Taking forward our special series on job opportunities offered through the joint UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) exam, we bring you, today, information about three more services: Railway Protection Force, Pondicherry Civil Service and Pondicherry Police Service. The latter two falls under the Group B Civil Services.
There are 24 such services for which a person becomes eligible for selection based on his/her preferences and All India Rank in CSE. In these 24, five are Group B Services.
RAILWAY PROTECTION FORCE
Established under the Railway Protection Force Act, 1957, Railway Protection Force is a Paramilitary Force under the Ministry of Railways. It was established to provide better security to Indian Railways property, assests and passenger area. The RPF personnels have been provided with the rights to search, arrest, investigate, and prosecute offenses committed under Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act 1966 and The Railways Act, 1989.
All the officers of RPF are members of Indian Railway Protection Force Services. They are recruited through UPSC CSE for higher ranks while constable and inspector are recruited through separate exams. However, although RPF is Group A civil service, the post of Director-General of RPF is filled up on deputation by a senior Indian Police Service officer.
Candidates recruited through UPSC CSE undergo training at Jagjivan Ram Railway Protection Force Academy located in Lucknow. The hierarchy includes Principal Chief Security Commissioner, Chief Security Commissioner, Deputy Chief Security Commissioner, and Divisional Security Commissioner (Division).
PONDICHERRY CIVIL SERVICE
UPSC CSE is also the gateway to enter few Group B civil services. Pondicherry Civil Service is one of them. It is administered by the Union Government. Candidates are recruited through UPSC CSE exam based on their performance. Their recruitment and working is governed under the Pondicherry Civil Service Rules of 1967. After clearing the UPSC, the candidates are recruited on probation for two years which can be extended.
PONDICHERRY POLICE SERVICE
Pondicherry Police Service comes under the direct control of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, and is headed by a DGP. The history of this service goes back to the period of French colonial rule before 1954 when Separate Armed and Indigenous (local) Police Service units were maintained in this union territory.
The officers of PPS are responsible for managing the law and order aspect of administration in the Union Territory of Pondicherry. This is also a Group B Civil Service and candidates have to pass all the three stages of UPSC CSE to get into it.
The officers also coordinate with other law enforcement agencies across the country to catch offenders and criminals.
