Indian Railways Quiz

Notes:
The correct answer is [D] Neither 1 nor 2. Bio-toilets in Indian Railways use a specialized biological process to treat human waste in-situ, preventing the direct discharge of waste onto tracks.

• Inoculum Type (Statement 1 – Incorrect): The decomposition is initiated by a bacterial inoculum, specifically anaerobic bacteria (consortium of bacteria including methanogens), not fungal. This inoculum was developed and supplied by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). These bacteria are capable of breaking down human waste in the absence of oxygen and can survive in a wide range of temperatures.
• End Products (Statement 2 – Incorrect): The decomposition process in a bio-toilet is a multi-stage anaerobic digestion. The primary end products are Methane (CH_{4}), Carbon Dioxide (CO_{2}), and Water (H_{2}O), with small amounts of other gases. Ammonia (NH_{3}) is not the primary gas released. The treated liquid (water) is generally chlorinated and discharged, while the gases are vented out. It does not simply turn into “ammonia and water vapor only.”

Key Features of Indian Railways Bio-toilets:

• Environment Friendly: They eliminate the corrosion of rails caused by open discharge and improve hygiene at railway stations.
• Anaerobic Process: Unlike aerobic systems, they do not require a constant supply of oxygen or aeration, making them suitable for moving train coaches.
• Maintenance: The bacterial consortium can multiply on its own; however, the toilets are sensitive to non-biodegradable waste like plastics, bottles, or sanitary napkins, which can choke the system.

Notes:
A Parliamentary Committee advised Indian Railways to conduct regular passenger satisfaction surveys and post-redevelopment impact studies of stations upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS). Amrit Bharat Station Scheme was launched in 2022 to develop and modernise railway stations across the country. The scheme follows long-term master planning, with upgrades based on station needs and passenger demand. It aims to improve cleanliness, comfort, accessibility and multimodal connectivity at stations.

Notes:
RailOne, the SuperApp of Indian Railways, crossed two crore downloads within eight months of its launch. The app surpassed five lakh ticket bookings per day in February 2026. It was developed by Centre for Railway Information Systems. It was launched by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on 1 July. RailOne integrates services like reserved and unreserved ticketing, platform tickets, train enquiries, PNR status, and other passenger utilities. RailTech Policy promotes innovation by engaging startups, innovators, industry, and institutions for Indian Railways modernization.

Notes:
Union Minister for Railways launched e-Railway Claims Tribunal as reform number four under Indian Railways initiative “52 Reforms in 52 Weeks”. It ensures full computerisation and digitisation of Railway Claims Tribunal functioning. Objective is to make claim filing, processing and judgement faster, transparent and accessible across India. Passengers can file claims online from any location, even during travel or after reaching destination. Entire system from electronic filing to case tracking is digitised and Artificial Intelligence-enabled. E-Filing allows 24×7 online submission of claims, petitions, affidavits and supporting documents. Case Information System is centralised database for auto-allocation and real-time case tracking.

Notes:
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, announced the RailTech Policy and complete digitisation of the Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT). These are the third and fourth reforms under Indian Railways’ “52 Reforms in 52 Weeks” initiative. RailTech Policy aims to bring technology and innovation into Railways via startups, industry, and research institutions through a transparent framework. A dedicated RailTech Portal will allow innovators to submit proposals digitally; scale-up grants tripled, prototype grants doubled.

Notes:
Union Minister of State V. Somanna launched the coffee table book “Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train: Journey of a Thousand Shrines” at Rail Bhawan on 23 February 2026. The book highlights the Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train as a major cultural and spiritual tourism initiative of Indian Railways. The initiative was conceptualised by Dr. Anup Dayanand, Indian Railway Traffic Service (Retired). The Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train is a flagship pilgrimage tourism initiative launched under the Bharat Gaurav Policy of Indian Railways. The initiative transforms Indian Railways from being only a transport provider into a promoter of tourism, culture and spiritual connectivity.

Notes:
Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management ગુજરાતના વડોદરામાં આવેલું મહત્વપૂર્ણ તાલીમ સંસ્થાન છે, જે ભારતીય રેલ્વેના અધિકારીઓના તાલીમ અને વ્યવસ્થાપન વિકાસ પર કેન્દ્રિત છે.

Notes:
Lekhapani railway station, established around 1890 in Tinsukia district, Assam, was the easternmost Indian Railways station until 1997. It served as a coal-loading hub and was the starting point of the Stillwell Road, constructed between 1942 and 1945 during World War II to connect India with China.

Notes:
Indian Railways operationalised India’s first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)–Diesel dual-fuel Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) train at Sabarmati, Ahmedabad. The 1,400 horsepower (HP) DEMU driving power cars were converted to run on a dual-fuel system. LNG replaces about 40% of conventional diesel consumption in the modified train. The converted power cars successfully completed field trials covering over 2,000 kilometres. The train is now running in regular passenger service without operational issues. The initiative reduces carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions significantly.

Notes:
Indian Railways introduced a humanoid robot named ASC ARJUN at Visakhapatnam Railway Station to enhance passenger safety, security, and service. This is the first deployment of its kind on the Indian Railways network, reflecting a focus on innovation and indigenous development. It assists RPF personnel with intrusion detection via Face Recognition System, AI-based crowd monitoring, and real-time alerts. The robot can make automated announcements in English, Hindi, and Telugu, guide passengers, and improve safety awareness.