Indian Railways is set to launch the country’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train service in January 2026, marking a major upgrade in long-distance rail travel. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to flag off the service in the second half of the month, introducing a faster and more modern option for overnight journeys.
The Vande Bharat sleeper train has been specially designed for long routes of around 1,200 to 1,500 kilometres. Unlike the chair-car Vande Bharat trains currently in operation, this version is fully air-conditioned and equipped with sleeper berths, offering passengers greater comfort on overnight and intercity routes.
According to the Railway Minister, two Vande Bharat sleeper train sets are already ready and have successfully completed trial runs. These trials cleared key technical and safety benchmarks, paving the way for the start of commercial operations without further delay.
The first route selected for the sleeper service is the Guwahati–Kolkata corridor, running between Kamakhya and Howrah. This route is significant as it directly connects eastern India with the northeastern region, improving travel efficiency and reducing journey time compared to conventional mail and express trains.
Each Vande Bharat sleeper train will have 16 coaches with a total passenger capacity of 823. The rake composition includes 11 AC three-tier coaches, four AC two-tier coaches, and one AC first-class coach, catering to different passenger preferences while maintaining premium standards across all classes.
Looking ahead, Indian Railways plans a rapid expansion of this service. Vaishnaw has stated that eight more Vande Bharat sleeper trains will be rolled out over the next six months, taking the total number to 12 by the end of the year and significantly strengthening long-distance rail connectivity.