Rail Vikas Nigam Limited has targeted June 2026 to roll out the first prototype of the Vande Bharat Sleeper, signalling an accelerated push to enhance long distance passenger comfort and capacity. The company indicated during its third quarter fiscal year 26 earnings call that work on the sleeper project is progressing according to planned timelines and that prototype delivery constitutes a key milestone for the railways programme.

The RVNL led joint venture has been tasked to manufacture 120 Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets, each comprising 16 coaches, which will bring total coach production to 1,920 coaches. The scale of the order reflects the railways emphasis on overnight services and the strategic importance attached to modernising long haul rolling stock.

The Ministry of Railways awarded contracts for the Vande Bharat Sleeper to three manufacturers, including BEML, Kinet Railway Solutions and a consortium of Titagarh Rail Systems and Bharat Heavy Engineering Limited. Kinet Railway Solutions is a joint venture between Russian rolling stock major TMH and RVNL, and the selection of multiple suppliers is intended to build capacity and diversify production sources.

One Vande Bharat Sleeper service, operating between Howrah and Kamakhya, entered service in January 2026 and was developed by BEML using technology from the Chennai based Integral Coach Factory. That service has provided early operational data and design validation that will inform follow on manufacturing and fitment decisions for the broader fleet.

Kinet Railway Solutions unveiled a design concept of the First AC coach on October 15, 2025, indicating a four berth compartment with enhanced privacy and integrated amenities. Features described by the company include easy access to upper berths via a staircase, built in USB ports, individual reading lights and smart storage solutions, and these elements are being incorporated as the joint venture advances prototype construction.