Plan Heads (PH) in Indian Railways – Complete Guide
In Indian Railways, Plan Heads (PH) are numerical classifications used to categorize Capital Expenditure (CapEx) related to the creation, acquisition, expansion, modernization, and replacement of railway assets.
These expenditures are booked under Demand No. 16 (Assets – Acquisition, Construction & Replacement) in the Railway Budget framework. Plan Heads ensure systematic financial control, transparency, and proper asset-wise tracking of investments.
Table of Contents
1. Civil Infrastructure (Capacity Creation & Network Expansion)
PH 11 – New Lines (Construction)
Construction of entirely new railway lines to connect unserved or strategically important regions.
PH 14 – Gauge Conversion
Conversion of Meter Gauge or Narrow Gauge lines into Broad Gauge (1676 mm) for standardization and improved operational efficiency.
PH 15 – Doubling
Addition of a second track to an existing single-line section to enhance throughput and reduce congestion.
PH 16 – Traffic Facilities
Yard remodeling, loop lines, flyovers, bypass lines, crossing stations, and terminal improvements to increase operational efficiency.
2. Safety & Asset Renewal
PH 29 – Road Safety Works (Level Crossings)
Interlocking of gates, elimination of unmanned crossings, lifting barriers, and other safety enhancements.
PH 30 – Road Safety Works (ROB/RUB)
Construction of Road Over Bridges (ROB) and Road Under Bridges (RUB) to eliminate level crossings permanently.
PH 31 – Track Renewals
Replacement of worn-out rails, sleepers, ballast, and turnouts to prevent derailments and ensure safe operations.
PH 32 – Bridge Works
Rehabilitation, strengthening, rebuilding of bridges, tunnels, and other structural assets.
PH 33 – Signalling & Telecommunication (S&T)
Modernization of signalling systems including Electronic Interlocking, Automatic Block Signalling, and Train Protection Systems like Kavach, along with communication network upgrades.
3. Rolling Stock & Electrical
PH 21 – Rolling Stock
Procurement of locomotives, LHB coaches, freight wagons, and modern trainsets such as Vande Bharat Express.
PH 22 – Leased Assets
Payments towards assets financed through Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC).
PH 35 – Electrification Projects
Works under the mission of 100% Broad Gauge electrification including Overhead Equipment (OHE) and substations.
PH 36 – Other Electrical Works
General power supply installations, station lighting, traction distribution (TRD), and energy management systems.
4. Facilities & Amenities
PH 41 – Machinery & Plant (M&P)
Acquisition of heavy machinery for workshops, depots, and maintenance sheds.
PH 42 – Workshops including Production Units
Construction and modernization of coach factories, locomotive production units, and repair workshops.
PH 51 – Staff Welfare
Construction of staff quarters, railway hospitals, schools, training institutes, and community facilities.
PH 53 – Passenger Amenities
Station modernization works including lifts, escalators, waiting halls, digital display systems, platform shelters, and redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
5. IT, Metropolitan & Miscellaneous
PH 17 – Computerization
Development of IT infrastructure including Passenger Reservation System (PRS), Freight Operations Information System (FOIS), cybersecurity systems, and data centers.
PH 64 – Other Specified Works
Miscellaneous capital works not classified under specific Plan Heads.
PH 81 – Metropolitan Transport Projects (MTP)
Development of suburban railway networks and joint venture metro or suburban rail projects in metropolitan cities.
Conclusion
Plan Heads in Indian Railways serve as a structured budgeting and accounting framework that ensures capital investments are categorized properly under expansion, safety, modernization, rolling stock procurement, electrification, and passenger amenities. Understanding these Plan Heads is essential for railway officials, finance staff, engineers, and candidates preparing for departmental examinations.
MCQs on Plan Heads (PH) in Indian Railways
1. Plan Heads in Indian Railways are primarily used for:
- A) Revenue accounting
- B) Staff salary payment
- C) Classification of capital expenditure
- D) Passenger ticketing
Correct Answer: C) Classification of capital expenditure
Explanation: Plan Heads are numerical classifications used to categorize capital expenditure related to asset creation, construction, acquisition, and replacement under Demand No. 16.
2. PH 11 in Indian Railways relates to:
- A) Doubling of tracks
- B) New Line Construction
- C) Track Renewal
- D) Electrification
Correct Answer: B) New Line Construction
Explanation: PH 11 covers construction of entirely new railway lines to expand connectivity and railway network capacity.
3. Gauge Conversion works are booked under which Plan Head?
- A) PH 14
- B) PH 15
- C) PH 16
- D) PH 21
Correct Answer: A) PH 14
Explanation: PH 14 deals with conversion of existing Meter Gauge or Narrow Gauge lines into Broad Gauge (1676 mm).
4. Doubling of an existing single-line section falls under:
- A) PH 11
- B) PH 15
- C) PH 16
- D) PH 31
Correct Answer: B) PH 15
Explanation: PH 15 is specifically meant for doubling works to increase line capacity and reduce congestion.
5. Track Renewal works are classified under:
- A) PH 29
- B) PH 30
- C) PH 31
- D) PH 32
Correct Answer: C) PH 31
Explanation: PH 31 includes replacement of old rails, sleepers, ballast, and turnouts to ensure safe railway operations.
6. Construction of Road Over Bridges (ROB) and Road Under Bridges (RUB) is booked under:
- A) PH 29
- B) PH 30
- C) PH 32
- D) PH 33
Correct Answer: B) PH 30
Explanation: PH 30 covers elimination of level crossings through construction of ROBs and RUBs to improve safety.
7. Modernization of signalling systems like Kavach comes under:
- A) PH 31
- B) PH 32
- C) PH 33
- D) PH 36
Correct Answer: C) PH 33
Explanation: PH 33 relates to Signalling & Telecommunication (S&T), including Electronic Interlocking and train protection systems.
8. Procurement of locomotives and coaches is classified under:
- A) PH 21
- B) PH 22
- C) PH 35
- D) PH 41
Correct Answer: A) PH 21
Explanation: PH 21 covers Rolling Stock including locomotives, coaches (LHB, Vande Bharat), and freight wagons.
9. Railway Electrification projects are booked under:
- A) PH 33
- B) PH 35
- C) PH 36
- D) PH 41
Correct Answer: B) PH 35
Explanation: PH 35 is meant for electrification works including Overhead Equipment (OHE) and traction substations.
10. Staff quarters and railway hospitals are covered under:
- A) PH 41
- B) PH 42
- C) PH 51
- D) PH 53
Correct Answer: C) PH 51
Explanation: PH 51 relates to Staff Welfare, including housing, hospitals, schools, and other amenities.
11. Passenger amenities like lifts and escalators are booked under:
- A) PH 51
- B) PH 53
- C) PH 64
- D) PH 17
Correct Answer: B) PH 53
Explanation: PH 53 covers passenger amenities and station modernization works.
12. Computerization and IT systems such as PRS fall under:
- A) PH 16
- B) PH 17
- C) PH 21
- D) PH 41
Correct Answer: B) PH 17
Explanation: PH 17 includes IT infrastructure such as Passenger Reservation System (PRS), FOIS, data centers, and cybersecurity systems.
Practice Tip: For departmental exams, focus especially on safety-related Plan Heads (PH 29–33), Rolling Stock (PH 21), Electrification (PH 35), and Staff Welfare (PH 51).
Frequenlty Asked Questions –
What are Plan Heads (PH) in Indian Railways?
Plan Heads (PH) are numerical classifications used by Indian Railways to categorize capital expenditure related to asset creation, construction, modernization, and replacement. They help in systematic budgeting and financial monitoring under Demand No. 16 (Assets – Acquisition, Construction & Replacement).
Under which Demand are Plan Heads managed?
Plan Heads are managed under Demand No. 16 of Indian Railways, which deals with Assets – Acquisition, Construction, and Replacement.
What is PH 11 in Indian Railways?
PH 11 refers to New Lines (Construction). It covers expenditure related to constructing entirely new railway lines to expand connectivity.
What is PH 14 – Gauge Conversion?
PH 14 covers conversion of existing Meter Gauge or Narrow Gauge lines into Broad Gauge (1676 mm) to standardize operations and improve traffic capacity.
What is the difference between PH 15 and PH 16?
PH 15 relates to Doubling of railway tracks (adding a second line to a single-line section).
PH 16 covers Traffic Facilities such as yard remodeling, loop lines, flyovers, and operational improvements.
Which Plan Heads are related to railway safety?
The major safety-related Plan Heads are:
PH 29 – Road Safety Works (Level Crossings)
PH 30 – Road Safety Works (ROB/RUB)
PH 31 – Track Renewals
PH 32 – Bridge Works
PH 33 – Signalling & Telecommunication
These heads focus on accident prevention and infrastructure integrity.
What is PH 21 in Indian Railways?
PH 21 refers to Rolling Stock. It includes procurement of locomotives, coaches (including LHB coaches and Vande Bharat trains), and freight wagons.
What is PH 35 – Electrification?
PH 35 covers railway electrification projects including installation of Overhead Equipment (OHE), traction substations, and related infrastructure for achieving 100% Broad Gauge electrification.
What is PH 53 – Passenger Amenities?
PH 53 includes station modernization works such as lifts, escalators, waiting halls, digital displays, platform shelters, and station redevelopment under government schemes.
What is PH 17 – Computerization?
PH 17 covers IT infrastructure development including Passenger Reservation System (PRS), Freight Operations Information System (FOIS), data centers, and cybersecurity systems.
Why are Plan Heads important in Indian Railways?
Plan Heads ensure:
Proper financial classification
Transparency in capital expenditure
Better budget control
Priority allocation for safety and expansion projects
They form the backbone of railway capital budgeting and financial planning.
