SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY

Office of the Principal Chief Personnel Officer, Garden Reach, Kolkata-700043

CENTRALISED NOTIFICATION FOR
RECRUITMENT AGAINST CULTURAL QUOTA
ON SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY FOR THE YEAR 2023-24
Employment Notice No. SER/Pers/Cultural Quota/2023-24
Opening Date :24.11.2023 Closing Date : 26.12.2023 Closing Time : 18.00 Hrs
Closing Date : 05.01.2024 (for residents of North Eastern states, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Lahaul
& Spiti District and Pangi Sub-Division of Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh, Andaman &
Nicobar Islands and Lakshwadeep)
Applications are invited from Indian nationals for recruitment against Cultural Quota vacancies in
Gr.C grade in PB-1 Grade Pay-Rs.1900/- or Level-2 for the year 2023-24 in South Eastern Railway.
1. DETAILS OF VACANCIES :
No. of
Post Scale Discipline
Post
1. Vocal Music
PB-1; (Rs.5,200- 01
Group ‘C’ (Carnatic/Hindustani)
20,200/-)
(in suitable 2. Instrumental
and GP Rs.1,900/-
post)
or Level-2 (Violin/Guitar/Flute/Veena/Harmonium (including
01
key board)/Sitar/Sarod )
The posts against this quota are open to all candidates and candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC
categories are only extended relaxation in age limit as admissible in general open market recruitments.
They may submit necessary self-attested certificates issued from the competent authority in the proper
format to be eligible to be given age relaxation. This is strictly required vide chapter 13 of the brochure
(published by Govt. of India/Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance & Pensions Department of
Personnel Training, New Delhi). Xerox copy of caste certificate issued by the Competent Authority,
not below the rank of Tehsildar in case of SC/ST/OBC candidates. OBC candidates shall also submit
OBC Non-Creamy-Layer Certificate in Central Govt. Format issued recently (not more than 1 year
old) by the competent authority.
2. ELIGIBILITY NORMS :
2.1. Professional / Cultural Qualifications:
Essential : Possession of degree / diploma / certificate in Vocal Music (Carnatic/Hindustani) &
Instrumental {Violin/Guitar/Flute/Veena/Harmonium(including key board)/Sitar/Sarod} from
Government recognized institute.
Desirable: (i) Experience in Vocal Music (Carnatic/Hindustani) & Instrumental
{Violin/Guitar/Flute/Veena/Harmonium (including key board)/Sitar/Sarod} in the field and
performance given on AIR / Doordarshan etc.
(ii) Prizes won at National level.
2.2. Educational Qualifications: 12th (+2 stage) or its equivalent examination with not less than
50% marks in the aggregate. (50% marks in the aggregate will be required for NTPC categories.
50% marks are not required for SC/ST/Ex -servicemen candidates.). Pass in Matriculation or its
equivalent from a recognized Board and having ITI certificate may also apply to be appointed as
Artisans in Technical categories. Candidates should possess requisite academic & professional
qualification on the date of submission of application. Those who are appearing at and/or awaiting
results of final examination are not eligible.
2.3. Age Limit : (Age as on 01.01.2024)

UR OBC SC/ST
18-30 years 18-33 years 18-35 years
 Copy of Matriculation or its equivalent certificate from a recognized Board, OR the Birth Certificate
should be submitted for proof of Date of Birth.
2.4. Extent of Age Relaxation :
(i) Serving Railway employees, including casual labours, who have put in three years of continuous
service and substitutes who have put in three years of continuous service or three years in broken
spells in the Railways. Maximum Age :- UR-40 years, OBC-43 years & SC/ST-45 years.
(ii) Widows/Divorced women and women judicially separated but not remarried .
Maximum age :- UR- 35 years, OBC-38 years, SC/ST-40 years.
(iii) Persons with Disabilities(PwBD): Age relaxation of 10 years in respective communities
subject to production of Disability Certificate in proper format.
(iv) Ex Servicemen : The Upper Age limit is relaxable for Ex Servicemen upto the extent of service
rendered in Defence Forces plus 3 years provided they have put in a minimum of 6 months
attested service. Ex Servicemen who have already joined the Govt. Service in civilian capacity
after availing the age relaxation are not eligible for such benefit.
(v) Persons who had ordinarily domiciled in the State of Jammu & Kashmir during the period from
01/01/1980 to 31/12/1989 : Relaxation upto 05 years.
3. HOW TO APPLY :
3.1 Examination Fees -
(i) The Examination fee as detailed below to be paid by way of IPO, or Bank Draft. Date of issue
of IPO / Bank Draft should not before the date of this notification.
(a) For all candidates[except those mentioned in Rs. 500/- (Rupees Five hundred
sub para (b) below] only)
(b) For candidates belonging to SC/ST/ Rs. 250/- (Rupees Two hundred
Ex.Servicemen/ Persons with Fifty only).
Disabilities(PwBDs), Women, Minorities and
Economic Backward Classes.
Bank Draft/IPO should be issued in favour of FA&CAO, South Eastern Railway,
Garden Reach – 700043, payable at GPO/Kolkata.
(Candidates must write their name, full address at the space provided in the IPO.
Applications received with cash / Money Order/ Central Recruitment Fees stamps
/Cheque will not be accepted and hence will be rejected.)
(ii) Economically Backward Classes will mean the candidates whose family income is less than
Rs.50,000/- per annum and income certificate for this purpose should be issued from the
specified Authority and on the specified Format as per Annexure-II.
(iii) For claiming waiver of examination fees, minority candidates should furnish ‘Self declaration’
as mentioned in Annexure-III along with the application form Minority candidates shall also be
required to furnish an affidavit sworn before an Executive Magistrate of their belonging to the
minority community. Minorities will mean Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists/Jains,
Zorastrians (Parsis).

(iv) An amount of Rs.400/- will be refundable to UR and OBC, Rs.250/- to SC/ST, Ex-Servicemen,
Persons with Disabilities (PwBDs), women, minorities and economically backward classes.
The refund is restricted to only those eligible candidates who will appear in the Written
Examination.
 3.2. Instructions for filling up the application Form:
(i) The notification with the application form along with the Annexure, are available in
RRC/South Eastern Railway website www.rrcser.co.in. Candidates should be able to download
the application form from the website.
(ii) The candidate has to fill up required information in his/her own handwriting using blue
/black ball point pen. The application should be filled either in English or Hindi but not in any
other language. Application filled in any language other than Hindi/English and having any
change in the format of application will lead to rejection of application summarily.
(iii) One recent passport size photograph (4cm x 5cm) should be affixed on the application form
without fail. The Photo may preferably be not older than 3 month as on date of applying. The
photo should clearly reveal the full face and should be taken without wearing cap and
goggles/coloured glasses. Photo should be new, sharp and clear, with light background, suitable
for scanning and printing. Do not put any mark or signature on the front side of the affixed
photograph. The photograph should be neatly and firmly pasted in the prescribed space, and not
stapled or pinned. Photograph should not be attested.
(iv) One loose extra photograph with name, date of birth, and signature of the candidate written
on the backside should be attached along with the application form.
(v) Candidate should copy the paragraph at Item-20 of the application form in English/Hindi in
his/her own running handwriting (not in capital/spaced out letters) in the space given below the
paragraph.
(vi) Signature of the applicant must be full and in running hand not in capital letter or disjointed
letters. Candidates are required to sign in English or in Hindi in the prescribed places provided in
the application form.
(vii) While filling up of the application, candidates have to ensure that the signatures and two
marks of physical identification (like a mole on the nose, cut-mark on the fore head in the left
side or a scar mark below the left arm etc)are clearly given without fail. Candidates should also
give two left thumb impressions in the application form. If the LTIs are not clear and are
smudged, the application will be liable to be rejected.
(viii) Applicant should write on the top of the envelope containing the application as follows:
“Application against Cultural Quota Recruitment for the year 2023-24”
(ix) Candidates should send their applications so as to reach at the address mentioned at para 3.3
below on or before the closing date and time. Railway Administration shall not be responsible for
any postal delays. Application received after the last date & time would be summarily rejected.
(x) Candidates should note that only Date of Birth as recorded in the Matriculation/High School
Examination Certificate or Birth Certificate is to be enclosed.
(xi) Candidate should write his/her name, father’s name / husband’s name in capital letters as
given in educational Certificate.
(xii) Before applying for a post, the candidate should ensure that he/she fulfils the eligibility and
other criteria stipulated for the post. The Railway Administration would be free to reject any
application not fulfilling the requisite criteria at any stage of recruitment and if erroneously
appointed, such candidate is liable to be summarily removed from service even after
appointment.
(xiii) In case of serving employees, a ‘No-Objection Certificate’ from the employer should be
enclosed.
(xiv) The candidates seeking fees exemption, for being from economically backward classes,
must get the Annexure-II filled up and certified by the proper authority as mentioned therein.
Minority candidates have to make a self declaration in the format as in Annexure-III of the
Notification for claiming waiver of examination fees. And such candidates are to furnish a
minority community declaration affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper of Rs.10/- sworn before an
Executive Magistrate establishing their belonging to minority communities.
(xv) Those candidates who are debarred from appearing in any of the RRB/RRC exams need not
apply unless their debarment period is over by the closing date of this Employment Notification.
Otherwise, their applications shall not be entertained.
(xvi) Applicant should enclose with the application a set of Self-Attested legible photocopies of
all certificates, in proof of Cultural Qualification, Educational Qualification, age, ST/SC/OBC
status etc.
(xvii) Applicant should fill all 23 columns in the application without fail.
NOTE : Kindly bring original documents of Date of Birth, Educational Qualification and Cultural
Qualification and identification proof on the day of practical demonstration and interview without fail
in the event of being called for the same. No TA/DA/Accommodation will be provided for appearing
in the practical demonstration/interview. You will have to bring your own kit and come prepared to
stay for 1-2 days on your own arrangement. All documents enclosed with the application form may be
self attested.
3.3 Address for submitting application : Candidates should send their applications, filled in all
respects along with the enclosures and Annexures duly certified, by Post, to the address mentioned
below. Alternatively, candidates can also drop their applications directly in the Drop Box placed at the
office premises:

Filled in applications should be sent to

The Chairman, Railway Recruitment Cell, Bungalow No.12A, Garden Reach,
Kolkata-700043 (Near BNR Central Hospital)
Drop Box has also been provided in the RRC office building for dropping the
application forms.
The applications should be sent in a closed envelope with superscription
“Application against Cultural Quota Recruitment for the year 2023-24”.

4. SELECTION PROCEDURE : Eligibility of the candidates will be assessed on the following

basis:
4.1 Written Test: Consists of 50 objective type questions (50 marks) relating to General
Knowledge, Arithmetic and Reasoning. There will be negative marking in the written
test and 1/3rd of marks allotted for the Objective Type Question will be deducted for
every wrong answer. Written test shall be of duration of 60 minutes and in bi-lingual
format.
4.2 Assessment of talent in the relevant cultural discipline Vocal Music (Carnatic/Hindustani) &
Instrumental {Violin/Guitar/Flute/Veena/Harmonium(including key board)/Sitar/Sarod} on the
basis of Practical Demonstration to be adjudged by a duly constituted committee. (35 marks).
4.3 Assessment of talent in the relevant cultural discipline on the basis of Testimonials /
Prizes etc to be adjudged by a duly constituted committee, same as in 4.2 above.(15 marks).
4.4 Questions for written test will be of objective type multiple choice.
4.5 From amongst those who secure a minimum of 40% marks in the Written Test, candidates
equal to 5 times the number of notified vacancies will be called, purely in the order of merit
based on written test marks, for attending performance / practical demonstration stage of
recruitment and assessment of Testimonials / Prizes etc.
4.6 The date, time and venue of written examination, Practical Demonstration / Document
verification will be fixed by the RRC and will be intimated to the eligible candidates in due
course. Request for postponement of the examination/ Practical Demonstration / document
verification will not be entertained under any circumstances.
5. OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS :
(i) Applications of candidates which have been accepted and rejected on scrutiny shall be notified
on RRC/South Eastern Railway website www.rrcser.co.in. Candidates can verify their eligibility
from the website. Candidates should provide their mobile number and e-mails in the application
form at the space provided. RRC will not entertain any request for change of mobile number
and e-mail address at any stage.
(ii) Applications not fulfilling any of the terms and conditions given in this notification shall be
summarily rejected. Canvassing in any form will disqualify the candidature.
(iii) Applicant should possess requisite educational and cultural qualifications on the date of
submission of application.
(iv) Discrepancies in the application submitted would render the candidate ineligible at any time
during the selection.
(v) Eligible applicants will be issued with call letters to their correspondence address, for the Written
Test. South Eastern Railway will upload the list of eligible and ineligible candidates applying for
the notified vacancies in the website of RRC/South Eastern Railway website address
 www.rrcser.co.in for general information and viewing. No other intimation of rejection, other
than uploading the list in the above mentioned website, would be communicated to ineligible
candidates.
(vi) SC/ST candidates will be eligible for free rail travel in second class for attending Written Test/
Practical Demonstration.
(vii) Selected candidates have to pass the requisite medical fitness standards prior to appointment.
(viii) In the event of appointment as Clerk-cum- typist posts in Group-C railway service, candidates
will be required to acquire typing proficiency of 30 w.p.m. in English or 25 w.p.m. in Hindi
within a period of two years from the date of appointment, and till such time, appointment will
be provisional.
(ix) The candidature at all stages of the recruitment will be purely provisional subject to satisfying the
prescribed eligibility criteria. Decision of South Eastern Railway in all matters relating to this
recruitment shall be final.
(x) The candidates applying against this notification should keep track of the Date of Written Test /
Practical Demonstration which will be notified through the official website of Railway
Recruitment Cell, South Eastern Railway. In case the applicant does not receive the call letter by
5 days before the notified date of written examination due to postal delay, the applicant should
report to the Assistant Personnel Officer (Rectt.) in person for duplicate call letter at least one
day before the day of the written examination. Duplicate call letter will be issued on
production of original photo Identity Card i.e. Aadhar Card/ Voter Identity Card/ PAN Card/
Passport or Driving License.
(xi) Candidates may download recruitment notification and application form, along with Annexures,
available on Railway Recruitment Cell, South Eastern Railway website address www.rrcser.co.in
(xii) Selected candidates are likely to be posted anywhere in South Eastern Railway after successful
completion of all pre-appointment formalities, including training wherever prescribed.
(xiii) For any legal dispute, the jurisdiction will be the Central Administrative Tribunal, Calcutta.

6. CAUTION: Recruitment is purely merit based. South Eastern Railway have not appointed any
agent or coaching centre for acting on its behalf for this recruitment. Candidates are cautioned against
any false claims made by any unscrupulous persons/agencies of getting them selected in this
recruitment on illegal consideration. If they come across any such persons/agencies, please do inform
to Chairman, Railway Recruitment Cell, South Eastern Railway, 11,Garden Reach, Kolkata-700043.
They can also inform to the Sr. DGM, South Eastern Railway, 11,Garden Reach,Kolkata-700043.

-Sd-/
CHAIRMAN, RAILWAY RECRUITMENT CELL
SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY
 Annexure-1
SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY
APPLICATION FORM (in A4 size paper) For office use only
E. N. No. SER /Pers/Cultural Quota/2023-24 date 24.11.2023
To
The Principal Chief Personnel Officer,
South Eastern Railway, Garden Reach, Kolkata.
Sub:- Application for Recruitment against Cultural quota 2023-24
After reading the Employment Notice and agreeing to all the terms and conditions notified Paste (do not pin or
therein, I do hereby apply for recruitment against Cultural quota in Vocal Music staple) your recent
(Carnatic/Hindustani) & Instrumental {Violin/Guitar/Flute/Veena/Harmonium(including key (not older than three
board)/Sitar/Sarod} in Gr. C over South Eastern Railway against E. N. No. SER/Pers/ Cultural months) passport size
Quota/2023-24 date 24.11.2023 and furnish the following particulars: colour photograph.
1. Candidate’s full name (in capital letters):
(Not to be attested)

2. Father’s/ Husband’s name (in capital letters):

3. Date D D M M Y Y Y Y 5. Sex :
4. Community
of (Male
(SC/ST/OBC/UR)
Birth: /Female)

6. Educational
7. Religion 8. Nationality:
qualification:

9. Tick (√ ) the Serving Railway Divorcee/ Minority Community Economically Persons with Disabilities
applicable box, if Employee Widow Weaker Section (PwBD)
you are:
10. Full address for correspondence:

11. Mobile No.:

12. E-Mail ID:

13. Nearest Railway

Station
State: PIN
14. Exam Fee Details:

DD/IPO No. Date Name of the Post Office/Bank Amount (Rs.)

15. Write 2 (two) clear visible marks of 1)

identification on your body. (Moles, Cut-
marks or scar marks etc.) 2)

16. Applicant’s full signature in running script in English or Hindi

 17. Details of Cultural Qualifications: (Note: Photo copy of all certificates should be attached. Candidates may
attach separate sheet if the space is not adequate.)
Sl. Qualification in :- Tick
Vocal Music :- (Carnatic/Hindustani)
Name of Institute / College /University Date of
Instrumental :- {Violin/Guitar/Flute/Veena/Harmonium from which the qualification earned. Certificate
(including key board)/Sitar/Sarod}
No.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)

18. Details of Testimonials / Prizes: (Note: Self attested photo copy of all certificates should be attached.
Candidates may attach separate sheet if the space is not adequate.)

Sl. Performance /
No. Scholarship / Awards/
Event Date Awarded by whom
Position

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

19. Put two left thumb impressions

(Must be clear and not smudged)

20. Applicant’s DECLARATION. Copy the following paragraph in English/Hindi in the space below in
your own handwriting in running script (not in capital/disjoint letters). Applications without this written
declaration will be rejected:
I have read the Employment Notice and submit this application after agreeing to all the terms and conditions
notified therein. If any information submitted above is found false or incorrect or I am not eligible in terms of
eligibility criteria, my candidature / appointment is liable to be cancelled / terminated without any notice at any
stage of recruitment or even after empanelment.

_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

21. Place:
22. Date: 23. Applicant’s full signature in running script in English or Hindi
 Annexure-II

FORMAT OF INCOME CERTIFICATE FOR WAIVER OF EXAMINATION

FEES FOR ECONOMICALLY BACKWARD CLASSES/SECTIONS
(To be issued on the letter Head of the Issuing Authority mentioned below)

1. Name of the Candidate :

2. Father’s / Husband’s name :

3. Age :

4. Residential Address :

5. Annual Family Income :

(In words and figure)

Date of Issue :
6.

7. Signature of issuing authority :

8. Stamp of issuing authority :

(Name of the issuing authority with Office Seal)

NB: Economically Backward Classes will mean the candidates whose family income is less than
Rs.50,000 /- per annum.

The following authorities are authorized to issue income certificate to be issued on the letter
head of the issuing authority for the purpose of identifying economically backward
classes/sections: -

1) District Magistrate or any other Revenue Officer upto the level of Tehasildar.

2) Sitting Member of Parliament of Lok Sabha for persons of their own Constituency.

3) BPL Card or any other certificate issued by Central Government under a recognized poverty
alleviation programme or Izzat MST issued by Railways.

4) Union Minister may also recommend, for any persons from anywhere in the country.

5) Sitting Member of Parliament of Rajya Sabha for persons of the district in which these MPs
normally reside.
 Annexure-III

SELF DECLARATION OF MINORITY CANDIDATES

FOR WAIVER OF EXAMINATION FEES

Proforma for declaration to be submitted by Minority candidates along with the application for the
post(s) against Employment Notice No.SER /Pers/Cultural Quota/2023-24 date 24.11.2023.

DECLARATION

I___________________________________________ son/daughter/wife of Sri/Smt.

____________________________________________________________________

Resident of village/town/city________________ district ________________________

State_________________ hereby declare that I belong to the ___________________

(Indicate minority community notified by Central Govt. i.e. Muslim/Sikh/Christian/

Buddhist/Jain/Parsis).

Date:__________ Signature of the candidate ___________________________

Place:__________ Name of the candidate ___________________________

NOTE: At the time of document verification, during Practical demonstration and Interview, such
candidates claiming waiver of Examination Fees will be required to furnish ‘Minority Community
declaration’ affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper of Rs.10/- (Ten) that he / she belongs to any of
the Minority Community notified by the Central Government (i.e. Muslim/Sikh/Christian/
Buddhist/Jain/ Parsis.)

The exact date and venue of the Practical demonstration and interview of the concerned discipline
will be intimated by the concerned authorities to the eligible candidate through call letter.