Indian Railways Launches Rail Tech Policy for Innovation

• Indian Railways introduces a policy to engage start-ups for tech solutions, including AI-based safety systems and broken rail detection
• Grants for prototype development and scale-up are significantly increased to support innovation
• Railway Claims Tribunal cases will be digitized across 23 benches to improve efficiency and transparency

The Indian Railways has launched its new Rail Tech policy to support innovation through partnerships with start-up companies, industry stakeholders and academic research organizations.

The Indian Railways Rail Tech Policy aims to boost railway innovation India by promoting Rail Tech start-up engagement and supporting rail industry start-ups support through targeted programs.

This initiative strengthens Indian Railways technology initiatives, Indian Railways modernization, and rail sector innovation India, aligning with the rail innovation policy 2026 and broader transport tech policy India and Indian Railways tech reforms.

The Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained that the project aims to develop rapid technological solutions which will solve major issues that the national transporter currently experiences.

The Rail Tech platform will permanently provide access to start-up companies, which will use the basic selection method to achieve quick implementation of their projects. The Railway Board will assess proposed solutions because they need to match the operational needs of the organization.

The main research areas explore AI-based systems, which include the Elephant Intrusion Detection System (EIDS), fire detection systems for coaches and drone technology which detects broken rails.

Also Read: Policy Planned to Boost Local Manufacturing of Rail Tech

The research focuses on two additional areas, which are rail stress tracking and sensor devices, which measure weight on parcel vans and solar energy systems installed on coaches. Start-ups that develop successful solutions for Indian Railways projects will gain access to international markets through product expansion.

This policy enhances the existing Railways start-up framework through two essential improvements, which include increasing prototype development and trial funding limits to double their previous amount and increasing scale-up funding to three times its previous amount.

The Indian Railway Innovation Policy, which originated in June 2022, establishes financial support for functional prototypes through 50:50 cost-sharing grants that provide up to Rs 1.5 crore in funding for projects which focus on safety, efficiency and maintenance requirements.

The innovators received ownership rights together with a protected testing environment and guaranteed purchase of their successful and affordable products.

Vaishnaw explained that funding for innovation projects will come from budget allocations that match the specific challenges which need to be solved, especially for safety projects.

The minister revealed his intention to transform the Railway Claims Tribunal by creating digital systems for all 23 benches, which will enhance efficiency, accessibility and transparency for case management throughout the entire country.