IRCTC has awarded train branding rights for the Lucknow-Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express to Sprite for six months, marking the first time a train in India has been named after a brand.
Under the arrangement, the IRCTC Tejas Express, operating as Train 82501/82502, will be announced as the ‘Sprite’ Tejas Express at originating and en route stations on both legs of the journey. The branding will run from August 19 to November 11, 2026, with the advertising rights awarded to Sprite through a Letter of Acceptance.
The move introduces a new format of brand visibility within the Indian Railways ecosystem. Until now, exterior advertising wraps have been permitted on regular trains as an income-generating measure, but full naming rights on a train mark a significant departure from that model.
Flagged off in December 2021, the Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express is an air-conditioned superfast train operated by IRCTC. It offers onboard food, beverage and infotainment services, along with group booking options for events such as corporate meetings, weddings and social gatherings.
According to a senior Railways official, this is the first instance of a train being named after a brand in the country. While the Tejas Express is operated by IRCTC, the company continues to pay Indian Railways hauling charges for the use of railway infrastructure, including tracks and stations.
The development signals growing interest from Indian Railways and IRCTC in exploring newer, more prominent branding formats to unlock additional revenue streams beyond conventional advertising placements on trains and stations.
