GREF SSC Personnel

17/03/2026

This is to inform you that payments and promotions for Stenographer and Clerical cadres in GREF will be processed strictly in accordance with the Central Secretariat Stenographers’ Service (CSSS) rules and guidelines.

All eligible personnel can rest assured that salary revisions, increments, and promotional opportunities will align with CSSS standards, ensuring parity and timely implementation. Relevant orders are being issued shortly, and any discrepancies will be addressed promptly.

Thank you for your continued dedication.

23/02/2026

GREF History:-

The GREF raising centres as envisaged became functional at Roorkee and Allahabad from August 1960. Sanction was accorded to the Centres to raise personnel for the two project HQ one each for Ladakh and NEFA, though the projects had become functional in May itself with staff posted in from Army (BRO). Complement of 10 BRTFs were ordered to be raised by the centres progressively upto March 1961 out of which 7 were to be raised in 1960 itself. Lt Col N.S. Kumar took over as commander 1 BRTF and Centre at Roorkee and Lt Col A.K. Krishnadas 2 BRTF and Centre at Allahabad in August 1960. The trade testing for subordinates were done based on the Army system and tests were conducted under arrangements of Bengal Engineer Group and Centre at Roorkee initially.

Recruitment of officers and personnel into GREF was also a parallel action in hand. Simultaneous action was in hand to move the earmarked army units into GREF to work as part of Projects and Task Forces.

Thus, in almost a month and a half of the creation of BRO, the organisation had taken upon itself an ambitious road building programme, inspite of the fact that it was yet to take firm roots on the ground. One of the most important decisions taken at that time was that the Army/BRO would, not only provide the engineering personnel from Corps of Engineers for the task, but would also help in logistics, supply, medical, repair and other support services. It was also a very welcome and logical result that apart from the Army, the Air Force and Navy lent their hand in providing not only support services but also their personnel to the GREF to man various appointments though their numbers were few. GREF supply system was integrated with ASC, signals integrated with Corps of Signals, EME workshops were allotted for repairs and Army Postal Services extended to include GREF. GREF was made dependent on Military Hospital in the project since its sanction, while still holding the appointment of Commandant, BEG formally took over the Project on 18 May 1960. The BRO was on the threshold of commencing its assigned tasks in the Himalayan region.

The programme BRO was approved on 12 May 1960 consisted of 1695 Kms of Roads in NEFA under the new Project in NE. It was decided to locate the HQ NEFA at Tezpur and the road work commenced on 01 June 1960. The only redeeming feature was that, out of the three Army Engineers Groups allotted to BRO.

It was planned to raise GREF a force of 464 officers 15369 skilled personnel, 2552 unskilled personnel and 22500 CPLs by Dec 1960.

The HQ DGBR functioned as Record Office for GREF at that time. Officers was arranged by DGBR from defence services and Secretariat BRDB through deputation and direct recruitment of GREF officers through UPSC.

The Government of India by a letter dated 16 Jim 1960 conveyed the sanction of the President to RAISING AND MAINTENANCE OF GENERAL RESERVE ENGINEER FORCE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN BORDER AREAS AND SUCH OTHER TASKS ENTRUSTED BY BRDB.

It was directed that GREF will be under the overall command of the DGBR.

23/02/2026

23/02/2026

सभी चिट्टियां डाक से भेजी गई, इसमें कर्ता क्या है ?

UPP SI EXAM महत्वपूर्ण प्रश्न 🎯

20/02/2026

The General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) is the military engineering workforce of India's Border Roads Organisation (BRO), pivotal in constructing vital infrastructure in challenging border regions. Its history reflects India's strategic needs during conflicts and nation-building efforts.

Origin in World War II

GREF traces its roots to 1942, when it was conceptualized under the Engineer-in-Chief of the Indian Army to handle large-scale strategic engineering amid wartime demands. Formal orders came on March 25, 1943, establishing its headquarters in Shillong under direct GHQ control, complete with resources like weapons and transport; a full Brigadier-led setup followed in May 1943. It supported operations like the Burma advance but disbanded by late 1944 as priorities shifted.

Rebirth and Formal Creation

GREF reemerged in 1960, raised by the Government of India primarily to meet military engineering needs in rugged border areas, enhancing national defense while undertaking civil works when capacity allowed. This aligned with the BRO's formation on May 7, 1960, under the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB), chaired by the Prime Minister, to coordinate border infrastructure.

Key Roles in Conflicts

GREF has supported every major Indian military operation post-independence, including the 1962 Indo-China War, 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak Wars, Mizoram operations (1966), Assam counter-insurgency (1980s-90s), and the IPKF's Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka. Troops operate under military command, wearing uniforms and adhering to Army Act discipline, though governed by civilian rules.

Administrative Evolution

Placed under BRDB (linked to the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for budgeting), GREF's full control remained with the Ministry of Defence. In 1985, it was officially deemed an integral part of the Indian Armed Forces by presidential notification, recognizing its sovereign defense role despite ongoing service condition debates.

20/02/2026

GREF Centre & Records was raised as a recruitment GREF Centre in 1962 with a limited function of recruiting manpower. As the Force itself was a temporary one, the recruitment process was also very simple. The recruitment at that stage was made applicable for a period of one year extendable on year to year basis. Thus the requirement of proper HRD was never felt significant.

Initially, 1 BRTF was entrusted with the responsibility of raising the GREF strength. Later, GREF Centre was raised at Roorkee on 01 Apr 1962 and the Centre commenced functioning as an independent establishment wef 01 Aug 1962. The first individual GS/No 01 Supvr NT Gde-I Buta Singh was appointed on 18 Sep 1960.

The first location of GREF Centre was in old PAC lines near Dhandhera railway station, Roorkee. It later moved to BEG & Centre Roorkee in Feb 1963. Lt Col G K Apte who was earlier Commanding 3 BRTF in project Tusker became the first Commander of the GREF Centre at Roorkee.

The Centre finally moved to its present location at Dighi Camp in Pune during 1976 and occupied the barracks taken over from BEG & Centre, Kirkee. The Centre thereafter attained the status of the epicenter of HRD in the Force, entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out recruitment, training and managing a work force.

The Role of GREF Centre
Recruitment of personnel other than Officers required for GREF.

Initial training to the recruits including officers appointed by UPSC/BRES which involves orientation of recruits to GREF Service.

Conducting Refresher course for the Tradesman, Supvrs and Offrs

19/02/2026

BORDER ROADS ORGANISATION

The Director-General Border Roads (DGBR) is the executive head of the Border Roads. The Organisation provides a General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) as the ex*****on force to build and maintain roads through a CE (Projects). The Dte is an executive body providing technical, financial and administrative infrastructure for the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB). The BRDB was set up in 14 March 1960 as an inter-ministerial body, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, to oversee the development of road communications in the border states of the north and north-east. The BRDB was reconstituted in 1985.

In a bid to boost border connectivity, BRO has been entirely brought under the MoD in 2015. Earlier it received funds from the Ministry of Surface Transport under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.The organisations motto is Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is a road construction executive force, partly integral to and in support of the Army. It started operations in 07 May 1960 with just two projects-Project Tusker (renamed Project Vartak) in the east and Project Beacon in the west. It has now grown into a 13 project executive force, supported by a well organised recruiting/training centre and two well-equipped base workshops for overhaul of plant/equipment and two EngineerStore Depots for inventory management.

The BRO has not only linked the border areas of the north and north-east with the rest of the country, but has also developed the road infrastructure in Bihar,Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Uttaranchal and Chhattisgarh.

General Reserve Engineer Force

The "raising of the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF)" refers to the establishment of the GREF, a specialized engineering force under the Indian Ministry of Defence primarily responsible for building and maintaining roads in India's border regions, particularly in the Himalayas; it was officially raised in 1962 following the Sino-Indian war to facilitate infrastructure development in strategic areas along the borders. The GREF is part of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under the Ministry of Defence.

FUNCTIONS OF THE BRO

The BRO was conceived of to construct and maintain roads in the border areas, classified as General Staff (GS) roads, in line with defence requirements. GS roads are developed and maintained through funds provided by the BRDB (Now MoD (BR)). Besides GS roads, the BRO also executes Agency Works, which are entrusted to it by other Central government ministries and departments. Works entrusted by public sector undertakings, state governments and other semi-government organizations are executed as Deposit Works. Over the years, the BRO has diversified into the construction of airfields, permanent steel and pre-stressed concrete bridges and accommodation projects.

The BRO also has an operational role during national emergencies and the outbreak of hostilities, when it provides direct support to the Army in the maintenance of roads in the forward zones and executes other functions specified by the government. It also provides the work force for the rehabilitation of certain forward airfields of the Indian Air Force during operations. The BRO was actively involved in Operation Parakram in support of Army formations in the western sector. Apart from this, the Organisation has been entrusted with construction of roads and airfields in foreign countries e.g. in Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Myanmar despite many odds and the prevailing insurgency.

Source MoRTH website.

19/02/2026

The eligibility criteria for the post of SSC

1. Nationality/Citizenship:

1.1) The candidate applying for the particular position must be one of the following-

An Indian citizen
A Bhutan/Nepal subject
A Tibetan refugee who migrated to India before January 1, 1962, for settling down in India permanently
An Indian originated person who moved from countries such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Zambia, Zaire, Vietnam, Burma, East African countries of Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania (Formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Malawi, and Ethiopia, to permanently settle down in India
1.2) Candidates who belong to the above categories (2), (3) and (4) need to have an eligibility document or certificate which is issued by the Government of India.

1.3) Candidates who have to submit the eligibility certificate are permitted to sit for the exam, however, the call letter will only be issued if they display the required eligibility certificate issued to them by the Government of India.

2. Age limit:

2.1) Candidates must be between the age of 18-26 years.

2.2) The set standards of relaxation in upper age limit for various categories.

2.3) Candidates who already served as an ex-servicemen in civil side, under Government in Group C and D posts, frequently after taking the advantage offered in the reservation included for ex-servicemen for the purpose of reemployment will not be allowed to avail reservation in ESM category and fee concession. However, such candidates are allowed to enjoy the benefits of reservation as ex-servicemen for upcoming employment if they have provide self declaration to the relevant employer about the date wise details of applications for several vacancies they have applied for prior to joining the initial civil employment as specified OM No. 36034/1/2014-Estt (Res) dated 14th August 2014 issued by DoP&T, provided they have given the undertaking just after joining the civil employment.

19/02/2026

The GREF (General Reserve Engineer Force) is an integral part of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for constructing and maintaining infrastructure, primarily for the BRO, Indian Army/ICBR,MoHA & other Agencies.

GREF Recruitment:

Role & Function: GREF acts as a civilian force under the Ministry of Defence, building vital border infrastructure.
Recruitment Process: Often involves screening through SSC exams (such as JE or CHSL) followed by Physical Efficiency Tests (PET) and medical exams conducted by the GREF Centre.

Physical Standards:

Candidates must meet specific height, weight, and chest standards, with relaxed standards for certain regions.

Medical Requirements:

Candidates with issues like BMI > 30, color blindness, or certain severe medical conditions are not suitable.

Eligibility:

Only male candidates are generally eligible for vacancies in the GREF.

Medical Standards:

Candidates must pass a primary medical examination, including vision standards of 6/6 (with glasses).

In the unyielding spirit of Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam, GREF SSC Staff stand as the steadfast architects of India's borders—recruiting excellence, forging resilience, and paving paths of national pride through every challenge.