Based on the 7th Pay Commission, the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) provides an impressive pay scale. Along with extra benefits like DA, HRA, travel reimbursements, health insurance, and housing allowances, IRTS officers are paid a stipend during their probation. IRTS Full Form is Indian Railway Traffic Service. Get complete details on UPSC Indian Railway Traffic Service Salary in this detailed guide with pay scale and work profile.
The IRTS is a sought-after service with a promising IRTS salary and prospects for career growth. With a strength of approximately 900 in its cadre, IRTS officers are central to coordinating transportation, customer interfaces, and the efficient movement of freight and passengers within the Indian railway network. They can be posted in operation or commercial wings, or even deputed in other ministries by the Central Staffing Scheme
Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) is a high-profile Group 'A' civil service of the Indian Railways that deals with the traffic and logistics of one of the largest railway systems in the world. If you are planning to pursue a career in the IRTS, it is important to know the IRTS Salary 2025 structure, as well as the different perks and benefits. This guide aggregates information to give you thorough insights into what you can anticipate as an IRTS officer in 2025.
IRTS Officer Salary Structure
Once they successfully complete the probation period, the officers are integrated into the regular pay scale. Below is a grade-wise detail of the IRTS Salary 2025.
The IRTS Salary 2025 is according to the 7th Pay Commission and has a progressive salary structure with different grades. Officers are given a stipend during the probation period to assist them as they gain practical experience.
IRTS Salary During Probation Period
During the probation period, usually two years, IRTS officers are given a stipend. In 2025, the stipend is around INR 45,000 per month The stipend is included in the total IRTS salary package and serves as a financial support during the initial training period.
IRTS Perks and Allowances
In addition to the minimum IRTS salary, officers have many perks and allowances that complement their overall compensation package substantially. These are:
Dearness Allowance (DA): Adjusted biannually to compensate for the cost of living arising due to inflation.
House Rent Allowance (HRA): Given depending upon the place of posting to meet housing requirements.
Transport Allowance (TA): A monthly fixed amount to take care of transportation requirements.
Medical Facilities: Complete medical insurance for officers and their families, including hospitalization and medical care.
Leave Travel Concession (LTC): Permits officers to travel within India during their service, encouraging leisure and family time.
Pension and Retirement Benefits: Post-retirement financial security through pension and other benefits according to government rules.
Household Assistance: Officers can be entitled to domestic helper and security personnel assistance.
Housing Provisions: Government facilities of accommodation where officers can live with their families.
Travel Allowance for Official Duties: Allowance for official travel expenses incurred for job travel.
Training for IRTS Probationers
Probationers train in national institutions like:
Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) at Mussoorie
National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT) at Nagpur
Dr Marri Channa Reddy Human Resource Development Institute of Andhra Pradesh at Hyderabad
RCVP Noronha Academy of Administration at Bhopal
They are also trained in National Academy of Indian Railways, Vadodara and Indian Railway Institute of Transportation Management (IRITM), Lucknow
The training consists of field visits, workshops, attachments to parliamentary work, and postings at other civil service academies and IIMs.
IRTS Postings After Training
Once inducted, IRTS officers can serve in the following posts, namely:
IRTS Career Opportunities
Career opportunities for IRTS officers are:
Overseeing the Traffic Department of the Railway Board as an Officer at the Secretary Level.
Service as Directors of Traffic, Commercial Operations, Planning Wings, and Passenger Management Units.
Occupation of key roles at Zonal levels, e.g., Chief Operations Manager and Chief Commercial Manager.
Chance to become Chief Traffic Planning Manager and Chief Claims Officer.
As Senior Divisional Operations Manager and Senior Divisional Traffic Manager at Divisional Levels
Same is presented below:
IRTS Roles and Responsibilities
IRTS Officers perform various responsibilities, including:
Coordination of production and sale of transport output
Keeping in hand the customer contact of the railways
Facilitating smooth movement of goods and passengers in the operation wing.
Dealing with issues of sales, price, service, and promotion in the commercial wing.
Working on deputation to other ministries and departments on the Central Staffing Scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: IAS or IRTS?
IAS is preferable owing to its broader administrative powers and policy-making positions across departments, whereas IRTS is most suitable for individuals who want to handle transportation, logistics, and operations in the Indian Railways.
What is the power of an IRTS officer?
An IRTS officer controls train operations, freight and passenger operations, revenues, and liaises with railway departments to make the transport services run smoothly and profitably.
Is IRTS Group A or B?
IRTS is a Group ‘A’ Central Civil Service, recruited through the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
What is the full form of IRTS in Railway?
IRTS refers to Indian Railway Traffic Service, which deals with the management of transport and commercial activities of Indian Railways.
What is the Indian Railway Traffic Service exam?
No separate IRTS exam is there; the candidates are shortlisted through the UPSC Civil Services Exam by preference and rank.
What is the full form of IRTS in UPSC?
In UPSC, IRTS is the Indian Railway Traffic Service, a Group A service appointed through the Civil Services Examination.
Do IRTS officers get bungalows?
Yes, IRTS officers are assigned official accommodation, such as bungalows or flats in railway colonies, based on their rank and posting.
What facilities do IRTS officers receive?
IRTS officers receive government accommodation, passes for travel, medical attention, LTC, education grant, and pension facility, besides official vehicles at senior positions.
What is the work profile of an IRTS officer?
IRTS officers control railway operations, ensure safe and timely movement of trains, manage freight and passenger trains, and attend to the collection of revenue through commercial methods.
How is the career progression in IRTS?
Career advancement in IRTS is on a regular run from Assistant Divisional Officer to DRM, and lastly to senior levels like Additional Member or Chairman in the Railway Board.
Can IRTS officers become Railway Board members?
Yes, as they develop experience and seniority, IRTS officers can attain positions such as Member (Traffic) or Chairperson of the Railway Board, the highest decision-making authority of Indian Railways.
Is IRTS a technical or non-technical service?
IRTS is not technical Group A operations and business strategy or logistics service, maintenance and engineering.
How is the lifestyle of an IRTS officer?
IRTS officers enjoy a high-ranking lifestyle with accommodation, official cars (in higher ranks), railway passes, government guest house accommodations, and a challenging but respectful working life.
Are IRTS officers transferable?
Yes, IRTS officers are transferred between zones and divisions of Indian Railways, with assignments in urban as well as rural postings as per administrative needs.
Is the job of an IRTS officer field-based or desk-based?
IRTST's role is field-intensive as well as administrative, with the officers having to travel to the railway yards, stations, and control offices along with performing desk duties such as scheduling and coordination.
How to get IRTS through UPSC?
You must qualify the UPSC Civil Services Exam, then select IRTS in your service preference form. The choice depends upon your final rank and number of posts available in the year.
What is the stipend during the IRTS probation period?
IRTS officers receive a stipend of approximately INR 45,000 per month during probation.
What is the starting salary for an IRTS officer after probation?
The starting salary for IRTS officers in the Junior Time Scale is INR 56,100 - INR 1,77,500 .
What are some common designations for IRTS officers?
Common designations include Assistant Commercial Manager, Divisional Operations Manager, and Chief Operations Manager .
What are the main allowances provided to IRTS officers?
Allowances include Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance (TA) .
Where do IRTS officers receive their training?
Training occurs at institutions like LBSNAA Mussoorie, NADT Nagpur, and IRITM Lucknow .
