About Psychology Department:
The scientific approach and concept of Psycho Technology and psycho technological analysis was inducted in Indian Railways in 1964 in pursuance of the recommendation of Railway Accident Committee-1962 and a unit was set up in Railway Board’s office. This unit was subsequently transferred to RDSO in 1970 and was given the status of a full-fledged Directorate in 1990. Since its inception the Psycho-Technical Unit has been instrumental in development and standardization of behavioral intervention programs and their implementation effectively addressing the safety concern of Indian Railways.
The activities of the Directorate include Research and Development in the area of Human Resource Development, human engineering psychological tools as ’Aptitude Tests’ and ergonomics for safety category railway staff who are directly involved in train operation. The focus has been on job analysis, motivation, stress management, safety supervision, counseling and application of Psychological Test of tools at work places. The vast experience of its existence and the areas of interests have enabled the Directorate to develop expertise in the field of continuous development of human elements to ensure safety in train operation, which is unique in the country.
Organisation Chart:

Brief Achievements of the Directorate during last one year:
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For the post of Station Masters 326 candidates were tested in CBT mode through GDCE by RRC/SWR/Hubli.
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506 number of candidates for the post of Station Masters were tested in CBT mode through GDCE by RRC/WCR/Jabalpur.
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For the post of ALPs 245 number of candidates were tested in CBT mode through GDCE by RRC/NWR/Jaipur.
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834 number of candidates for the post of SMs through GDCE/RRC/SCR/Secunderabad were tested in CBT mode.
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1389 number of candidates for the post of Station Controllers/Train Operators were tested in CBT mode for UPMRCL.
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671 number of candidates for the post of ALPs through GDCE/RRC/SER/Kolkata were tested in CBT mode on 25.08.2021.
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340 number of candidates for the post of ALPs through GDCE/RRC/NCR/Prayagraj were tested in CBT mode on 25.08.2021.
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37 number of candidates for the post of SMs through GDCE/RRC/NCR/Prayagraj were tested in CBT mode on 25.08.2021.
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Total number of Loco Pilots screened on IR in 2020-21 is 1812 which is the highest ever in any given year since inception of testing on CADAT.
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A new computerised test battery for safety categories staff of Indian Railways has been developed and standardisation procedure is going on.
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Development and introduction of new variant of Reaction Time Test and objective type Group Embedded figure test (GEFT) for Train operators, Station Controllers and Customer Relation Assistant of Metro Railways.
Current Assignments in hand:
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Digitisation of the Aptitude Test Battery for direct recruitment of Station Masters by RRBs as per CEN 2019 (expected number of candidates = 56,000).
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Development of Aptitude testing software module for testing of small group (10-20) safety category staff (in-service) in CBT mode as all other categories of staff being tested for RRBs/RRCs, PSUs and Metro Railways have already been taken into the ambit of CBT (Computer based testing) mode.
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Development and standardization of a new test battery for High Speed Loco Pilots based on reputed global testing systems.
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Standardisation of newly developed Aptitude tests for Station Masters, Assistant Loco Pilots, Motormen and Metro Railways consisting of following activities:
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Item Analysis
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Reliability
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Validity
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Fixation of Time limit
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Development of Norms
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Design and development of new tests for enrichment of tests batteries of Station Masters, Assistant Loco Pilots, Motormen and Metro Railways.
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Job Analysis of safety category staff in changed workplace scenario.
Candidate's Corner