Varanasi-New Delhi (Train No. 02435 / Train No. 02436) Vande Bharat Express will run as Tejas Express
New Delhi-Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express will run with Tejas rake from 15.02.2025 to 31.03.2025
It is notified that for the information of the general public that the rake of New Delhi-Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express will go for mandatory safety overhauling work for maintenance, therefore the Train No. 02435 / Train No. 02436 New Delhi-Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express train will run with Tejas rake as Tejas Express from 15.02.2025 to 31.03.2025.
Yes — this switch already happened. From February 15 to March 31, 2025, the Varanasi–New Delhi Vande Bharat Express (trains 22435/22436) was operated as a Tejas Express, using a Tejas rake in place of its usual Vande Bharat trainset while the original rake underwent maintenance. There was no fare change, and at least two reliable Indian Railways sources and media outlets confirmed the announcement
📋 What Actually Happened
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Route | New Delhi ⇄ Varanasi (train nos. 02435/02436) |
| Period of Tejas operation | 15 Feb 2025 – 31 Mar 2025 |
| Reason | Vande Bharat rake sent for scheduled safety overhaul |
| Fare impact | No change – fares remained the same |
| Operator during period | Indian Railways (Tejas rake temporarily assigned) |
🔎 Supporting Details
- Northern Railways issued an official letter (dated Feb 10) indicating the substitution with a Tejas rake for the specified period due to mandatory safety overhauling of the Vande Bharat trainset
- The Economic Times and Siasat Daily also reported that all services continued under Tejas branding, and the public-tariff structure remained unaltered
🗣 Community Observations
Railway community forums have occasionally noted similar substitutions. For example:
“27th January’s Varanasi – New Delhi Vande Bharat (22435) … with Tejas rake.”
— Confirming that sporadic use of Tejas rakes on this route isn’t unprecedented
“Vande Bharat to SVDK got substituted by Tejas private chair car … this usually happens when VB needs to go for longer servicing.”
— Reflecting similar operational patterns on other routes
✅ Conclusion
To summarize:
- Yes — the Varanasi–New Delhi Vande Bharat Express ran as a Tejas Express during 15 Feb to 31 Mar 2025 due to maintenance needs.
- This substitution was temporary, operationally driven, and did not affect fare structures or service frequency.
- Since then, service has returned to Vande Bharat rake configuration (including the upgraded 3rd‑generation trainset from September 2025)
If you’d like updated current status—for example, whether any Tejas rake substitutions have occurred later or if future plans exist—just let me know!