Railways relax age limit for 90,000 jobs
New Delhi: The Ministry of Railways on Monday relaxed the upper age limit by two years for all categories in one of the world's largest recruitment drive for about 90,000 jobs.
"For the ongoing recruitment of Group C Level I & II posts, Ministry of Railways have decided to extend the relaxation in upper age limit," the ministry said in a statement.
Further, the candidates would have the option to take the exam in regional languages like Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Odia, Bangla and others, it said.
"Last date of submission of application would be extended suitably," it added.
Earlier, the ministry had invited online applications for 89,409 posts in Group C Level 1 (erstwhile Group D) like track maintainer, points man, helper, gateman, porter and Group C Level 2 categories like assistant loco pilots (ALP), technicians (fitter, crane driver, blacksmith, carpenter) through Railway Recruitment Boards websites.
For the Group C Level 1 posts, the upper age limit for unreserved community has been extended from 31 years to 33 years, for backward OBC community from 34 years to 36 years and for the SC/ST categories, it has been raised from 36 years to 38 years.
Similarly, for Group C Level 2 posts, the upper age limit for all communities have been raised by two years. For unreserved community, it is now 30 years, for OBC, it is 33 years and for the SC/ST communities, it is now 35 years.
Formal corrigendum is being issued on official websites of RRBs shortly along with the new last date of submission of application, said the press release.
This recruitment drive is open for candidates who have passed Class 10 and industrial training ITI for Group C Level I posts, and Class 10 and ITI or diploma in engineering or a graduation in engineering for Group C Level II posts.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
