In a seismic shift for one of India’s largest employers, the Indian Railways has abruptly terminated a cherished 20-year tradition of gifting gold-plated silver medals to retiring employees. The decision, announced by the Railway Board, comes on the heels of a shocking scam involving counterfeit medals in the Bhopal division.
The order, issued by Principal Executive Director Renu Sharma on January 28, 2026, explicitly halts the practice effective immediately. Retirees from January 31, 2026, onward will no longer receive these symbolic tokens of appreciation, which weighed around 20 grams and had been presented since March 2006 as a mark of honor for decades of service.
What was once a highlight of retirement ceremonies—evoking pride and nostalgia—has been tainted by revelations of fraud. Investigations uncovered that many medals contained just 0.23% silver, rendering them virtually fake despite being touted as genuine silver coins coated in gold. This betrayal has prompted swift action: an FIR against the supplier, blacklisting proceedings, and a ban on using existing stock for retirements.
Railway officials emphasized the need for integrity in such traditions. ‘We cannot compromise on trust,’ a board spokesperson noted. Existing medals will be repurposed for administrative uses, signaling a pragmatic pivot amid the controversy.
This move raises questions about cost-saving measures and evolving workplace honors in public sector giants. As thousands of employees bid farewell annually, the absence of this ritual underscores a broader push for transparency in government operations. Railway unions have mixed reactions, with some decrying the loss of sentimentality while others applaud the crackdown on corruption.