Officers applying for the top 36 posts, such as chairman or general manager, will be subjected to mandatory ’emotional intelligence’ (EQ) tests. According to a senior official, the online tests will be held for the first time as part of the process to fill around a dozen vacant positions for the position of GM.
The results of the tests will be used to determine whether the applicant is qualified for operations or administrative jobs. The role of GM, for example, is related to fieldwork, whereas the equivalent post of director-general of the National Academy of Indian Railways (NAIR) is administrative or desk-based.
EQ test mandatory for selection in top posts in railways
The 15-20 minute online EQ test, made mandatory for the empanelment process for the selection of 36 top positions at the Railways, will be used to assess personality and role fitness, the report added.
The Railways in a board decision on May 2022 merged seven secretary-level positions, including railway board chairman and members as well as 29 positions, mainly GMs, to create the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) at the top of the railway hierarchy.
The IRMS was formed in line with the cabinet decision taken in December 2019, the resolution noted. The board resolution was made public when it was published in the Gazette of India on May 27, 2022, the report added. The resolution mentioned a “psychometric assessment” to judge the psychological profile of the applicants in addition to appraisal reports and feedback from coworkers.
