Important Dates
Key Concepts & Formulas
Provide 5-7 essential concepts for Important Dates:
| # | Concept | Quick Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nationalisation of Indian Railways | 1 April 1950 – all private companies merged into Indian Railways |
| 2 | First Passenger Train in India | 16 April 1853 – ran from Bori Bunder (Mumbai) to Thane (34 km) |
| 3 | Indian Railways Formation Year | 14 April 1951 – separate budget introduced for Railways (1924-2016) |
| 4 | First Electric Train in India | 3 Feb 1925 – ran from Victoria Terminus to Kurla (16 km) |
| 5 | Metro Rail Firsts | Kolkata Metro – 24 Oct 1984 (1st metro), Delhi Metro – 24 Dec 2002 |
| 6 | Dedicated Freight Corridor | 15 Aug 2020 – Eastern & Western DFCs partially opened |
| 7 | Vande Bharat Express Launch | 15 Feb 2019 – 1st indigenously built semi-high speed train |
10 Practice MCQs
Generate 10 MCQs with increasing difficulty (Q1-3: Easy, Q4-7: Medium, Q8-10: Hard)
Q1. On which date did India’s first passenger train run between Mumbai and Thane? A) 16 April 1853 B) 15 August 1947 C) 26 January 1950 D) 1 April 1950
Answer: A) 16 April 1853
Solution: The maiden journey covered 34 km in 57 minutes hauled by three steam locomotives—Sahib, Sindh and Sultan.
Shortcut: Remember “16-4-53” as the “first rail ride”.
Concept: Important Dates – First Indian passenger train
Q2. Indian Railways was nationalised on A) 26 Jan 1950 B) 1 Apr 1950 C) 15 Aug 1947 D) 14 Apr 1951
Answer: B) 1 Apr 1950
Solution: All private rail companies merged into a single state-owned system on 1 April 1950.
Shortcut: “April-Fool day made Railways a national tool.”
Concept: Nationalisation date
Q3. When was the first electric train run in India? A) 15 Aug 1920 B) 3 Feb 1925 C) 1 May 1928 D) 2 Oct 1930
Answer: B) 3 Feb 1925
Solution: The 1500 V DC service ran on the Harbour line of GIP Railway.
Shortcut: “3-2-25—Electric alive.”
Concept: First electric traction
Q4. Kolkata Metro, India’s first metro system, started commercial operations on A) 15 Aug 1984 B) 24 Oct 1984 C) 2 Oct 1986 D) 26 Jan 1985
Answer: B) 24 Oct 1984
Solution: Only a 3.4 km stretch from Esplanade to Bhowanipore opened initially.
Shortcut: “Diwali gift—24-10-84.”
Concept: Metro rail chronology
Q5. The first Vande Bharat Express was flagged off from New Delhi to Varanasi on A) 26 Jan 2019 B) 15 Feb 2019 C) 1 Mar 2019 D) 15 Aug 2018
Answer: B) 15 Feb 2019
Solution: Train 18, later named Vande Bharat, covered 762 km in 8 hrs at 130 km/h max.
Shortcut: “Valentine’s fortnight—15-2-19.”
Concept: Semi-high speed trains
Q6. India’s first suburban rail service (Mumbai locals) began in A) 1853 B) 1867 C) 1874 D) 1880
Answer: B) 1867
Solution: Began as a steam-hauled service between Bori Bunder and Virar.
Shortcut: “After first train (1853), locals in 1867—14 yrs gap.”
Concept: Suburban rail history
Q7. The last rail budget presented separately (before merger with Union Budget) was on A) 25 Feb 2016 B) 25 Feb 2014 C) 25 Feb 2017 D) 1 Feb 2018
Answer: A) 25 Feb 2016
Solution: From 2017-18, Railway Budget merged with Union Budget ending 92-yr tradition.
Shortcut: “25-2-16—final rail scene.”
Concept: Budgetary reforms
Q8. The first Rajdhani Express ran between New Delhi and Howrah on A) 1 Mar 1968 B) 3 Mar 1969 C) 1 Dec 1970 D) 26 Jan 1972
Answer: B) 3 Mar 1969
Solution: Covered 1,445 km in 17 h 20 m with avg speed 83 km/h.
Shortcut: “Nine in 69—Rajdhani arrived.”
Concept: Premium train launches
Q9. The first Shatabdi Express was introduced between New Delhi and Jhansi on A) 15 Aug 1988 B) 26 Jan 1989 C) 1 Nov 1988 D) 30 May 1989
Answer: C) 1 Nov 1988
Solution: Commemorated Pt. Nehru’s centenary; distance 403 km in 4 h 45 m.
Shortcut: “Nehrus’ b-day Nov 14—Shatabdi Nov 1.”
Concept: Shatabdi centenary link
Q10. India’s first air-conditioned double-decker train was flagged off between Howrah and Dhanbad on A) 1 Oct 2011 B) 15 Aug 2012 C) 1 Oct 2012 D) 26 Jan 2013
Answer: C) 1 Oct 2012
Solution: Max speed 130 km/h; reduced load by 30% vs single-deck coaches.
Shortcut: “Double-deck on 10-2012—think 10/10.”
Concept: AC double-decker chronology
5 Previous Year Questions
Generate PYQ-style questions with authentic exam references:
PYQ 1. When was the first Railway Budget in India presented separately from the General Budget? RRB NTPC 2021 CBT-1
Answer: 1924
Solution: The Acworth Committee (1921) recommended a separate Railway Budget; implemented from FY 1924-25.
Exam Tip: Remember “Acworth-1921 → Budget 1924”.
PYQ 2. The first train in eastern India ran from Howrah to Hooghly on RRB Group D 2022
Answer: 15 Aug 1854
Solution: Distance 37 km; marked the beginning of railways in eastern region.
Exam Tip: Exactly one year after 1853 maiden run.
PYQ 3. India’s first computerised passenger reservation system was introduced at New Delhi on RRB ALP 2018
Answer: 15 Oct 1986
Solution: Developed by CRIS; acronym PRS (Passenger Reservation System).
Exam Tip: “15-10-86—tech in rail mix.”
PYQ 4. The first Goods (freight) train in India ran from Red Hills to Chintadripet (Madras) on RRB JE 2019
Answer: 12 June 1856
Solution: 63 km line for transporting granite; pre-dated many passenger lines.
Exam Tip: Freight before masses—1856.
PYQ 5. The first Green Rail Corridor (zero-human discharge) was opened on the route RPF SI 2019
Answer: 24 July 2016 (Chennai–Kanyakumari)
Solution: 680 km fully equipped with bio-toilets.
Exam Tip: “Green for 680 km—24-7-16.”
Speed Tricks & Shortcuts
For Important Dates, provide exam-tested shortcuts:
| Situation | Shortcut | Example |
|---|---|---|
| First passenger train | “Sweet sixteen, April scene” | 16-4-1853 |
| Nationalisation | “April Fool unified the tool” | 1-4-1950 |
| First electric | “3-2-5, current alive” | 3-2-1925 |
| First Metro | “Diwali 84, underground drive” | 24-10-1984 |
| Vande Bharat | “Feb 15, Make-in-India dream seen” | 15-2-2019 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why Students Make It | Correct Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Confusing 1853 vs 1854 | Similar years for first trains in West & East | Note 1853=W (West), 1854=E (East) |
| Mixing electric & metro dates | Both modern tech | Electric 1925, Metro 1984—59 yrs apart |
| Using 15 Aug/26 Jan for every event | Patriotism bias | Verify exact date, not just national days |
| Forgetting 1924 for separate budget | Focus only on 2016 end | Remember Acworth committee 1921→1924 start |
| Overlooking freight train priority | Assume passenger first | Freight 1856, Passenger 1853—freight later |
Quick Revision Flashcards
| Front (Question/Term) | Back (Answer) |
|---|---|
| First train, India | 16 Apr 1853 |
| Nationalisation of Railways | 1 Apr 1950 |
| First electric train | 3 Feb 1925 |
| Kolkata Metro start | 24 Oct 1984 |
| First Shatabdi | 1 Nov 1988 (Delhi-Jhansi) |
| First Rajdhani | 3 Mar 1969 (Delhi-Howrah) |
| Last separate Rail Budget | 25 Feb 2016 |
| Vande Bharat debut | 15 Feb 2019 |
| First Green Corridor | 24 Jul 2016 (Chennai–Kanyakumari) |
| First air-con double-decker | 1 Oct 2012 (Howrah-Dhanbad) |
Topic Connections
How Important Dates connects to other RRB exam topics:
- Direct Link: Modern Indian History (transport & industrial policy)
- Combined Questions: Often paired with “First in India” & “Committees” (e.g., Acworth Committee)
- Foundation For: Understanding timeline of technological upgrades (steam→electric→HSR) useful in Science & Technology questions
BETA
