In every 30% LDCE and 70% Selection CBT, a portion of the General Knowledge marks is set aside for optional questions on Official Language (Rajbhasha) Policy & Rules. These questions are not compulsory but are worth attempting since they draw from a well-defined, stable body of rules.
The Governing Rule
The underlying principle is set out in Ministry of Railways letter Hindi-2010/OL-1/10/4 dated 03.07.2019, which specifies that ten percent of the marks prescribed for a written Selection examination should be set apart for questions on official language policy and rules, and that these questions should not be compulsory. This is why the LDCE gives 15 of its 40 GK marks to this block, and the 70% Selection gives 10 of its 70 professional-subject marks.
Key Points to Remember
- Authority basis: Para 204.3 of IREM Vol. I, and Ministry of Railways letter Hindi-2010/OL-1/10/4 dated 03.07.2019.
- Official Language questions are optional in both the LDCE and the 70% Selection — candidates are never penalized for skipping them.
- Rajbhasha as the link language, and the promotion of Hindi on Railways, form the policy backbone tested here — distinct from the grammar/rules questions in the sister chapter.
Exam Focus
Questions often test the exact marks split (15/40 in LDCE GK, 10/70 in Selection) and the fact that these questions are optional — memorize both numbers precisely, they are frequently confused with each other.