Normalisation - Example

 

Normalisation – Simple Example
RRB Methodology: Percentile + Base Shift + Interpolation ✅

Railway Board authorised RRB Ajmer to adopt the normalisation methodology followed by Railway Recruitment Boards for Computer Based Tests conducted in multiple shifts. As per the RRB method, Percentile Score is used for merit, and Normalized Marks are calculated through Base Shift / interpolation.

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Example

Exam held in 2 shifts:

Shift 1 – Tough Paper
3 candidates appeared.

Shift 2 – Easy Paper
4 candidates appeared.

Maximum marks: 100

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Step 1: Raw Marks

Candidate	Raw Marks	Shift 1 – Tough Paper Average = 195 ÷ 3 = 65
T1	80
T2	65
T3	50

Candidate	Raw Marks	Shift 2 – Easy Paper Average = 320 ÷ 4 = 80
E1	95
E2	85
E3	75
E4	65

Since Shift 2 has a higher average ( because of easy paper), Shift 2 is taken as Base Shift in this example.

Step 2: Percentile Calculation

Formula: Percentile = Candidates scoring equal or below ÷ Total candidates in that shift × 100

                   Percentile in Tough Shift

Candidate	Raw Marks	Equal or Below	Percentile
T1	80	3	100.00000
T2	65	2	66.66667
T3	50	1	33.33333

Percentile in Easy Shift / Base Shift

Candidate	Raw Marks	Equal or Below	Percentile
E1	95	4	100.00000
E2	85	3	75.00000
E3	75	2	50.00000
E4	65	1	25.00000

Step 3: Normalized Marks

Since Easy Shift is Base Shift, its raw marks become reference marks.

Base Shift Percentile	Base Shift Marks
100.00000	95
75.00000	85
50.00000	75
25.00000	65

Now Tough Shift candidates are mapped to Base Shift.

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T1

T1 percentile = 100.00000

Base Shift 100 percentile marks = 95

So, T1 Normalized Marks = 95

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T2 – Interpolation

T2 percentile = 66.66667

In Base Shift:

75 percentile = 85 marks
50 percentile = 75 marks

66.66667 lies between 75 and 50.

Difference between marks = 85 − 75 = 10
Difference between percentile = 75 − 50 = 25

T2 position above 50 percentile = 66.66667 − 50 = 16.66667

Marks increase = 10 ÷ 25 × 16.66667 = 6.66667

T2 Normalized Marks = 75 + 6.66667 = 81.66667

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T3 – Interpolation

T3 percentile = 33.33333

In Base Shift:

50 percentile = 75 marks
25 percentile = 65 marks

33.33333 lies between 50 and 25.

Difference between marks = 75 − 65 = 10
Difference between percentile = 50 − 25 = 25

T3 position above 25 percentile = 33.33333 − 25 = 8.33333

Marks increase = 10 ÷ 25 × 8.33333 = 3.33333

T3 Normalized Marks = 65 + 3.33333 = 68.33333

Final Normalised Position

Candidate	Shift	Raw Marks	Percentile	Normalized Marks
T1	Tough	80	100.00000	95.00000
E1	Easy	95	100.00000	95.00000
E2	Easy	85	75.00000	85.00000
T2	Tough	65	66.66667	81.66667
E3	Easy	75	50.00000	75.00000
T3	Tough	50	33.33333	68.33333
E4	Easy	65	25.00000	65.00000

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Final Merit

Merit is based on Percentile Score. If the Percentile Score is the same, tie is decided by age first, and then by alphabetical order.

Merit Position	Candidate	Percentile	Remarks
1 / 2	T1	100.00000	Rank depends on age tie-break
1 / 2	E1	100.00000	Rank depends on age tie-break
3	E2	75.00000	Higher percentile
4	T2	66.66667	Next percentile
5	E3	50.00000	Next percentile
6	T3	33.33333	Next percentile
7	E4	25.00000	Lowest percentile

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Simple Understanding

T1 got only 80 marks in tough paper.
E1 got 95 marks in easy paper.

But both are toppers in their own shifts. So:

T1 = 100 percentile
E1 = 100 percentile

After normalization also:

T1 = 95 normalized marks
E1 = 95 normalized marks

Therefore, normalisation protects candidates who faced a tougher paper.

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Key Points for Aspirants

• Percentile is not the percentage of marks.

• Percentile shows your position in your own shift.

• The topper of each shift gets 100 percentile.

• Base Shift is selected for calculating Normalized Marks.

• If an exact percentile is not available in Base Shift, interpolation is applied.

• Final merit is based on Percentile Score.

• Same percentile means tie; rank depends on age and then alphabetical order.

Disclaimer

This normalisation example has been prepared with the assistance of ChatGPT, after taking due care to align it with the RRB normalisation methodology, including Percentile Score, Base Shift and interpolation principles.

It is intended only for simple academic understanding of aspirants. Actual normalisation, calculation, rounding, tie-breaking and merit preparation will be done strictly by the Railway Recruitment Board / competent authority as per official rules, data and software-based processing.

Aspirants are advised to refer to the official Railway Board / RRB instructions for final and authoritative guidance.

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AIEHC - All India Engine Hour Cost - Commercial

 

AIEHC

• Source: Rates Circular 9 of 2025 dated 14.07.2025 click here

• AIEHC stands for All India Engine Hour Cost 

• For recovery of Siding and Shunting charges

• Revised from 15.08.2025 

• Steam locos - charges identical to that of Diesel Engines

• Also applicable for Indo-Nepal Traffic

• BG Diesel Train Engine - Rs. 17,560 per hour

• BG Diesel Shunting Engine - Rs. 10,620 per hour

• BG Electric Train Engine - Rs. 15,440 per hour

• MG Diesel Train Engine - Rs. 14,770 per hour

short Lead Traffic - Commercial Matters

 

Short Lead Traffic

• Sources: Rate Circular 16 of 2020 and  Corrigendum-1 to RC 16/2020 dt. 05.08.2020. Validity is extended from time to time. 

• Salient Features: 

• Up to 100 KMs

• Agreement Period: Maximum 10 Years

• Applicable for all Traffic (except Coal & Coke, Iron Ore, Military Traffic, Rail Material Consignments and Container Traffic )

• Permitted Distance slab and Freight Concession as follows,

Distance Slab	Freight Concession
0 -50 KM	50%
51 - 75 KM	25%
76 -90 KM	10%
91- 100 KM	NIL

• The applicable concession as mentioned above shall be given on Normal Tariff Rate (NTR).

• This concession shall not be available with any other concession. (except 6% concession on freight applicable to traffic booked to and from the NorthEast Frontier Railway (NFR)region).

• CRIS has developed necessary modifications in FOIS.

• The agreement shall have a clause of enhanced loading commitment supported with Bank Guarantee. Depending upon the commitment, the percentage concession may vary from the rates mentioned in above referred Rates Circular.

• Zonal Railways must assess the concession vis-a-vis the additional traffic and revenue projections to determine the rate of concession. 
• 
  
• Zonal Railways shall evaluate the fulfillment of committed traffic and revenue projections annually, and realize the unmet revenue from customer or from Bank Guarantee at the end of year. 

• Zonal Railway shall get the MIS report designed in TMS through FOIS/CRIS before effecting the agreements, so as to get data on traffic, revenue and concession given for assessment of performance. 

Objective of the Scheme

* To attract short-distance freight traffic from road transport to Railways.

* To make Rail freight competitive for nearby destinations where road transport has an advantage.

Practical Examples

Distance: 40 km

* Normal Freight = ₹100 per tonne

* Concession = 50%

* Freight Charged = ₹50 per tonne

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EOL - Engine On Load - Commercial topic

 

 

EOL - Engine On Load 

 

• Source: New/Revised policy on EOL Freight Marketing Circular 16 of 2023   - In supersession of all the earlier instructions issued on the EOL.

 

• Need of the Circular 16 ?  

1.    Launch of GCT - Gati-Shakti Cargo Terminals.

2.    Amendments to PFT & Private Siding policies.

3.    Addressing operational issues. 

4.    Optimum utilization of Rolling stock. 

5.    Prompt clearance of Freight trains from the Terminals

• EOL stands for Engine On Load. 

 

• What is EOL? A system of operations that would permit the placement and clearance of the rake at the Terminals by the same Locomotive within the time. 

 

• In EOL,  

1.    The Train locomotive will remain available during the loading and/or unloading operations in the Terminal, 

2.     And, wait on Railway’s account (till the free time permitted for loading/unloading 

3.    So as to work the train (rake) immediately after loading/unloading operation is completed.  

• Terminals under EOL means Terminals operated by GCT - Gati-Shakti Terminals, PFT - Private Freight Terminals & Private Sidings.  

• All New Cargo terminals  - preferably operate under EOL.  Exemption only be given under operational/geographical constraints with the consent of Zonal Operating Dept and the personal approval of the DRM.  

  

• Through distance basis:  Terminals notified for charging on Through distance basis can operate under the EOL system of operations. 

 

• Who built facilities for loading/unloading  -  Terminal operators 

 

Conversion: 

A.             Non EOL into EOL 

·        Condition of “Through distance basis”. 

·        Signing an EOL agreement with the Division. 

B.    EOL into Non EOL or Partial EOL

·        Where problems are being faced in effective implementation of EOL system in Terminals due to operational/geographic constraints. 

·        In Division: Should send “Detailed operational justification” with the approval of DRM to the Zonal Hqrs. 

·        In Zonal Hqrs: Joint approval of PCOM & PCCM who will pass a reasoned speaking order. 

·        The Terminal operator will be required to clear all the pending dues and withdraw all pending arbitration/court cases against the Railways. 

 

• What is Partial EOL ? 

1.    Certain Terminals serves old plants and new plants (one of them is under EOL) 

2.    Terminals serve some commodities under EOL (Example: Unloading of Coal) and some commodities under Non EOL (Example: Loading of Fly ash)   

 

• Agreement Signing Authority: 

1.    Railways -   Sr.DCM

2.    Terminal - Legal Representative 

 

• Cost of Commercial Staff borne by the Terminals

 

Terminal Type	Categories	Cost levied
EOL	All	Nil
Non EOL/Partial EOL	GCT	Nil
	PFT/Private Siding	One staff

  

• EHC - Engine Hire Charges: Levied at the notified AIEHC for one Locomotive only for Each Rake  (though multi-Loco or double headed Loco used as per the need of the load)

 

Status of Loading / Unloading	Status of Locomotive	EHC	Remarks
Within Free Time	Present / Absent	Nil
Beyond Free Time	Absent	Nil
	Present	Yes   (From the end of Free Time to the completion of Loading / Unloading	Irrespective of the fact, whether the shunting operations have been performed or not

• Siding Charges - Nil for the EOL Terminals as well as Bulb type Terminals. 

 

• What is Bulb type Terminal? The Terminal where freight is charged on the basis of through distance up to a specified loading or unloading point and not for the entire length of the Terminal. 

Key points for MCQ:

1.    EOL stands for Engine On Load

2.    GCT stands for Gati-Shakti Cargo Terminal

3.    PFT stands for Private Freight Terminal

4.    EHC stands for Engine Hire Charges 

5.    AIEHC stands for All India Engine Hour Cost

6.    New/Revised Freight Marketing Circular 16 of 2023 (on EOL) 

7.    All New Cargo terminals  - preferably operate under EOL.

8.    Conversion of EOL into Non EOL or Partial EOL: Approval of DRM, then Joint Approval of PCOM & PCCM with reasoned Speaking order.

9.    Agreement Signing Authorities: Railways - Sr.DCM and Terminal - Legal Representative. 

10.                    EHC applicable only: Beyond Free time subject to presence of Locomotive during the Loading/Unloading operations at the Terminals.  

11.                    Cost of One Commercial staff borne by the Non EOL Terminals/Partial EOL Terminals of PFT/Private Sidings only. 

12.                    Cost of the Commercial staff - Nil for EOL Terminals of all categories and Non EOL/Partial EOL of GCT. 

13.                    Siding Charges - Nil for the EOL Terminals as well as Bulb type Terminals.  

 

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Pass Rules - Loss of Metal Passes

 

Establishment Rules: Pass Rules:                                                       

Recovery for loss of Metal Passes: Gold ₹26,113/-, Silver ₹4,964/-, and Bronze ₹4,960/-.

Recovery is made from the officer reporting loss.

Recovered amount is credited under Miscellaneous Railway Receipts.

Authority: Railway Board order dated 11.10.2021.