The Prime Minister

New Delhi

Kind personal attention Hon’ble Mr Narendra Modi

Sir,

I am an ex Railway man 88 years of age. My hearty congratulations to you on giving instructions to

combine all the Departments of the Indian Railways into one cadre.

This was long long overdue but no one had the guts to do it.

I have a suggestion regarding the recruitment process. If UPSC could select the candidates in the manner
being done by the National Defence Academy at Khadakvasla it would help integrating the officers in a
much better manner than the method being thought of just now. The method being contemplated just
now will still give the recruits a category bias (that is, mechanical engineers, civil engineers, traffic
officers, accounts officers etc.)

In the NDA method, the selection will be at the higher secondary passed level. They could then be given
training in all the facets of railway management (engineering and non-engineering) at the various
specialized and specific organizations which the railways already have. Thereafter, they could appear for
the degree in Railway Management from the Railway University in Baroda.

The advantages will be :-

1. The trainees after passing out would be a homogenized lot, with no subject bias.
2. The Railway University would be effectively used. In fact, it may be necessary to open one or
two more (as mentioned by you in your previous speeches) to cope up with the number of
candidates.
3. It would also fulfill your desire/ vision of “catching them young”.

With best wishes for the new year

P C Sen