Major Government Schemes of Indian Railways: Indian Railways is not just the backbone of transport in India; it is also one of the largest employers and service providers in the world. To make railways safer, modern, eco-friendly, and passenger-friendly, the government keeps introducing new schemes, policies, and initiatives.
For railway exam aspirants, knowing about these schemes is very important because such questions are frequently asked in the General Awareness section. Let us go through the recent government schemes of Indian Railways, explained in easy and simple language.
Why Government Schemes in Railways are Important?
Government Schemes are very useful in Indian Railways as they help to improve and modernize the railway infrastructure, ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers. Some of the main reasons why government schemes are important are given below:
- To modernize the railway infrastructure.
- To improve passenger comfort and safety.
- To make operations eco-friendly and sustainable.
- To increase efficiency in freight movement.
- To strengthen digital services like online booking and smart ticketing.
Major Recent Government Schemes of Indian Railways
There are various government schemes that have been launched by Indian Railways in recent times. Given below are the details:
| No. | Scheme/Initiative | Launched By/Year | Objective | Highlights |
| 1 | Mission Raftaar | Indian Railways | Increase average train speeds | Passenger: 50 km/h, Freight: 75 km/h, saves time & reduces congestion |
| 2 | Mission 100% Electrification | Target 2030 | 100% electrification of broad-gauge | Reduces fuel imports, cuts pollution, net-zero carbon |
| 3 | Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat | Part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan | Clean & hygienic railways | Bio-toilets, clean stations, waste management, awareness drives |
| 4 | Digital India in Railways | Digital India Mission | Digitization & transparency | IRCTC online booking, cashless payments, QR tickets, and real-time tracking |
| 5 | Vande Bharat Express | 2019 onwards | Semi-high-speed modern trains | Speed 160 km/h, auto doors, Wi-Fi, infotainment, plan for 400 trains by 2030 |
| 6 | Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) | 2023 | Modernize 1300+ stations | Airport-like facilities, clean toilets, free Wi-Fi, and better waiting rooms |
| 7 | Mission Net Zero Carbon 2030 | Target 2030 | Make IR net zero carbon | Electrification, solar & wind energy, efficient locomotives |
| 8 | Kavach – Safety System | Indian Railways | Prevent accidents & overspeeding | ATP tech, auto braking, train-station communication |
| 9 | Green Initiatives | Ongoing | Eco-friendly practices | LED lights, bio-toilets, electric locos, solar stations, no plastic |
| 10 | Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC) | Govt. of India | Faster goods transport | Eastern (Ludhiana–Dankuni), Western (JNPT–Dadri), reduces passenger congestion |
| 11 | One Station One Product | Indian Railways | Promote local products | Each station is linked with a unique product, supports artisans & SMEs |
| 12 | Mission Healthy Railways | Indian Railways | Passenger food & health | e-Catering, hygienic food stalls, clean water, and medical helplines |
| 13 | Smart Ticketing – UTS on Mobile | Indian Railways | Paperless ticketing | Mobile app for unreserved tickets saves time & queues |
| 14 | Gatishakti Master Plan | Govt. of India | Integrated multi-modal transport | Rail + road + air + waterways, better logistics & industrial hubs |
| 15 | Mission Satyanishtha | Indian Railways | Ethics & transparency | Integrity, anti-corruption, and better customer satisfaction |
| 16 | Mission Solar Chulha & Renewable Energy | Indian Railways | Clean energy usage | Solar kitchens, solar/wind energy at stations & workshops |
| 17 | Rail Madad Helpline (139) | Indian Railways | Passenger grievance redressal | Complaints, queries, and lost luggage tracking |
| 18 | Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana (RKVY) | 2021 | Skill development | Training in trades (fitter, welder, electrician), job creation |
| 19 | Bharat Gaurav Trains | 2021 | Tourism promotion | Theme-based trains for cultural, religious, and historical circuits |
| 20 | Station Redevelopment Programme | Indian Railways | World-class stations | Lounges, food courts, smart counters, digital displays |
Current Status of Different Government Schemes
The current status of many government schemes is still in progress. Check out the different government schemes and their present status:
| Scheme | Year Launched | Objective | Current Status |
| Mission Raftaar | 2017 | Increase train speeds | Work in progress |
| 100% Electrification | 2021–22 Budget | Eco-friendly railways | 40,000 km done |
| Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat | 2014 | Clean trains & stations | 100% bio-toilets |
| Vande Bharat Express | 2019 | Semi-high-speed trains | 50+ running |
| Amrit Bharat Station Scheme | 2023 | Modernize 1300+ stations | Work ongoing |
| Kavach Safety System | 2022 | Prevent train collisions | 1500+ km equipped |
| Dedicated Freight Corridors | 2006 | Faster goods transport | Partially open |
| One Station One Product | 2022 | Promote local products | 1000+ stations |
| Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana | 2021 | Skill training | 50,000+ trained |
| Bharat Gaurav Trains | 2021 | Tourism promotion | Running |
| Rail Madad Helpline/App | 2018 | Passenger grievance redressal | Active |
| Mission Net Zero 2030 | 2020s | Carbon neutrality | Work in progress |
Why are these Schemes Important for Railway Exams?
As a railway exam aspirant, candidates must know every detail of the schemes launched by the government. These will help them to score well in the examination. Given below are some of the reasons
- General Awareness questions in RRB NTPC, RRB Group D, ALP, and Technician exams often ask about government schemes.
- Example questions:
- “What is the objective of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme?”
- “Which system is known as Kavach in Indian Railways?”
- Preparing these schemes gives aspirants quick and easy marks in the exam.
The recent government schemes of Indian Railways show the commitment towards modernization, safety, and sustainability. From eco-friendly projects like Mission Electrification and Net Zero Carbon to passenger-centric schemes like Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and Vande Bharat Express, Indian Railways is transforming at a fast pace. For exam aspirants, remembering these schemes is very important. With regular revision and smart memorization, this topic can become a high-scoring area in the General Awareness section.
FAQs
Government Schemes are very useful in Indian Railways as they help to improve and modernize the railway infrastructure, ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers.
The major government schemes in Indian Railways include Mission Raftaar, Swachh Rail, 100% Electrification, One Station One Product, Mission Net Zero 2030, and more.
The recent government schemes of Indian Railways show the commitment towards modernization, safety, and sustainability.
The main objective of the Mission Raftaar scheme is to increase average train speeds.
General Awareness questions in RRB NTPC, RRB Group D, ALP, and Technician exams often ask about government schemes.
Hello! This is Arijit Dutta. I am a skilled Content Writer at Oliveboard with nearly 3+ years of experience in crafting engaging, informative, and exam-focused content for the Railways Domain. With a strong command of language and a keen understanding of learner needs, I contribute significantly to Oliveboard’s mission of delivering high-quality educational resources. Passionate about clear communication and continuous learning, I consistently create content that helps government job aspirants achieve their goals. Outside of work, I enjoy playing cricket and listening to music, which helps me stay balanced and creative in my professional journey.