public Administration, etc.). | |
| – Paper VI: Optional Paper II (250 marks) | – Related to the second part of the candidate’s selected optional subject. | |
| – Paper VII: Indian Language Paper (300 marks) | – The candidate can choose one Indian language (as per UPSC guidelines). | |
| – Paper VIII: English Language Paper (300 marks) | – English comprehension, translation, précis writing, etc. | |
| – Total Marks for Mains: 1750 marks | – Papers I to IV are General Studies and papers V to VIII are Optional Subjects and Language Papers. | |
| 3. Personality Test | Interview | – Marks: 275 |
| – Focus on assessing the candidate’s knowledge, personality, reasoning skills, general awareness, and suitability for the civil services. | – This stage is designed to assess the overall personality and decision-making ability of the candidate. | |
| Total Marks | Maximum Marks for IRAS | – Preliminary Exam: 400 marks |
| – Mains Exam: 1750 marks | ||
| – Personality Test: 275 marks | ||
| Grand Total: 2750 marks |
Key Points:
- Preliminary Exam is an elimination round; only those who qualify move on to the Mains Exam.
- The Mains Exam is descriptive and includes detailed questions to test your knowledge in various areas, including general studies and optional subjects.
- The Personality Test assesses the candidate’s suitability for a career in civil services through a direct interview.
- Optional Subjects: Candidates choose two papers from the list of available optional subjects (e.g., Economics, Public Administration, etc.), based on their background or interest.
Eligibility of (IRSS)
The eligibility criteria for the Indian Railway Stores Service (IRSS) are the same as those for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, as IRSS is one of the services included in this exam. Here’s a breakdown of the eligibility:
1. Nationality
- Indian Citizens: Candidates must be citizens of India.
- Other Candidates: Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or individuals who have migrated from certain countries with the intention of settling permanently in India are also eligible.
2. Educational Qualification
- Minimum Qualification: A candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institution.
- Discipline: The degree can be in any discipline, though having a background in engineering, commerce, or business may be beneficial for IRSS officers, as it involves procurement, inventory management, and logistics.
3. Age Limit
- General Category: 21 to 32 years as of August 1st of the exam year.
- OBC (Other Backward Classes): 21 to 35 years.
- SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes): 21 to 37 years.
- Disabled (Dysfunction): The age limit for disabled persons is relaxed up to 42 years.
4. Number of Attempts
- General Category: 6 attempts.
- OBC Category: 9 attempts.
- SC/ST Category: Unlimited attempts until the age limit is reached.
5. Physical Standards
- Candidates must meet certain physical fitness standards prescribed by the UPSC for civil services. However, these standards may vary depending on the services applied for.
6. Other Criteria
- Language Proficiency: The candidate should be proficient in English and may need to have proficiency in a second language, depending on the requirement of the service.
- Health Standards: Candidates must meet the medical standards outlined by UPSC and Indian Railways. This usually involves passing a medical test to confirm overall fitness.
Pay Scale
The pay scale for an officer in the Indian Railway Stores Service (IRSS) is as per the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission. Below is a breakdown of the pay scale at various stages of an IRSS officer’s career:
Pay Scale for IRSS Officers
| Position | Pay Scale (as per 7th Pay Commission) | Grade Pay | Approximate Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (Assistant Executive Officer) | Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) | ₹5,400 | ₹60,000 – ₹75,000/month |
| Senior Executive Officer | Level 11 (₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700) | ₹6,600 | ₹75,000 – ₹90,000/month |
| Divisional Stores Officer | Level 12 (₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200) | ₹7,600 | ₹85,000 – ₹1,00,000/month |
| Deputy Chief Stores Officer | Level 13 (₹1,18,500 – ₹2,14,100) | ₹8,700 | ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,25,000/month |
| Chief Stores Officer | Level 13A (₹1,31,100 – ₹2,16,600) | ₹8,900 | ₹1,10,000 – ₹1,30,000/month |
| Additional Member (Railway Board) | Level 14 (₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200) | ₹10,000 | ₹1,30,000 – ₹1,50,000/month |
| Executive Director (Railway Board) | Level 15 (₹1,82,200 – ₹2,24,100) | ₹11,000 | ₹1,50,000 – ₹1,70,000/month |
Other Benefits:
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): Varies depending on the city (metro cities have higher HRA).
- Dearness Allowance (DA): It is adjusted based on inflation and the cost of living.
- Medical Benefits: IRSS officers enjoy medical facilities for themselves and their families.
- Pension: Officers receive pension and retirement benefits as per the norms of the Indian Railways.
- Travel Allowance (TA): Travel expenses for official duties are reimbursed.
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