Railway Safety and Modernization in India
Science & Technology
- PYQs2
- Articles1
Background
Demonstrates government's commitment to public safety and infrastructure development; highlights the role of technology and policy in improving critical services; relevant for economic development and 'Make in India' initiatives.
Indian Railways, a vital artery of India's economy and public transport, prioritizes safety as a core operational principle. Modernization efforts, encompassing technological upgrades, infrastructure development, and enhanced maintenance, are continuously undertaken to mitigate risks, prevent accidents, and ensure secure and efficient train operations across its vast network.
Facts & tables
- Accident Reduction
- Consequential train accidents reduced by 88% from 135 in 2014-15 to 16 in 2025-26, with only 2 recorded till June 2026.
- Increased Safety Expenditure
- Expenditure on safety activities increased from Rs 39,200 Cr in 2013-14 to Rs 1,20,389 Cr in 2026-27.
- Unmanned Level Crossings
- All unmanned level crossings on Broad Gauge routes eliminated by January 2019.
- Rolling Stock Upgrade
- Replacement of conventional ICF coaches with safer LHB design coaches (49,366 LHB coaches manufactured by 2025-26 vs 2,337 in 2004-14).
| Item | Improvement Factor |
|---|---|
| Use of high-quality rails (60 Kg) | More than 2.8 times |
| Longer Rail Panels (260m) | Nearly 9 times |
| Electronic Interlocking (Stations) | More than 4 times |
| Manufacture of LHB Coaches | More than 21 times |
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Infrastructure Development |
| Conceptual area | Public Policy and Governance |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Indian Railways | Implements |
| Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) | Develops/approves technology |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
- Accidents reduced significantly due to comprehensive safety measures.
- Increased budget allocation for safety-related activities.
- Key technological adoptions: Electronic Interlocking, Track Circuiting, VCD, FSD, USFD.
- Infrastructure upgrades: LHB coaches, 60kg rails, longer rail panels, elimination of UMLCs.
- Focus on preventive maintenance and staff training.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2025 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
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Infrastructure Development
Conceptual area
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Public Policy and Governance
Conceptual area
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Prelims 2025
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Rail Safety Strengthened Through Modern Technology, Infrastructure and Enhanced Maintenance; Only Two Consequential Train Accidents Recorded in 2026-27 till Now
Indian Railways has achieved a significant reduction in train accidents through a multi-pronged strategy involving substantial investment in safety, adoption of modern technologies like electronic interlocking and track circuiting, upgrading infrastructure with LHB coaches and high-quality tracks, and implementing rigorous maintenance protocols, exemplified by the elimination of unmanned level crossings and the deployment of advanced systems like Kavach.
See also
Past papers
2025–2026 · 2 questions
In the news
Rail Safety Strengthened Through Modern Technology, Infrastructure and Enhanced Maintenance; Only Two Consequential Train Accidents Recorded in 2026-27 till Now
Indian Railways has achieved a significant reduction in train accidents through a multi-pronged strategy involving substantial investment in safety, adoption of modern technologies like electronic interlocking and track circuiting, upgrading infrastructure with LHB coaches and high-quality tracks, and implementing rigorous maintenance protocols, exemplified by the elimination of unmanned level crossings and the deployment of advanced systems like Kavach.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following statements:
I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a future ready railway system by 2028.
II. 'Kavach' is an Automatic Train Protection system developed in collaboration with Germany.
III. 'Kavach' system consists of RFID tags fitted on track in station section.
Which of the statements given above are **not** correct?
❌ Statement I: Incorrect
The National Rail Plan targets 2030 for a future-ready railway, not 2028. ❌ Statement II: Incorrect
Kavach is an indigenous Automatic Train Protection system developed under 'Make in India', not with Germany. ✅ Statement III: Correct
Kavach uses RFID tags on tracks in station sections to track train location and speed continuously. Therefore, Statements I and II are incorrect, and Statement III is correct.
Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ?
1. Modern technological innovations including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and space exploration extensively utilise Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
2. China has the highest share in mining of REEs followed by India.
3. The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector.
4. Rare Earth Elements are a set of 13 metallic elements.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Correct: Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are indispensable for modern technological innovations. Their unique magnetic, luminescent, and electrochemical properties make them critical for artificial intelligence hardware, robotics, space exploration, electric vehicles, and advanced defense systems. Statement 2 is Incorrect: While China dominates global REE mining, accounting for roughly 69% of global production, the second-largest producer is the United States, followed by Myanmar and Australia. India ranks much lower globally and is not the second-largest producer. Statement 3 is Correct: The Government of India officially launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in January 2025. The mission is a strategic blueprint designed to secure domestic and global supply chains, reduce import dependence, and establish a robust framework for self-reliance in critical minerals essential for clean energy and technology. Statement 4 is Incorrect: Rare Earth Elements are a set of 17 metallic elements, not 13. This group comprises the 15 lanthanides on the periodic table, along with scandium and yttrium, which share similar chemical properties and are typically found in the same ore deposits. Therefore, the correct option is A.