Which One Is Better? RRB JE Or SSC JE?

Featured Image Caption: RRB JE vs SSC JE

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The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) recruit candidates for the Junior Engineer profile. However, most candidates are in a dilemma about whether they should apply to take the SSC JE or the RRB JE exams. So, here, you will know the differences and similarities between the two positions.

Junior Engineer Job Profile

Most engineers, especially in the government sector, begin their careers in junior positions. Junior engineers primarily work in areas like electronics, infrastructure and construction, technology, and architecture. Popular government sectors where junior engineers work include the Department of Posts, Military Engineering Services, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), and the Central Water Commission (CWC).

SSC

The Staff Selection Commission recruits junior engineers for various departments. In SSC, a junior engineer performs the following duties.

They assist their superiors.
They are responsible for accounting works for their respective departments.
They also plan and execute various other works within their departments, including renovation and repair.

RRB

RRB also recruits junior engineers for several departments, including Electronics, IT, Electrical, Civil, and Mechanical. Here, the roles and responsibilities differ by department.

In the Civil Engineering department, a junior engineer may perform the following duties.

Creating assets for repair and construction work.
Hold authority of railway tracks.
Oversee the different construction departments in Railways.

Similarly, in the IT department, the responsibilities of junior engineers include:

Procuring office equipment, including hardware and software.
Creating and implementing security policies and resolving issues arising out of the same.

Junior Engineers in the Electrical Engineering department hold responsibilities, including:

Maintain the different electrical equipment, such as locomotives, tractions, power supplies, etc.
Coordinate and collaborate with other departments for various projects.
Propose new ideas periodically and submit them for review.

Likewise, junior engineers working in the Electronics department must undertake responsibilities such as:

Safe installation and maintenance of equipment.
Coordinate with other branches for various works.
Submit proposals for review.

Junior Engineer: SSC vs. RRB

Though the positions are similar, there are many differences between a junior engineer working in various departments under the Staff Selection Commission and Railway Recruitment Board. The main differences lie in the exam type and pattern, salary, and job roles and responsibilities.

Exam Type and Pattern

Both the exams are of the objective type where candidates must write answers to different multiple-choice-based questions. However, while the SSC conducts the JE exam throughout the country, the RRB JE exam is confined to only a few parts or regions. Also, questions in the SSC JE exam would be related to the respective branches, and those in the RRB JE exam would be from Engineering and Aptitude.

Exam Mode

SSC JE is a partially online or computer-based test, and the RRB JE is an online exam.

Salary

The salary for both the posts is the same and falls in the Rs. 9,300 to Rs. 34,800 brackets.

Job Type

Candidates who write the SSC JE exam may be deputed to the CPWD and the postal departments, and those appearing for the RRB JE exam may hold positions in the P-Way and Bridge Workshop and IT departments.

Benefits

Those junior engineers working in various departments under the Staff Selection Commission will get housing benefits. In contrast, junior engineers working in the RRB do not get any housing facilities since it involves a lot of fieldwork.

Also, engineers working in departments under the Staff Selection Commission are entitled to study leaves. They can avail of the same to pursue higher studies and enable better career growth and opportunities for themselves. However, this isn’t the case for junior engineers working in departments under the RRB, as there are fewer opportunities for career advancement.

Furthermore, junior engineers working in various departments under the Railway Recruitment Board can avail of first-class AC railway tickets, besides several discounts. However, engineers employed in departments under the Staff Selection Commission are entitled to airfare that they can spend every year on vacation to any part of the country.

Selection

When it comes to Junior Engineers under the Staff Selection Commission, the selection probability is 100 to 200 out of thousands of candidates. However, the chances of selection in the Railway Recruitment Board are 100 to 300 out of thousands of candidates.

So, as you can see, the chances of bagging a job as a junior engineer in either department are bleak. So, you will need to prepare rigorously by attempting mock tests available at BYJU’S Exam Prep, where you will find all the resources you need.

Final Thoughts

Both the SSC JE and RRB JE posts have advantages and disadvantages. However, it still depends on the candidate’s preferences. But one thing that doesn’t change is that no matter what exam you choose to attempt, you must prepare thoroughly to come out on top and bag a job. For this, you can refer to resources like BYJU’S Exam Prep and ace the exams.

So, prepare as well as you can, and pass the exams.