About the exam:

Indian Railways is the largest public sector undertaking in India under the Government of India. Apart from being the largest rail network in the world, it is also the seventh largest utility employer in the world. 

The Special Class Railway Apprentices’ Exam (SCRA Exam) is a nation-wide competitive examination conducted by the UPSC for appointment of candidates as Special Class Apprentices in the Mechanical Department of Indian Railways. The selected candidates undergo four years rigorous training in Mechanical Engineering. After the completion of their training, candidates are absorbed as Group A Officers in the Indian Railways. This cadre of officers is attached to the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME).

Educational Qualifications:

Candidates must have passed the XIIth standard or equivalent Examination of a university or board approved by the Government of India and must have secured the first or second class in this examination.

Candidates should have studied Mathematics and at least one of the subjects from among Physics and Chemistry at the XIIth standard level. 

Age Limit:

(a) A candidate must have attained the age of 17 years but must have not attained the age of 21 years on the 1st January of the year of the Examination.

(b) The upper age limit (i.e. 21 years) is relaxable for three years and five years for candidates of the OBC and SC/ST categories respectively.

Scheme of Examination:

The Examination is conducted in two stages:

I  Written Examination 

II Interview/Personality Test

Part I Written Examination: 

The Written Examination comprises the following papers:

Paper-I General Ability Test (English, General Knowledge and Psychological Test) – 2 hours, 200 Marks  

Paper II Physical Sciences (Physics and Chemistry) – 2 hours 200 Marks

Paper III Mathematics – 2 hours 200 Marks

Part II Interview/Personality Test: 

The Personality Test carries a maximum of 200 marks. Only those candidates who are declared qualified on the basis of the written examination are eligible for the Interview/Personality Test.

Tentative Schedule:

Date of Notification: October 2015

Date of Examination: January 2016

For further details click on http://www.upsc.gov.in/

Good Luck!