Overview
- The new Rail Tech Policy opens a single-stage, digital route for startups and researchers to submit solutions directly to the Railways, replacing a more restrictive 2022 innovation scheme and drawing on models like defence iDEX.
- Funding for pilots will come from relevant departmental budgets with divisional-level trials first; Indian Railways may co-fund development costs in select cases, cited up to about 50%, before scaling successful solutions.
- Priority challenges named at launch include AI-based elephant intrusion and fire detection, drone-based broken-rail detection, rail stress monitoring, obstruction detection in fog, solar panels on coaches, sensor-based parcel load devices, coach-cleaning monitoring, and AI tools for pensions and dispute resolution.
- The e-RCT overhaul enables 24x7, anywhere e-filing of compensation claims, backed by a central Case Information System, a digital Document Management System, automatic alerts, and AI tools aimed at reducing pendency.
- The ministry said all 23 Railway Claims Tribunal benches will be brought onto the e-RCT platform within 12 months to improve accessibility and address long-standing jurisdiction and paperwork hurdles for litigants.