Indian Railways introduces the first Amrit Bharat 3.0 trainset featuring AC and non-AC coaches

The Integral Coach Factory in Chennai has rolled out the country's first Amrit Bharat 3.0 trainset which marks a significant upgrade to existing affordable long-distance services. Officially unveiled on August 26, 2026, the new trainset brings several key updates for passengers. The new trainset comprises 22 modern coaches including a mix of AC and non-AC options. The configuration includes 1 first AC coach, 2 second AC coaches, 6 third AC coaches, 6 sleeper coaches, 4 general non-AC coaches, 1 pantry car, and 1 power car. Railway expert Shri Prakash noted that the integration of an additional engine may reduce the total coach count to 22 from a potential 24, resulting in an estimated 18 percent decrease in passenger capacity. Technological enhancements in these coaches include features inspired by the Vande Bharat series, such as improved seats and berths, advanced toilet designs, CCTV surveillance, shock-free semi-automatic couplers, LED lighting, dedicated charging sockets, and an emergency talk-back system.

Route Plans and Launch Details

While the Railway Board is currently finalizing the operational schedule and the maiden route, reports indicate a 22-coach Amrit Bharat 3.0 rake arrived in Jodhpur on the night of August 25, 2026. Plans are underway to operate this rake as a weekly special between Jodhpur and Mau under train numbers 14809 and 14810, potentially commencing before Diwali. In March of this year, the Railway Board approved the conversion of the Jodhpur-Mau route into an Amrit Bharat service. Separately, a new Amrit Bharat Express service connecting Ahmedabad and Bhagalpur is scheduled to launch on August 26, 2026, from Ahmedabad, with the return leg from Bhagalpur beginning August 28, 2026. This weekly service will cover the distance in approximately 36 hours and 10 minutes, operating at speeds between 110 and 130 kilometers per hour.

Expanding the Amrit Bharat Network

Since the launch of the Amrit Bharat series in 2023, over 60 services are currently operational, primarily catering to general and sleeper class passengers with fares approximately at 500 rupees per 1,000 kilometers. The Indian Railways has placed an order for 14 such rakes to be rolled out during the current financial year, aimed at providing both economical non-AC travel and premium AC travel options.