India’s first private train is about to get a brand name, and it is a fizzy one. The Lucknow-Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express, operated by IRCTC, will run as the ‘Sprite’ Tejas Express for nearly three months, becoming the country’s first privately branded train.
IRCTC has awarded the train-branding advertisement rights to Sprite for a six-month period. The North Eastern Railway has been asked to announce Train 82501/82502 as the ‘Sprite’ Tejas Express between August 19 and November 11, 2026.
First train to be named after a brand
This is the first time a train in India is being named after a commercial brand. Railway sources cited by The Hindu said the train will be announced as the ‘Sprite’ Tejas Express at originating and en-route stations along both directions of its journey. The branding rights were reportedly awarded through a Letter of Acceptance.
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Under this advertising model, private companies can display their brands on train exteriors and other permitted spaces, while the railway network continues to provide the underlying infrastructure.
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All about the Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express
The country’s first private train was flagged off by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on December 3, 2021. The IRCTC-operated, fully air-conditioned train came with modern facilities, including extensive on-board food and beverage services and infotainment.
IRCTC also allows group bookings. Passengers travelling for corporate meetings, weddings and other social events can book an entire AC Chair Car coach with 78 seats.
What this means for Indian Railways
Although the Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express is described as a private train, IRCTC pays Indian Railways for using railway infrastructure, including tracks and stations. The branding arrangement is separate from the regular operation of trains.
The Sprite deal adds a new commercial dimension to the service. If the model works, more brands may look at naming rights for trains, turning the railways into a bigger advertising platform than ever before.