Indian Railway Traffic Service

Indian Railway Traffic Service
logo for IRTS, Indian Railways
Service Overview
AbbreviationIRTS
Formed1889
Formerly known asOfficers of the Superior Revenue Establishment of the Traffic, Transportation and Commercial Department of Indian Railways
Country India
Training AcademyIndian Railways Institute of Transport Management (IRITM), Lucknow[1]
Cadre Controlling AuthorityMinistry of Railways (India)
Legal PersonalityGovernmental, Civil Service
General NatureLogistics
Cadre strengthAround 900
SelectionCivil Services Exam (UPSC)
WebsiteIRTS Association
Head of Department
MOBDSmt SEEMA KUMAR , IRTS

The Indian Railway Traffic Service, abbreviated as IRTS is a Prestigious Group 'A' Central Civil Service Cadre of the Government of India. IRTS in its present form was reconstituted in 1967. The IRTS Cadre functions under the Administrative Control of the Ministry of Railways, Government of India. The civil servants under this service are responsible for Operation and Business Development of Indian Railways in the country. On one hand, IRTS officers co-ordinate among various technical departments of the Indian Railways, while on the other hand, they form the public interface of the Indian Railways. Colloquially called Traffic Officers, they are the primary facilitators of Railway services right from Planning of freight movement, Passenger transport, Passenger amenities to Station Management and Infrastructure Planning.

Traffic Department is responsible for optimum utilization of Railway assets and their seamless integration to provide a swift and safe transportation service and consequent realization of revenues in-line with the social obligations of the Indian Railways.

Traffic Department comprises two branches:

  • Operations - deals with rail passenger and freight train logistics
  • Commercial - deals with revenue earnings of railways

Officers may be shifted from one branch to another based on organisational requirements throughout their career.