Staff Benefit Fund (SBF) Railway - Overview, MCQ , Quiz

Staff Benefit Fund: The welfare of Railway servants and their families has always been a priority for the Indian Railways. Established way back in 1931, the Staff Benefit Fund (SBF) remains a cornerstone of this commitment. Recently, the Ministry of Railways issued an updated Master Circular (Sept 2019) to consolidate all instructions regarding this vital fund.

Here is everything you need to know about how the SBF supports the hardworking non-gazetted staff of Indian Railways.

What is the Staff Benefit Fund?

The SBF is a statutory fund governed by Chapter 8 of the Indian Railway Establishment Code Volume I. It is primarily funded through an annual grant from railway revenues, calculated at ₹800 per capita based on the sanctioned strength of non-gazetted staff (including RPF personnel) as of March 31st each year.

Other sources of the fund include:

Receipts from fines.
Unpaid wages older than three years.
50% of the previous year’s expenditure on technical education scholarships.

Check your knowledge. Quiz on Staff benefit Fund (SBF)

Establishment – Staff Benefit Fund (SBF) in Railway

Indian Railway Establishment Question Bank

Staff Benefit Fund (SBF) in Railway

Total Number of Question : 25

1 / 25

Which heads are excluded from re-appropriation of funds by the CSBFC?

Education, Sports, and Scouts activities

Women empowerment and Cultural activities

Indigenous medicine and Miscellaneous

Distress relief and Recreation

2 / 25

Can a Railway servant under suspension attend SBF meetings?

Yes, if they are an elected member

Only with the permission of the GM

Yes, as an observer

3 / 25

Who presides over the Central Staff Benefit Fund Committee (CSBFC) at Headquarters?

General Manager

Chief Medical Officer

Chief Personnel Officer

Divisional Railway Manager

4 / 25

In which year was the Staff Benefit Fund (SBF) scheme first functional on Indian Railways?

1947

1931

1950

1924

5 / 25

How much is the allocation per capita for “Relief of distress, sickness, etc.”?

₹116

₹120

₹80

₹32

6 / 25

To what percentage can the CSBFC re-appropriate funds between heads?

Up to 10%

Up to 25%

Up to 50%

No re-appropriation is allowed

7 / 25

Who is the Secretary of the Central Staff Benefit Fund Committee?

Chief Medical Officer

A Welfare Officer nominated by the GM

Additional Chief Engineer

Senior Personnel Officer

8 / 25

“SBF Calamity Relief Fund” is managed at which level?

Divisional Level

Zonal Level

Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) Level

Workshop Level

9 / 25

Which authority decides the method of electing members to the SBF Committees?

Railway Board

Divisional Personnel Officer

General Manager

Union President

10 / 25

For holiday camps organized under SBF, which of the following is waived?

Fare and Service charges

Empty haulage charges

Detention charges

All of the above

11 / 25

Which expenditure is NOT met from Railway Revenues but from the SBF itself?

Cost of stationery

Postage charges

Entertainment during SBF meetings

Printing charges of forms

12 / 25

What is the tenure for a member of the CSBFC or DSBFC?

1 year

2 years

3 years

5 years

13 / 25

Expenses for “Indigenous system of medicine including Homoeopathy” are allocated:

₹24 per capita

₹36 per capita

₹50 per capita

₹16 per capita

14 / 25

Which of the following is NOT a source of credit for the SBF?

Annual grant from railway revenues

All receipts from fines

Unpaid wages beyond three years

100% of expenditure on technical scholarships

15 / 25

What happens to the classification of staff for SBF benefits after they receive MACP?

They become ineligible

They retain the classification of their basic post

They are treated as Gazetted officers

They get double the benefits

16 / 25

Who is eligible for the scholarship for technical/professional education under SBF?

Only Gazetted officers' children

Wards of all non-gazetted Railway servants

Only children of staff in Grade Pay ₹2400

Only staff themselves

17 / 25

What is the per capita allotment for “Scouts & Guides activities”?

₹22

₹30

₹16

₹24

18 / 25

What is the total annual per capita contribution to the SBF as per the 2019 Master Circular?

₹500

₹1000

₹800

₹1200

19 / 25

How many members from recognized Unions are included in the CSBFC?

Three

Six

Four

Eight

20 / 25

Which group of staff is specifically included in the “sanctioned strength” for SBF contribution?

Gazetted Officers

RPF non-gazetted staff

Casual laborers

Contractual consultants

21 / 25

What is the fixed amount for funeral charges provided upon the death of a Railway servant?

₹5,000

₹15,000

₹10,000

₹20,000

The scholarship for pursuing technical/professional degrees/diplomas for wards of staff is ₹1,500 per month.

22 / 25

What is the monthly scholarship amount for higher technical education for wards of staff?

₹1,200

₹1,000

₹1,500

₹2,000

23 / 25

Which representative is NOT part of the CSBFC composition?

One representative from AISC&STREA

One representative from AIOBCREA

One representative from Retired Employees Association

Chief Medical Officer

24 / 25

Who is the presiding officer of the Divisional Staff Benefit Fund Committee (DSBFC)?

Divisional Railway Manager

Divisional Personnel Officer

Divisional Medical Officer

Welfare Inspector

25 / 25

In case of a disagreement in the DSBFC, whose decision is final?

Chief Personnel Officer

Divisional Railway Manager

Railway Board

General Manager

Your score is

The average score is 92%

Key Activities & Financial Allocations

The fund is meticulously distributed across various welfare activities. Out of the ₹800 per capita contribution, here are the primary allocations:

Management of the Fund

To ensure transparency and effective reach, the fund is managed by committees at various levels:

Central SBF Committee (CSBFC): Located at Headquarters, presided over by the Chief Personnel Officer. It includes representatives from recognized Unions and SC/ST/OBC Associations.
Divisional SBF Committee (DSBFC): Functions at the Divisional level, presided over by the Divisional Personnel Officer.
Workshop Committees: Similar structures exist for Railway Workshops.

Note: Members are typically elected or nominated for a one-year term. Retired or dismissed employees are not eligible to serve on these committees.

Important Highlights for Staff

MACP Benefits: Staff placed in higher Grade Pays under the MACP scheme remain eligible for SBF benefits, though preference is given to those in lower Grade Pays.
Holiday Camps: The SBF organizes holiday camps. When special coaches are booked for these, staff are exempt from security deposits, fares, and service charges.
Cash Awards: There are specific cash award schemes for wards who show outstanding performance in Academics and Sports.

The Staff Benefit Fund continues to evolve, ensuring that the “Lifeline of the Nation” also takes care of the lives of those who keep the wheels turning.

Also Check Establishment Mock test