Railway Board (Establishment)
RBE No. 07/2026 (Rule 14-30)
Qualifying Service Calculation
Railway Qualifying Service Rules 2026: Counting EOL, Training & Suspension (RBE 07)
- Status: New Rules Notified
- Authority: Railway Board (RBE 07/2026)
- Key Update: EOL on Medical Certificate Counts
- Impact: Determines Final Pension Amount
What Changed: The Foundation of Your Pension
The Railway Board has notified the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 2026 via RBE No. 07/2026. Rules 14 to 30 specifically deal with “Qualifying Service”—the most critical factor in calculating your pension. A single non-qualifying day can delay your increment or reduce your 6-monthly service slab, potentially lowering your final gratuity. The new rules clarify exactly how Extraordinary Leave (EOL), Suspension, and Training periods are treated.
✅ Official Orders Issued
Authority: Railway Board (Order No. RBE 07/2026)
Reference: Chapter III (Qualifying Service), Rules 14-30.
Effective Date: 20.01.2026 (Retrospective applicability for specific clauses).
The New Protocol: What Counts?
Under the 2026 Rules, the calculation of service has been standardized. Here is the breakdown of common service gaps and their pension impact.
✔ Counts as Qualifying Service
- Training (Rule 22): Service spent on training immediately before appointment.
- Leave (Rule 21): All leave during which leave salary is payable (LAP, LHAP).
- EOL (Medical): Extraordinary Leave granted on medical certificate counts automatically.
- Deputation: Service rendered in other departments/Foreign Service (Rule 32).
✖ Does NOT Count
- Suspension (Rule 23): If not fully exonerated, suspension period does not count unless the competent authority specifically orders it to count.
- Resignation (Rule 26): Resignation forfeits all past service (except “Technical Resignation”).
- Strike/Break: Unauthorized absence treated as “Dies Non”.
Impact Analysis: The EOL Trap
Many employees take Extraordinary Leave (Without Pay) for personal reasons. Under Rule 21, EOL granted without a medical certificate strictly does not count for pension, unless the authority allows it due to “civil commotion” or “higher studies”.
| Scenario | Pension Impact | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| EOL (Private Affairs) | Service Deduction | Avoid if close to 6-monthly slab |
| Suspension (Penalty) | Service Deduction | Appeal for “Treatment of Period” |
| Study Leave | Counts fully | Ensure proper sanction order |
How to Respond (Verification of Service)
Upon completing 18 years of service or 5 years before retirement, the Railway administration must verify your service. If they miss it, use this request.
“To,
The Sr. Divisional Personnel Officer,
[Division Name].Subject: Request for issuance of Certificate of Qualifying Service (Rule 30).
Respected Sir,
I have completed 25 years of service on [Date]. In terms of Rule 30 of the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 2026, the Head of Office is required to verify the service and issue a certificate.
Kindly verify my service record, specifically regarding the EOL period from [Date] to [Date] availed on medical grounds, and confirm my Net Qualifying Service (NQS) to ensure correct pension calculation.Yours faithfully,
[Name]
[Designation]”
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the training period before the job count for pension?
Yes. As per Rule 22, the service spent on training immediately before formal appointment to a service or post counts as qualifying service, provided the time spent is supported by a stipend or pay.
I resigned to join another Govt job. Will my service count?
If you submitted a “Technical Resignation” (applied through proper channel), your past service counts under Rule 26(2). However, a simple resignation entails forfeiture of past service.