The Pink Book is the annual document in which Indian Railways sets out every sanctioned project and the money allotted to it. Formally the Works, Machinery and Rolling Stock Programme, it is published by the Railway Board each year alongside the Union Budget. This guide explains what it contains, how projects get into it, and where to find the current edition.
What the Pink Book Contains
For every zonal railway, the Pink Book lists each work with its financial position:
| Abstract cost | The total sanctioned cost of the project |
| Expenditure so far | What has already been spent |
| Current year allotment | Funds allotted for the year |
| Balance outlay | What remains to be spent |
Both ongoing works and newly included projects appear, so it shows the whole pipeline rather than only new announcements.
Categories Covered
- New lines, gauge conversion and doubling
- Traffic facilities, including yard remodelling
- Rolling stock and leased assets
- Track renewals and bridge works
- Signalling and telecommunication
- Electrical and traction works
- Road safety, level crossings, road over and under bridges
- Solarisation and renewable energy
- Passenger amenities and staff amenities
- Computerisation and training
If a station in your area is being redeveloped, a line doubled or a bridge rebuilt, the funding for it sits in this document.
Where to Find the Pink Book
The Railway Board publishes each edition on the official Indian Railways website, arranged zone by zone.
| Year | Link |
|---|---|
| Pink Book 2026-27 | Will update soon |
| Pink Book 2025-26 | view on Indian Railways |
| Pink Book 2024-25 | view on Indian Railways |
| Pink Book 2023-24 | View on Indian Railways |
| Pink Book 2021-22 | View on Indian Railways |
| Pink Book 2020-21 | View on Indian Railways |
| Pink Book 2017-18 | View on Indian Railways |
Alongside the Pink Book, the Railway Board publishes Integrated Budgetary Financial Figures for each year, giving the wider financial picture.
When it is published. The Pink Book appears each year following the Union Budget, usually in February. Since the separate Rail Budget was merged into the Union Budget in 2017, railway allocations now form part of the main budget documents, and the Pink Book follows from those.
How a Project Gets Into the Pink Book
Projects are sanctioned on operational, strategic or socio-economic grounds, and larger ones pass through several stages before any money is spent.
- Sanction. Projects up to prescribed limits are approved by the Minister for Railways.
- In-principle approval. Certain projects require in-principle approval from NITI Aayog, even below the prescribed value.
- Expanded Board for Railways. For major projects, a memorandum is prepared setting out financial scheduling, vetted by Railway Board Finance and approved by the Board.
- Appraisal. The project report goes to NITI Aayog’s Project Appraisal and Management Division.
- Cabinet approval. A note goes to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for the Union Cabinet’s approval.
- Works Programme. Once approved, the project enters the Works Programme with funds allotted for preliminary work, within the annual outlay.
Only once the budget is passed does the Pink Book become the authority to begin preliminary work. Expenditure under each head follows the sanction of a detailed estimate.
Who Uses It
| Contractors and suppliers | To identify upcoming work and funded projects in a zone |
| Journalists and researchers | To track what is actually funded against what was announced |
| Railway exam candidates | As a standard topic in railway administration and finance |
| Local representatives | To check whether a project in their area has received an allotment |
| Rail enthusiasts | To follow line doubling, electrification and new construction |
Frequently Asked Questions
✅ What is the Pink Book in Indian Railways?
The annual Works, Machinery and Rolling Stock Programme published by the Railway Board, listing every sanctioned project zone by zone with its cost, expenditure and current year allotment.
✅ Why is it called the Pink Book?
The name comes from the colour of the cover under which the Works Programme has traditionally been published.
✅ When is it published?
Each year following the Union Budget, usually in February. Since 2017 there has been no separate Rail Budget, so railway allocations form part of the main budget.
✅ Where can I download it?
From the Railway Board section of the official Indian Railways website, with each year’s edition arranged zone by zone.
✅ Does inclusion mean a project will be built?
It means the project is sanctioned and has an allotment for that year. Large projects run across many years, so appearing in the Pink Book indicates funding rather than imminent completion.
✅ Can I find my local station or line in it?
Yes, if work is sanctioned there. Projects are listed by zonal railway, so start with the zone covering your area.
Quick Summary
| Full name | Works, Machinery and Rolling Stock Programme |
| Published by | Railway Board |
| Frequency | Annually, following the Union Budget |
| Contents | Project cost, expenditure, allotment and balance, zone by zone |
| Approval route | Railway Ministry, NITI Aayog, CCEA |
| Where to find it | indianrailways.gov.in, Railway Board section |
For anyone tracking railway investment, the Pink Book is the document that shows what is actually funded rather than merely announced. For related reading, see our guides on the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and bullet trains in India.
Looking for a specific project in the Pink Book? Ask in the comments and we will point you to the right zone.