New Delhi: The Government of India on Thursday issued an order granting railway concessions to recipients of medal gallantry awards by Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel. News agency ANI reported that the awardees, along with their spouse (widow/widower who does not remarry) and, in the case of posthumous awards to unmarried personnel, their parents, will be entitled to complimentary lifelong travel on Indian Railways in First Class, 2 AC, and AC Chair Car, along with one companion.
“The Government of India has issued an order to grant railway concession in the form of complimentary lifelong free travel in First Class/2 AC/AC chair car, along with one companion in trains of Indian Railways to the awardees of Sana/Nau Sena/Vayu Sena Medal gallantry awards/their spouse (widows/widower till their remarriage)/parents of unmarried posthumous awardees,” officials told news agency ANI.
Indian Railways and Indian Army ‘Framework of Cooperation’
Earlier, Indian Railways and the Indian Army launched a ‘Framework of Cooperation’ to strengthen post-retirement career opportunities for Agniveers and serving Army personnel transitioning to civilian life. The initiative will also increase awareness about job prospects within the Railways.
According to the Ministry of Railways, this will also increase awareness about job opportunities in the railways and create a dedicated support system to assist retiring personnel. This collaborative framework reflects a shared commitment to providing a second career to former soldiers while supporting broader national development goals.
To provide employment opportunities to ex-servicemen and former Agniveers, provisions have been made for 10% horizontal reservation in Level-2 and above posts and 20% in Level-1 posts.
Reservation for Agniveers
Agniveers are entitled to 5% reservation in Level-2 and above posts and 10% in Level-1 posts. In the years 2024 and 2025, a total of 14,788 posts were reserved for ex-servicemen in railway vacancy notifications, including 6,485 posts in Level-1 and 8,303 posts in Level-2 and above.
Railway Recruitment Cells (RRC) and Railway Recruitment Boards conduct examinations for the recruitment for Level-1 (erstwhile Group D) and Level-2 or higher posts.
To promote faster recruitment of ex-servicemen and fill existing vacancies, the Ministry of Railways has decided to recruit ex-servicemen as ‘Pointsmen’ in Indian Railways on a contractual basis until the regular recruitment process is completed.