About Kavach System:
- It is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.
- Kavach was developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) under Indian Railway (IR) in collaboration with Medha Servo Drives Pvt Ltd, HBL Power Systems Ltd and Kernex Microsystems.
- It is a set of electronic devices and Radio Frequency Identification devices installed in locomotives, in the signalling system as well the tracks, that talk to each other using ultra-high radio frequencies to control the brakes of trains and also alert drivers, all based on the logic programmed into them.
- Since 2016, the railways have been carrying out field tests for Kavach on passenger trains.
- Applications:
- It has been designed to assist locomotive pilots in avoiding Signal Passing At Danger (SPAD) and overspeeding.
- The system can alert the loco pilot, take control of the brakes and bring the train to a halt automatically when it notices another train on the same line within a prescribed distance.
- The device also continuously relays the signals ahead to the locomotive, making it useful for loco pilots in low visibility.
- It also controls the speed of the train by an automatic application of brakes in case the loco pilot fails to do so.
- It helps the loco pilot in running the train during inclement weather conditions such as dense fog.
Q1) What is an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system?
Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System means the whole equipment that ensures safe running of the trains on the main line, i.e. prevents collision of trains by maintaining safe distance between them on the same track and controls the trains speed.
Source: What is train ‘Kavach’ and why is it trending after Odisha train accident?
Last updated on November, 2025
→ Check out the latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.
→ Join Vajiram & Ravi’s Interview Guidance Programme for expert help to crack your final UPSC stage.
→ UPSC Mains Result 2025 is now out.
→ UPSC Notification 2026 is scheduled to be released on January 14, 2026.
→ UPSC Calendar 2026 is released on 15th May, 2025.
→ The UPSC Vacancy 2025 were released 1129, out of which 979 were for UPSC CSE and remaining 150 are for UPSC IFoS.
→ UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.
→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.
→ UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!
→ UPSC Prelims Result 2025 is out now for the CSE held on 25 May 2025.
→ UPSC Toppers List 2024 is released now. Shakti Dubey is UPSC AIR 1 2024 Topper.
→ UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 and Unofficial Prelims Answer Key 2025 are available now.
→ UPSC Mains Question Paper 2025 is out for Essay, GS 1, 2, 3 & GS 4.
→ UPSC Mains Indian Language Question Paper 2025 is now out.
→ UPSC Mains Optional Question Paper 2025 is now out.
→ Also check Best IAS Coaching in Delhi


