The Railway Protection Force Act, 1957
An Act to provide for the constitution and regulation of an armed Force of the Union for the better protection and security of railway property, passenger area and passengers and for matters connected therewith.
Administered by. Ministry of Railways · Other Acts of 1957
Preamble
THE RAILWAY PROTECTION FORCE ACT, 1957
ACT NO. 23 OF 1957
[29th August, 1957.] 1[AnAct to provide for the constitution and regulation of an armed Force of the Union for the better protection and security of 2[railway property, passenger area and passengers] and for mattersconnected therewith.]
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Eighth Year of the Republic of India as follows:--
What this Act covers
Summary of the Railway Protection Force Act, 1957
Key Provisions:
1. Constitution of the Railway Protection Force
o The Act provides for the establishment of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) under the control of the Central Government.
o The Force is constituted to protect railway property and perform duties assigned under the Act.
2. Organisation and Administration
o The Act provides for the appointment of the Director General and other officers of the Force.
o It prescribes the organisational structure, ranks, recruitment, and conditions of service of RPF personnel.
3. Powers and Duties
o Members of the RPF are responsible for:
Protecting railway property from theft, damage, sabotage, and unlawful possession.
Preventing offences affecting railway property.
Performing duties assigned by the Central Government and railway authorities.
o Subsequent amendments have expanded the role of the RPF to include certain responsibilities relating to passenger security.
4. Discipline and Service Conditions
o The Act lays down provisions relating to discipline, conduct, suspension, dismissal, and other service matters of members of the Force.
o It authorises disciplinary action for misconduct or breach of duty.
5. Powers of Arrest and Investigation
o The Act confers specified powers on authorised members of the Force to arrest persons involved in offences relating to railway property and to conduct investigations in accordance with the law.
6. Penalties
o The Act prescribes penalties for offences such as:
Desertion or absence without leave.
Disobedience of lawful orders.
Misconduct or neglect of duty.
Other violations of the provisions governing the Force.
7. Rule-Making Power
o The Central Government is empowered to make rules regulating the administration, service conditions, training, discipline, and functioning of the Railway Protection Force.
Sections
Type to filter. 24 sections.
- 1Short title, extent and commencement
- 2Definitions
- 3Constitution of the Force
- 4Appointment and powers of superior officers
- 5[Omitted.]
- 6Appointment of members of the Force
- 7Certificates to members of the Forces
- 8Superintendence and administration of the Force
- 9Dismissal, removal, etc., of members of the force
- 10Officers and members of the Force to be deemed to be railway servants
- 11Duties of members of the Force
- 12Power to arrest without warrant
- 13Power to search without warrant
- 14Procedure to be followed after arrest
- 15Officers and members of the Force to be considered always on duty and liable to be employed in any part of the railways
- 15ARestrictions respecting right to Form association, etc
- 16Responsibilities of members of the Force during suspension
- 16ASurrender of certificate, arms, etc., by persons ceasing to be members of the Force
- 17Penalties for neglect of duty, etc
- 18Application of Act 22 of 1922 to members of the Force
- 19Certain Acts not to apply to members of the Force
- 20Protection of acts of members of the Force
- 21Power to make rules
- 22Provisions as to existing Force
Schedules
This Act has 1 schedule. A schedule is published as a document of its own; the text is reproduced on its page where it has been read, and the document is mirrored here either way.
- THE SCHEDULE39 words
Amending Acts
2 Acts amending this enactment, passed by Parliament of India. The text above is the consolidated text as published.
- The Railway Protection Force (Amendment) Act, 200323 of 2003
- The Railway Protection Force (Amendment) Act, 198523 of 1985
Rules made under this Act
1 set of Rules. India Code publishes Rules as a record and a document rather than as text, so these are indexed here and not reproduced. All Rules.
- The Railway Protection Force Rules, 19871987
Related Acts
- The Railways (Employment of Members of the Armed Forces) Act, 19655 sections
- The Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act, 196616 sections
- The Calcutta Metro Railway (Operation and Maintenance) Temporary Provisions Act, 198525 sections
- The Railway Claims Tribunal Act, 198732 sections
- The Railways Act, 1989235 sections
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Every one of the 24 sections of this Act has its own page. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.