UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Railway Minister Reviews Progress of Kavach Implementation

Q1. Kavach, India's indigenous Automatic Train Protection system, is certified to the highest order of railway safety certification. To which Safety Integrity Level (SIL) is it certified?

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

Q2. With reference to the Kavach system, consider the following statements: 1. It is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. 2. It automatically applies brakes if the loco pilot fails to keep the train within the permitted speed limits. 3. It can prevent a collision only between locomotives that are NOT fitted with the system. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.
  2. It automatically applies brakes if the loco pilot fails to keep the train within the permitted speed limits.
  3. It can prevent a collision only between locomotives that are NOT fitted with the system.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to the evolution of Kavach, consider the following statements: 1. Kavach Version 4.0 was approved by RDSO in July 2024. 2. Unlike its earlier versions, Version 4.0 provides a direct interface to the existing Electronic Interlocking system. 3. Kavach was first adopted as the National ATP system in July 2024 along with Version 4.0. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Kavach Version 4.0 was approved by RDSO in July 2024.
  2. Unlike its earlier versions, Version 4.0 provides a direct interface to the existing Electronic Interlocking system.
  3. Kavach was first adopted as the National ATP system in July 2024 along with Version 4.0.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. Which organisation of Indian Railways develops and approves the technical specifications of the Kavach system, including Version 4.0?

  • A. Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO)
  • B. Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS)
  • C. RITES Limited
  • D. IRCON International

Q5. With reference to the first field trial of Kavach witnessed by the Railway Minister, consider the following statements: 1. The trial was conducted on the Lingampalli–Vikarabad section. 2. This section lies in the South Central Railway zone. 3. The trial was carried out in the Northern Railway zone in the National Capital Region. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The trial was conducted on the Lingampalli–Vikarabad section.
  2. This section lies in the South Central Railway zone.
  3. The trial was carried out in the Northern Railway zone in the National Capital Region.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. Consider the following Kavach section–railway zone pairs: 1. Lingampalli–Vikarabad — South Central Railway 2. Vadodara–Virar — Western Railway 3. Manpur–Sarmatanr — East Central Railway 4. Tuglakabad Junction Cabin–Palwal — Southern Railway Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

  1. Lingampalli–Vikarabad — South Central Railway
  2. Vadodara–Virar — Western Railway
  3. Manpur–Sarmatanr — East Central Railway
  4. Tuglakabad Junction Cabin–Palwal — Southern Railway
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. With reference to the features highlighted in the 2026 review of Kavach, consider the following statements: 1. The Universal Braking Algorithm standardises braking curves across different manufacturers. 2. SURAKSHA is being developed as a unified Operations Management System for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. 3. The Universal Braking Algorithm necessitates repeated field trials separately for each manufacturer. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Universal Braking Algorithm standardises braking curves across different manufacturers.
  2. SURAKSHA is being developed as a unified Operations Management System for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.
  3. The Universal Braking Algorithm necessitates repeated field trials separately for each manufacturer.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. In the context of the 2026 Kavach review, the 'Universal Braking Algorithm (UBA)' is best described as which of the following?

  • A. A standardised braking-curve framework across OEMs that ensures interoperability and eliminates repetitive trials
  • B. An AI-based centralised platform for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance of installations
  • C. An RFID-based method for computing precise train location along the track
  • D. A protocol for direct interfacing between two adjacent station Kavach units over optical fibre

Q9. In the context of the Kavach rollout reviewed in 2026, the figure of approximately 1,306.3 route kilometres refers to which of the following?

  • A. The cumulative length over which Kavach Version 4.0 has been commissioned across Indian Railways
  • B. The total length for which trackside works of Kavach have been put out to bid
  • C. The Kavach route length deployed earlier on the South Central Railway zone
  • D. The length targeted for commissioning per year after the next two years

Q10. Consider the following elements and their description in the Kavach ecosystem: 1. RFID tags — provide precise train location 2. UHF radio — secure communication between trackside and locomotive 3. SURAKSHA — centralised monitoring/operations management platform 4. ETCS Level 2 — the onboard braking-curve generator of Kavach Which of the above is NOT correctly identified?

  1. RFID tags — provide precise train location
  2. UHF radio — secure communication between trackside and locomotive
  3. SURAKSHA — centralised monitoring/operations management platform
  4. ETCS Level 2 — the onboard braking-curve generator of Kavach
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q11. In which year was Kavach formally adopted as the National Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system of India?

  • A. 2016
  • B. 2018
  • C. 2020
  • D. 2024

Q12. Which of the following statements best characterises Kavach relative to global Automatic Train Protection systems such as the European Train Control System (ETCS)?

  • A. It is an indigenously developed, SIL-4 certified ATP system regarded as among the cheapest of its class, with export potential
  • B. It is the European ETCS standard imported and re-branded for Indian conditions
  • C. It is a lower-certification (SIL-2) economy variant meant only for branch lines
  • D. It is a proprietary foreign system licensed to Indian OEMs for assembly
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