India's First Railway University: Information on Location and Curriculums
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India's First Railway University: Information on Location and Curriculums

If there is a misconception that engineering education is limited to computer science, mechanical engineering, or civil construction, this is incorrect. There is a university in India that refutes this notion. Ghati Shakti University (GSV), located in Vadodara, Gujarat state, offers degrees related to railway transport, aviation, maritime transport, and logistics.

This institution is a central university under the aegis of the Ministry of Railways and positions itself as the first in the country dedicated to the sectors of transport and logistics.

GSV is located in Lalbagh, Vadodara, Gujarat. It was established through the Central Universities (Amendment) Act of 2022, which converted the National Institute of Railways and Transport, previously an accredited university, into a central university. The government states that the university's scope of activity will expand beyond railways to cover a broader transport sector. The academic focus includes transport technologies, management, policy, research, and industry-oriented training. The university also emphasizes that students benefit from project-based learning and industry-related courses directly at railway sites.

For the 2026–2027 period, the university has included Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) programs. These include: Civil Engineering with a specialization in railway construction; Electronics and Communication with a specialization in railway construction; Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in railway construction; Electrical Engineering with a specialization in railway construction; Artificial Intelligence and Data Science with a specialization in transport and logistics; Aeronautical Engineering; and Marine Engineering.

According to the admission information for 2026–27, 60 seats are allocated for four courses in railway construction and one course in AI and Data Science. Aeronautical Engineering offers 40 seats, and Marine Engineering offers 30 seats.

These courses include not only general engineering knowledge. Depending on the program, students study new information on railway signaling, railway operations, traction systems, vehicle technology, transport economics, and railway technologies.

MBA, M.Tech, and PhD Programs

GSV offers not only B.Tech programs but also courses for students and working professionals. Among the M.Tech programs are railway construction and intelligent transport systems. For working individuals, programs such as bridge and tunnel construction, as well as road and highway construction, are available. In the field of management, MBA programs are offered in logistics and supply chain management, as well as in port and shipping logistics.

Furthermore, there are programs specifically designed for working professionals, such as multimodal transport, metro management, and aviation management and operations. The university also conducts PhD programs.

The admission process is conducted through JoSAA and CSAB counseling. The university's admission notification states that no separate GSV exam is required for admission to B.Tech. However, applicants wishing to apply for other programs should carefully review the respective admission notifications, as selection procedures differ. For instance, for MBA programs, the university provides information on entrance exams and interviews.

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Vande Bharat Sleeper high-speed train tested at 160 km/h with Kavach system check
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Vande Bharat Sleeper high-speed train tested at 160 km/h with Kavach system check

During journeys, passengers usually pay attention to speed, schedule, and amenities; however, the faster the train moves, the more serious the safety issue becomes. This is especially relevant in conditions where the railway is preparing to expand its network of semi-high-speed and high-speed trains in the country. Therefore, it is crucial not only to accelerate train movement but also to ensure that the safety system operates quickly and reliably in case of danger.

As part of this process, Indian Railways has taken an important step. On the Hazrat Nizamuddin – Palwal route, a 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper train was run at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour to test the 'Kavach' safety system. During these tests, special attention was paid to the communication system between the train and the station.

The North Western Railway conducted this high-speed test between Hazrat Nizamuddin and Palwal. For the first time on this section, the 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper train was launched at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour. According to the report, the train departed from Hazrat Nizamuddin on September 9th around 13:38 and arrived at Palwal at 14:21. After a stop of approximately 31 minutes, the train departed again at 14:52 and returned to Hazrat Nizamuddin at 15:32.

Approximately 50 kilometers were covered between the two stations during this movement. However, the train did not move continuously at 160 kilometers per hour across the entire route. Construction work was underway on the Faridabad main line, and both main lines were closed. As a result, the train traveled on a loop line, and its speed had to be reduced when passing through stations.

The purpose of this high-speed run was not only to test the speed of the Vande Bharat Sleeper. The Kavach communication system was also tested during the trials. According to the report, communication between the driver and the station remained uninterrupted throughout the journey. Railway representatives stated that no communication failures were observed. This system is considered critically important when operating trains at high speeds.

Kavach is an indigenous automatic train protection system of Indian Railways. Its function is to provide the driver with necessary warnings during movement and enhance the level of safety in case of a threat. If necessary, this system can automatically brake the train. The goal of Kavach is to minimize risks associated with signal violations, train collisions, and human error. In January, the Ministry of Railways announced that the Kavach complex developed in the country has been installed in the Vande Bharat Sleeper train.

According to officials, the high-speed check was successful. Previously, about 30 such tests were conducted on the New Delhi – Palwal route. Now, Indian Railways is working on a large-scale expansion of the Kavach system across its network. This is important for the railway because the number of high-speed trains is planned to increase in the future. Under such conditions, simply increasing the train's speed is not enough; the safety technology must be equally reliable. This Vande Bharat Sleeper test is considered an important step in this direction.

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