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Railway Driver – Train Driver Career Path in Indian Railways
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Written by Mumtaj Khan
Feb 23, 2026

Railway Driver – Train Driver Career Path in Indian Railways

The most significant individual in the gigantic work of transporting the almost seventeen million passengers and over two million ton of goods daily by means of 2,25,000 wagons, 45,000 coaches and over 8300 locomotive engines of all types is the Railway Driver. It is no small task to carry seventeen million passengers and millions of tons of fright and that to boot taking care of the convenience and safety of the traveller. In order to execute this massive work Railway Ministry contains employees of different classes to do any type of work such as clerical, supervisor, inspectors, Drivers, Guards and policy makers etc.

However the final performer of the job is the one that provides the final touch to this job and that is the driver of the train. There is no doubt that every single person is equally significant to the safe trip of a train yet the decision of the journey of a train is determined by the sincerity of the driver. Whether he cannot bear his burden then the work of other employees is of no use this way we may say that he is the most valuable member of the railways as the fighter pilot in an Airforce battle is.

It can be said that he is the individual who bears the responsibility as well as the Guard to get the train to the other locations safely. In that regard, he happens to be among the most significant employees in the arrangement. This work requires one to be extremely committed and hard-working. The profession of a Driver requires labor and enormous state of mind and the audacity to deal with unfavorable situations. One must possess discipline, patience, responsible, punctual, commitment, courage and most importantly self-confidence in this one. The work involves much hard labor, physical strength, mental alertness and flexibility to work hard during tough time schedules as well. He needs special training and knowledge in order to release his responsibilities efficiently and effectively.

Suitability to become an Engine Driver

Educational Qualification : In order to qualify as an Engine Driver in India a person must have Matriculate plus ITI course in given trades.

Age : The potential candidate must be 18 years old with a maximum age of 30 years.

What do you want to be? Railway Engine Driver

To become an Engine Driver a person needs to follow the steps set:

Step 1 : To join as an Engine Driver in Indian Railways an individual must take the competitive exam to be offered the job when announced as being offered by any of the 17 RRBs of the various zones in the Indian Railways.

Step 2 : Once he clears the RRB exam (a test of almost 150 questions on G.K, Aptitude, Mathematics and General English) to the post of Railway Driver, and receives the required training, his career as a diesel or electric loco assistant driver, where he is expected to check the condition of the locomotive, assist with all the auxiliary equipment where necessary and call out the aspects of the signals (which are verified by the driver) is his first job. An assistant driver serves on goods trains, and then on passenger trains and lastly on express trains.

Job Description of Railway Drivers

Engine Driver is among the most significant posts in the railway personnel. He is the individual (with the Guard) who controls the train. Despite the necessity to depend on the guard to assure him that the train has been dispatched by the station master (through him or indirectly) and the ability of the guard to call the driver to halt the train or to run it in his direction but driver is also liable to deliver the train safely to its destinations. As an example, there are instances where in case the train parts or there is a signal fault the driver should consult the guard as to how to proceed but in the end it is the driver whose presence of mind, calmness and responsibility in his work and most importantly, his co-ordination with the guard to carry out the work in adverse conditions.

Career Prospects of Railway Drivers

A driver typically starts as a diesel or electric loco assistant driver, in which he is primarily tasked with ensuring the condition of the locomotive, assisting in operating all the auxiliary equipment when necessary, and calling out the aspects of the signals. An assistant driver is hired to serve as an assistant on goods trains, then passenger trains and then express trains before becoming a shunter or a goods driver. Thereafter, he will be able to work as a passenger train driver then ultimately as an express train driver. Before an assistant driver can be promoted to the level of driver of a Rajdhani or Shatabdi train, typically it must take 8 or 10 years or more. The grades assigned to drivers are; Driver, Passenger Driver, Senior Passenger Driver, Goods driver, Senior goods driver, Shunter, Senior Shunter, Fireman, Senior Fireman, Diesel Assistant, Senior diesel assistant, Electric assistant, Senior electric assistant, Second fireman and Senior second fireman.

Salary of a Railway Engine Driver

The salary of a new Railway Driver is between roughly 25,000 and 30,000 per month. Nonetheless, these remunerations continue to renegotiate in the intervals. They also receive attractive remuneration and rewards such as contributory provident fund, gratuity, medical facilities and free/concessional Railways passage etc. They are also furnished with a variety of benefits and allowances besides housing, medical expenses and out station allowances, free or concessional railways passes to their immediate family members, dependants and immediate family members.

Frequently Asked Questions

A railway driver operates locomotives to transport passengers and goods safely across railway networks.
You must clear the RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) examination and complete training to become a driver.
Candidates usually need 10th pass with ITI or a diploma in engineering, along with age and medical fitness requirements.
The RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) exam is the main recruitment examination.
The starting salary ranges from ₹35,000 to ₹50,000 per month, including allowances, and increases with experience.
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