Group B
Group 'B' is filled by promotion on the basis of selection of eligible candidates from Group C. The selection procedure is done through General Manager who heads the Selection Board consists of 4 HoDs including CPO and HoD of the department concerned. Almost 70% of the vacancies are filled through seniority and the rest are selected through a test named as Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE).
Important features of Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) are
Reservation of SC/ST as per extant orders.
Group C employees in Pay Band 2 (9300-34800) with GP 4200 and above with a minimum of 5 years in the grade including other services.
Standard of the written exam of a substantially higher than normal procedural selection.
60 per cent is the minimum pass mark.
Names of the candidates will be listed out in the order of merit.
Selection is based on the total marks secured by the candidates who had appeared for viva-voce after getting qualified in the written examination.
It is necessary to understand the difference between LGS and LDCE
LGS
You are likely to be eligible when left with 5 to 10 years of service
You are likely to rise up to the level of Sr. Scale before retiring
There is only one paper of written examination and paper is much easier as compared to LDCE. Reading and writing at around 50 years of age is a tough option for all those appearing in the examination.
There is no specific syllabus. Read clause 204.2 *which speaks of the syllabus. How then, a syllabus is circulated by CPO in almost all the Railways. There is another question mark if there is no syllabus, how the coaching for SC and ST will be done.
The ratio of vacancies and candidates appearing in the examination is 1:3
Success in the examination though brings happiness, but fear as well of likely entering into a transferable job as compared to to the stability generally found in Group C. That too when children are on the final stage of stabling. However, the advantage is posting in a slightly bigger place.
Running staff is also eligible for Group B promotion in case of Electrical and Mechanical. They are generally not willing but the number is very large. Option from the eligible candidates is asked. If it is a non-serious option, it takes away the eligibility of non-running supervisors unnecessarily. Counseling is necessary.
Promotion from Group C to Group B calls for an attitudinal change. A change in the approach to an issue. There is no specialized training to bring this change but it will be better for the promoted group B officer to mold himself to the changing environment. It is always better not to seek posting where you had earlier worked as a Group C employee. Even though you may be knowing and aware of all the grass root issues yet difficult to command respect and acceptance of you in different uniforms.
LDCE
You are eligible after 5 years of Service
You are very likely to rise up to the grade of Junior Administrative Grade and if successful on your first attempt of completion of 5 years of service, they may go up to Senior Administrative Grade.
There are two papers of written examination one after another on the same day making the examination a bit baffling. The success rate in the examination is just equaled the number of vacancies.
The ratio is not defined but based on the earlier pattern it is in the range of 1:50, still much favorable as compared to IES examination conducted by UPSC
Success in the examination is not by chance but a result of the hard and sincere attempt of display of knowledge, stamina, courage, hard work, support of family members etc. It is happiness all around.
