Research Designs & Standards Organization is the sole R&D organization of Indian Railways working under the Ministry of Railways of India, which functions as a technical adviser to the Railway Board, the Zonal railways and the Railway production units in respect of design and standardization of railway equipment. RDSO performs the following functions:

• Development of new and improved designs,
• Development of standards for materials and products specially needed by Indian Railways,
• Technical investigation, statutory clearances, testing and providing consultancy services,
• Inspection of critical and safety items of rolling stock, locomotives, signaling & telecommunication equipment and track components.

Standards development activity:

To enforce standardization and co-ordination amongst various railway systems, RDSO take up for preparation of designs, standards and specifications.

As a policy RDSO develops standards for those materials and products that will be used by Indian Railways only.    

Standards developed by RDSO are categorized in the following 16 areas:

Bridges & structures, Carriage, Electric loco, EMU & power supply, Electrical energy management, Geotechnical energy, Metallurgical & chemical, Motive power, Signal, QA-Civil, Telecommunication, Track design, Traffic, Track machines & monitoring, Traction installations, Wagon design

Click to see the list of specifications developed so far by RDSO in the respective areas. 

Key Contact Person: Click to see the phone numbers of key persons  

Website:  http://www.rdso.indianrailways.gov.in/