UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Kavach 4.0 Successfully Commissioned on 1,452 Route Km Covering High-Density Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah Routes

Q1. Which one of the following bodies is responsible for framing the specification and according technical approval to the Kavach Automatic Train Protection system?

  • A. Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO)
  • B. Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS)
  • C. RailTel Corporation of India
  • D. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)

Q2. With reference to the technical components of the Kavach system, consider the following: 1. RFID tags installed throughout the track length 2. Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) backbone for station-to-station communication 3. An onboard locomotive Kavach unit 4. Satellite (NavIC)-based positioning as the primary means of determining train location Which of the above is/are NOT correct as a Kavach component?

  1. RFID tags installed throughout the track length
  2. Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) backbone for station-to-station communication
  3. An onboard locomotive Kavach unit
  4. Satellite (NavIC)-based positioning as the primary means of determining train location
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q3. The Kavach specification Version 4.0 was approved by RDSO on which one of the following dates?

  • A. 16 July 2024
  • B. July 2020
  • C. February 2016
  • D. March 2022

Q4. With reference to the evolution and approval history of Kavach, consider the following statements: 1. Field trials of the system on passenger trains commenced in 2016. 2. It was adopted as India's National ATP system in 2020. 3. Three firms (OEMs) were approved for supply of Kavach Version 3.2. 4. Version 4.0 replaced the earlier Version 2.0 specification. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. Field trials of the system on passenger trains commenced in 2016.
  2. It was adopted as India's National ATP system in 2020.
  3. Three firms (OEMs) were approved for supply of Kavach Version 3.2.
  4. Version 4.0 replaced the earlier Version 2.0 specification.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. Comparing the March 2026 Kavach 4.0 commissioning with the earlier 738 route-km milestone, consider the following statements: 1. The 1,452 route-km commissioning covers the high-density Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah routes. 2. The earlier 738 route-km milestone comprised the Palwal–Mathura–Nagda (633 RKm) section and the Howrah–Bardhaman (105 RKm) section. 3. The 1,452 route-km milestone was commissioned on the Mumbai–Chennai coastal corridor. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 1,452 route-km commissioning covers the high-density Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah routes.
  2. The earlier 738 route-km milestone comprised the Palwal–Mathura–Nagda (633 RKm) section and the Howrah–Bardhaman (105 RKm) section.
  3. The 1,452 route-km milestone was commissioned on the Mumbai–Chennai coastal corridor.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. The commissioning and rollout of Kavach 4.0 on the Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah routes is carried out solely under the administrative control of which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Railways
  • B. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
  • C. Ministry of Heavy Industries
  • D. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Q7. Trackside Kavach implementation work has been taken up on how many route kilometres, covering the Golden Quadrilateral, Golden Diagonal, High Density Network and identified sections?

  • A. 24,427 RKm
  • B. 1,452 RKm
  • C. 10,000 RKm
  • D. 14,427 RKm

Q8. In the context of the Kavach rollout network, the 'Golden Quadrilateral' of Indian Railways refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The high-traffic trunk routes connecting the four metropolitan cities Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Howrah
  • B. The Dedicated Freight Corridors linking the major sea ports
  • C. The four busiest suburban EMU/MEMU networks of the metros
  • D. The high-speed Vande Bharat corridors radiating from Delhi

Q9. With reference to the indigenisation profile of Kavach, consider the following statements: 1. It is an indigenously designed and developed Automatic Train Protection system. 2. It reduces dependence on imported signalling technologies. 3. It promotes the domestic Indian signalling industry. 4. At present, only a single OEM is approved to supply the Kavach system. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It is an indigenously designed and developed Automatic Train Protection system.
  2. It reduces dependence on imported signalling technologies.
  3. It promotes the domestic Indian signalling industry.
  4. At present, only a single OEM is approved to supply the Kavach system.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 2 only

Q10. The indigenous design and development of Kavach is officially stated to draw inspiration from which one of the following national visions?

  • A. Atmanirbhar Bharat
  • B. Make in India
  • C. Startup India
  • D. Digital India

Q11. Kavach is certified to which one of the following Safety Integrity Levels, described as the highest safety order globally for railway signalling?

  • A. SIL-4
  • B. SIL-3
  • C. SIL-2
  • D. SIL-1

Q12. The independent safety certification (SIL-4) attesting the integrity of Kavach's safety functions is carried out by which one of the following?

  • A. An Independent Safety Assessor (ISA)
  • B. Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO)
  • C. Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS)
  • D. Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES)