Railways Introduces Body-Worn Cameras for RPF Personnel

Indian Railways has introduced GPS-enabled body-worn cameras for Railway Protection Force personnel in the Samastipur division of the East Central Railway on 12 June 2026. The system adds 20 new devices to 37 already deployed and is used for surveillance, passenger safety, and monitoring of RPF personnel.

Body-Worn Cameras in Railway Security

Body-worn cameras are portable recording devices fixed on a uniform or body harness. In railway security, they are used by RPF personnel during patrolling, inspection, and crowd management in stations and trains.

Technical Features of the Devices

The cameras used by Indian Railways have included night vision, 32 GB storage, a 3000 mAh battery, and a wide-angle lens of 100 to 109 degrees. Some models can record continuously for five hours and have an eight-hour standby time, while footage can be transferred to a control room through a SIM card.

Earlier Deployments in Indian Railways

The Mysuru Railway Division introduced 20 body-worn cameras on 21 May 2025 for railway security. The Malda Town station under Eastern Railway received 37 body cameras on 30 March 2023, and the Central Railway Nagpur Division procured 25 body-worn camera systems on 10 November 2021.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Railway Protection Force is a security force under the Ministry of Railways.
• Body-worn cameras are used in law enforcement for recording field interactions and incidents.
• Indian Railways first began using body-worn cameras for RPF personnel in 2020.
• Recorded footage from such cameras can be used as evidence in court.

Common Uses in Railway Premises

Body-worn cameras have been used in railway premises and trains for offences such as eve-teasing, chain snatching, molestation, and child trafficking. GPS-enabled devices also allow location tracking during security operations.