Vande Bharat Express
Vande Bharat Express (Train-18)
Overview
Vande Bharat Express is Indian Railways’ first indigenous semi-high-speed, self-propelled (engine-less) train-set. Designed & built by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, it marks a paradigm shift from conventional loco-hauled trains to modern distributed-power train-sets capable of 180 km/h operational speed.
Key Facts & Figures
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1st Train-set rolled out | October 2018 by ICF Chennai |
| Flag-off date & route | 15 Feb 2019: NDLS–Varanasi (VB 22436/37) |
| Inaugurated by | Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
| Designed under | ‘Make in India’, ICF in 18 months |
| Propulsion | Self-propelled (Distributed Power) |
| Max. Design Speed | 180 km/h |
| Max. Operational Speed | 160 km/h (permitted) |
| Average end-to-end speed | 95–110 km/h (varies by section) |
| Traction | 25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead |
| Coaches | 8/16 stainless-steel, fully air-conditioned |
| Seating classes | Chair Car (CC) & Executive Chair Car (EC) |
| Seat capacity (16-coach) | 1,128 passengers (EC-52, CC-1,076) |
| Automatic doors | Plug-type, 650 mm wide, GPS-based |
| On-board infotainment | Passenger info system, Wi-Fi, CCTVs |
| GPS-based | Public Address / Passenger Info System |
| Reversal time | 0 min (no loco reversal) |
| Acceleration | 0-100 km/h in 52 s (faster than Gatimaan) |
| Regenerative braking | 35 % energy saving |
| Mini-pantry | Hot-cold vending machines, oven |
| Vande Bharat 2.0 | 25 Aug 2022; improved AC, KAVACH ready |
| Sleeper prototype | VB-Sleeper flagged Oct 2023 (16 berths) |
| Total in service (Dec 2025) | 58 services on 58 routes (longest: Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod 622 km) |
| Fare structure | Fare = Rajdhani base + 15 % (Chair Car) / + 50 % (EC) – Superfast & GST extra |
Important Points (Quick Revision)
- First run between New Delhi & Varanasi (759 km) in 8 hrs 00 min.
- World-class ride index ≤ 2.5 (same as European EMUs).
- Rotating seats in Executive Class (middle row can align direction).
- 100 % LED lighting; dust-sealed vestibules; vacuum toilets.
- Driver cab has airline-style joystick control; single-button start.
- Fire & smoke detection system in HVAC ducts.
- Can climb 1:50 gradient without helper.
- Saves ~Rs 1 crore/yr in maintenance vs LHB+loco.
- VB 2.0 has ‘KAVACH’ (TPWS) equipment pre-fitted for safety.
- Each coach 22.4 m long, 3.2 m wide; gangway width 1.1 m.
- Stainless-steel body & aluminium interiors for corrosion resistance.
- ICF target: 75 sets by Mar 2024; 200 sets/yr thereafter.
- Sleeper version retains same 180 km/h design speed.
- Project executed without foreign consultancy – 100 % domestic IP.
- PM Modi called it “a symbol of New India & Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
Frequently Asked in Exams
- Which factory manufactured the first Vande Bharat train-set? → ICF, Chennai.
- What is the top operational speed permitted by RDSO? → 160 km/h.
- Which safety equipment is factory-fitted in VB 2.0? → KAVACH (Train Collision Avoidance System).
- How much time is saved at terminus due to absence of loco reversal? → ~20-30 min.
- Under which initiative was the project undertaken? → Make in India.
Practice MCQs
(click to reveal answer)
Question:01 Vande Bharat Express is popularly known by which project name?
A) Train-15
B) Train-16
C) Train-18
D) Train-20
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: During its development phase by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), the semi-high-speed self-propelled trainset was internally designated “Train-18”; after commissioning it was branded as Vande Bharat Express.
Question:02 Which of the following is NOT a feature of Vande Bharat 2.0?
A) KAVACH ready
B) Re-generative braking
C) Bio-vacuum toilets
D) Diesel back-up engine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Vande Bharat 2.0 trains are fully electric and do not carry a diesel back-up engine; all listed options except D are confirmed features.
Question:03 The inaugural Vande Bharat Express run in 2019 connected which two stations?
A) New Delhi & Mumbai Central
B) New Delhi & Varanasi
C) New Delhi & Howrah
D) New Delhi & Chennai Central
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The first Vande Bharat Express was flagged off on 15 February 2019 and operated between New Delhi and Varanasi, covering the distance in about 8 hours.
Question:04 What is the maximum design speed of the Vande Bharat train-set?
A) 160 km/h
B) 180 km/h
C) 200 km/h
D) 220 km/h
Show Answer
Correct Answer: BExplanation: The Vande Bharat train-set is engineered for a maximum design speed of 180 km/h, allowing it to operate efficiently on Indian Railways’ semi-high-speed corridors.
Question:05 Which class fares are used as base for VB fare computation?
A) Shatabdi Express
B) Duronto Express
C) Rajdhani Express
D) Tejas Express
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Rajdhani Express fares serve as the baseline for computing Vande Bharat (VB) train fares.
Question:06 The 16-coach VB rake can seat approximately how many passengers?
A) 1,024
B) 1,128
C) 1,216
D) 1,312
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A standard 16-coach Vande Bharat (VB) rake is designed to seat roughly 1,128 passengers, combining both Chair Car and Executive Chair Car accommodation.
Question:07 Vande Bharat trains operate on which of the following overhead power-supply systems?
A) 15 kV DC
B) 25 kV AC
C) 1.5 kV DC
D) 750 V DC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Vande Bharat Express uses the standard Indian Railways electrification system of 25 kV 50 Hz AC via overhead catenary.
Question:08 Which braking system helps VB save about 35 % traction energy?
A) Air braking
B) Vacuum braking
C) Regenerative braking
D) Eddy-current braking
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Regenerative braking converts the train’s kinetic energy back into electrical energy that is returned to the overhead lines, enabling VB to achieve roughly 35 % traction-energy savings.
Question:09 The stainless-steel car shells are manufactured at:
A) ICF, Chennai
B) RCF, Kapurthala
C) BEML, Bengaluru
D) Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A Explanation: Integral Coach Factory (ICF) at Chennai is the facility where stainless-steel car shells are produced.Question:10 The sleeper-version prototype of Vande Bharat was unveiled in which year?
A) 2021
B) 2022
C) 2023
D) 2024
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Indian Railways publicly unveiled the first sleeper-version prototype of the Vande Bharat train in 2023, marking the next evolution of the semi-high-speed platform.
BETA
