The Indian Railways clarified that there is no official provision or mandate for serving Halal-certified food on trains, responding to a notice issued by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The clarification comes after concerns were raised regarding alleged practices in the onboard catering system.
Railway officials stated that meals served on trains are prepared and supplied as per the standards and guidelines laid down by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which do not prescribe any religious certification, including Halal. They emphasised that the catering framework focuses solely on food safety, hygiene and quality parameters approved by government agencies.
The Railways further noted that vendors and service providers are required to comply with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) norms, and any certifications beyond that are undertaken independently by suppliers based on market practices, not due to Railway policy.
In its response to the NHRC, the Railways reiterated that it remains committed to providing safe and hygienic meals to passengers without any bias or religious categorisation. It also stated that any miscommunication or misunderstanding regarding the catering policy would be addressed with clear guidelines.
The NHRC had sought clarification following reports and complaints regarding the alleged mandatory use of Halal certification in railway catering. The Commission will review the Railways’ response before taking further action as per procedure.
