India’s First Privately Branded Train: Tejas Express to Run as ‘Sprite Tejas Express’

India’s railway sector is preparing for an unusual but significant commercial experiment. The Lucknow–Delhi–Lucknow Tejas Express is set to become the country’s first passenger train to carry the name of a commercial brand, following a branding arrangement between the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Sprite.

Under the arrangement, Train Nos. 82501 and 82502 will be announced as the ‘Sprite Tejas Express’ at originating and en-route stations from August 19 to November 11, 2026. The branding rights have reportedly been awarded to Sprite for six months, marking a new approach to monetising premium railway services through advertising.

IRCTC has awarded the train-branding advertisement rights to M/s Sprite | Moneycontrol 

What the Sprite Tejas Express Means

The development does not mean that Sprite will operate or own the train. The Tejas Express will continue to be operated by IRCTC. The change is essentially a commercial branding and advertising initiative, with Sprite receiving prominent visibility through the train's identity and announcements.

According to reports, the North Eastern Railway has been instructed to make announcements referring to the service as the ‘Sprite Tejas Express’ at stations along the route during the specified period. This makes the initiative particularly notable because the commercial identity will extend beyond conventional advertisements placed inside railway premises.

Tejas Express: A Symbol of Modern Rail Travel

The Lucknow–New Delhi Tejas Express was launched in 2019 and was positioned as a premium, modern rail service. The fully air-conditioned train offers facilities such as onboard food and beverages, infotainment and comfortable seating, making it distinct from conventional intercity services.

The service covers approximately 512 kilometres between Lucknow and New Delhi and operates with AC Chair Car and Executive Class accommodation. Its journey time is around six hours and 15 minutes, making it an important premium connection between Uttar Pradesh and the national capital.

The Tejas brand has also been associated with India's efforts to introduce more commercially oriented passenger services. The Lucknow–Delhi service was the first train operated by IRCTC under its corporate model, giving the service a distinct position within India's railway ecosystem.

From Corporate Train to Branded Train

The latest initiative represents another stage in the commercial evolution of the Tejas Express. When the Lucknow–Delhi service was introduced, it demonstrated that a government-owned railway corporation could operate a premium passenger service using a more business-oriented model.

The Sprite partnership takes that concept further by allowing the train itself to become a commercial advertising platform. Instead of relying only on traditional advertising spaces inside stations or coaches, the branding arrangement gives a company visibility through the identity associated with an entire train service.

This could prove significant for IRCTC because premium trains have a particularly attractive audience for advertisers. The Tejas Express serves passengers travelling between two major urban centres, including business travellers, professionals, tourists and families.

A New Avenue for Non-Fare Revenue

The initiative comes against the backdrop of Indian Railways and its associated organisations exploring ways to strengthen non-fare revenue. Advertising, branding, commercial development of railway property and other ancillary activities can provide additional income without depending entirely on passenger fares.

Train branding offers a particularly interesting model because the railway already possesses the infrastructure and passenger traffic. A company can obtain extensive visibility while the railway organisation can monetise an existing asset without changing its basic operation.

The success of the Sprite arrangement could therefore influence whether similar opportunities are offered for other premium trains in the future. Advertising and naming partnerships could potentially become another component of the broader commercial strategy surrounding India's modern railway services.

Why the Tejas Express Was Chosen

The choice of the Lucknow–Delhi Tejas Express is also significant. The service operates on one of India's important intercity corridors, linking Uttar Pradesh's capital with New Delhi. It was designed from the beginning as a premium service and already has a recognisable identity among passengers.

The train's modern positioning makes it an attractive platform for consumer brands seeking visibility. Its fully air-conditioned coaches, premium seating and onboard services give it a distinct commercial profile compared with ordinary passenger trains. The branding arrangement therefore combines two established identities: the premium positioning of Tejas and the mass-market visibility of Sprite.

What Will Change for Passengers?

For passengers, the basic service is expected to remain the same. The train will continue to run between Lucknow and New Delhi under IRCTC's operation, while its temporary commercial identity will change during the branding period.

The most noticeable difference will be the use of the Sprite name in announcements and promotional branding. Railway sources cited in media reports indicate that the new name will be used at originating and en-route stations on both sides of the journey. In other words, passengers will still be travelling on the Tejas Express, but for a limited period, the service will carry an additional commercial identity.

Could Branded Trains Become More Common?

The experiment could have implications well beyond a single train. If the model delivers meaningful advertising revenue while maintaining passenger acceptance, other premium railway services could become potential platforms for corporate branding.

India has a vast railway network and millions of passengers travelling every day. Premium services such as Tejas and other modern train categories provide brands with an opportunity to reach large audiences in a controlled and highly visible environment.

However, the long-term success of such a model will depend on maintaining a balance between commercialisation and the identity of railway services. Branding can generate revenue, but it must also remain compatible with passenger experience and the established character of India's railway network.

A Sign of an Evolving Railway Ecosystem

The ‘Sprite Tejas Express’ is therefore more than a temporary name change. It represents an innovative approach to extracting additional commercial value from India's railway infrastructure while keeping the underlying passenger service intact.

The Tejas Express has already played an important role in India's experiment with premium, corporate-operated railway services. Its latest transformation into a branded train demonstrates how that commercial approach is continuing to evolve.

The MGMM Outlook 

The ‘Sprite Tejas Express’ marks an interesting new step in the commercial evolution of Indian Railways. By allowing the Lucknow–New Delhi Tejas Express to carry a commercial brand name from August 19 to November 11, 2026, IRCTC is exploring how premium railway services can generate additional non-fare revenue. The arrangement does not alter the operation of the train; rather, it uses the visibility and established identity of the Tejas service as a new advertising platform. This is particularly significant because the Tejas Express was itself introduced as a premium, commercially oriented railway service, and the latest initiative shows how such services can create value beyond passenger fares.

The experiment also reflects the broader transformation taking place within India's railway ecosystem, where modern infrastructure and premium services are increasingly being viewed as commercial assets. A successful branding model could open the door to similar partnerships involving other premium trains, creating additional revenue for railway organisations while offering companies access to a large and diverse passenger base. At the same time, the initiative will need to preserve the quality and identity of railway services so that commercialisation complements rather than overwhelms the passenger experience. If managed effectively, the Sprite Tejas Express could become an early example of how India's rail network can combine improved passenger services with innovative revenue-generation models.

(Sources: Moneycontrol, India Today, NDTV)