UPSC Articles
Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS): Railway Board Restructuring
Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III – Infrastructure; GS Mains II- Governance
In News
- Union Cabinet approved the restructuring of the Railway Board, including a reduction in its strength as well as the merger of the different cadres into a central service called the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS).
- The Railway Board started in 1905, and over a period of time, it has divided the management into several silos
- The Board presently consists of eight members, including the Chairman, from different service departments such as traffic, civil, mechanical, electrical and signal & telecom
- The newly constitutedBoard will henceforth consist of five members – Chairman, who will act as a CEO, along with four members responsible for infrastructure, operations and business development, rolling stock and finance.
- There will also be a DG (HR) under the Chairman. The Board will also have some independent members, who will be highly distinguished professionals.
- Restructuring of the board would help end “departmentalism”, while ensuring smooth functioning of the Railways and expediting the decision-making process.
