IRSE or Indian Railway Service of Engineers is one of the 9 services managing Indian Railways. Officers for this service are recruited through Combined Engineering Services Examination by UPSC. Largely top position holders in Combined Engineering Service Examination opt for IRSE.
After Recruitment, the probationer is given 18 months' intensive training in various Railways establishments under the guidance of Indian Railway Institute of Civil Engineering (IRICEN), Pune including the Common Foundation Course. They are also imparted field training in various field units all over Indian Railways.
A young probationer is posted as assistant divisional engineer after 18 months of training and can rise up to Member (Ex-Officio Secretary to Govt. of India) and Chairman Railway Board (Ex-Officio Principal Secretary to Govt. of India).
IRSE officers are responsible for maintenance of all fixed assets of Indian Railways, i.e. Track, Bridges, Buildings, Roads, Water supply etc. These fixed assets are 45% of total assets of Indian Railway. In addition to maintenance of existing assets, IRSE engineers are responsible for construction of new assets such as New lines, Gauge conversion, doubling and other expansion and developmental works in Railways.
Railway service is very demanding and it needs sincerity, dedication and hard work. Railway Engineer is on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
