New Delhi: The Railway Board is likely to see appointments to two important senior positions soon, with the New Delhi establishment expected to clear the appointments in the coming days, according to sources.
The development comes at a time when the post of Additional Member, Business Development has remained vacant since June 30, 2026.
At the same time, another senior position – Director General, Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management (IRITM), Lucknow – is scheduled to fall vacant at the end of August following the retirement of Ranjan Prakash Thakur, IRTS, on August 31, 2026.
The two appointments are expected to fill key vacancies in the Railway Board and its training ecosystem.
Additional Member, Business Development Post Vacant Since June
The Additional Member, Business Development position in the Railway Board has been vacant since June 30, 2026.
The post is significant for the Railways as business development has become increasingly important amid efforts to expand non-fare revenue, freight business, logistics opportunities and partnerships across the railway ecosystem.
The expected appointment will bring a new officer into the Railway Board’s senior management structure at a time when Indian Railways is focusing on improving operational efficiency and expanding its commercial potential.
According to reports, the government is likely to clear an appointment to the position soon.
IRITM Director General Post to Fall Vacant
The second key vacancy concerns the post of Director General, Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management (IRITM), Lucknow.
The position is scheduled to fall vacant on August 31, 2026, when incumbent Ranjan Prakash Thakur (IRTS)retires.
The official IRITM website identifies Ranjan Prakash Thakur as the institute’s Director General and states that he belongs to the 1990 batch of the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS).
His retirement will create another senior-level vacancy requiring a fresh appointment.
Who Is Ranjan Prakash Thakur?
Ranjan Prakash Thakur is a senior Indian Railway Traffic Service officer from the 1990 batch.
He has been serving as Director General, Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management, Lucknow, where he has been responsible for the functioning of the institute and training-related activities.
His retirement on August 31 is therefore expected to trigger a new appointment to head the institute.
The IRTS officers’ official database also records Thakur’s service details, including his railway career and training history.
What Is IRITM?
The Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management (IRITM) in Lucknow is a specialised training institution of Indian Railways.
The institute focuses on professional training and capacity building in areas associated with transport management, logistics and railway operations.
Its role is particularly important because railway officers require specialised expertise in managing increasingly complex passenger and freight operations.
The institute’s Director General is therefore responsible for overseeing a key component of the Railways’ officer-training and professional development framework.
Why These Appointments Matter
The expected appointments come at an important time for Indian Railways, with the organisation undergoing significant changes in operations, infrastructure, logistics and commercial activities.
The Business Development portfolio is linked to the Railways’ efforts to identify new commercial opportunities and strengthen revenue-generating activities.
Meanwhile, the IRITM leadership position is important for training officers in transport management and related operational areas.
The filling of both positions would ensure continuity in two different but strategically important areas of the railway administration.
Railway Board’s Senior Structure
The Railway Board is the apex administrative body of Indian Railways and oversees major areas including infrastructure, operations, rolling stock, finance and business development.
The official Indian Railways portal lists senior Railway Board positions including Member (Infrastructure), Member (Traction & Rolling Stock), Member (Operations & Business Development) and Member (Finance), besides the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
The Additional Member-level positions function within this broader administrative structure and handle specialised portfolios.
Appointments Expected Soon
The immediate expectation is that the government will clear appointments for the two vacancies — one relating to Additional Member, Business Development and the other concerning the Director General, IRITM, Lucknow.
While the Business Development position has already remained vacant for nearly two months, the IRITM vacancy will arise following Thakur’s retirement at the end of August.
As of now, the names of the officers who may be appointed to the two positions have not been officially announced.
The appointments, once cleared, will fill two important gaps in the senior railway administrative structure.
