RPF Full Form

The RPF full form is Railway Protection Force and it is a Union Armed Force that operates under the guidance of the Ministry of Railways. The basic administrative and working structure is similar to that followed in Indian Railways. The RPF personnel are responsible to improve and supervise the protection of railway properties, passengers safety and security, maintaining of security in passenger areas and many such related issues.

What is RPF Full Form?

The RPF full form is Railway Protection Force. It is considered as one of the security forces of India. It is tasked with safeguarding the property and passengers of the Indian Railways. It is the only CAPF, full form of which is the Central Armed Police Force with powers and duties similar to regular state police forces. The higher post officers of this force are recruited through the Civil Services Examination. Whereas, the Railway Protection Force recruitment for subordinate officers is conducted through examinations conducted by the force itself. RPF is essential in maintaining law and order in Indian Railways.

What is RPF?

RPF is the sole Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) that has the facility to arrest, investigate and prosecute criminals. The force works under the authority of the Ministry of Railways (India). The strength of the Railway Protection Force is around sixty-five thousand in the nation. RPF is headed and governed by the Director-General (DG). Mr. S.K. Bhagat was appointed as Director General of RPF on 28th April, 2016. He succeeded Mr. R.R. Verma, whose Organization superannuated on twenty February 2016. Since the superannuation of Mr. R.R. Verma, the senior-most RPF officer- Mr. P.S. Rawal had been taking care of the duties of Director General.

The origin of this force was known as ‘Watch & Ward’ and functioned below the position of executive management of railway administration. In a while, this force was renamed as ‘Railway Protection Force’ (RPF full form) and its members were provided with the facility of arrest without warrant for the unlawful possession of railway property.

Evolution of RPF

The RPF was established in 1986, under the aegis of the Indian Railways Act, 1089. The primary reason for forming the RPF unit was to ensure the security, protection and safety of Indian Railways. As the cases of robbery, theft and criminal activities have increased in trains and station premises, the RPF unit was a collection decision to safeguard the railway structure and premise. With time, the role and duties of RPF have increased to a larger extent. Currently, new initiatives and methods have been introduced such as providing helpline numbers on coaches of trains, e-mail options to register complaints, women helpline numbers to assure the safety of women traveling through Indian Railways. In the present day, the RPF personnel have been given the opportunity to make use of the latest technology of the upgraded version to keep pace with the digital era. SMS facility has also been introduced to ensure timely deliverance of service where internet service is lagging.

Organizational Structure of RPF

Just like any other organization, RPG units are also divided into distinct structures based on the job role and position. The organization structure is followed that maintains the hierarchy and supremacy. The organizational structure of RPF are mentioned below:

• Director General- The Director General assumes the highest position in th eRPF structure. The DG is responsible for maintaining and administering the overall operations and administration.
• Inspector General- The position of Inspector General is the second highest authority in the RPF unit. Each of the eight RPF zones is managed by the Inspector General. The primary role of Inspector General in RPF is managing and maintaining the security and protection of passengers and property within the specific zone.
• Senior Divisional Commissioner- The Senior Divisional Commissioner is head of the several divisions in the zone. The SDC supervises the work of RPF personnel and manages the carrying out the operation within the division.
• Commandant- The commandant is the head of the company. The RPF is divided to form companies. The commandant is responsible for the training of the company and looks after the management of RPF personnel.

Position and Salary of Railway Protection Force

The Railway Protection Force is administered by an IPS officer of the rank of Director-General. The DG is aided by various officers selected through the UPSC exam. The RPF pay scale and designation list are as follows:

What are the Duties of RPF?

RPF officers whose full form is Railway Protection Force have various roles and responsibilities to carry out the functions effectively and maintain peace and justice concerning the Indian Railways Department. Few of the major duties of RPF are listed below:

• To undergo an unrelenting fight against the criminals in protecting railway passengers, passenger space and properties of Indian railway.
• To make a comfortable  way for passenger travel and security by removing all anti-social components from the trains, railway premises and traveler space.
• RPF should remain open-eyed to forestall and curb trafficking in girls and take required action to rehabilitate needy children found in Railway areas.
• RPF also cooperates with alternative departments of the Railways in raising the potency, power and image of the Indian Railways.
• The RPF acts as a bridge between the Government Railway Police and local police and therefore builds the Railway administration.
• Adopt proactively all technology in trends, best human rights practices, management techniques and adopts special measures for the defense of feminine and aged passengers and kids, within the pursuit of those objectives.

The term railway property is denoted solely to the properties owned by the railway administration. In due course of the time, the definition for the term Railway Property was extended with modification and it enclosed the properties owned by, or within the charge of or owned by the railways. The offenders are set-aside below the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act 1966 that is shortly known as RP (UP) Act 1966. Currently, the Railway Protection Force consists of a separate body system and functions below the overall direction of the Railway Administration.

The Eligibility Criteria for RPF Recruitment

The eligibility criteria for the Railway Protection Force examination is one of a kind like that of different services. So, if the applicant qualifies the civil services examination, they get an allotment to the service as per their rank.

The listing of Railway Protection Force Officers or Railway Protection Force is completed in 3 main ways such that:

• One is by regular government officials examination conducted by UPSC on the annual basis
• Second is by promoting the Railway Protection Force Inspectors in keeping with validating the RPF enlisting Rules of 1994
• The last one is by enrolling an Ex-Army Officer to 100% position of cluster ‘A’ officers.

The officers designated with the assistance of promotion from cluster ‘A’ undergo the foundation courses and are trained in different ways in totally different programs with the cadets denoted in government officials Exams. The complete time length of completion of the probation is around 2 years and after finishing it, the applicants designated for Railway Protection Force (RPF full form) assume the permanent position in the job. Moreover, the RPF Officers have to undergo internal coaching throughout the service that is planned with Railways, DoPT  and BPR&D.

Various Rank Structures of Railway Protection Force

How to fill the RPF SI Application form?

Candidates applying for RPF whose full form is Railway Protection Force vacancy need to submit their application form through the official websites of Indian Railways. To fill the RPF application form, candidates need to follow the below-mentioned process:

• Click the ‘New Registration’ link on the home page of the online registration portal 
• Confirm that candidates have read and understood the instructions clearly by clicking the checkbox
• Select the Zonal Group to which they would like to apply

Primary Registration Process

• Enter the credentials such as name, date of birth and father’s name, mother’s name, Aadhaar number (Optional), state/UT, category, education board, 10th/matric roll number, year of passing 10th/Matric, mobile number and email-ID and then submit for registration
• Before submitting the RPF SI registration form, candidates must ensure and confirm that all the information and details provided are correct

Verification Process Through OTP

• On successfully submitting the registration details, an OTP will be sent to the candidate's registered email and another OTP to their mobile number
• Click on the ‘Verify through OTP’ link on the home page of the online registration portal and enter the OTPs in the required fields
• Candidates can proceed with the registration only by entering both the OTPs correctly
• On verification, a unique registration number is allocated
• Candidates can proceed with the online application form by clicking on the ‘Candidate Login’ link on the home page using the provided registration number
• Complete the online application process

Initiatives Taken by RPF

To enhance safety and security, RPF has taken major initiatives over the years. Few of the major initiatives taken by RPF are:

• RPFHelpline

The toll-free number provided by the railway can be used by the passengers to repost the security-related matters or in seeking proper assistance while travelling by train. The toll-free number is 181.

• Women’sHelpdesk

In major railway stations, the Women’s Helpdesk by RPF is set up to secure and provide any sort of assistance to the women passengers travelling on trains. 

• ChildHelpDesk

To prevent child trafficking and abuse of any kind, the Child Help Desk is provided at major railway stations. The team takes care of the child and protects them in case of any danger.

• SeniorCitizenAssistance

Special arrangements are made by the RPF group for senior citizens which includes provision of special berths in trains and priority seating at the railway stations.

• EscortServices

Escort services are provided by RPF to passengers travelling alone in trains, especially the women and children section.

Other Full Forms of RPF

Apart from RPF as Railway Protection Force, there are other full forms of RPF in different aspects. Take a look of a few other full forms of RPF in the table below: