NEW DELHI — In a move aimed at bolstering safety at railway level crossings, the Indian Railways has approved the contractual appointment of approximately 7,220 ex-servicemen as gatemen, sparking a heated debate over labor rights, job security, and the ethical implications of employing retired military personnel in temporary roles. The decision, formalized in a Railway Board circular dated March 15, 2026, has drawn sharp criticism from railway unions and opposition parties, who argue that the initiative undermines the rights of permanent employees while exploiting the vulnerabilities of ex-servicemen.
The appointments will place retired military personnel at both manned and unmanned level crossings across the country, where accidents have long been a persistent and deadly issue. According to official documents reviewed by Herald Express, the ex-servicemen will be hired on a three-year contractual basis, with the possibility of extension based on performance. Selected candidates will undergo a brief training program focused on railway safety protocols, signaling, and emergency response procedures. The Railway Board has justified the decision by citing the ex-servicemen’s discipline, experience in high-pressure environments, and familiarity with operational protocols, arguing that these qualities make them well-suited for the role.
However, the initiative has faced significant pushback from multiple stakeholders. Railway unions, including the All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF), have condemned the move as a step toward the casualization of railway jobs, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent for the future of public sector employment. Opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress, have accused the government of using ex-servicemen as “cheap labor” while failing to address the demands of railway employees for better wages and job security. The controversy has also raised questions about the ethical implications of hiring retired military personnel—many of whom may have limited post-retirement employment options—on a contractual basis without the benefits afforded to permanent employees.
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What Happened
The Railway Board’s decision to hire 7,220 ex-servicemen as gatemen on a contractual basis was confirmed in an internal circular dated March 15, 2026. The appointments are part of a broader effort to improve safety at railway level crossings, where accidents have claimed hundreds of lives annually. According to the circular, the ex-servicemen will be deployed at both manned and unmanned crossings, with their primary responsibilities including monitoring train movements, operating crossing gates, and responding to emergencies.
The selected candidates will undergo a short training program covering railway safety protocols, signaling systems, and emergency response procedures. The Railway Board has emphasized that the ex-servicemen’s military background—particularly their discipline and experience in high-pressure situations—makes them ideal for the role. A senior Railway Board official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Herald Express, “Ex-servicemen bring a level of commitment and operational readiness that is critical for ensuring safety at level crossings. Their ability to handle emergencies will be instrumental in reducing accidents.”
The appointments are structured as three-year contracts, with the possibility of extension based on performance. However, the ex-servicemen will not be eligible for benefits typically extended to permanent railway employees, such as pension, medical facilities, or housing. Their compensation will be based on a fixed honorarium, the details of which have not been publicly disclosed. The Railway Board has framed the initiative as a temporary measure to address immediate safety concerns, rather than a permanent shift in hiring practices.
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Why It Matters
The controversy surrounding the Railway Board’s decision reflects broader tensions in India’s public sector employment landscape, particularly the growing reliance on contractual and outsourced labor to address staffing shortages. With over 1.3 million employees, the Indian Railways is one of the largest employers in the country, and any shift toward temporary hiring could have significant implications for labor rights and job stability in the sector.
For railway unions, the decision represents a direct threat to the job security of permanent employees. The All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) has argued that the move is an attempt to bypass the regular recruitment process and deny permanent employment to deserving candidates. “This is not just about ex-servicemen; it’s about the future of railway jobs,” said AIRF General Secretary Shiva Gopal Mishra. “If the railways can hire ex-servicemen on contract for these roles, what’s to stop them from doing the same for other positions? This sets a dangerous precedent.”
Opposition parties have echoed these concerns, framing the decision as part of a larger pattern of government policies that prioritize cost-cutting over worker welfare. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera accused the government of exploiting the loyalty of ex-servicemen while ignoring the demands of railway employees. “The government is using ex-servicemen as stopgap solutions while refusing to address the systemic issues plaguing the railways,” Khera said. “This is not just about safety; it’s about treating people as disposable labor.”
The ethical implications of the decision have also come under scrutiny. Ex-servicemen, many of whom retire in their 40s or early 50s, often face limited employment opportunities in the civilian sector. The contractual nature of these appointments—without benefits such as pension or medical coverage—raises questions about whether the railways is taking advantage of their vulnerable position. “Ex-servicemen deserve respect and dignity, not precarious employment,” said Major General (Retd.) S.G. Vombatkere, a veterans’ rights advocate. “If the railways is serious about leveraging their skills, it should offer them stable, long-term employment with the benefits they have earned.”
From a safety perspective, the initiative could yield tangible benefits. Level crossing accidents have been a persistent issue for the Indian Railways, with data from the Ministry of Railways showing that over 2,000 people were killed in such accidents in 2025 alone. The deployment of ex-servicemen, with their military training and discipline, could help reduce these numbers. However, critics argue that the railways should focus on modernizing infrastructure—such as replacing unmanned crossings with overpasses or underpasses—rather than relying on temporary fixes.
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Background and Context
The Indian Railways has long grappled with the challenge of ensuring safety at level crossings, which are among the most accident-prone points in the country’s rail network. According to the Ministry of Railways, there are over 28,000 level crossings in India, of which approximately 19,000 are unmanned. These crossings account for a significant proportion of railway-related fatalities, with human error, mechanical failures, and inadequate signaling often cited as contributing factors.
In recent years, the railways has taken several steps to address the issue, including the installation of automatic signaling systems, the closure of unmanned crossings, and the construction of road overbridges and underpasses. However, progress has been slow, and the sheer scale of the problem has made it difficult to implement comprehensive solutions. The decision to hire ex-servicemen as gatemen is the latest in a series of measures aimed at mitigating the risks at level crossings.
The use of ex-servicemen in civilian roles is not new in India. The government has previously implemented schemes to absorb retired military personnel into various public sector jobs, including in the police, paramilitary forces, and administrative services. These initiatives are often justified on the grounds that ex-servicemen possess skills and discipline that are valuable in civilian roles. However, the contractual nature of the current appointments marks a departure from previous practices, where ex-servicemen were typically offered permanent positions with full benefits.
The broader context of this decision is the Indian Railways’ ongoing struggle with staffing shortages and budget constraints. The railways employs over 1.3 million people, making it one of the largest employers in the world. However, vacancies in critical roles—including those related to safety and operations—have persisted for years. The railways has increasingly turned to contractual and outsourced labor to fill these gaps, a trend that has drawn criticism from labor unions and workers’ rights advocates.
The controversy also reflects the growing casualization of labor in India’s public sector. Across government agencies, there has been a shift toward hiring workers on temporary or contractual basis, often without the benefits and job security afforded to permanent employees. This trend has been driven by budgetary pressures, as well as the government’s desire to improve efficiency and reduce long-term liabilities. However, it has also led to concerns about the erosion of labor rights and the creation of a two-tier workforce, where temporary employees are treated as second-class workers.
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Competing Claims and Uncertainty
The Railway Board’s decision has given rise to a range of competing claims, with stakeholders offering divergent interpretations of the initiative’s motives, implications, and likely outcomes.
Government and Railway Board’s Position:
The Railway Board has defended the decision as a necessary and temporary measure to enhance safety at level crossings. Officials have emphasized that the appointments are not intended to replace permanent employees but rather to supplement existing staffing levels in a cost-effective manner. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Railways stated, “This initiative is about leveraging the skills of ex-servicemen to address an immediate safety concern. The contractual nature of the appointments ensures flexibility and allows us to deploy resources where they are most needed.”
The Board has also sought to reassure permanent employees that the move will not affect their job security. “There is no question of replacing existing staff,” the spokesperson said. “The ex-servicemen will be deployed at crossings where there are currently no employees, or where additional support is required.”
Railway Unions’ Position:
Railway unions, including the AIRF, have rejected the Railway Board’s assurances, arguing that the decision is a thinly veiled attempt to casualize the workforce. “This is not about safety; it’s about cost-cutting,” said AIRF General Secretary Shiva Gopal Mishra. “The railways is using ex-servicemen as a way to avoid hiring permanent employees, who would be entitled to benefits and job security. This sets a precedent that could be applied to other roles in the future.”
Unions have also raised concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the compensation and working conditions for the ex-servicemen. “The railways has not disclosed how much these workers will be paid or what their working hours will be,” Mishra said. “This lack of clarity is unacceptable, especially when the lives of both the workers and the public are at stake.”
Opposition Parties’ Position:
Opposition parties, particularly the Indian National Congress, have framed the decision as part of a broader pattern of government policies that prioritize austerity over worker welfare. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera accused the government of exploiting ex-servicemen while ignoring the demands of railway employees. “The government is treating ex-servicemen as disposable labor, offering them temporary contracts without benefits,” Khera said. “At the same time, it is refusing to address the legitimate concerns of railway employees, who are demanding better wages and job security.”
Khera also questioned the safety rationale behind the decision, arguing that the railways should focus on modernizing infrastructure rather than relying on temporary fixes. “If the government is serious about safety, it should invest in building overpasses and underpasses, not in hiring ex-servicemen on contract,” he said.
Ex-Servicemen’s Perspective:
The response from ex-servicemen and veterans’ groups has been mixed. Some have welcomed the initiative as an opportunity to continue serving the country in a civilian capacity. Colonel (Retd.) Anil Kaul, a spokesperson for the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement, said, “Many ex-servicemen are looking for meaningful employment after retirement. This initiative provides them with an opportunity to contribute to public safety while earning a livelihood.”
However, others have expressed concerns about the contractual nature of the appointments and the lack of benefits. Major General (Retd.) S.G. Vombatkere, a veterans’ rights advocate, argued that the railways should offer ex-servicemen stable, long-term employment with full benefits. “Ex-servicemen have dedicated their lives to serving the nation,” Vombatk
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Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source.
