Key Highlights
- IRCTC signs an MoU with the Quality Council of India (QCI) for independent third-party food safety audits.
- Digital inspections will use geo-tagging, time-stamping and photographic evidence.
- Audit reports are expected within 24 hours to support corrective action against catering vendors.
- Inspections will cover onboard train catering and station-based catering units.
New Delhi, October 15, 2026: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Quality Council of India (QCI) to strengthen food safety, hygiene and quality monitoring across its catering operations on trains and at railway stations.
The partnership will establish an independent, technology-enabled third-party audit mechanism covering both mobile catering units operating on trains and static catering facilities at stations. The initiative aims to improve compliance with statutory food safety requirements and strengthen accountability among catering service providers.
Digital Audits to Improve Transparency and Monitoring
Under the agreement, QCI will deploy certified professionals to conduct unannounced quarterly and half-yearly inspections. The audits will assess compliance with applicable Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations and other relevant standards.
The inspection process will use QCI’s digital infrastructure, including a mobile application that records geo-tagging, time-stamps and photographic evidence. According to the announcement, audit reports will be submitted within 24 hours, enabling quicker identification of operational shortcomings and follow-up through Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) tracking.
The digital process is intended to improve transparency, maintain inspection records and support timely action against catering vendors where deficiencies are identified.
Focus on Food Handling, Storage and Staff Hygiene
The audit mechanism will cover several aspects of food safety and catering operations. These include kitchen hygiene, food preparation practices, sanitary storage, pest control and temperature management for prepared meals.
Inspections will also examine the segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian raw food items, staff medical fitness, the use of protective equipment and adherence to hygiene and grooming protocols.
The initiative is designed to strengthen monitoring across catering facilities and promote more consistent food safety practices for railway passengers.
MoU Signed by IRCTC and QCI Officials
The MoU was signed by Sudhir Warrier, General Manager, Quality and Projects, IRCTC, and Subroto Ghosh, Principal Advisor and Head of PPID, QCI.
The signing ceremony was attended by Ramanand Nagendra Shukla, CEO of the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL); Mohit Padhy, Assistant Secretary General, QCI; Rahul Himalian, Chairman and Managing Director, IRCTC; and Manoj Kumar Sharma, Director, Catering Services, IRCTC.
Scope for Future Quality and Passenger Feedback Initiatives
The agreement also provides a framework for potential future joint initiatives, including passenger customer satisfaction surveys, infrastructure audits and specialised training programmes for catering staff.
QCI brings experience in large-scale public monitoring initiatives, including Swachh Survekshan and the nationwide milk and food survey conducted for FSSAI, according to the announcement.
Through the partnership, IRCTC aims to strengthen independent oversight of catering services and improve monitoring of food safety and hygiene standards across its railway catering network.
