The Railway Board has introduced a major change in the way passes are issued to its employees. Starting from a recent circular dated May 29, 2026, all types of passes will now be processed exclusively through the Human Resource Management System (HRMS). This move completely replaces the old physical pass book system to make the process faster and more transparent.
Which passes are now available only online?
The new rules apply to all categories of passes. This includes Privilege Passes, PTOs, Duty Check Passes, and complimentary passes given after retirement or to dependents after the death of an employee. Even disabled employees and retired staff, who previously had the option for offline passes, must now apply through the HRMS portal. If an offline application is submitted, the pass will still be generated via HRMS.
What are the key changes and benefits of this digital shift?
The Railway Board, through Executive Director (MPP) Shatrughan Behera, clarified that pre-printed pass books and stationery will no longer be used. The system was developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS). The key highlights of the digital transition are as follows:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Platform | HRMS e-pass module |
| Manual Passes | Completely discontinued |
| Effective Date | Circular issued May 29, 2026 |
| RRTS Validity | Privilege passes/PTO valid for Namo Bharat (from April 17, 2026) |
| Future Plan | PRS system to be modernized by August 2026 |
Railway officials stated that this digital system reduces the time taken to issue passes and prevents errors or disputes in record management.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
क्या रिटायर कर्मचारियों को अभी भी ऑफलाइन पास मिल सकते हैं?
नहीं, अब सेवानिवृत्त कर्मियों को भी अपने आवेदन HRMS पोर्टल के माध्यम से ही करने होंगे और उन्हें डिजिटल पास ही मिलेंगे।
क्या नमो भारत ट्रेन में प्रिविलेज पास का इस्तेमाल किया जा सकता है?
हाँ, 17 अप्रैल 2026 को जारी स्पष्टीकरण के अनुसार नमो भारत रैपिड रेल (RRTS) में प्रिविलेज पास और PTO का उपयोग किया जा सकेगा।