Railway Employees Will No Longer Receive Gold-Plated Silver Coins on Retirement, Confirms Railway Board

New Delhi: Traditionally, retiring railway employees and officers in India were presented with a 20-gram gold-plated silver coin as a token of appreciation. However, the Railway Board has decided to discontinue this practice starting this month.

End of a Long-Standing Tradition

For decades, several Indian institutions, including the railways and armed forces, have followed British-era traditions. While some practices are gradually changing, the retirement gift of gold-plated silver coins has now been officially terminated.

Reasons Behind the Decision

Sources within the railways indicate that the move is driven by a combination of rising silver prices and concerns over fraudulent coins. Recently, reports from Madhya Pradesh revealed that some coins distributed to retiring staff contained far less silver than promised, with most of the coin made of copper. Investigations found that some vendors had supplied substandard coins, raising questions about quality and authenticity.

To prevent further complications and ensure transparency, the Railway Board decided that retiring employees will no longer receive silver coins.

Official Circular Issued

A circular from the Railway Board to all zonal and production unit heads stated:
“It has been decided that the tradition of giving gold-plated silver coins or medals to retiring railway employees and officers shall be discontinued. Any coins already purchased or in stock shall be accounted for and used for other purposes to address concerns related to their distribution. This decision has been approved by the President.”

While the circular did not provide detailed reasons, officials noted concerns over quality from external vendors and the rising cost of silver, which necessitated cost-cutting measures.

Background of the Tradition

The practice of presenting silver coins to retirees began in March 2006. At the time, every railway employee or officer taking voluntary or regular retirement received a 20-gram silver coin with gold plating, valued at around ₹1,000. Over the years, the price of these coins has risen significantly to nearly ₹10,000, further contributing to the decision to end this tradition.

With this move, a 20-year-old retirement ritual in Indian Railways comes to an end, reflecting evolving policies and modernized practices.