Vinod Bhat

New Delhi: 1.  Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. Kavach is a highly technology intensive system, which requires safety certification of highest order (SIL-4).

2.  Kavach aids the Loco Pilot in running of trains within specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in case Loco Pilot fails to do so and also helps the trains to run safely during inclement weather.

3.  The first field trials on the passenger trains were started in February 2016. Based on the experience gained and Independent Safety Assessment of the system by Independent Safety Assessor (ISA), three firms were approved in 2018-19, for supply of Kavach Ver 3.2.

4.   Kavach was adopted as National ATP system in July, 2020.

5.   Implementation of Kavach System involves following Key Activities:

a.   Installation of Station Kavach at each and every station, block section.

b.   Installation of RFID Tags throughout the track length.

c.   Installation of telecom Towers throughout the section.

d.   Laying of Optical Fibre Cable along the track.

e.   Provision of Loco Kavach on each and every Locomotive running on Indian Railways.

6.  Based on deployment of Kavach version 3.2 on 1465 RKm on South Central Railway and experience gained, further improvements were made. Finally, Kavach specification version 4.0 was approved by RDSO on 16.07.2024.

7.  Kavach version 4.0 covers all the major features required for the diverse railway network. This is a significant milestone in safety for Indian Railways. Within a short period, IR has developed, tested and started deploying Automatic Train Protection System.

8.  Major improvement in Version 4.0 includes increased Location Accuracy, Improved Information of Signal Aspects in bigger yards, Station to Station Kavach interface on OFC and Direct Interface to existing Electronic Interlocking System. With these improvements, Kavach Ver.4.0. is planned for large scale deployment over Indian Railways.

9.  After extensive and elaborate trials, Kavach Version 4.0 has been successfully commissioned on 1452 Route Kilometres, covering the high density Delhi- Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes as below:

 

 

10. Further, track side Kavach implementation work has been taken up on 24,427 RKM covering all GQ,GD,HDN and identified sections of Indian Railways.

11.  Progress of key items of Kavach on High density routes including Delhi– Mumbai & Delhi– Howrah corridors as on 28.02.26 are as under:

 

12. The sections mentioned above also includes sections which pass through states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra & Madhya Pradesh.

13.  In addition, work for installation of Kavach in 8979 Locomotives and 1200 EMU/MEMU has been taken up.

14. Specialized training programmes on Kavach are being conducted at centralized training institutes of Indian Railways to impart training to all concerned officials. By now more than 55,000 technicians, operators and engineers have been trained on Kavach technology. This includes about 47,500 Loco Pilots & Assistant Loco Pilots. Courses have been designed in collaboration with IRISET.

15. The cost for provision of Track Side including Station equipment of Kavach is approximately Rs. 50 Lakhs/Km and cost for provision of Kavach equipment on locomotives is approximately Rs. 80 Lakh/Loco.

16. The funds utilized on Kavach works so far up to Feb’26 is Rs. 2,763.90 Crores. The allocation of funds during the year 2025-26 is Rs. 1673.19 Crores. Requisite funds are made available as per the progress of works.

Safety is accorded the highest priority on Indian Railways. As a consequence of various safety measures taken over the years, there has been a steep decline in the number of accidents.

Number of Consequential Train Accidents has reduced as shown in the table below:-

Another important index showing improvement in safety in train operations is Consequential Accident Index, the details of which are as under:-

Consequential Accident Index:-

 

This index measures number of consequential accidents as a ratio of total running kilometers of all trains.

Accident Index   = No. of consequential accidents / No. of trains X million kilometers run

 

The various safety measures taken to enhance safety in train operations are as under:-

• On Indian Railways, the expenditure on Safety related activities has increased over the years as under:-

 

• Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation of points and signals have been provided at 6,665 stations up to 28.02.2026 to reduce accidents due to human failure.
• Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates has been provided at 10,153 Level Crossing Gates up to 28.02.2026 for enhancing safety at LC Gates.
• Complete Track Circuiting of stations to enhance safety by verification of track occupancy by electrical means has been provided at 6,669 stations up to 28.02.2026.

New Delhi: Upgradation and renewal of tracks is a continuous and ongoing process. The track renewal is carried out as per the laid down criteria based on age, traffic carried, condition etc.

Track Renewal Works are planned and executed duly prioritizing the condition of track and various other factors so as to ensure that track is safe for running of trains at permitted speed.

The details of track renewal carried out across the entire railway network during 2014-26 (up to Feb’26) are as under:

Safety of train operation is accorded top priority on Indian Railways (IR). There is a well-established system of inspection and maintenance of railway tracks as prescribed in Indian Railways Permanent Way Manual.

The tracks on IR are regularly inspected by designated officials as per the laid down schedule. This includes daily patrolling, on-foot inspection, trolley inspection and foot plate/rear window inspection by the concerned officials. Further, to assess the health of track geometry objectively, Track Recording Car (TRC) and Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) runs are conducted at scheduled frequencies. The entire railway network of Indian Railways is covered through TRC and OMS runs. Based on various inspections, necessary action is taken in a time bound manner to ensure safety of track.

Strengthening, upgradation, modernisation and improvement of track infrastructure is a continuous and ongoing process over Indian Railways. The following measures are being taken by Indian Railways to upgrade railway tracks:

i. Modern track structure consisting of 60kg, 90 Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) rails, Wider and heavier Pre-stressed Concrete Sleepers (PSC) with elastic fastening, fan-shaped layout turnout on PSC sleepers and H-beam Sleepers on girder bridges are being used while carrying out primary track renewals.

ii. The Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossings are being used in turnout renewal works.

iii. Supply of 260m long rail panels have been increased to avoid welding of joints, thereby improving safety and riding quality

iv. Thick Web Switch Expansion Joints are being used in place of earlier Conventional/Improved SEJs.

v.  Adoption of better welding technology for rails i.e. Flash Butt Welding.

vi. Adoption of mechanized system for track maintenance using high output plain tampers and points & crossing tampers for improved maintainability & reliability of track.

vii. Deployment of state-of-the-art modern machines including Rail Grinding Machines to further improve asset reliability.

viii. Mechanisation of track laying activities through use of track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc.

ix. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates for enhancing safety at LC gates.

x. Use of advanced Phased Array technology of testing of rail and welds.

xi. Deployment of Integrated Track Monitoring Systems (ITMS) and Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) for comprehensive health assessment to ascertain optimal maintenance requirements.

xii. Adoption of portable Track Measuring Trolley for continuous recording of track parameters in yards.

xiii. Using web enabled Track Management System (TMS) for integration and data analytics of the track inspection records received through various sources to enable precise maintenance inputs.

As a result of above measures, there has been significant increase in speed potential of the tracks. The details of speed potential of railway tracks during 2014 vis-a-vis 2026 are as under:

This information was provided by the Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a reply to questions in Lok Sabha today.

New Delhi: As per Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Act, 2023, all applications for registration of periodicals are processed digitally through Press Sewa Portal. Accordingly, all physical records of registration of newspapers (more than 1.5 lakh) which were created under the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867 (now repealed) have been digitized and made part of the Press Sewa Portal. Currently, services such as registration of new periodicals, revision of registration of existing periodicals, ownership transfer of periodicals, filing of Annual Statement, payment of penalty online, Circulation Verification of Periodicals etc. are being processed through Press Sewa Portal. As part of the implementation of the Act, Specified Authorities of 780 Districts have been onboarded on Press Sewa Portal. Since 1st March 2024, 11,081 applications have been processed, and certificates have been issued for relevant categories.

A detailed list of penalty imposed and paid through Press Sewa portal is attached at Annexure-I and a detailed state-wise list of number of such periodicals that have been cancelled is attached at Annexure-II. The Government continuously assesses impact of its various initiatives and programmes. Press Registrar General of India (PRGI) continuously takes feedback and action to facilitate better services through the portal.

The list of registered newspapers/periodicals is available on PRGI’s website i.e. https://prgi.gov.in/ under “Registered Titles” tab under “Our Services” Head.

New Delhi: The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting allocates funds under DCDFC (Development, Communication and Dissemination of Filmic Content) Scheme to National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

The aims of scheme are to promote the creation, innovation, and dissemination of film content. This includes organizing and participating in the film festivals to promote Indian films at national and international platforms, while also providing financial assistance to filmmakers and film-related institutions to enhance the visibility and global reach of Indian cinema. It further supports preservation, restoration, digitization, and archiving of India’s film heritage, and provides incentives for Audio-Visual co-production and international films shooting in India.

The Ministry also supports filmmakers and other creative professionals through the DCDFC Scheme by organizing and supporting various film festivals, workshops, screenings, masterclasses, and dissemination activities that encourage the growth of the film sector and facilitate interaction among filmmakers, artists, technicians, and other industry professionals. The details in this regard are available at https://www.nfdcindia.com and https://mib.gov.in/en/offerings/schemes-monitoring .

The funds utilisation details of DCDFC Scheme are given below:

 

*Till 26.02.2026.

The Ministry through NFDC undertakes partnerships with State Governments to promote cinema and related activities like organization of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) at Goa every year.

Further, WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit) was organized successfully at Mumbai in year 2025. Also, Residential Writers’ Lab was organized in collaboration with the Maharashtra Film Stage & Cultural Development Corporation Ltd. (MFSCDCL) at Maharashtra Film City. The year-wise details of major events, number of screenings/shows and approximate number of delegates/participants are placed below: