In November 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated four new Vande Bharat trains during his two-day visit to Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP), bringing the total number of operational Vande Bharat services across India to 164.
- The new Vande Bharat routes include Banaras (UP)–Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh, MP), Lucknow (UP)–Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Firozpur Cantt (Punjab)–Delhi, and Ernakulam (Kerala)–Bengaluru (Karnataka), enhancing regional and inter-state connectivity.
Exam Hints:
- What? Flagging off New 4 Vande Bharat Trains
- Flagged Off by: PM Narendra Modi
- Developed by: ICF (TN)
- Total Vande Bharat Trains: 164 (As of November 2025)
- Routes: Banaras- Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Bengaluru-Ernakulam
- Key Event: Inauguration of Nation Conference on Strengthening Legal Aid Services Mechanims
- Where? Supreme Court (SC) of India (New Delhi)
About 4 New Vande Bharat Trains:
Developing body: These newly launched semi-high-speed trains are developed by Tamil Nadu (TN)’s Integral Coach Factory (ICF).
Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express: It will provide direct connectivity on ‘Banaras-Khajuraho’ route and reduce travel time by nearly 2 hours 40 minutes (mins) compared to special trains currently in operation.
- The train will connect some of India’s most revered religious and cultural destinations, boosting tourism and pilgrimage travel in cities like: Varanasi (UP); Prayagraj (UP); Chitrakoot (UP); and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)’s World Heritage Site, Khajuraho (MP).
Lucknow-Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express: The train will cover the total distance between UP’s two cities Lucknow and Sahranpur, in approximately 7 hours and 45 mins, thereby reducing travel time by 1hours and 45 mins.
- The train will benefit passengers from Lucknow, Sitapur, Shahjanpur, Bareily, Moradabad, Bijnor, and Sahranpur; and also enhancing access to the holy city of Haridwar (Uttarakhand) through Roorkee.
- The new train will ensure smoother and faster intercity travel across central and western parts of UP.
Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat Express: Among all the 4 new Vande Bharat trains, this train will be the fastest train and will cover the total distance in 6 hours and 40 mins.
- This new train service is expected to bolster connectivity between Delhi and key cities in Punjab: Firozpur, Bathinda, and Patiala.
- It is also expected to promote trade, tourism, and employment opportunities; and support economic growth of border areas of the country.
Bengaluru-Ernakulam: It is the 1st inter-state semi-high-speed premium train service connecting southern states: Kerala, Tamil Nadu (TN), and Karnataka.
- It will complete the entire journey (583 kilometers, kms) in 8 hours and 40 mins, reducing travel time by over 2 hrs.
- It will cover major southern cities: Thrissur (Kerala), Palakkad (Kerala; Coimbatore (TN); Tiruppur, Erode (TN), Salem; Krishnarajpuram, and KSR Bengaluru (Karnataka).
National Conference on Strengthening Legal Aid Delivery Mechanisms:
In November 2025, PM NarendraModi inaugurated the National Conference (NC) on “Strengthening Legal Aid Delivery Mechanisms” at the Supreme Court of India(SCI) in New Delhi, Delhi.
- During the event, he launched the Community Mediation Training Module prepared by the NALSA.
- The 2-day conference was organised by National Legal Services (NALSA) to discuss key aspects of the legal services framework, such as the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System, panel lawyers, para-legal volunteers, permanent Lok Adalats and the financial management of legal services institutions.
About Uttar Pradesh (UP):
Chief Minister (CM) – Yogi Adityanath
Governor- Anandiben Patel
Capital- Lucknow
Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLS) – Kishanpur WLS Mahaveer; Swami WLS
