Railway Protection Force (RPF) is
one of the security forces of India. It is tasked with protecting property and
passengers of the Indian Railways. It is the only Central Armed Police
Force(CAPF) with powers similar to regular state police forces. The superior
officers of this force are recruited through the Civil Services Examination.
Railway Protection Force recruitment for subordinate officers is conducted
through examinations conducted by the force itself. This article gives
information about its functions, salary and career prospects.
Roles and
Responsibilities:
The RPF, along with the Government
Railway Police(GRP) ensure the security of passengers and property of the
Indian Railways. The following are the functions of the force:
- Arrest and prosecute people who
steal, damage or unlawfully possess railway property.
- Providing security cover to
passenger trains in vulnerable areas.
- Providing services such as
control of access to railway premises, general security and regulation of
premises used by passengers.
- To ensure smooth movement of
railway traffic by removing obstructions to train and passenger movement.
- Maintenance and enhancement of
the RPF Security Management System.
- Preventing trafficking of women
and children and help in the rehabilitation of destitute people who are
found inside railway premises.
Railway
Protection Force Powers:
The following powers are conferred
upon the force to enable them to smoothly discharge their duties:
- Power to investigate, prosecute
and arrest persons engaged in activities which violate the Railways Act,
1890.
- Power to remove obstructions
such as illegal constructions and encroachments which obstruct rail
transport or passengers.
- Discretionary power to use
non-lethal and lethal force based on the situation while discharging their
duties.
Units
under Railway Protection Force (RPF):
- Training Centre for Police Dogs
- Central Crime Bureau
- Central Weapons Store
- Indian Railway Protection Force
Service
Grade and
Salary:
The Railway Protection Force is
headed by an IPS officer of the rank of Director-General. The DG is assisted by
various officers selected through the UPSC exam. RPF pay scale and seniority
list are as follows:
Below table give information on
Grade and Payscale
|
Rank |
Designation |
Pay Level (Basic Pay) |
|
Director-General |
Director-General |
Rs.225000 |
|
Additional Director General |
Additional Director General |
Rs.205400 |
|
Inspector General |
Principal Chief Security
Commissioner |
Rs.144200 |
|
Deputy Inspector General |
Director of RPF Academy/Chief
Security Commissioner |
Rs.131100 |
|
Senior Commandant |
Deputy Chief Security
Commissioner/Senior Divisional Security Commissioner/Divisional Security
Commissioner |
Rs. 78800 |
|
Commandant |
Commanding Officer/Staff
Officer/Security Commissioner |
Rs. 67700 |
|
Assistant Commandant |
Assistant Security Commissioner |
Rs. 56100 |
The salary structure of RPF posts
has recently been updated as per the recommendations of the 7th pay commission.
Apart from the pay, officers also get various facilities as per their rank such
as:
- Government Accommodation
- Free Railway Passes in First
Class for self and family up to 6 times a year
- Security Guard
- Concessional railway tickets
for all classes of travel.
The type of accommodation and other
perks depends on the position of the incumbent in the RPF officers seniority
list. The officers who go on deputation to other departments get facilities as
per the guidelines of the respective organizations.