Railway Pass Update: Manual pass facility approved for retired employees after protests
Retired railway employees in Bandikui had been protesting for about 10 days to demand the return of the manual pass facility. Following this movement, the Railway Board has approved the manual pass facility for these retired personnel. This comes after a previous order had shifted the entire pass system to a digital format.
Why was there a protest for manual passes?
The Railway Board issued an order on May 29, 2026, making it mandatory to generate all passes and Privilege Ticket Orders (PTOs) through the HRMS platform. This decision removed the physical or manual pass system for everyone, including retired and Divyang employees. Many retirees found it difficult to adapt to the digital system, leading to protests in areas like Bandikui and Abu Road.
How does the HRMS e-Pass system work?
The e-Pass module was launched on August 10, 2020, to make the process transparent and secure. Under this system, retired employees must register for an HRMS ID to get their passes digitally. The process requires submitting several documents to a nearby railway office.
| Required Documents for HRMS ID |
|---|
| Pension papers |
| Aadhaar card and PAN card |
| Family and personal photos |
| Old departmental ID and old pass |
| Mobile number and a declaration |
What are the benefits of digital passes?
The Railway Board stated that moving to HRMS reduces the time taken to issue passes and improves record management. It is designed to minimize errors and disputes that often happened with paper-based passes. The transition aims to make the entire process technology-driven and more secure for all railway personnel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can retired employees get an HRMS ID for e-passes?
Retired employees need to visit a nearby railway office and submit documents like pension papers, Aadhaar, PAN card, photos, and their old departmental ID.
When did the Railway Board mandate digital passes?
The Railway Board issued the official guidelines on May 29, 2026, making HRMS mandatory for all passes and PTOs.