UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Thanks to Rising Popularity, Vande Bharat Trains Driving Demand for New Era of Fast, Comfortable & Modern Rail Travel Across the Country
Q1. The Vande Bharat Express trainsets are indigenously designed and manufactured with around 90% localisation. At which one of the following Indian Railways production units are they built?
- A. Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala
- B. Modern Coach Factory, Raebareli
- C. Integral Coach Factory, Chennai
- D. Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Chittaranjan
Q2. With reference to the manufacture of the Vande Bharat Express, consider the following statements:
1. The prototype trainset was originally designated 'Train 18', reflecting the year in which its development was completed.
2. Vande Bharat trainsets are assembled entirely from imported components, with no domestic localisation.
3. The Integral Coach Factory designed and integrated the first Vande Bharat trainset in-house within about 18 months.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The prototype trainset was originally designated 'Train 18', reflecting the year in which its development was completed.
- Vande Bharat trainsets are assembled entirely from imported components, with no domestic localisation.
- The Integral Coach Factory designed and integrated the first Vande Bharat trainset in-house within about 18 months.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q3. With reference to the speed characteristics of Vande Bharat trainsets, consider the following statements:
1. Vande Bharat 2.0 trainsets are designed for a maximum speed of 180 kmph.
2. Vande Bharat 2.0 trains routinely attain their design speed of 180 kmph in regular commercial service across the network.
3. Vande Bharat 2.0 features improved regenerative braking and air-conditioning that is about 15% more energy-efficient.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Vande Bharat 2.0 trainsets are designed for a maximum speed of 180 kmph.
- Vande Bharat 2.0 trains routinely attain their design speed of 180 kmph in regular commercial service across the network.
- Vande Bharat 2.0 features improved regenerative braking and air-conditioning that is about 15% more energy-efficient.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q4. The variant of the Vande Bharat platform designed for short-distance intercity (Vande Metro) travel has been branded as which one of the following?
- A. Vande Bharat Sleeper
- B. Amrit Bharat Express
- C. Namo Bharat Rapid Rail
- D. Vande Bharat 2.0
Q5. The 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper trainset has a total passenger carrying capacity of approximately how many passengers?
- A. 640
- B. 823
- C. 1128
- D. 1440
Q6. With reference to the launch and early milestones of the Vande Bharat platform, consider the following statements:
1. The Vande Bharat Express was first flagged off in February 2019.
2. At its launch, the Vande Bharat Express was capable of running at speeds up to 160 kmph.
3. Bookings for the first Vande Bharat Sleeper opened in January 2026 and its tickets sold out within 24 hours.
4. The first Vande Bharat Express was launched on the 508-km Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?
- The Vande Bharat Express was first flagged off in February 2019.
- At its launch, the Vande Bharat Express was capable of running at speeds up to 160 kmph.
- Bookings for the first Vande Bharat Sleeper opened in January 2026 and its tickets sold out within 24 hours.
- The first Vande Bharat Express was launched on the 508-km Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor.
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 2 and 3
- C. 4 only
- D. 1 and 4
Q7. Which one of the following was the first route on which the Vande Bharat Express commenced commercial service in February 2019?
- A. Mumbai–Ahmedabad
- B. New Delhi–Varanasi
- C. Chennai–Mysuru
- D. Secunderabad–Visakhapatnam
Q8. The data showing that nearly 4 crore passengers travelled by Vande Bharat trains in FY 2025-26 — a year-on-year growth of about 34% — was released by which Union Ministry?
- A. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
- B. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
- C. Ministry of Railways
- D. Ministry of Heavy Industries
Q9. The first Vande Bharat Sleeper train — which recorded over 100% occupancy, carrying about 1.21 lakh passengers across 119 trips in its first three months — commenced service in early 2026 on which corridor?
- A. New Delhi–Varanasi
- B. Howrah–Guwahati
- C. Chennai–Mysuru
- D. Mumbai–Ahmedabad
Q10. With reference to the coverage of Vande Bharat services as of December 2025, consider the following statements:
1. Vande Bharat services were operational across 274 districts.
2. A total of 164 Vande Bharat services were in operation.
3. Vande Bharat trains had carried more than 7.5 crore cumulative passengers since 2019.
4. All Vande Bharat services currently in operation are overnight sleeper trains.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?
- Vande Bharat services were operational across 274 districts.
- A total of 164 Vande Bharat services were in operation.
- Vande Bharat trains had carried more than 7.5 crore cumulative passengers since 2019.
- All Vande Bharat services currently in operation are overnight sleeper trains.
- A. 1 and 4
- B. 2 and 3
- C. 1, 2 and 3
- D. 4 only
Q11. With reference to a comparison of the Vande Bharat Express with other Indian rail initiatives, consider the following statements:
1. The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (bullet train) has an operational speed of 320 kmph, well above Vande Bharat's operating speed of 160 kmph.
2. The Vande Bharat Express is classified as India's first semi-high-speed train.
3. The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor is being developed using Japanese Shinkansen technology.
4. The Vande Bharat Express is India's first bullet train, operating at 320 kmph.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?
- The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (bullet train) has an operational speed of 320 kmph, well above Vande Bharat's operating speed of 160 kmph.
- The Vande Bharat Express is classified as India's first semi-high-speed train.
- The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor is being developed using Japanese Shinkansen technology.
- The Vande Bharat Express is India's first bullet train, operating at 320 kmph.
- A. 1 and 4
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1, 2 and 3
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4