India has a rich history of railway development that started long before its independence in 1947. The Indian Railways system is an integral part of the country’s infrastructure, economy, and society. The Union Railway Minister is the person in charge of overseeing this vast network.
In this article, we will delve into what the Indian Railways is, who currently holds the position of Union Railway Minister, and we’ll also give you a historical list of individuals who have served as the Railway Minister from 1947 to 2023.
What is Indian Railways (IR)?
Indian Railways (IR) is the national railway system of India which was instituted on 6th May 1836, operated by the Ministry of Railways. It is the fourth-largest railway network in the world by size, covering over 121,000 kilometers of track and more than 7,500 stations. With around 23 million passengers and approximately 3 million tons of freight daily, Indian Railways plays a crucial role in the country’s transportation landscape. The system is divided into various zones and divisions, each managed by different administrative bodies.
Who is the Union Railway Minister?
As of August 2023, the Union Railway Minister of India is responsible for the entire functioning of the Indian Railways, including its expansion, maintenance, and modernization. The role encompasses policymaking, administration, and the execution of plans. The Union Railway Minister is a member of the Cabinet and reports directly to the Prime Minister of India.
Background Railway Ministers in India
The position of Railway Minister is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the Indian government, reflecting the importance of the railway system in the country. The Railway Ministry is unique as it is one of the few ministries that has retained its organizational structure since the time of independence. Over the years, the role of the Railway Minister has evolved, but the primary responsibilities have remained consistent: to oversee the development and smooth functioning of the railway network across India.
In the Central Government, The first Indian Minister of Railways was Asaf Ali. He was on the post from 2 September 1946 to 14 August 1947. Even though India was still under British rule at the time, the position of railways minister had not been clearly defined.
Ashwini Vaishnav is currently India’s minister of railways. The transportation minister’s yearly presentation of the railway budget has changed since 2017 when it was combined with the Union budget.
List of Railway Ministers of India from 1947 – 2023
Some ministers who have held the position of Railway Minister of India include Jagjivan Ram, S.K. Patil, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Gulzarilal Nanda, and Bansi Lal. The detailed list of Railway Ministers of India is given below along with their political parties and the office tenure. Below is a list of every railway minister, listed in order:
The list of Railways Ministers of India includes the names of all Union Railways Ministers in India since Independence.
| S.No. | Name of the Railway Minister | Start of Tenure | End of Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sh. John Mathai | 15/08/1947 | 22/09/1948 |
| 2 | Sh. N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar | 22/09/1948 | 13/05/1952 |
| 3 | Sh. Lal Bahadur Shastri | 13/05/1952 | 07/12/1956 |
| 4 | Sh. Jagjivan Ram | 07/12/1956 | 10/04/1962 |
| 5 | Sh. Swaran Singh | 10/04/1962 | 21/09/1963 |
| 6 | Sh. H. C. Dasappa | 21/09/1963 | 08/06/1964 |
| 7 | Sh. S. K. Patil | 09/06/1964 | 12/03/1967 |
| 8 | Sh. C. M. Poonacha | 13/03/1967 | 14/02/1969 |
| 9 | Sh. Ram Subhag Singh | 14/02/1969 | 04/11/1969 |
| 10 | Sh. P Govinda Menon | 04/11/1969 | 18/02/1970 |
| 11 | Sh. Gulzari Lal Nanda | 18/02/1970 | 17/03/1971 |
| 12 | Sh. K. Hanumanthaiya | 18/03/1971 | 22/07/1972 |
| 13 | Sh. T. A. Pai | 23/07/1972 | 04/02/1973 |
| 14 | Sh. L. N. Mishra | 05/02/1973 | 02/01/1975 |
| 15 | Sh. Kamalapati Tripathi | 11/02/1975 | 23/03/1977 |
| 16 | Sh. Madhu Dandvate | 26/03/1977 | 28/07/1979 |
| 17 | Sh. T. A. Pai | 30/07/1979 | 13/01/1980 |
| 18 | Sh. Kamalapati Tripathi | 14/01/1980 | 12/11/1980 |
| 19 | Sh. Kedar Pandey | 12/11/1980 | 14/01/1982 |
| 20 | Sh. P C Sethi | 15/01/1982 | 02/09/1982 |
| 21 | Sh. A. B. A. Ghani Khan Choudhury | 02/09/1982 | 31/12/1984 |
| 22 | Sh. Bansi Lal | 31/12/1984 | 04/06/1986 |
| 23 | Smt. Mohsina Kidwai | 24/06/1986 | 21/10/1986 |
| 24 | Sh. George Fernandes | 05/12/1989 | 10/11/1990 |
| 25 | Sh. Janeshwar Mishra | 21/11/1990 | 21/06/1991 |
| 26 | Sh. C. K. Jaffer Sharief | 21/06/1991 | 16/10/1995 |
| 27 | Sh. Ram Vilas Paswan | 01/06/1996 | 19/03/1998 |
| 28 | Sh. Nitish Kumar | 19/03/1998 | 05/08/1999 |
| 29 | Sh. Ram Naik | 06/08/1999 | 12/10/1999 |
| 30 | Km. Mamata Banerjee | 13/10/1999 | 15/03/2001 |
| 31 | Sh. Nitish Kumar | 20/03/2001 | 22/05/2004 |
| 32 | Sh. Lalu Prasad Yadav | 23/05/2004 | 22/05/2009 |
| 33 | Km. Mamata Banerjee | 23/05/2009 | 19/05/2011 |
| 34 | Sh. Dinesh Trivedi | 13/07/2011 | 19/03/2012 |
| 35 | Sh. Mukul Roy | 20/03/2012 | 22/09/2012 |
| 36 | Dr. C. P. Joshi | 22/09/2012 | 28/10/2012 |
| 37 | Sh. Pawan Kumar Bansal | 28/10/2012 | 10/05/2013 |
| 38 | Dr. C. P. Joshi | 11/05/2013 | 16/06/2013 |
| 39 | Sh. Mallikarjun Kharge | 17/06/2013 | 26/05/2014 |
| 40 | Sh. D. V. Sadananda Gowda | 26/05/2014 | 09/11/2014 |
| 41 | Sh. Suresh Prabhu | 10/11/2014 | 02/09/2017 |
| 42 | Sh. Piyush Goyal | 03/09/2017 | 07/07/2021 |
| 43 | Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw | 08/07/2021 | Till Date |
List of Railway Ministers of India – Download PDF.
List prepared as per incumbency board placed in minister’s room for an authentic period, reference be made to Cabinet Secretariat who issues assumption and relinquishment charges notification in respect of Union Ministers.
The list of Railway Ministers Of India is a very important general awareness topic for various government exams. The list of Railways Ministers of India includes the names of all Railways Ministers in India.
Conclusion
The Indian Railways is not just a transportation network; it is a lifeline that connects the vast and diverse landscape of the country. The role of the Railway Minister is significant in shaping the future and improving the current state of this crucial sector. The list of Railway Ministers showcases the series of dedicated individuals who have held the mantle of responsibility, steering Indian Railways through various phases of development.
With the advancements in technology and an ever-increasing focus on sustainability and efficiency, the role of the Union Railway Minister has become even more critical in shaping the future of transportation in India.
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