RailTech Policy Launched

On 26th February 2026, Union Minister announced the launch of the RailTech Policy and the complete digitisation of the Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT), marking the third and fourth reforms under Indian Railways’ “52 Reforms in 52 Weeks” programme.

Key Points

Innovation-Driven Transformation of Railways: The RailTech Policy aims to systematically integrate advanced technologies into Indian Railways by engaging startups, innovators, research institutions and industry through a simplified and transparent framework.
Dedicated RailTech Portal: A fully digital, end-to-end platform will allow innovators and departmental users to submit proposals through a single-stage process.
Higher Financial Support: Scale-up grants increased more than threefold; maximum grants for prototype development and trials doubled.
50% Development Cost Support: Railways will fund up to 50% of development costs for promising technologies, with large-scale procurement after successful trials.
Innovation Over Vendor Model: Shift from rigid vendor-based procurement to an innovation-driven, trial-based adoption framework.
Focus Areas Under RailTech Policy:
- AI-based elephant intrusion detection systems
- Fire detection systems in coaches
- Drone-based broken rail detection
- Rail stress monitoring technologies
- Sensor-based load calculation in parcel vans
- Solar panels on coaches
- AI-based coach cleaning monitoring
- Fog obstruction detection systems
- AI-enabled pension and dispute resolution systems
Operational Use Cases: AI-enabled CCTV for passenger safety, predictive monitoring of overhead equipment, and drone-based inspection of rail infrastructure.