**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 690, regarding special trains for competitive exams, the Ministry of Railways addressed inquiries about services in Uttar Pradesh since 2022. The Minister of Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, stated that the operation of special trains by Indian Railways (IR) is based on network requirements that often span state boundaries. These trains are introduced to augment regular services and manage passenger surges during peak seasons, festivals, special events, and examinations. The decision to operate such trains is contingent upon traffic justification, operational feasibility, and resource availability. In 2024-25, IR operated approximately 85,400 trips of special trains. Specific details concerning the number of exam-related special trains operational in Uttar Pradesh since 2022, the number of seats available versus passengers travelled year-wise, instances of overcrowding, and reviews of shortfalls were not provided with specific figures, but were addressed within the broader context of IR's operational procedures for managing passenger demand.
Key Entities Referenced
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for the country's rail transport.
LOK SABHA: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
SHRI PUSHPENDRA SAROJ: A member of Lok Sabha who raised a question regarding special trains for competitive exams.
RAILWAYS: The subject matter of the question, referring to the railway system and its operations.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India where the number of exam-related special trains operational since 2022 is questioned.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Indian Railways: The rail transport agency of India.
INFORMATION BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: A ministry of the Government of India headed by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 690
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
SPECIAL TRAINS FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS
690. SHRI PUSHPENDRA SAROJ:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the number of exam related special trains operational in
Uttar Pradesh since 2022;
(b) the details of the total number of seats available along with the total
number of passengers travelled, year-wise;
(c) whether there are any instances of overcrowding in these special trains
reported, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government has commissioned any review of the shortfall in
special train for competitive exams, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d) As the Railway network straddles across State boundaries, trains
are introduced, as per network requirement, across such boundaries.
However, to supplement the availability of accommodation in regular train
services and to cater to the extra rush of passengers during peak seasons,
festivals, special events, examination, etc., Indian Railways (IR), subject to
traffic justification, operational feasibility, availability of resources, etc,
also operates special trains and also augments the loads of existing
services. This is an on-going process. During 2024-25, IR operated approx.
85,400 trips of special trains.
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