From 24 January 2022, railway job aspirants in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh blocked tracks over the Railway Recruitment Board's Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) CBT-1 results and a new second exam for Group D posts. Coaches were burnt in Gaya, police were filmed beating students in a Prayagraj lodge, and Patna police named teacher Khan Sir in an FIR. The ministry suspended the exams and in March 2022 changed the rules.
Key takeaways
- Aspirants said the CBT-1 shortlist counted one person for several posts; the ministry said it followed the notification.
- The ministry warned vandals of a lifetime railway job bar, then suspended the exams and formed a committee.
- On 10 March 2022 the board moved to a unique-candidate shortlist and dropped the second Group D exam.
Background: one recruitment, two exams
The 2019 notification (CEN 01/2019) covered posts from junior clerk to station master PTI via Careers360. About 1.25 crore candidates applied for over 35,000 posts across pay levels 2 to 6, and about 60 lakh sat the exam The Quint.
The first computer-based test (CBT-1) ran from December 2020 to July 2021 The News Minute. Results were declared on 14 and 15 January 2022, and CBT-2 was set for mid-February Scroll.
A second grievance came on 24 January 2022, when the Railway Board changed the separate Group D (Level 1) recruitment, adding a second CBT because of the very large number of applications Careers360. Aspirants campaigned online against it under #no_cbt_2_in_group_d Careers360.
The grievance: how the shortlist worked
The board shortlisted candidates for CBT-2 separately for each pay level, at 20 times the vacancies. Because one CBT-1 served all levels, a graduate could be shortlisted at several levels at once. The lists held 7,05,446 roll numbers, 20 times the 35,281 vacancies Careers360.
Claim · Aspirants Aspirants said that while over seven lakh "applications" were shortlisted, the actual number of candidates was around 3.84 lakh, because the same person could appear for more than one post PTI via Careers360. They said this favoured graduates, even for posts needing only Class 12, and that cut-offs were very high Scroll. Many said the 2019 notice mentioned only one exam; the ministry said it clearly mentioned a second stage PTI via Careers360.
Government's position Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the notification "has legal sanctity" and "We cannot legally bar graduates from applying to posts which require 10+2 qualification." He said candidates were called at 20 times the community-wise vacancies for each level and that the final list would hold 35,281 unique names, with no one appointed to more than one post The News Minute.
The board added that "nowhere was it mentioned that 7 lakh distinct candidates will get shortlisted", that two stages avoided "extensive normalization" and made merit "just and fair", and that CBT-1 was pitched at Class 12 level. Careers360.
The rail blockades
On 24 January students blocked the tracks at Rajendra Nagar Terminus in Patna. Officials said "mild" force was used, at least four people were arrested and an FIR filed, adding: "It is suspected that the protesters might have been instigated by those running coaching institutes for competitive exams" PTI via Careers360. The Delhi-Kolkata line was also blocked at Arrah The Quint.
On 25 January protests spread to more districts. More than 25 trains were hit, police fired in the air at Sitamarhi station, and a stationary coach was set on fire in Arrah The Wire. In Patna, police used tear gas and water cannon, ANI reported Free Press Journal.
Trains set on fire at Gaya
On 26 January, Republic Day, protesters set coaches on fire at Gaya, though reports differ on the train. IANS said the Shramjeevi Express was stoned and several coaches burnt IANS via Deccan Herald. PTI said the Bhabhua-Patna Intercity Express was burnt and no one was hurt; East Central Railway CPRO Rajesh Kumar said "The rakes were empty and parked inside the yard" The News Minute.
IANS also reported that police opened fire in Madhubani and three people were reportedly injured IANS via Deccan Herald.
Prayagraj: the lodge video
On 25 January aspirants gathered on the tracks near Prayag railway station. Videos then showed police breaking into lodges where students had fled and beating them with lathis Deccan Herald.
Police account SSP Ajay Kumar said thousands had blocked the track, some miscreants might set trains on fire, and some stoned police and hid in a hostel. He said some personnel "used unnecessary force which is visible in the video" PTI via Business Standard.
Most reports said six policemen were suspended, three sub-inspectors and three constables Ummid (PTI). Deccan Herald reported three. Police booked about 1,000 unidentified people and arrested two; Deccan Herald put the case at 1,500 students. An officer said the accused appeared to have taken "money from some political parties" Ummid (PTI).
Claim · Petitioners Lawyers sent a letter petition to the Allahabad High Court seeking a judicial inquiry, saying about 90 students were arrested and about 200 injured India Legal. A complaint was also filed with the NHRC Careers360.
The Patna FIR and Khan Sir
On 27 January an FIR was registered at Patrakar Nagar police station naming Khan Sir, 16 students and unidentified others for inciting the mob, based on statements of detained protesters The Quint. The other tutors named were SK Jha, Navin, Amarnath, Gagan Pratap and Gopal Verma. Eight of the 16 students were arrested; no tutor was The Quint (Indian Express).
Claim · FIR According to the FIR, four arrested students said they had seen a video in which Khan Sir said coaching centres would get students to protest "if RRB (Railway Recruitment Board) results were not revised" The Quint (Indian Express).
We can never back students who take to violent protests. Whatever happened was a natural reaction... Coaching centres cannot influence 1.25 crore examinees across the country.
Khan Sir, speaking to reporters, January 2022 (The Quint)
HAM chief Jitan Ram Manjhi, an NDA ally, warned that action against tutors could "further provoke protests and violence" The Quint.
The Railway Ministry's response
On 25 January the ministry said protest videos would be examined "with the help of specialised agencies" and those found involved "will be liable to both police action as well as lifetime debarment from a Railway job" PTI via Careers360.
On 26 January it suspended the NTPC CBT-2 and Level 1 exams and formed a high-power committee under Deepak Peter Gabriel of the Railway Board. Grievances could be emailed until 16 February The Quint, and the panel was to report by 4 March Scroll.
I am telling the aspirants that this is their own property. Why are they destroying something that is their own?
Ashwini Vaishnaw, press conference, January 2022 (PTI via The News Minute)
PTI sources said fear of the stir spreading "forced the Railways' hand", with UP elections due The News Minute. AISA called the committee a "conspiracy" to delay the matter until after the UP elections Scroll.
The Bihar bandh of 28 January
AISA and other student groups called a Bihar bandh for 28 January. The RJD, Congress, CPI and CPI(M) backed it and demanded withdrawal of all FIRs against students and coaching institutes Scroll. IANS said VIP and HAM, partners in the state government, also backed it IANS via National Herald.
Protesters burnt tyres on Ashok Rajpath in Patna, blocked Mahatma Gandhi Setu at Hajipur and NH 83 at Jehanabad, and some Jan Adhikari Party workers were detained in Patna The Quint. BJP MP Sushil Modi said Vaishnaw had assured him that Group D would have one exam and "3.5 lakh additional results of NTPC exam will be declared on the basis of one student-one result" The Quint (ANI).
Timeline
Patna blockade
Tracks blocked in Patna; at least four arrested PTI via Careers360.
Spread and warning
Over 25 trains hit, coach burnt in Arrah The Wire.
Gaya fire; exams suspended
Committee formed The Quint.
Bihar bandh
Roads and rail blocked across the state Scroll.
Demands accepted
Unique-candidate shortlist; single CBT for Level 1 PTI via Careers360.
Both accounts
Protesters' account
The 20-times rule was applied to roll numbers, not people, and a second Group D exam was unfair. Prayagraj police beat students in their lodges, and the FIRs against students and teachers should go Scroll.
Police and government account
The shortlist followed the notification and graduates could not legally be barred The News Minute. Patna officials suspected coaching institutes; Prayagraj police blamed rioters while suspending officers seen using excess force Ummid (PTI).
The committee's recommendations and revised results
On 10 March 2022, after the committee reported, the Railway Board said it would shortlist "unique candidates" at 20 times the vacancies at each pay level. Candidates already qualified would stay qualified, with additional names notified per level. Group D (Level 1) became a single-stage exam with no second CBT PTI via Careers360.
Percentile-based normalisation would be used where an exam ran in more than one shift Careers360. Revised CBT-1 results, due by the first week of April, were published from 30 March 2022 Careers360. PTI noted the decision came soon after the BJP won four of five state elections PTI via Careers360.
Outcome
- Policy: Unique-candidate shortlist; second Group D CBT dropped. The single-stage Group D CBT was scheduled from 17 August 2022 for over 1 lakh vacancies Careers360.
- Arrests: At least four in Patna on 24 January, eight students from the Patna FIR, two in Prayagraj; no tutors.
- Police: Six Prayagraj policemen suspended (three per Deccan Herald).
- Recruitment: Level 6 final results for document verification were declared from September 2022 Careers360.
Later developments
In February 2024 the board issued an annual recruitment calendar, saying gaps of three to four years between drives had left many candidates over-age Careers360. A Lok Sabha reply on 22 July 2026 said 1,61,889 posts were being filled under the 2024 to 2026 calendars, and that 2024 NTPC recruitment still used a second-stage CBT Lok Sabha reply via StaffNews.
No later reporting was found on the Patna FIR, the Prayagraj cases, the High Court petition, the NHRC complaint or any lifetime bar actually imposed.
Questions people ask
Why did RRB NTPC aspirants protest in January 2022?
They said the CBT-1 shortlist of 7,05,446 roll numbers counted one person for several posts, leaving about 3.84 lakh real candidates, and opposed a new second Group D exam.
Which train was set on fire in Gaya?
Reports differ. IANS said the Shramjeevi Express; PTI said empty Bhabhua-Patna Intercity coaches parked in the yard.
Why was an FIR filed against Khan Sir?
Patna police accused him and five tutors of inciting students. He denied it.
Did the protests change the recruitment?
Yes. In March 2022 the board shortlisted unique candidates and dropped the second Group D exam.
Sources
- Careers360: #noCBT2inGroupD, railway aspirants campaign on Twitter, 25 Jan 2022
- PTI via Careers360: Railway suspends RRB NTPC, Level 1 exams after protests, 26 Jan 2022
- The Wire: Railways suspend 2021 NTPC exam after warning protesters of lifetime ban, 26 Jan 2022
- Free Press Journal: Students in Bihar, UP protest against RRB NTPC results, Jan 2022
- The Quint: Railways exam postponed amid violent protests, train set on fire, 26 Jan 2022
- IANS via Deccan Herald: Shramjeevi Express set on fire in Gaya, 26 Jan 2022
- The News Minute (PTI): Why there are violent protests over the new Railways recruitment process, 27 Jan 2022
- PTI via Business Standard: Priyanka accuses UP Police of vandalising students' hostel, 26 Jan 2022
- Deccan Herald: UP police cane students; 3 cops suspended, 26 Jan 2022
- Ummid (PTI): RRB NTPC protesters baton charged in Prayagraj, 6 cops suspended, 27 Jan 2022
- India Legal: Letter petition in Allahabad HC seeks action against police, Jan 2022
- Careers360: CBT 2, Level 1 exams postponed; submit grievances by Feb 16, 27 Jan 2022
- The Quint: FIR against YouTuber Khan Sir, others, 27 Jan 2022
- The Quint: 8 students arrested, coaching centre owners named in FIR, Jan 2022
- Scroll: Protestors block roads, burn tyres during shutdown in Bihar, 28 Jan 2022
- IANS via National Herald: Rail, road traffic hit as students call for Bihar bandh, 28 Jan 2022
- The Quint: Protesters block roads, set tyres ablaze amid Bihar bandh, 28 Jan 2022
- Careers360: Railway board answers questions on CBT 2, 29 Jan 2022
- PTI via Careers360: Railways agrees to all demands of protesting students, 10 Mar 2022
- Careers360: RRB NTPC CBT 1 revised result in April, 10 Mar 2022
- Careers360: RRB NTPC revised result declared, 30 Mar 2022
- Careers360: RRB Group D CBT from August 17, 1 Jul 2022
- Careers360: RRB NTPC result declared for level 6, 7 Sep 2022
- Careers360 (PTI): Railway minister on benefits of annual calendar, 5 Feb 2024
- StaffNews: Lok Sabha unstarred question 506, recruitment and vacancies in Railways, 22 Jul 2026