Railway Board (Establishment Directorate)
Mutual Transfer Master Circular 2026
New NOC Timeline & Seniority Rules
Railway Mutual Transfer Rules 2026: 15-Day NOC Deadline & Seniority Protection (RBE 05/2026)
- Status: Order Issued
- Authority: Railway Board (New Delhi)
- Ref No: RBE No. 05/2026
- Key Reform: Online Forwarding Mandatory
What Changed: End of “File Pending” Era
The Railway Board has taken serious note of delays in processing Mutual Transfer requests, which often remain pending at the Division level for months. Through RBE No. 05/2026, the Board has mandated that all Mutual Transfer applications must be forwarded by the Supervisor to the Personnel Department within 15 days. Furthermore, the “Backtracking” clause has been tightened—once a request is approved, an employee cannot withdraw it without a specific penalty.
✅ Official Orders Issued
Authority: Railway Board, E(NG)I Branch
Order No: RBE No. 05/2026 (E(NG)I/2026/TR/5)
Subject: Streamlining of Mutual Transfer Request & Timeline for Relieving
The New Protocol: Timeline & Seniority
The circular clarifies the “Retrograde Seniority” rule. In a mutual transfer, the senior employee accepts the seniority of the junior employee (bottom seniority) to ensure fairness to existing staff in the new unit.
✔ Approved Rights
- Digital Tracking: All applications must be logged in the HRMS Transfer Module (Mutual Transfer Tab).
- Relieving Time: Once the transfer order is issued, the employee must be relieved within 30 days.
- Same Grade: Transfers are permitted between employees in the same corresponding Grade Pay/Level.
✖ Prohibited Actions
- Manual Applications: Paper applications bypass the HRMS log and are now invalid.
- Refusal after Order: If an employee refuses to move after the order is issued, they will be debarred from transfer for 3 years.
Timeline & Action Plan
| Stage | Time Limit | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Forwarding by Supervisor | 15 Days max | SSE / Depot In-charge |
| Vigilance Clearance | 10 Days max | Personnel Dept (DPO) |
| Final Relieving | 30 Days from Order | Controlling Officer |
How to Respond (Draft Representation)
If your Mutual Transfer application is stuck at the Division level beyond the stipulated 15 days, use this text to escalate the matter via the HRMS “Grievance” tab or e-Office.
“To,
The Sr. Divisional Personnel Officer,
[Division Name], [Zone].Sub: Delay in forwarding Mutual Transfer Application (HRMS ID: [Your ID]).
Respected Sir,
I submitted my request for Mutual Transfer with Sri [Name of Partner] on [Date of Application] via HRMS. As per RBE No. 05/2026, the application was required to be forwarded within 15 days. However, it is still pending at the Supervisor level for over 45 days. I request you to kindly intervene and process the file as per the Railway Board’s latest timeline guidelines.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my seniority in Mutual Transfer?
In a Mutual Transfer, you will get the seniority of the person you are replacing OR your own seniority, whichever is lower. Usually, you will be placed at the bottom seniority of that grade in the new unit.
Can I cancel my request after approval?
No. Under the new rules, if you backtrack after the transfer order is issued, you will be debarred from applying for any transfer request for a period of 3 years.
Is mutual transfer allowed between different zones?
Yes, Inter-Railway Mutual Transfer (IRMT) is allowed between two different Zonal Railways (e.g., Northern Railway to Southern Railway), provided both employees hold the same Pay Level and Medical Category.