The Secretariat of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet announced the appointment of Jaya Verma Sinha as CEO and chairperson of the Railway Board. She has succeeded Anil Kumar Lahoti. She has become the first-ever woman in the 100+ history of railways to hold the apex post in the railways. This significant decision, taken by the authorities, has heralded a new era for the Indian Railway Management Services (IRMS).

Railway Board in the Apex scale [Pay Level – 17 as per 7th CPC] for a period from the date of assumption of charge on or after 01.09.2023 until the date of her superannuation and her re-employment on the post from 01.09.2023 until 31.08.2024 on usual terms and conditions, or until further orders. She will work at this post until her retirement.

Jaya Verma is an alumna of Allahabad University. Sinha joined the Indian Railway Traffic Service in 1988 and has worked in sectors of railways such as the Northern Railway, South-East Railway, and Eastern Railway. During her working span of 35 years, Jaya Verma has gained experience in different sections such as operations, commercial, IT, and vigilance. A trailblazer, she was the first woman to be appointed as the Principal Chief Operations Manager of South Eastern Railway.

She has also served as the Principal Chief Commercial Manager of Northern Railway and Divisional Railway Manager of Sealdah Division. As she was serving as the Railway Advisor in the High Commission of India in Dhaka, Bangladesh, she saw the inauguration of the renowned Maitri Express from Kolkata to Dhaka. Smt. Verma was also in the media interaction during the Balasore accident. She explained the complex signaling system after the tragic Balasore accident, which killed nearly 300 people. During that time, she was serving as the Member (Operations and Business Development).

After the appointment of Jaya Verma, the Indian Railways will not only experience her exceptional capabilities but also set an example of gender diversity and inclusivity in leadership within India’s railways. The Railway Board, an institution founded in 1905, is now making history as a woman takes the helm of Chairman and CEO for the first time.

-Varuni Gupta