Reservation in promotion to the Persons with Benchmark Disability (PWBD)-Carry Forward of Vacancy

Summary

This video explains the Railway Board's policy on filling vacancies reserved for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in promotions from Group C to Group B. It clarifies that if no suitable PWD candidates are available, the positions should still be filled by candidates from other categories, with the PWD reservation carried forward to the next year. The policy applies uniformly, ensuring that vacancies are never left unfilled for extended periods, and it provides guidelines on how to handle such vacancies for up to two years. The video aims to clear common doubts and ensure viewers understand the latest Railway Board clarifications.

Takeaways

• 😀 Horizontal reservation policy for PWD candidates requires reserved posts to be filled with other category candidates if no suitable PWD candidates are available.
• 😀 The policy applies to both recruitment and promotions, including promotions from Group C to Group B in Indian Railways.
• 😀 Vacancies reserved for PWD candidates should not be left vacant under any circumstances and must be filled by candidates from other categories (SC/ST/OBC, etc.).
• 😀 Railway Board issued guidelines on December 31, 2024, reiterating that posts reserved for PWD should not be left unfilled, with only the reservation being carried forward.
• 😀 PWD reservation follows a horizontal approach, meaning posts are not held specifically for a community (like SC/ST) but can be filled from any category.
• 😀 The vacancy must be filled by the next suitable candidate in the following recruitment cycle, and the reservation point is carried forward to the next year.
• 😀 If a vacancy remains unfilled for two consecutive years (2026 and 2027), the vacancy will lapse, and no further carry-forward will be allowed.
• 😀 Railway Board’s policy also clarifies that PWD reservations cannot be exchanged with other categories unless explicitly allowed by the guidelines.
• 😀 In case a suitable candidate is not found for a PWD reservation in one year, the vacancy can be carried forward, but only for a maximum of two years.
• 😀 The policy ensures that PWD candidates' reserved vacancies are not left empty, allowing for equal opportunity and representation in promotions and recruitment.

Q & A

What is the core subject of the video?

The video discusses the guidelines issued by the Railway Board regarding the reservation of posts for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and the carry-forward mechanism for vacancies when suitable PWD candidates are not available for promotions from Group C to Group B.

What does 'horizontal reservation' mean in the context of PWD reservation?

In horizontal reservation, posts reserved for PWD candidates are not category-specific, meaning any candidate from the available categories (General, SC/ST, etc.) can fill the vacancy, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. The key point is that the PWD reservation itself must be carried forward.

What happens when a PWD post remains unfilled in the promotion process?

If a PWD post remains unfilled, the vacancy is carried forward to the next year for the same PWD category (e.g., blind or low-vision). However, the post should still be filled by candidates from other categories, ensuring that the vacancy is not left unfilled.

Can a PWD reserved post be left vacant indefinitely if no suitable candidate is available?

No, a PWD reserved post cannot be left vacant indefinitely. The Railway Board mandates that the post must be filled, and if no suitable PWD candidate is available, the vacancy will be carried forward for up to two years (2025 and 2026). After that, the vacancy may lapse.

What are the key points mentioned in the Railway Board’s December 31, 2024 letter?

The Railway Board’s letter from December 31, 2024, clarified that posts reserved for PWD should not remain vacant. In case of non-availability of suitable PWD candidates, the post should be filled by any available candidate, and only the reservation should be carried forward, not the post itself.

What does the term 'carry forward' refer to in the context of PWD reservations?

The term 'carry forward' refers to the practice of transferring the unfilled PWD reservation to the next recruitment cycle. If a PWD post is not filled in the current cycle, it is carried forward to the next cycle, allowing it to be filled with suitable candidates, but the post must be filled regardless of whether the reserved category has a candidate.

Does the carry-forward policy apply only to promotions from Group C to Group B?

No, the carry-forward policy applies to all levels of recruitment and promotions, including Group C to Group B, as well as other categories within the Railway recruitment system. The aim is to prevent vacancies from remaining unfilled, regardless of the category.

How does the carry-forward mechanism affect the promotion process?

In the promotion process, if a PWD candidate is unavailable to fill a reserved post, the carry-forward mechanism ensures that the vacancy is not left unfilled. The reserved category is carried forward to the next year, and the post is filled with a candidate from any category.

What happens if no suitable PWD candidate is found even after carrying forward the vacancy for two years?

If no suitable PWD candidate is found after two years of carrying forward the vacancy (for example, in 2025 and 2026), the vacancy will lapse, and no further carry-forward will occur beyond this point.

What clarification did the Railway Board provide regarding non-Gazetted categories?

The Railway Board clarified that the same guidelines apply to non-Gazetted categories as well. The policy of filling PWD reserved posts without leaving them vacant applies uniformly to all categories, including Group C to Group B promotions and other recruitment categories.