In a major administrative development, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Mr. R Rajagopal as Member (Traction & Rolling Stock) in the Railway Board. Mr. Rajagopal currently serves as Director General (Human Resources), Railway Board, and is a senior officer from the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS).
Appointment at Apex Scale Reflects Strategic Rail Modernization Push
The appointment places Mr. Rajagopal in the Level 17 Apex Pay Scale — the highest functional post in the Indian Railway Management Service. His elevation comes at a critical time as Indian Railways continues to expand electrification, modernize rolling stock, and adopt green traction technologies as part of its long-term developmental blueprint.
Succession After Mr. Braj Mohan Agrawal’s Tenure
Mr. Rajagopal succeeds Mr. Braj Mohan Agrawal, a 1986-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME), who has held the position since October 2024. Mr. Agrawal is now set to assume the role of Administrative Member at the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), following his official appointment order issued on August 20, 2025.
Strengthening Railways’ Technical and Human Capital Synergy
Mr. Rajagopal’s rich experience in both technical and human resource domains is expected to enhance coordination between engineering upgrades and manpower strategies. As Indian Railways prioritizes high-speed corridors, electric locomotion, and Make-in-India rolling stock initiatives, the new Member (Traction & Rolling Stock) will play a key role in translating policy into practice.
