Latest news with #IndianRailways
News18
13 hours ago
- Business
- News18
RRB Technical Recruitment 2025 Notification Out, Application For 6,180 Vacancies From June 28
Last Updated: RRB Technical Recruitment 2025: The selection process will consist of a Computer Based Test (CBT), Document Verification, and a Medical Fitness Test. RRB Technical Recruitment 2025: The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially announced the Technician Recruitment Drive for 2025-26. The online registration process will begin on June 28, 2025 and will continue till July 28, 2025, ending at 11:59 PM. Interested candidates can submit their applications through the official recruitment portal at The objective of this recruitment drive is to strengthen the technical staff of Indian Railways. A total of 6,180 vacancies will be filled through the recruitment drive. Of the total posts, 180 are for Technician Grade 1 Signal posts and the remaining 6,000 are for Technician Grade 3 roles. The selection process will consist of a Computer Based Test (CBT), Document Verification, and a Medical Fitness Test. Age Limit: The age limit for Technician Grade 1 Signal positions is 18 to 33 years as of July 1, 2025. While Grade 3 roles, one must be between 18 to 30 years. Educational Qualification: For Technician Grade 3 roles, candidates must have passed the 10th grade (SSLC/Matriculation) and completed ITI or an apprenticeship in trades such as Foundryman, Moulder, Pattern Maker, or Forger and Heat Treater. Step 2: Click on the 'Apply Online' link under CEN 02/2025. Step 4: Fill out the application form with accurate personal, educational, and trade-specific details. Step 5: Upload the required documents, pay the fee and submit the form. Save a copy for future reference. RRB Technical Recruitment 2025: Application Fees The application fee for SC/ST, Ex-Servicemen, Persons with Disabilities (PwD), Women, Transgender Persons, Minorities, and Economically Backward Classes candidates is Rs 250. This amount is fully refundable after attending the CBT. For other categories, the fee is Rs 500, of which Rs 400 is refundable after attending the CBT. The role of Technician Grade 1 Signal falls under Pay Level 5, with a starting monthly salary of Rs 29,200. In contrast, the Technician Grade 3 position is classified under Pay Level 2, offering a monthly salary of Rs 19,900. Additional allowances and benefits will be provided in accordance with the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) guidelines. This short notification was published in Employment News dated June 16, 2025, and a detailed advertisement (CEN 02/2025) is expected to be released by June 27, 2025. Interested candidates should refer to the detailed notification for zone-wise vacancies and CBT syllabus.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
PM Modi flags off first 'Make in India' Locomotive export to Guinea from Marhowrah Factory
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first 'Made in India' locomotive being exported to the Republic of Guinea from the Marhowrah Locomotive Factory in Saran, Bihar. This factory, India's first Public-Private Partnership project under the Make in India initiative, is a joint venture between GE Transportation (now part of Wabtec) and Indian Railways. A total of 150 locomotives manufactured at this facility will be exported to Guinea, marking a major milestone for India's manufacturing and export capabilities. The event highlights India's growing global footprint in high-end railway manufacturing and international collaborations. Show more Show less
New Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
PM Modi to unveil infrastructure projects worth Rs 5,700 crore in Bihar's Siwan ahead of assembly polls
PATNA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various infrastructure and development projects worth Rs 5,700 crore in Bihar's Siwan district on Friday. This marks his second visit to the poll-bound state in under a month and his fifth since January this year. Modi's visit is expected to further energise the political atmosphere in Bihar, where state assembly elections are scheduled for October-November. During his visit, he will also flag off a Vande Bharat Express train connecting Patliputra railway station in the state capital to Gorakhpur in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. Siwan, once regarded as the stronghold of late RJD MP and strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin, will witness several key unveilings during the Prime Minister's visit. Notably, PM Modi will flag off the first locomotive manufactured for export to Guinea in West Africa, produced at the diesel locomotive factory in Marhowrah, Saran district. This marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time Indian Railways is exporting a locomotive, rather than sending aid under a line of credit as done previously with countries such as Bangladesh and Mozambique.
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Wait list capped at 25% in long-distance trains
MUMBAI: The Railway Board has capped the number of Wait List (WL) tickets in long-distance trains in an attempt to ease overcrowding on railway platforms across the country. According to the new rule, in force since June 16, the quota has been capped at 25% for each class of coach – Sleeper, 3AC, 2AC and 1AC. Until now, the number of WL tickets was arbitrary, varying between railway zones. Senior railway officials said that on the Central and Western railways, WL tickets used to comprise 20-40% of the total seats available in the trains. Sometimes, their number would go up to 500-700 on a single train. However, the circular issued by the Railway Board earlier this week states, 'It has been decided that the maximum current waiting list limits will be revised to 25% of the redefined capacity of each class available at originating as well as roadside stations. This logic will also be applicable for issuing of waitlisted tickets from remote locations as well as tickets booked under the Tatkal Scheme'. (Examples of 'roadside stations' would be Thane, Kalyan, Andheri or Borivali, from where passengers can board long-distance trains) Explaining how the new quota works, a railway official said that if a 3AC coach has 64-83 berths (depending upon the make of the train), then 25% of tickets would be set aside for WL passengers after this the booking for this coach was complete. Preference will be given to tatkal ticket booking, after which general ticket booking will follow. Also, passengers applying in concessional categories such as physically challenged, women etc, will not be included in the 25% quota. Railway officials say they are yet to assess the impact the new quota will have on revenue. In 2024-25, the Indian Railways earned ₹75,500 crore from passenger revenue, that is, the sale of tickets. 'All these years, there was a fixed percentage for WL tickets. That's why, during peak summer season or the Ganesh festival, the number of WL tickets in Sleeper and/or 3AC coaches was as high as the total capacity of these coaches. This used to cause chaos as WL passengers would travel with passengers with unconfirmed tickets, causing fights and arguments inside long-distance trains. The new quota will give us some control over this. Moreover, passengers would know whether seats are available in a particular train at the time of booking,' said a senior railway official. The new quota has brought some relief to the Railway Protection Force (RPF). 'The pressure on us to keep the crowds in check is immense. With fewer WL tickets being issued, this will make it more manageable,' said an RPF officer. This is one of the primary reasons for overcrowding at CSMT, Dadar and Panvel stations during the annual Ganesh festivals. It also contributed to the stampede at Surat railway station on November 11, 2023, where a massive crowd of passengers, many of whom were migrant workers heading home for Diwali and Chhath Puja, rushed to board a Bihar-bound train. Railway Passenger Associations have welcomed the move. 'This will hopefully ensure a peaceful journey. It will reduce quarrels inside trains, where WL passengers would gang up on valid ticket holders,' said Madhu Kotian, president, Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Can IRCTC keep delivering? Inside India's most unique listed business
In 2019, the IRCTC IPO was subscribed 112 times. From seasoned investors to first-time ones, everyone was talking about it. And with good reason. It was a rare play on Indian Railways, had monopoly-like traits, and the listing pop only added to the hype. The stock doubled on Day 1 and kept going up. For many, it felt like a once-in-a-decade kind of opportunity. But things changed pretty quickly after that. There were regulatory curveballs, a few government flip-flops (remember the convenience fee saga?), and then Covid brought the entire railway network to a standstill. Naturally, the stock took a beating. What started as a dream run turned bumpy and unpredictable. That said, if you zoom out and look at the bigger picture, it is still a solid story. From its IPO price of ~ Rs 60 (adjusted for stock split) to where it stands now, IRCTC has delivered over 50% CAGR since IPO. Not many companies with that kind of volatility and dependence on a single ecosystem can claim that kind of performance. So yes, the euphoria may have faded. But the business itself? It has evolved. And in some areas, quietly grown stronger. Let us dive in and see what has really changed and what that means for investors. At first, IRCTC may seem like a straightforward business involved in train ticket bookings and catering. But it is actually a multi-segment operation with very different drivers, margins, and growth paths. IRCTC operates in four key segments: Internet Ticketing Catering Services Rail Neer (Packaged Drinking Water) Tourism and Travel Services Let us understand each one with data and context from FY25. This is IRCTC's most profitable segment by far. In FY25, it earned Rs 1,426 crore in revenue from ticketing. That is just 31% of total revenue, but it contributed over 75% of operating profit. Why does this segment punch so far above its weight? The answer lies in the convenience fee. Every time you book a train ticket on IRCTC, you pay a small fee. It may not feel like much individually, but when over 50 crore tickets get booked in a year, those small amounts add up big time. IRCTC does not own the trains or the inventory, but the tech layer on top of Indian Railways. That means very low operating costs, high margins, and strong cash flows. The EBITDA margin in this segment is a solid over 80%. In FY25, the company also processed around 14 lakh ticketing transactions per day, making it one of the busiest travel platforms in the country. Catering is IRCTC's largest revenue segment. In FY25, it brought in Rs 2,125 crore, almost 45% of the total revenue. This includes both onboard meals and station-based catering units. But here is the catch. While the revenue is large, margins are thin. The EBITDA margin in this segment remains healthy, at around 12%. Why? Because this is a labour- and logistics-heavy business. You need kitchen infrastructure, staff, raw materials, quality checks, and distribution across thousands of stations and coaches. Add compliance and vendor management, and the complexity rises. The company is now trying to improve margins through e-catering (food delivered to your train seat from external restaurants) and more premium offerings, but it is a work in progress. Rail Neer is IRCTC's packaged drinking water brand, available at major stations and in trains. In FY25, it contributed Rs 394 crore to revenue, just around 8% overall, but it is a high-potential business with decent margins at 12% EBITDA. Why is this interesting? Because IRCTC has a strong distribution advantage. Indian Railways gives it priority access at stations, and the company is expanding its plant capacity rapidly. From 15 plants in FY24, it now operates 20, with more in the pipeline. This is a low-ticket but high-volume business. If IRCTC continues to expand and push Rail Neer even in tier-2 and tier-3 locations, the growth can be meaningful over time. The tourism segment is the fastest margin-growing today, with revenue of Rs 744 crore in FY25. This business has strategic importance. This includes domestic and international tour packages, special trains, Bharat Gaurav tourist circuits, and chartered train services. Margins are about 13%, not very high yet, but this is a leveraged segment. If IRCTC gets better at curating high-margin tours, especially in the luxury or spiritual travel space, this segment could surprise in the next 3-5 years. One big positive is the Bharat Gaurav trains, which are aimed at religious tourism. Demand here is growing fast, and IRCTC is among the few players with the required approvals, inventory access, and experience to scale this up efficiently. Segment Revenue (₹ Cr) in FY 25 EBITDA Margin (%) in FY25 Revenue (₹ Cr) in FY24 EBITDA Margin (%) in FY24 % Growth in Revenue Internet Ticketing 1,426 ~82% 1,295 82% ~10% Catering 2,125 ~13% 1,947 ~13% ~9% Rail Neer 394 ~12% 340 ~8% ~16% Tourism & Travel 744 ~13% 691 ~3% ~8% Total 4,674 – 4,260 – IRCTC ended FY25 with revenue of Rs 4,674 crore, growing ~10% year-over-year, and a net profit of Rs 1,314 crore, up nearly 19%. With EBITDA margins of 33%, zero long-term debt, and nearly Rs 2,000 crore in cash reserves, IRCTC is in a strong operational position. That said, the real question is, where does it go from here? IRCTC's recent disclosures point to three focused areas where the company is actively investing resources and seeing steady progress. These are segments where the company has operational control, demand visibility, and regulatory clarity. Catering remains the largest part of IRCTC's business, contributing over Rs 2,100 crore in FY25. It includes on-board services, base kitchens, station vending, and a growing e-catering channel. E-catering continues to expand across major stations and trains. In FY25, the company served over 2.5 crore meals through e-catering, a solid growth of over 50% compared to the previous year. This is helping improve food variety and passenger experience, especially through tie-ups with well-known brands. Rail Neer, IRCTC's packaged water business, added scale as well. With 40 crore bottles sold in FY25, the business grew over 15% year-over-year. The company currently operates 15 bottling plants and has three more in the pipeline to support growing demand from newer routes and higher passenger volumes. Both businesses benefit from IRCTC's established supply chain and access to railway infrastructure, and continue to show potential for moderate volume-led growth. During the management conference call, the company highlighted that state governments and public sector undertakings continue to be a significant growth driver in the tourism business. This includes group tours, spiritual packages, and Bharat Gaurav trains, where IRCTC not only runs the trains but also handles food, accommodation, and complete itineraries. IRCTC mentioned it had conducted a large number of tour departures and that demand remains robust in the institutional segment. This helps the company maintain predictable booking volumes and supports revenue consistency in the tourism vertical. What stood out in the recent calls was the focus on new initiatives, but there was also a clear emphasis on reinforcing what already works. IRCTC did not speak about entering new lines of business or platform monetisation. Instead, the discussion stayed grounded in strengthening established segments like Rail Neer and government-driven tourism. This signals a cautious but deliberate strategy, one that leans on demand visibility, execution history, and operational scale. While this may limit near-term upside surprises, it also reduces the risk of capital misallocation or overreach. The current roadmap, as described by management, is structured around expanding throughput, rather than chasing high-risk opportunities. At around Rs 60,000 crore in market cap, IRCTC trades at roughly 46 times FY25 earnings. On the surface, this looks expensive for a company growing earnings at 15-20%. But the market seems to value it for its predictability, cash efficiency, and platform-like economics in ticketing. The stock is unlikely to see a rapid re-rating from here, unless there is a meaningful change in business mix or monetisation. That said, even if the multiple gradually tapers to 35-40x and earnings continue to grow, long-term investors could still see decent wealth creation, especially through dividends, capital protection, and lower volatility compared to high-growth names. What keeps this valuation stable is the moat IRCTC enjoys in its core business. What could test it is regulatory unpredictability or poor execution in scaling the other segments. While it may not offer a sharp upside from here, IRCTC still stands out as one of the few listed businesses in India that combines digital scale, government backing, and consistent profitability. Note: This article relies on data from annual and industry reports. We have used our assumptions for forecasting. Parth Parikh has over a decade of experience in finance and research and currently heads the growth and content vertical at Finsire. He holds an FRM Charter and an MBA in Finance from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. Disclosure: The writer and his dependents do not hold the stocks discussed in this article. The website managers, its employee(s), and contributors/writers/authors of articles have or may have an outstanding buy or sell position or holding in the securities, options on securities or other related investments of issuers and/or companies discussed therein. The content of the articles and the interpretation of data are solely the personal views of the contributors/ writers/authors. Investors must make their own investment decisions based on their specific objectives, resources and only after consulting such independent advisors as may be necessary.
