UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Railway reforms to cut red tape, boost freight: Vaishnaw

Q1. In the context of recent Indian Railways policy, the initiative known as 'Reform Express' is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A time-bound programme under which the Ministry of Railways rolls out a series of reforms through 2026 aimed at systemic improvements in efficiency, governance and service delivery
  • B. A dedicated high-speed freight corridor reserved exclusively for reform-linked container traffic
  • C. A statutory regulator constituted to adjudicate all railway freight tariff disputes
  • D. A single omnibus legislation that entirely replaces the Railways Act to overhaul contractor rules

Q2. The 'Reform Express' package of railway reforms progressively rolled out through 2026 was announced by the Union Minister holding which portfolio?

  • A. Minister of Railways
  • B. Minister of Road Transport and Highways
  • C. Minister of Commerce and Industry
  • D. Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Q3. With reference to the fly ash freight reform of Indian Railways, consider the following intended destinations for fly ash to be moved by rail: 1. Brick kilns 2. Cement industries 3. Construction sites 4. Thermal power plants Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Brick kilns
  2. Cement industries
  3. Construction sites
  4. Thermal power plants
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. The movement of non-traditional bulk commodities such as fly ash by privately owned rakes on Indian Railways was first enabled under which scheme?

  • A. Special Freight Train Operator (SFTO) Scheme
  • B. Automobile Freight Train Operator (AFTO) Scheme
  • C. Freight Forwarders Incentive Scheme
  • D. Automatic Freight Rebate Scheme

Q5. Standardisation and design approval of railway rolling stock, including wagons, has conventionally been the responsibility of which organisation under Indian Railways?

  • A. Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), Lucknow
  • B. Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS)
  • C. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)
  • D. Central Organisation for Railway Electrification (CORE)

Q6. Consider the following statements comparing the earlier wagon design regime with the reformed policy of Indian Railways: 1. Under the earlier regime wagon design was centrally standardised, whereas the reform allows user industries to design their own wagons. 2. The reform specifically cites the transport needs of industries such as salt and cement. 3. The revised policy bars private manufacturers from developing any specialised wagons. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under the earlier regime wagon design was centrally standardised, whereas the reform allows user industries to design their own wagons.
  2. The reform specifically cites the transport needs of industries such as salt and cement.
  3. The revised policy bars private manufacturers from developing any specialised wagons.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. Private participation in container train operations on Indian Railways, permitting operators to run trains carrying both domestic and EXIM containers, was opened up in which year?

  • A. 2006
  • B. 1991
  • C. 2010
  • D. 2016

Q8. With reference to the Container Train Operator (CTO) regime of Indian Railways, consider the following statements: 1. Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR) is the largest holder of container rakes among the operators. 2. Container Train Operators may carry both EXIM and domestic containers. 3. Container rakes are owned by the operators, while Indian Railways hauls them and realises haulage charges. 4. Only public sector undertakings are permitted to be licensed as Container Train Operators. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR) is the largest holder of container rakes among the operators.
  2. Container Train Operators may carry both EXIM and domestic containers.
  3. Container rakes are owned by the operators, while Indian Railways hauls them and realises haulage charges.
  4. Only public sector undertakings are permitted to be licensed as Container Train Operators.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. The facility under which Indian Railways grants reduced freight charges for wagons moving in identified empty-flow directions is provided under which scheme?

  • A. Automatic Freight Rebate Scheme
  • B. General Purpose Wagon Investment Scheme
  • C. Special Freight Train Operator Scheme
  • D. Freight Forwarders Incentive Scheme

Q10. Under the Automobile Freight Train Operator (AFTO) scheme of Indian Railways, how many operators had been approved as referenced?

  • A. 2
  • B. 5
  • C. 12
  • D. 16

Q11. Under the revised construction-contract norms of Indian Railways, a contractor is now required to directly execute at least what share of the work — the largest single portion that may not be subcontracted?

  • A. 60%
  • B. 40%
  • C. 30%
  • D. 70%

Q12. The target of raising Indian Railways' share in the country's freight modal mix to 45% by 2030 is set under which of the following?

  • A. National Rail Plan
  • B. National Logistics Policy
  • C. PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
  • D. Dedicated Freight Corridor Programme